Two years ago, Georgia lawmakers stripped away many of the powers of the state ethics commission. Now, under pressure from both the left and the right on the issue of ethics, they may give the commission back some of its ability to police them.
House leaders introduced a bill Friday that seeks to restore the commission’s ability to interpret and apply rules and laws governing lobbying and ethic investigations. They’ve also indicated they may increase funding for the cash-strapped agency.
“This is a good, strong step in the right direction,” William Perry, the executive director of the government watchdog group Common Cause Georgia, told The Associated Press
Common Cause has joined with Tea Party groups and other conservative activists as well as the League of Women Voters. to demand higher ethical standards for Georgia’s elected officials. One of their priorities is placing a cap on gifts the lobbyists can give to legislators.
Lobbyists spend about $1.6 million a year on members of the General Assembly, and Georgia is one of the few Southeastern states not to cap or ban gifts to lawmakers.
Unfortunately, Republican leaders in the General Assembly don’t see any problem with that.
They need to cap gifts from lobbyists, and if they won’t, individual lawmakers should step forth and declare they won’t accept such gifts.
Editorials
February 6, 2012
Ethics bill is a good first step
- Editorials
-
-
Voters should be wary of state’s promises
For a couple of years, some Whitfield County residents kept asking when they would see results from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) voters approved in 2007.
Continued ... - Don’t let elections end this week
- Citizens of the Week: Salvation Army Advisory Board volunteers
- Help make local charity events a success
- Dalton school board sends good news
- May 13, 2012
- Coming year will be key for Dalton, Whitfield County
- May 12, 2012
- Citizen of the Week: John Patrick
- May 10, 2012
- School employees need dress code
- May 6, 2012
- Criminal justice reform makes sense
- May 5, 2012
- Citizens of the Week: Career fair organizers and supporters.
- May 4, 2012
- Healthcare classic supports a good cause
- May 3, 2012
- Theft of signs a disturbing trend
- Ronnie Nix deserves honor
- Apr 22, 2012
- Whitfield voters will face taxing decision
- Apr 21, 2012
- Citizens of the Week
-
Voters should be wary of state’s promises
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
