Deseret News | Legislative ethics probe begins on 2 lawmakers

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Legislative ethics probe begins on 2 lawmakers

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Joe | 4:26 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Thanks to Phil Reisen, the public actually will get a good glimpse of what Greg Hughes is really about. People that follow him know him as explosive, back handed and manipulative. Sooner or later allegations like this had to surface. He was extremely loyal to the party line and the voucher movement despite the fact the the majority of his district opposed them. He does not represent his constituents, he walks the party line at all costs. Draper voters--get rid of him.

Incumbunts have decided | 4:33 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

They own the State
These are Elected Individuals
The word Officials are being mis used
There job is to wear an American hat and do the business of the people
The Police are suposed to protect the People
That is not what is happening
We have bad words used to put a vicious spin on things
The SUSPECT!
The MEDIA does a good job of false reporting
We have a Constitution the Media has a problem allowing to be talked about
We have a right to free speech
KSL approves what it wants you to hear
Not what you need to hear

Anonymous | 4:37 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Charter schools by me are having problems as well. They are now resorting to putting flyers on my door saying there are "plenty of openings".

I'm ready to get rid of them and put the money where it really belongs...in my local school.

Comments continue below

Pizza-gate | 4:45 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

It's so easy to picture Hughes almost getting into a fight in the garage. It's classic Greg, much like the pizza delivery girl incident was classic Bramble- so easy to picture, because it's EXACTLY how he is in real life.

Ethics never was Greg's strong subject in college now, was it?

Ouch! | 5:05 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I am a (mostly) republican but the lack of checks and balances in this state make it too easy for those in power to become corrupt. I hear those ethics probes can be really painful and leave the probed feeling like less of a man.

No more | 5:06 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Greg Curtis or Greg Hughes. They both need to get out they have weseled themselves to the top and the keep doing the back room deals with Huntsman, Tom Dolan, Etc. It is a whole mess and time to clean house!

No More | 5:07 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Dismayed Republican | 5:10 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

No more huge legislator-owned slush-funds like those of Curtis and Hughes! Next session, demand real ethics reform, and get it.

Last year (in Realtors' offices, yet?!), certain legislators reportedly pressured well-off locals for funds to defeat the ballot initiative that aimed to repeal HB-148 private-school vouchers. Impliedly, bills desired by attendees might be DOA unless support for vouchers materialized. What was that if not bribery? Utah's voters replied 62-38%; vouchers lost in all 29 counties.

Why did realtors, and other property-managers-and-builders like Hughes, promote vouchers? Gross greed: It'd entice far more folks here from afar, increasing housing demand and shortages and thus prices, to pad earnings of builders-or-realtors.

Housing's double-digit price-jumps in recent years hiked total consumer inflation far above other inflation, and brought on the inevitable crash, after devastating young families, especially newcomers eager for tax-paid vouchers,
particularly as voucher-legislators encouraged false rumors of vouchers for all (WSJ 2/5/07). But later-arrivers must lose most from then-soaring home prices, which also hiked home-insurance costs on all of us, and our taxes. Its artificially-accelerated inflation far beyond real value helped cause, and worsened, inevitable collapses of many overvalued properties, worsening our current economic turmoil. Nice work! Why reward this ?

Summary | 5:30 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Rep. A: Here's a bribe to vote yes on vouchers.
Rep. B: No.
Rep. A: Are you sure you don't want a bribe? You can just not vote?
Rep. B: No.
Time passes...
Rep. B: He offered me a bribe.
Rep. A: No I didn't, but I did say you could get money depending on how you vote or not vote. And you can't prove it anyway cause it was just us talking. And besides the timing of this is political. And besides everyone else is unethical for letting the public know I did this.

1Observer | 5:40 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Whatever happened to innocent unitl proven guilty. I would want any of you sitting on my jury... One person's allegation does not equate to truth no matter how much you WANT to believe it. It is amazing to see the hatred in the posted comments - no wonder our best and brightest are shying away from politics. I am sure that any of you Hughes haters would expect the benefit of the doubt if you were accused - don't we owe that to everyone?

Canard Spotter | 5:44 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

News to all you toadies and sychophants. Dismissing the validity of this due to the timing is a canard. Does anyone doubt that Hughes would have the exact same talking points defense if this came out in 2006 when it occurred? Wouldn't he have said this in 2006:

1) Deny he offered a bribe (because there is not a second witness).
2) Dismiss it as "politics as usual". Accuse the democrats and public school proponents of leaking it for political reasons.
3) Accuse political opponents of trying to derail his upcoming re-election.

Anonymous | 5:54 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

We need to ban charter schools and all legislators that have a business that deals with charter schools in any way.

The whole mess stinks and the charter schools will be the ones paying the price in the end.

Riesen | 6:14 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Why is Riesen running from the allegations now? It seems to me that Rep. Hughes is trying to clear his name. I don't know if that means he is innocent but I think it shows something.

Riesen on the other hand is nowhere to be found. He must be bunkering down for a bumpy road. I hope we get equal time for both stories because both seem to be important.

Anonymous | 6:42 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I can't think of one incumbant, in any race, that I will vote for

Cody | 6:42 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

For all you Greg Hugh, haters I have two words, Nancy Workman. She was accused of something, right before an election that forced her out of the race, She was later aquited by a jury.

Me | 7:01 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

"Why is Riesen running from the allegations now? It seems to me that Rep. Hughes is trying to clear his name. I don't know if that means he is innocent but I think it shows something."

Riesen is stating the facts and needs not spew sadistic vitriol to clear his name. Hughes on the other hand is a dishonest slob who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar and does not like the fact that he got caught. Hughes "Thou doth protest too much...."

Republicans | 7:28 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

"Where there's smoke there's fire"

Now is the time to send a message to the whole bunch of would-be ethics challenged men and women who preach one thing and do sometning else.

"Throw the baby out with the bathwater"

You betcha!

Re: Pizza Gate | 7:32 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Hughes never graduated college.

HP | 8:05 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I know Greg Hughes well. I had a lot of respect for him and worked to get him elected. I believed that he was a good man that would fight for the policies in which I believed. It was a very hard day for me when I realized how wrong I'd been. I've worked closely with many politicians and there are a few very good people fighting for us. Sadly, Greg Hughes is not one of them and none of this surprises me. This could be just the beginning.

Concerned Citizen | 8:13 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Susan Lawrence is the most honest, decent person I have ever known. Put the blame where it belongs. This is not a political manuver. The facts will be presented in an Ethics hearing. The question is, will the Ethics Committee listen to the facts and act accordingly? The Ethics Committee of the Utah House of Representatives has failed to police its own in the not so recent past--case in point Mark Walker. This is why a citizens Ethics Committee should sit in judgement of the members of the Utah State Legislature for ethics violations. Citizens will not be intimidated by pressure from members.

Chris Bleak had no business accousting Rep. Hughes in the parking area at the Capitol. He is Chief of Staff to Speaker Curtis. Leadership has the responsibility of handling problems with any given Legislator. According to the paper, the Highway Patrol was called to the scene. Tsk Tsk!!!!

Utah Republican | 8:15 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Riesen is a hero!

I'm so sick of the local Republicans that I'm going to have to change my name to National Republican, Local Democrat.

Anonymous | 8:21 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

We need to ban teacher's unions from participating in politics. With Utah schools a joke, they fight any positive change and just want the status quo, but with pay raises.

Timing | 8:24 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I read through several comments regarding the timing of these ethics complaints. Perhaps I am calloused, perhaps naive. But who cares about timing. Sure the timing of these allegations being released to the public is meant to sway votes in November. Republicans would do THE EXACT SAME THING IF IT MEANT WINNING. The timing of these allegations DON'T BOTHER ME.

What bothers me are the allegations of misconduct. Sure it is difficult to disprove these right before an election. I say start an investigation with an independent commission. Get the facts as straight as possible and put them out for the public to decide.

If, after the election, more information is found that changes the verdict, then allow for a special election. Punish liars, punish unethical conduct and maybe it will stop. Have an independent commission to investigate unethical conduct.

JMT | 10:23 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

So when my legislator told me that he was told by the UEA that if he voted against the voucher bill they would guarantee him financial support if/when he was challenged, is that wrong? Is that evil?

So right now in Washington DC members of Congress are being pressed to vote for this $700 billion bailout, that most Americans oppose. A lobbyists walks up to a member of Congress, says 'listen, I know if you vote Yes you are going to get attacked in your district. We won't let you hang in the wind. We'll hold some fundraisers and make certain you have money to respond.' Is that unethical?

What about when our very own Rep Jim Matheson has the AARP come into Utah and spend $100k running commericals because he voted yes on one of their issues that is controversial. Is that unethical?

This IS politics. We may not like the money part of it but it shows up in every aspect of it from dog catcher laws, AARP, Wall Street bail outs, and yes, vouchers.

In all of this Phil Riesen is the one who should be censured. If that was evidence and he knowingly di it...busted!

Lie Detector Test, Math educatio | 12:00 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

I propose that all involved take a lie detector test from the agency in the state that is known to be the most accurate.

If people are innocent they should not have this cloud hanging over them.

I myself am democratic, but I will not vote democratic at the local level, because it is Republicans who are in favor of Math educatioin improvement. Democrats and liberal republicans I have talked to don't see the need, which is unfortunate because a good education is the great equalizer among people, allowing those not born into fortunate circumstances to rise above and make a way for themself.

Without good education, we have the class system of old.

Democrats, wake up.

RE: 1Observer | 12:07 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

With all due respect: Greg Hughes, Greg Curtis, Mark Walker, etc. are not the "best and the brightest." Far, far, far from it. Walker still isnï¿½t even qualified to deliver Brambleï¿½s pizza and Hughes is all talk and no substance to speak of. It is BECAUSE of filth like them that the best and the brightest stay away from politics. They are all self-absorbed ego-maniacal demagoguing sycophants who find nothing sweeter than the sound of their own voices as they try to crush the powerless.

These men and their ilk have absolutely ruined politics in Utah. After Greg Curtis loses this November and Greg Hughes is forced to join Mark Walker in ï¿½Iï¿½m an innocent man but Iï¿½m resigning because politics is just getting too dirtyï¿½ land, we can look for those who can truly lead the Utah Republican party in the right direction. And not one of those future leaders we need is in power right now, thatï¿½s for sure.

educrat | 5:57 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Lie Detector is being dishonest.

Democrats are for public education. Republicans are against it, wanting vouchers, private schools and Charters to be funded fully by taxpayer money. That is why Utah was targeted for PCE's grand scheme voucher program and all the bribery Hughes is being accused of. Democrats if brought to power in Utah would no be as likely to try to destroy public ed as Stephenson, Hughes and Curtis have done. What they do to public education isn't right, but the people do not care. As long as they are Republican they get to stay in office.

There are no ethics in Utah.

Jacob | 6:00 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

So groups like the Natioanl Education Association, AFL-CIO, Sierra Club, Moveon.org, NRA, Club for Growth give money to everybody running for office? Is this what Allen and Hansen expect? I election were a contest or ideas and vision. I didn't know that only unions were allowed to contribute to their goons.

