Ethics Reform

Next week's visit to the ballot box is the perfect time for the Utah electorate to let candidates for the state legislature know that ethics reform is a priority issue. Voters can do it by casting their ballots for lawmakers who will commit to overhauling Utah's lax ethics rules and laws.

The resistance to ethics reform has been obstinately fervent in recent years as lawmakers typically have bristled at any mention that improprieties ever occur. It is as if they feel they are immune to the temptations of influence peddling in its various nefarious forms. They seem to be blinded by their proximity to the problem.

Yet, it is simply common sense to know that influential lobbyists don't pay for meals or pick up other tabs simply out of benign friendship. They don't donate to a candidate's campaign coffers merely because they're feeling generous and have money to burn. If not buying votes, they're at least getting the attention of the lawmaker and possibly, unduly influencing decision making.

For years citizens have told pollsters that they overwhelmingly favor ethics reform. If the public can't influence politicians to act through opinion polls, they most certainly can do it at the ballot box.