The case for ethics reform

Many Utah businesses, including this newspaper, have codes of ethics that prohibit or limit the gifts employees can receive in the course of their duties or the things they do that might create conflicts with their duties. In the case of this newspaper, it's not that we don't trust our employees or believe they are honest. On the contrary, we have the utmost confidence in a capable and professional staff of reporters and editors.

But rules and codes make expectations clear, both to employees and to the public. Most businesses consider public confidence to be an asset, and they jealously guard their reputations.

Why should the state Legislature be any different?

Lawmakers get visibly agitated when we keep bringing this subject up. But a new opinion poll, conducted for the Deseret Morning News and KSL-TV by Dan Jones & Associates, and reported in this newspaper on Sunday, restates what previous polls have consistently shown: Utahns want stronger ethics laws to govern their representatives.

To their credit, lawmakers seem willing this year to consider a bill by House Majority Leader Jeff Alexander to require greater disclosure of many gifts valued at $5 or more that lobbyists may give lawmakers. In the past, it has been too easy to get around such limits, allowing lawmakers to attend sporting events or other activities with little notice.

But the opinion poll shows Utahns want more. Significantly, 81 percent would like an independent commission to investigate allegations of ethical lapses in the Legislature. When it comes to the redrawing of political boundaries, which follows each 10-year Census count, fully 66 percent would like an independent panel to do the work, not the House and Senate.

No doubt these people have noticed what we have — that computer technology has made it easy for the party in power to draw boundaries in such a way as to virtually guarantee it will remain in power. This, in turn, adds to the general apathy of voters who feel powerless to make changes.

Another 64 percent said they would like the State Elections Office to be independent, as well, rather than run by the lieutenant governor.

Most Utahns understand that no one is leveling any serious accusations against the Republican lieutenant governor, or suspecting him of rigging elections. They know that the big lobbying scandal of the day is unfolding in Washington, not in Salt Lake City. They feel, as House Speaker Greg Curtis told reporters, that Utah lawmakers are honest and hard-working.

In short, they feel about them the way many CEOs feel about their own employees. And yet, as with private business owners, they think tough rules are important.