Bob G | 6:37 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

There should be an ethics probe of the entire Utah legislators. What's good for the goose is good for the gander, they all have ethics problems. That's why we can't get any laws passed to insure we have a legislature with some ethics. Of course when the elections are over these charges will be dropped and no ethics panel will decide anything. Those making acusations should clean up their own yards first and without ethics laws they have to do some creative evidence publishing. How can any legislator accuse another without implicating themselves? Gang warfare against dissenters of legislative gangs. It seems any time there is someone among them that does not agree with the majority of other legislators they publicly smear them to get them out of the way. Anyone for the people is a dissenter and must be done away with and removed from office. People, don't believe every thing these accusing un-ethical politicians representing the positions they hold. They don't represent people, they represent business and corruption and graft. It's politics in Utah, if you want to assume we have ethical and responsible representation and representatives. Ethics violations is common on Capital Hill by all our leaders.

To previous anonymous | 6:49 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Utah public schools are not a joke. The teachers are overworked and underpaid. They deserve better. They also didn't deserve vouchers. Thanks to the collective action of groups like the UEA and PTA for helping the referendum against vouchers. The legislature was held accountable to its constituents, as it should be.

Do we need more balance?? | 7:41 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

This is the result of a one party dominated system. Vote wisely. We could use MORE balance.

Chuck | 7:53 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

There absolutely WAS strong pressure put on lobbyists to contribute to and support vouchers or feel retribution from the legislature!

re: CougarKeith | 8:30 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Only problem with Ron Paul's idea as you expressed it the numbers are wrong: $700 billion / 175 million American age 20+ equals $4,000 NOT $400,000. I don't listen to Ron Paul, but if this is truly his idea, we should do an ethics probe on HIM...not for trying to bribe us all with $400,000 (darn those corrupt citizens anyway), but for making it all the way to congress without being able to do 2nd grade math!!! Was he publicly or privately educated?

What? | 8:50 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Are you people making these comments trying to tell me that these elected politicans(who are 90% LDS) are corrupt? Really?

CBU | 8:53 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

I am another constituent in District 51 who will not vote for Greg Hughes.
I agree with John Harrison (above). Rep. Hughes is totally unresponsive to those he represents, ignoring emails, letters, etc. I guess he was too busy with the good ole boys club to listen to a voter.
On the other hand, our senator is genuinely concerned about his constituents.

Facts Talk | 8:56 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Teachers are not underpaid. According to statistics, average Utah teacher salary, with benefits is about $60,474...and they get more days off than the rest of us. Our math in this state really stinks if you can't figure out that a $60K package is decent.

Of course they could always keep more money in their pockets by turning away from the UEA that costs them $550 per year and only offers one million in liability coverage to join the Association of American Educators which offers TWO million in liability coverage and only costs $222 per year.....

Lying Facts lie | 9:22 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Teachers are WAY underpaid.

I crack up when someone lists their pay and includes benefits to make the number look higher.

Utah teacher start at $30,000 a year and most won't last long enough to get retirement. So you have to deduct the benefits since they won't get those.

They get no vision, dental insurance. Most are now paying a good chunk of the premiums plus a huge deductible.

The days of good benefits are gone for everyone...teachers included.

I'd have to be paid $80,000 to start if I was going to start teaching. Less than than and my sanity isn't worth it.

Anonymous | 10:06 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Have to agree with Lying Facts lie.

There are very few teachers at my kids schools that are making it to retirement. Most are lasting about 5 years and then moving on. It is sad. My son in 6th grade has had a brand new teacher almost half of his elementary school years.

Nothing against new teachers but experience sure helps when dealing with kids. I have seen that it takes about 3-4 years before a teachers gets a system working in the classroom.

Teacher pay needs to increase by a lot if we are ever going to keep a teacher into retirement.

Of course maybe that is the legislature's plan. No retirement = more money to spend on their pet projects.

Oh yeah and VOUCHERS ARE A JOKE!

Re-elect No-One! | 10:29 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Again, its time to re-elect No-One! If you can't bring yourself to vote for the "other" party, vote third party-some of them have very real answers for our problems, and will not be ruled over by any "party leadership" in the legislature. They are free to actually vote for whats good.

One Party Rule | 10:50 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

We will always win, We will always be in Power, Sit Down, Shut Up and vote "R".

