Truitt Authors Anti-Nepotism Amendment

Township Reform Effort Passes House Unanimously

STATEHOUSE-Rep. Randy Truitt (R-West Lafayette) today authored an amendment to House Bill 1181 which would tighten future restrictions on nepotism, the practice of hiring a family member. Specifically, the amendment would prohibit a relative of a township employee from being employed in a position where the employee is a direct supervisor of the relative.

The amendment passed unanimously by a voice vote of the House.

"I authored this amendment, which was approved by my fellow House members, to bring more transparency to township government," said Rep. Truitt. "Those with the ability to make hiring decisions should not be able to show favor to relatives. I believe this is the start of meaningful government reform at the township level and I look forward to its final passage in the House-perhaps as early as next week."

Nepotism is a fairly common occurrence in local governments. A recently study showed in a sample of 617 townships, two-thirds of trustees had a relative on the payroll receiving a total of $1.4 million in taxpayer money.

-30-

« Back to News Release List

Link to this event: