Deseret News | Hughes to introduce ethics bill in Utah Legislature

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Hughes to introduce ethics bill in Utah Legislature

Bushhater | 12:42 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

This is the first good idea on ethics reform that I have seen. I guess something good can come from Lisa Johnson's sleazy October Surprise. Also, the biggest most systemic problems in state government don't come from the legislature, but from the bureaucracy. I know first-hand of a fish-faced department head who shook-down a subordinate for a campaign donation to her desired politician.

awsomeron | 12:53 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

More Smoke and Mirrors at the Tax Payers Expense. Ethic is as Ethics does. I can't sell Blood or Sell a Body Organ, or tissue. Because of so called ethics.

Yet everyone else can charge an adsorbent amount for the work related to my Donation.

The beat goes on from there, just one thing after another. A Secular way having a Morals System. In Short Men/Women sit in Judgment on what other Men/Women should or should not do.

Impeachment | 4:27 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

Give the power of impeachment back to the citizens as originally set up in the constitutution, this will take care of questionable, unreliable, and mis-representation. How many legal offices does it take to tell the people we have un-ethical representation? We already know that and another office is only going to add more confirmation of what is known. Put the fear of the people on their backs with the ability to put them out of office at any time. Another level of legal overseers with no powers is a waste of time and lots of tax payers money. We the people should have the power to oust unethical and irresponsible governmnet officials and their staff at any time. We the people must have the powers to regulate who represents and serves us. This will also go a long way in putting controls on PAC's and special interest groups groveling at the tax payers trough of tax funds. We people are not a nation of uneducated and responsible citizens that don't know what we want, we do know what we want and that is honest and truted representation that is not working behind closed doors.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 5:20 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

Hughes is lucky that the Democrats botched the October Surprise. They sprung it two weeks too early.

Next time they'll get it right, but next time the target will be Killpack or Stephenson.

Poor, poor Hughes | 6:10 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

Greg Hughes is an arrogant, uneducated bully. He is unfit to serve as rules committee chair which is one of the most powerful positions in the legislature. His violent temper, poor manners, and bad judgment are an embarrassment to Utah. Enough with the victim act, already! Hughes brought his problems upon himself.

Cliff | 6:46 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

Hughes proposing ethics legislation? It's just too ironic, and evidence that he refuses to see his own corrupt behavior. He thinks he can throw sheep's wool over his past, and we will all think he is the pillar of integrity. Nothing could be further from the truth, and the citizens of Utah need to never forget his true nature.

I don't buy one inch of his intention, and we will all be sorry he didn't lose this last election.

Robert | 7:05 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

This new Inspector General, as the proposed legislation calls him/her, "would investigate any claims of waste, fraud or unethical conduct" in state government, Hughes said.

But the State Auditor's office already does this, and does it very well, in my opinion.

Isn't this new legislation just Mr. Hughes' attempt to try to get from under the cloud involving his own behavior?

Nepotism Sam | 7:05 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

Yeh, they'll create an "independent" counsel and then hire one of their own kids to run it. Isn't that the way legislators spend campaign donations - on their own children and wives.

JMT | 7:13 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

It also needs to have the authority to review complaints against all registered lobbyists.

Behind every shady deal you will very likely find a lobbyist. That includes this whole 'Hughes affair' as well as so many other little games.

Andrea | 7:30 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

I thought Lisa Johnson did a pretty good job on the October Surprise against Greg Hughes. It was very well executed, although I agree with the previous poster that she sprung the October Surprise a little too early. Rookie mistake.

Davis | 7:33 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

Can't you think of a better way to waste taxpayers money? You guys are politicians, the very definition of dishonesty. We know all of you are on the take and can be bought as cheaply as lunch at a taco cart.

Smokescreen | 7:36 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

This is just another smokescreen by Greggie. He knows full well the legislature will be facing budget cuts this year, and has no money to fund a program like this. He knows it therefore can't pass, but he still gets/tries to look good in the press because he is championing a proposal he knows to be doomed.

The Utah public doesn't fall for this kind of obvious rope-a-dope. (Or maybe it does - Greg did win his re-election after all.)

Instereo | 8:04 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

The fox has to protect the chickens somehow.

Jumipin' jack | 8:04 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

I'm sure the "independent" inspector general will be a former lobbyist.

Concerned Citizen | 8:29 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

This is an absolute joke. I have no confidence in any of the legislation being passed by this bunch of arrogant lawmakers.

What's Best for Hughes | 8:30 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

Do we really want any ethics "reform" proposed by Hughes? Anything that he proposes would be beneficial to him. Having an IG means there's only one person to bully and bribe; it's much more efficient this way.

1Observer | 8:48 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

To all of the clowns bashing Hughes: If you are so pure and wholesome, why don't you run for office?

Warped Reality | 9:21 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

I think it is funny that Hughes believes he has been "found innocent." I would expect one who writes our laws would understand the legal difference between being "found innocent" and being "cleared of any wrongdoing." No wonder our laws are worded so poorly they rarely have a chance of standing up to legal scrutiny when challenged.

Mr. Irony | 9:29 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

Hughes advancing ethics legislation? The sun has darkened and the moon has turned to blood...

I can believe this! | 10:03 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

Someone without a College degree and one that clearly crossed the ethical lines wants to pass legislation because he was caught in one is simply HILARIOUS!

In the Know | 10:08 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

Andrea and Bushhater have it completely wrong. Lisa Johnson knew nothing about the ethics complaint against Rep. Hughes until KSL got the story. She knew nothing, and she had nothing to do with it.
Rep. Hughes should now be commended for this proposal. He might just be the guy to be successful. Utah needs an improved system for filing and investigating complaints.
However, Rep. Hughes was not completely "cleared of ethics violations." He received a pretty strong letter of reprimand.

Oh, Pleeeez! | 10:44 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

"In the Know" knows nothing. People like that are why Hughes and Buttars keep getting re-elected. Perhaps, giving them the benefit of the doubt, they are so unfamiliar with politicians that they cannot comprehend how manipulative a person in power becomes to retain that power, but - come on - really - these guys have no business sitting in the legislature, much less running its most powerful committees. As long as the fox is guarding the chicken house, the only thing he is guarding is his own dinner. Ethics reform will never happen in Utah as long as the people with the gold are making all the rules.

Can't believe he's in office! | 11:22 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008

Is this like Dick Cheney trying to end all the politicians from adding millions of dollars to their bank accounts? Or Stevens trying to end the practice of illegal spending and receiving kick-backs. Makes me laugh at some of this stuff.

To Greg Hughes: | 12:01 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008

Greg-
Let it go. You were not found innocent. Our state legislature needs to regain the trust of the people. Having you as a part of the Ethics Reform would not serve this very crucial need. Yes, we need an independent committee. There are Utah legislators working on ethics reform as I write. Get out of the way and let your colleagues take on this one ... for your sake and for the people.

Citizen | 9:39 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008

Hughes is doing this to gain political favor. He was the one who blocked ethics reform last year and knows if he doesn't appear to favor it this year, his chances of reelection in two years are slim. There is hope: 48% of Draper was smart and ethical enough to vote for the classy, intelligent candidate: Lisa Johnson. Of course, there are plenty of unethical, nasty sheep still left...

Mike R. | 7:14 a.m. Dec. 3, 2008

True ethics reform will not happen until the State Legislature does the following:
1- Ban all gifts of any value. This includes Jazz tickets, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, doughnuts, golf games, bowling, outings, t-shirts, suits, ties, shoes, hats, rings, etc.
2- Ban all lobbyists from the House and Senate Floor.
3- Strengthen reporting laws.

We need another government agency with no power like we need to be shot in the head.

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