Idaho Dems blast GOP leaders for backing off on ethics reform
The Idaho Democratic Party has issued a news release blasting GOP legislative leaders for backing off on ethics reforms including an independent ethics commission this year. "If meaningful ethics reform became a GOP priority, then they would figure out a way to get it done," party executive director Shelley Landry said in the release. "Ethics reform did not happen because GOP leaders do not want it to happen." Click below to read the party's full release.
News release from the Idaho Democratic Party
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 7, 2012
The GOP Fails Idaho
BOISE- The supermajority GOP has refuse to deliver on ethics reforms that Idahoans are demanding and GOP leaders agreed were important early in this Legislative session. Despite mouthing the need, they now say " it is not a priority". They are not up to the task of restoring public faith and confidence in our elected leaders—they simply don’t feel the need to.
Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill told reporters that he and his fellow GOP Legislators will take “baby steps” to address ethical blunders that have compromised the public's trust in the Statehouse. Senate and House Majority Leaders stated that there would be no consideration of an independent ethics commission — despite a parade of GOP ethical abuses.
Executive Director of the Idaho Democratic Party, Shelley Landry said, “Idahoans expect their lawmakers to get the job done. ‘Baby steps’ aren’t adequate. We didn’t elect toddlers, we elected adults. Democrats have been spearheading ethics legislation since 2005, and despite acknowledging the need for reform, the Majority chose to do nothing instead. The culture of arrogance and entitlement that has rooted itself in the Majority party is disturbing.”
It is not as if Republicans cannot act swiftly and decisively. They move quickly when it comes to cutting health care for the poor and elderly, implementing ill-conceived education reform, kicking voters out the primary election process, or inserting government into the health care decisions of women and their families.
If meaningful ethics reform became a GOP priority, then they would figure out a way to get it done. Ethics reform did not happen because GOP leaders do not want it to happen.
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