Legislature approves ethics overhaul

By Matt Viser, Globe Staff

The Legislature approved an overhaul of the state's ethics laws this afternoon, passing the most sweeping changes in decades as lawmakers attempt to move past a series of high-profile scandals on Beacon Hill.

The legislation will now head to the governor's desk. Governor Deval Patrick has scheduled a press conference for 5:30 p.m.

"Let's bring hope back to Massachusetts," Representative Peter Kocot, a Northampton Democrat and a chief architect of the ethics bill, said in the House debate.

While no one voted against the plan in the House -- the final tally was 157-0 -- several lawmakers were frustrated with what they called a closed-door practice in crafting the bill. They also said it did not go far enough, by not subjecting the Legislature to the state's open meetings law.

"I don't believe it goes far enough," said Representative Jennifer Callahan, a Sutton Democrat. "I just don’t understanding how many more headlines it will take, to read about either corruption or wrongdoing, before we embrace true, meaningful reform.”