Enter the ethics-free zone
A KSL- Deseret News poll finds that three in four Utahns are ready for ethics reform in the Legislature.
But what the people think has never had much effect on the Utah Legislature. Still, after Sen. Chris Buttars' shenanigans, one would hope that GOP leaders might be open to a tweak or two in the ethics code.
Buttars has done the favoritism fandango all over the ethics rule stating: "Members of the Senate or House shall not exercise undue influence on any government entity." The senator, who was head of the judicial screening committee, scolded a state judge for not ruling in favor of a Buttars buddy.
It takes three senators, however, to sign a letter to trigger an ethics investigation. Because Buttars has yet to light fire to the Capitol, murder someone or designate a wilderness — that's not likely to happen.
Rep. Roz McGee, who sponsored legislation this session to create an independent ethics commission, told the Tribune the Buttars case makes her point.
House Minority Leader Brad King laments to the DNews that Democrats have run reform bills for years. "But with the exception of a few innocuous and ineffective changes, nothing passed."
Meanwhile, somebody keeps electing these guys.
But what the people think has never had much effect on the Utah Legislature. Still, after Sen. Chris Buttars' shenanigans, one would hope that GOP leaders might be open to a tweak or two in the ethics code.
Buttars has done the favoritism fandango all over the ethics rule stating: "Members of the Senate or House shall not exercise undue influence on any government entity." The senator, who was head of the judicial screening committee, scolded a state judge for not ruling in favor of a Buttars buddy.
It takes three senators, however, to sign a letter to trigger an ethics investigation. Because Buttars has yet to light fire to the Capitol, murder someone or designate a wilderness — that's not likely to happen.
Rep. Roz McGee, who sponsored legislation this session to create an independent ethics commission, told the Tribune the Buttars case makes her point.
"Part of the value of establishing an independent ethics commission is reminding elected officials and the public that where vigilance is needed, there would be a place to take problems and complaints."Of course, McGee's a Democrat and a woman to boot, so her commission is DOA.
House Minority Leader Brad King laments to the DNews that Democrats have run reform bills for years. "But with the exception of a few innocuous and ineffective changes, nothing passed."
Meanwhile, somebody keeps electing these guys.
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