Speaking at a Birmingham civic club this week, Gov. Bob Riley asked the audience to raise their hand if they trusted their lawmakers. In a group presumed to be a mix of Republicans, Democrats and Independents, not a hand went up.
That lack of trust, Riley concluded, simply confirmed that ethics reform in Alabama is a must.
And we think he’s right. It’s not the only answer, but it is a key to building trust for this state’s elected leaders.
In the next legislative session that begins in January, Riley is pushing for full disclosure of gifts to lawmakers from lobbyists and lobbyists disclosing on the internet all their spending on public officials and their family members.
What an eye opening experience that would be for Alabama voters – to be able to see exactly how much money is spent by lobbyists to influence the lawmaking in this state.
The governor is again calling for a ban on transfers of contributions between Political Action Committees that essentially hide the original source of money going to a particular candidate.
That would be another eye opener, helping Alabamians see just who backs a candidate and why.
Riley is also asking for an end to so-called “double dipping,” which would ban employees of the state from holding legislative office. While we agree with the intent, we do not agree with the wholesale banning of a segment of the population from holding public office.
Riley’s reasoning is based on some legislators holding a state job while steering money to that agency in their role as a lawmaker. It is agreed that the examples cited are wrong, but it is not right to punish the class. Instead, ethics reform should include ways to prevent such acts.
The premise of Riley’s arguments on ethics reform is this:
“A government that is honest, ethical and honorable is fundamental to a better future for Alabama. Without it, we can’t expect the people to trust that we’ll do what’s best for them and for their children.”
And in that regard, we couldn’t agree more.
Post a Comment
