Instead of self regulating themselves let the people decide. Give them back the power to impeach their dishonarable representatives that bring shame and dishoner to their positions. It is the constitutional right for citizens to have the power to toss unethical representatives out at any time. Citizens have the right to oust any elected official and an ethics agency is not required. Such an agency will not have any powers or legal status with the powers to make a difference in how our unethical representation acts. Our legislators must fear the people throughout their term in office, not a slap on the wrist or make believe scolding. We have the right of redress and impeachment at any time that has been legislated from our rights as citizens under the Constitution of Utah and the constitution of the United States of America.

The article says there were 3 separate "innocent" votes. Not true. In the Walker case, he resigned before the committee could meet. The committee no longer had jurisdiction (how could a committee that can only investigate and discipline legislators, discipline one who was no longer a legislator?). In the other two it's too strong to say "innocent." They did not choose to punish Hughes, but I think the committee's letter made it clear they did not find him "innocent." This is one of Bernick's subtle ways of sliding opinion into reporting.

Huntsman should stop running to the front of every parade. Stop looking around for a better position and actually start governing with principles not polls.

What about conflict of Interest? The Lockhart's, and Bramble's are the most powerful people with numerous conflicts of interest, but the list goes on and on, including Shurtleff and his relationship with the quick loan industry, Walker as a candidate, etc.

Gary Herbert's role in the Walker scandal also shows his role in the government conflict of interest. There were criminal acts committed and the election office (Gary Herbert) refused to take action. . . . .how ethical is that????
Shouldn't the election office be impartial and not clearly slanted to his own political party???

We have an impeachment process in Utah. It's called regularly held elections.

On the Walker case, if he did break a law and not just a rule of conduct, the grand jury will take it to trial and he'll be found guilty. The process is working.

And with Hughes, the letter was a joke. Telling him he needed to be nicer? What is that? It's not a playground up there. It's a political arena where people are making $14 billion worth of decisions affecting all of us. Frankly, I don't want a legislator who makes me feel warm and fuzzy when I meet him. I want one that gets legislation passed that I agree with, PERIOD.

And that's what Hughes does and that's why the liberals can't stand him.

Who was the legislator who said "I can make it happen" in the Walker investigation?

Thanks Machiavelli for weighing in.

ethics went out the door with the status quo. believing god will forgive them if they wrong has no bearing on the irresponsible ways we DON'T govern our activities