As always the art of compromise gave us another toothless version of the same old thing. A few nickel and dime administrative reporting changes that only create a little more paper work for some contributors and campaign fund accountants. Nothing they can't setup a computer to printout another form or two. All of this was a cover for changes that reduced Lawmaker requirements

The lawmakers simply changed things enough they can toot their horns. Then in a couple of years we will learn again how meaningless these changes were.

Then the requirement for the Ethics Commission to conduct annual ethics training for members of the Legislature. Gives a grossly undermanned Ethics Commission more to do. Keeps them from wasting time investigating unfair accusations.

This one gets the prize

Prohibits making or accepting contributions in the state Capitol building!

Apparently there were some careless donors and lobbyist that lack the good judgment to be more careful who might be around watching when they were slipping money to the Lawmakers.

This was really stressing out Lawmakers when potential witnesses might be in the area. Some Lawmakers where afraid that if they didn't take the money when it was offered because someone was around, the one offering might interpret that as meaning the Lawmaker wasn't interested. That was a serious problem worthy of new legislation.

Note: The Owl is of the opinion that all donations should be given and duly recorded in a public place, with witnesses.

The unanswered question is what in this new bill would have prevented, amoung others, the following?

A. Stipe and type's straw donor campaigns?

B. Attorney General Drew Edmondson's golf extravaganza?

Drew without a clue claims he didn't know. Shouldn't he have to attend?

See article on un-ethics bill

A puppet media supporting reborn un-ethics.