Bums back in charge
In what is becoming a chutzpah chain reaction, greasy Republican lawmakers are trying to outdo each other in calling for ethics reform after voters registered outrage in the election. (Note: Voter outrage in a Utah amounts to some GOP incumbents almost getting tossed out on their ears.)The latest is a proposal by nearly ejected Rep. Greg Hughes to create an independent inspector general office to investigate allegations of unethical behavior lodged against elected and non-elected state officials.
Hughes was dragged before the House Ethics Committee before the election on complaints that he offered campaign funds to other lawmakers if they would change their votes on the controversial school voucher bill. He was exonerated with a wrist slap from the committee.
While Hill leaders say they favor tuning up ethics rules, they want to keep control of investigations in the hands of lawmakers. Hughes claims he wants an independent IG to "investigate any claims of waste, fraud or unethical conduct."
Hughes says his party's leaders may not like his idea:
But I'm going to run it and see what happens.In other words, it's DOA, like most of the promised ethics reform.
8 Comments:
Um Greg, party leaders may not like it because your occasionally angry outbursts make the party look bad.
I think they would take ethics package proposals from most others.
What is wrong with Speaker Elect Clark's idea of appointing a panel consisting of two Republicans, two Democrats and three judges to review allegations? Why do we need to create a new office?
Strategic CYA by an almost-ousted (R) incumbent. I can hear the rhetoric in 2010 already..."Hey, I'M the one who SPONSORED the toughest ethics bill since the beginning of time, complete with demands for an Inspector General, and it was *cough* unfortunately *cough* defeated by the Legislature."
So far, no one has discussed whether any ethics reform mechanism will be allowed to be abused like Lisa Johnson did with her October Surprise ("Oh, wow, I didn't know this was going to happen. I hope everyone believes little ol' me")
And just think that Lisa Johnson almost pulled it off.
Who cares who proposes it. It's absolutely necessary and state auditor Austin Johnson needs to be the guy. I'm officially nominating him.
The problem with 2 repubs, 2 dems and 2 judges is that they're all political animals. You saw the 4-4 decision on Hughes. And after the disgusting treatment of Hilder's nomination to the appeals court, no judge in his right mind would go against one of these thugs.
I can't believe it is more important to vote Republican than to vote for ethical.
I hope Lisa Johnson runs again. It's time to throw this bum out the door.
It would be three judges not two. Also, use SC justices; they have no need to fear reprisal.
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