On Monday, Governor Perdue announced a set of legislative proposals and proposed executive orders aimed at reforming the ethical requirements for state government employees, elected officials and appointees to state boards and commissions. Perdue’s ethics reform package comes amidst an ongoing investigation into former Democrat Gov. Mike Easley and Ruffin Poole, a former aide to Gov. Easley, who has been indicted on corruption charges. Perdue has also been criticized for the failure of her campaign to report 17 private flights and $48,000.00 in questionable donations.
In a Press Release entitled, “State Ethics Reform Necessary” dated November 16, 2009; I stated that the North Carolina House unanimously passed bipartisan ethics reform legislation in May of 2009. My press release can be found under Issues – Government Corruption. The press release states:
“During the 2009 Session I was a primary co-sponsor of three bipartisan bills aimed at reforming our State ethics laws. House Bill 944, “Disclosure by Appointees,” sponsored by Reps. Glazier (D-Cumberland), Ross (D-Wake), Stam (R-Wake) and Tillis (R-Mecklenburg), requires disclosure of campaign contribution activity by those appointed to critical positions in state government. House Bill 961, “Pay to Play Regulation” was co-sponsored by Reps. Glazier, Stam, Ross and Goodwin (D-Richmond). This legislation is aimed at preventing conflicts of interest involving political contributions by critical state contractors. House Bill 1136, “Executive Branch Revolving Door,” sponsored by Reps. Ross and Stam, would prohibit certain Executive Branch employees from registering as lobbyists for six months after leaving employment with the State.
All three bills passed the House of Representatives with almost unanimous approval. HB 944 was received by the Senate on May 7, 2009. HB 961 and HB 1136 were received by the Senate on May 14, 2009. However, not one of these bills was considered by the Senate prior to adjournment last August. Recent allegations involving former Governor Mike Easley and Mary Easley, as well as other top Democratic officials, indicate the critical need for ethics law reform.
These bills will be pending in the Senate when the legislature reconvenes next May. I call upon the Senate leadership to make their consideration a priority.”
It seems that if Gov. Perdue were serious about ethics reform, then she would have inspired Senate Democrats to pass the bipartisan legislation aimed at accomplishing the same ethics reform she now seeks while in the midst of her own campaign finance woes.
