Raleigh needs some of the same ethics rules as Washington
The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday overwhelmingly approved an ethics bill that the N.C. legislature should copy.
Among many other provisions, "It would require lobbyists to detail their own campaign contributions, as well as payments to presidential libraries, inaugural committees and charities controlled by lawmakers," the Washington Post reported.
The last point is relevant to events in North Carolina. The N.C. Legislative Black Caucus Foundation is controlled by lawmakers, some of whose family members have been granted college scholarships through the foundation. There's no requirement to disclose the source of the foundation's money.
Why does this matter to the issue of ethics in government? Picture this scenario: Lobbyist makes big contribution to foundation controlled by legislators; foundation provides scholarships for sons and daughters of legislators; legislators support bills that help lobbyists' clients.
Did that happen? It's impossible to know without disclosure.
The U.S. House of Representatives thinks this is important. What does the N.C. legislature think?
Comments (3)
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Raleigh needs some of the same ethics rules as Washington
The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday overwhelmingly approved an ethics bill that the N.C. legislature should copy.
Among many other provisions, "It would require lobbyists to detail their own campaign contributions, as well as payments to presidential libraries, inaugural committees and charities controlled by lawmakers," * Doug
Good Grief! The last thing this state needs to do is copy the Federal government on ethics.
What Raleigh needs to do is ban all lobbyists off state property and shoot all Corporate executives on sight should they enter state property with checksbooks.
Your suggestion is like the Fox at the chick coop asking the Wolves about dinner arrangements advice.
Posted on August 1, 2007 12:22 PM
Doug:
More importantly, what do our two U.S. senators think? Several Republican senators are considering trying to block this legislation from going forward.
Posted on August 2, 2007 8:24 AM
Update: The Senate passed the ethics bill today 83-14, though the NC delegation was split with Senator Dole voting for the bill and Senator Burr voting against. All of the no votes came from Republicans.
Posted on August 2, 2007 6:04 PM