Legislature must let the public keep an eye on ethics matters
Tuesday, July 31st, 2007
By Chris Fitzsimon
ADVERTISEMENT
// < ![CDATA[ OAS_AD('Middle'); // ]]> North Carolina’s legislative scandals didn’t end when Jim Black was sentenced to five years in prison.
That same week, a representative from Stanly County, David Almond, abruptly resigned after a complaint of personal misconduct was filed against him. More recently, the Charlotte Observer has reported that Joe Boylan, a representative from Moore County, is accused of making improper advances toward Rep. Tricia Cotham, a young legislator from Mecklenburg County who, ironically, replaced Black.
Details about actions by Almond and Boylan are sketchy, but citizens can trust the legislature to police itself.
Um, actually, they can’t.
Most House members pretended they just didn’t see anything wrong with Black’s practice of raising money from special interests that subsequently became the beneficiaries of favorable legislation. Once those dealings came to light, the General Assembly passed new ethics provisions but stopped short of addressing all its problems. For example, it created an ethics commission that could work behind closed doors — presumably allowing complaints to go away without the public knowing anything about them. (more…)
Last 5 posts in Daily News
- Health insurance coverage dwindling - October 10th, 2008
- N.C. to change voter ID process after problems - October 10th, 2008
- State defends database use for IDs - October 10th, 2008
- States tighten their belts amid financial woes - October 10th, 2008
- Senate race aims to boost Libertarians - October 10th, 2008
Email This Post
Print This Post
