Senate to debate ethicsreform bill.

BOSTON, MA (AP) - The Massachusetts Senate is preparing to debate changes to the state's ethics laws.The House already has passed a bill that would increase the penalty for bribery to $100,000 and 10 years in prison, and bar lobbyists from giving any gifts to public officials.The Senate plans to take up the debate on Thursday. Senate Republicans say an ethics bill proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick doesn't go far enough.Patrick has pressured lawmakers to deliver a series of reform bills to his desk, including transportation, pension and ethics measures.Patrick has said he'll veto any broad-based tax increase unless the reform bills are passed first.Senate leaders have left the door.open for a tax increase to help balance the budget.

Source;wwwlp.com