Reader comments
Outcome will likely be same for Hughes, Riesen

This may be the first time I agree with bernick. I think they should drop charges and let them deal with there elections.

Nobody is fooled by any of this. This is just a dirty, cheap political stunt by a dirty, cheap political hack. Riesen gives dishonest politicians a bad name.

Riesen is a hero that isn't afraid to expose the garbage that has been spewing forth from the right side of the legislature.

Finally.

Isn't the job of a newspaper to inform the public? In a state with virtually next to no ethical restrictions on state legislators why are you suggesting we should expect this to be swept under the rug? Are you trying to enable a legislature with a faulty moral compass in order to maintain your access as a political reporter, while you try to practice some sort of editorial fuhction? Isn't this two hat business a bit confusing? It sure is frustrating reading your stuff and trying to figure out which side you actually are on and how a reader should appropriately respond.

I can certainly understand why Hughes and the gang would like to keep Riesen quiet. I certainly cannot understand what is inappropriate about informing the public that an ethical discretion is alleged and under investigation. And if no ethical inquiry was initiated until Riesen leaked the story, I fail to understand how that was acceptable. The suggestion that the letter's only purpose was to encourage ethics reform legislation does not pass the smell test. Only a fool would think that would be a large enough impetus for this legislature to enact appropriate legislature reform.

Riesen clearly violated the House rules. Hughes may have violated the House rules.

I would take Riesen over Hughes in a heartbeat. At least he wasn't browbeating someone to change their vote. This current leadership on Capitol Hill is one of the most selfish and corrupt in our state's history. Vote them out...please.

Reisen did the right thing. For Lawrence to think her leyyer should not have been part of an ethics investigation is sad. I applaud her for saying the truth , but it seems the good ole boys' intimidation tactics have gotten the best of her.

Three out of four Utahns want ethics reforem. Why does it take this kind of circus to get the GOP rolling? The world may never know, but one thing is sure, THEY DON"T LISTEN!

Kudos to Representative Reisen. I want to know about this stuff BEFORE the election, not after. I wish him all the best. I don't believe that Susan Lawrence made this stuff up.

I am not surprized that Legislators would sell their votes to special interests for cash. I am however amazed that the outrage is over leaking proof of that to the press and is considered the real breach of ethics.
Who are these people that are defending this practice? Is there anybody up there to serve the people?

Look at the motive for each:

Hughes acted as he did to get the bills HE wanted passed, regardless of the wishes of those who elected him.

Reisen saw what happened last summer with a similar ethics question so he knew that without any publicity there would not be an ethics investigation until after the election.

Which elected man believes in full disclosure to the people.