House and Senate GOP conservatives did pass a voucher bill in the 2007 Legislature. GOP Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. signed it into law, but an anti-voucher movement quickly rose up. And voters repealed the voucher law by a nearly 2-to-1 vote last November.

Democrats are making those pro-voucher votes by GOP legislators an issue in upcoming legislative elections next month. There are partisan and bipartisan groups asking legislative candidates to sign "ethics reform" pledges. And Hughes points out that he's signed one such pledge.

Lawrence told the Deseret News Wednesday that she came forward now not to try to harm Hughes, whom she considers a friend, but because she wanted to help convince legislators "on both sides of the aisle" that real ethical reform is needed in the Legislature. "The people need to be able to reaffirm their belief in legislators — by far most of whom are good, honest (citizens) trying to do their best," she said.

Lawrence said she stands by her letter, which accuses Hughes of offering Lawrence considerable campaign cash, up to $50,000, if she would switch her anti-voucher vote, or at the very least just leave the House floor and not vote against a voucher bill.

Lawrence refused Hughes' offer twice, she writes, and was troubled by the offer. That is why she decided to step forward now, she said. However, Lawrence said that she didn't expect her letter to be released publicly, and only wrote it as proof to show lawmakers — as she puts it, "one small part of ethical lapses" — that she believes they need to deal with reform in the 2009 Legislature.

Riesen, Democratic caucus manager, apparently gave Lawrence's letter to KSL-TV, which ran a story on the issue Tuesday night. Riesen couldn't be reached for comment.

Lawrence said, "It is unfortunate that it was made public at this time — I hope it doesn't harm ethical reform, which we really need."

"I want an ethics committee public hearing immediately, within 48 hours," said Hughes. "I want to clear my good name" — which has been besmirched by Lawrence, Riesen and other legislators who believe the Lawrence letter, said Hughes.

Unfortunately, said Rep. Todd Kiser, R-Sandy, House Ethics Committee co-chairman, staff attorneys need time to review both complaints and no hearing can possiblly be held until next week, if even then.

Hughes asked for the ethics investigation on himself and Riesen, saying Lawrence "misunderstood" what he was saying. Lawrence countered: "I didn't say everything in the letter that happened. There was no misunderstanding, it was clear to both me and Greg what was being said."