The Senate is now beginning debate on changes in Senate ethics rules. First up: A change to its disclosure rule for conflicts of interest to clarify that it applies both in committee and in the full Senate.  "The changes are very few, but I think they are significant and positive," said Sen. Mitch Toryanski, R-Boise. "They add clarity and they take us in the right direction of disclosure."

Next up is a rule relating to dismissal of employees; after that is one that makes the entire Senate Ethics Committee process - even the appointment of the committee - secret and confidential until the bipartisan committee votes, by a majority vote, that there is probable cause that an ethics violation has occurred.