Gov. Patrick vs. civil liberties?

A governor's task force has recommended a sweeping overhaul of the state's lobbying and ethics laws, proposing a steep increase in penalties and a broad expansion of enforcement and investigative tools.

The report, which can be found here, suggests giving subpoena power to the office of the secretary of state, wiretapping authority to the attorney general, and significantly increasing the scope of the State Ethics Commission and giving it more teeth. The task force also proposed a change to the state conflict of interest law that would give the attorney general more latitude to prosecute corrupt officials.

At a press conference this afternoon, Governor Deval Patrick said he plans to file the reform bill on Wednesday, the first day of a new legislative session. Patrick urged lawmakers to act within 30 days and said he was optimistic that the measure would pass.

"No one can legislate morality, we all know that," Patrick said. "But we can assure ourselves and the public that the consequences for breaching the public trust will be serious, swift, and certain."

Massachusetts Inspector General Gregory W. Sullivan hailed the proposals as "extraordinary" after the press conference.

"I never thought I'd see this day," Sullivan said. "If this passes, I think it will be the most significant legislation since I've been inspector general by far."

The governor formed the 12-member task force in November after a major corruption scandal and a series of ethics controversies roiled the State House. Former state Senator Dianne Wilkerson was arrested on federal bribery charges. A series of Globe stories sparked investigations by several agencies into large payments made to friends and business associates of House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi. One of those friends -- Richard Vitale, the speaker's longtime accountant and campaign treasurer -- was indicted on charges of violating lobbying and campaign finance laws.

A chill wind is blowing.

UPDATE: More from Michael Graham, Kenneth J. Moynihan, Eric Fehrnstrom, Todd Feinburg, Scot Lehigh, Red Mass Group and the Herald.

SECOND UPDATE: More from Joan Vennochi, WHDH, Rachelle Cohen, Holly Robichaud, the Boston Herald and Michael Graham.