Non- UEA Utah teacher | 11:37 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Teachers in Utah don't need liability insurance.

The state provide coverage unless a criminal act is committed.

If a criminal act is committed, the union liability coverage goes out the window.

The unions use this to try to get people to join but this is the biggest joke of all.

Cats | 11:41 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

This is an ethics issue. It has NOTHING to do with merits or lack thereof of school vouchers. PLEASE, don't get the two issues mixed up.

If there need to be ethics reforms, SO BE IT. The school voucher issue should be debated and decided on a completely seperate basis.

This is an individual case of possible ethical violations and should be investigated and decided on that basis. It should never have been leaked to the media in the way it was. It should be decided within the current rules of ethics and the law by the appropriate authorities.

Let's not let emotions and biases about vouchers get the better of us. OKAY?

I guess that it is ok | 12:36 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

I guess that as long as an election in underway which is from March to November, that you can do anything you want and call it political and that is OK. Come people that if some one is doing things wrong in the position of public trust it must come out no matter what time it is released. We the voters have a right and deserve to know about it.

John K. | 1:43 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

Mr. Phil, your timing stinks. Why reveal a confidential letter two years after the event supposedly happened on an issue that was settled a year ago by referendum? Why bring this on a month before the election? The whole thing sounds like dirty politics. Mr. Riesen better hope his house is really clean because when he deliberately tries to hurt a colleague's prospects for reelection he can expect some nasty politics in return.

No one in his right mind would condone frank bribes for votes, but what do you call it when people contribute to a campaign and then express their opinions to a legislator?

the fat cats must go! | 3:00 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

and while your at it throw the lobbiest out along with all the secret , secluded, behind the doors meetings too!!

lets tell the truth | 3:32 p.m. Oct. 2, 2008

When I go to the polls, I want to vote for honest and upright people and not about party. It is amazing how so many of you are about party. It seems to be that it is the republicans because of their numbers in office, have by this absolute power become corrupt. If we are not able to find out who all is involved from the Gov. to lt. Gov. and the Speaker and Pres of the senate which is all of the same party. We have no choice but to vote for some one else. So those that do know the truth needs to stand up and tell the truth and who all is involved here. You can't tell me that for 2 and half years that these leaders didn't know anything about this. If they didn't know then they are not much of leaders. Can they tell the truth?

SP--Utah, as usual | 2:09 a.m. Oct. 3, 2008

Utah and their politics are the laughing stock of this country and the world. The hypocrisy of Utahï¿½s ï¿½family valuesï¿½ and fear based dogmatic politics are legendary. You can't really blame the democrats or liberals for the pervasive corruption of the legislature since in Utah they've been hobbled for several decades.

I'm tired of conservative values. Iï¿½m tired of corruption, deception and hate based politics. I'm tired of the Cowboy Coalition and the Eagle Forum. I'm tired of bribery, blatant disregard for the law and endless ethics violations. Iï¿½m tired of wars based on lies, torturing prisoners, suspended civil rights, tax cuts for the rich, economic ignorance, blatant manipulation of the media, covert spies being outed, fear based politics that hype the ï¿½threat to marriageï¿½ to get elected, alienation of all of our allies, denial of global warming, a 6 trillion dollar war and completely ignoring our health care crisis at home. Iï¿½m ready for a change in politics and I hope all of you are too.

Get Rid of Corruption - vote | 11:52 a.m. Oct. 3, 2008

Time for all of the dishonest politicians to leave. Main Street needs to step up and vote these Clowns out. Maybe if we can fix our local dishonest legislative process we can make a dent and slow it down a little in Washington D.C.

How about we start voting out the dishonest politicians? Anyone with me?

anonymous | 12:00 p.m. Oct. 3, 2008

so just one thing to say here... if you live in District 51 - it's time to BOOT Greg Hughes - what a nightmare! Try a google on him... What a joke!

Reality | 8:13 p.m. Oct. 3, 2008

They will still get paid!! Corruption breads corruption!!

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