Alabama Democrats kill ethics reform – again
In what has become a “dog bites man” story Democrats in the Alabama legislature have once again killed off meaningful ethics reforms. Here’s a press release on the subject from the AL GOP:
In a business as usual fashion, House Democrats voted today to defeat amendments offered by Republicans designed to help end the culture of corruption in Montgomery. Amendments to HB 262 by Rep. Marcel Black (D-Tuscumbia) were offered by Representatives Barry Mask (R-Wetumpka, Rep. Mike Ball (R-Huntsville) and Rep. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster) to grant the Alabama Ethics Commission subpoena power and to require elected officials to disclose any relationships they have with public entities or any organizations that receive public funds – each of the amendments were rejected by House Democrats.
Rep. Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn) , Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, stated that the actions of House Democrats today offers a clear indication that they have no intention of joining Republicans in the war on corruption.
“Today’s actions offer a clear cut sign that Democrats are offering the public nothing but hollow rhetoric when they speak of trying to pass legislation that will produce real ethics reform in Montgomery,” Hubbard said. “What’s even more ironic is that former Democrat Senator E.B. McClain was just convicted for doing the very thing these amendments are designed to prevent. Rest assured, however, that Republicans in the Alabama House and Senate will continue to fight the war on corruption despite the Democrats’ desire to keep the status quo.”
A number of anti public corruption bills have been introduced by Republicans in the House and Senate but, thus far, the Democrat majority has not allowed the bills to be considered.
It really doesn’t matter what the reform is, the Democrats oppose it. They have spent decades developing a system that they can manipulate for their political and personal enrichment objectives and they are loathe to clean it up. Meaningful PAC to PAC ban? Nope. Legislative controls on two year college corruption? Nope. Give the ethics commission some teeth? Nope. Mandate financial transparency? Nope. Create a searchable database of campaign contributions/expenditures? I think you know the answer.
WE need to change the culture in Montgomery before meaningful change can take place. I will vote for Paul Sanford in the Republican Primary to help make that change. I will also support which ever Republican wins this election and hope that they will do what is right and support Ethics reform when we take the Senate, and House in 2010 and not squander the power when the people hand it to us, (like the Congress and Senate did for the last 8 years).
I think this is an issue that will hurt a lot of Democrat incumbents come election time
It will only hurt them if an effective campaign by the State Republican party is waged against them. Given that it was in the democrats “contract” and they violated it…that should be a huge point in all races.