Some people believe the scandal involving powerful lawmakers allegedly applying pressure to get students at a state technology college to build a parade float for the Republican Party is insignificant. They may be right, but that raises another question.

Why would key lawmakers risk so much of their reputations over something so insignificant? And can any violation of law involving people with a public trust be ignored simply because it doesn't rise to a level some consider important?

If Clay Christensen, the president of the Mountainland Applied Technology College, is to be believed, he was "under tremendous pressure to get the (float) project done," according to documents that were part of a recent audit of the college. There is also reason to believe he knew that expenses incurred by the school for such a thing violated state law. Public funds cannot be used for political purposes.

The key issue here isn't the significance of a float, it is the violation of an important law and the appearance, at least, of an arrogant attitude by leaders of the state's majority party. We doubt Democratic leaders would have been able to get a parade float this way.

A number of investigations appear to be arising over this matter. But there is one more we would like to see. That is an ethics investigation by the Legislature into the conduct of key lawmakers attached to this scandal. Exactly what sort of pressure was applied, and why? Some may consider this a minor matter. Certainly, those involved would prefer that spin. But the law is in place for an important reason. Public funds should not be used to promote one side or another in the political arena.

This matter came to light because an employee at the college contacted state auditors with concerns over having to pay bills associated with the float. An e-mail from this employee to Christensen indicates the two had had several conversations on the subject and that the attorney general's office had indicated the expenditures were illegal. After that, the bills were paid by the chairman of the Utah College of Applied Technology's Board of Trustees, and by Christensen himself.

It does, indeed, seem a trivial matter. But it is entirely believable that a college president would consider himself in an awkward situation when powerful lawmakers are applying pressure. Lawmakers hold the purse strings to higher education.

The governor has indicated he wants to examine possible ethical breaches. The Board of Regents is investigating parts of the audit. The UCAT board of trustees also has launched an investigation. It's important that state lawmakers begin a credible probe into their own members' conduct, as well. They owe as much to the public.