Why We Need Ethics Reform Now Ken Cuccinelli | Aug 07, 2013

Why We Need Ethics Reform Now Ken Cuccinelli | Aug 07, 2013 Virginia is supposed to be the exception, not the rule. Unlike Washington, our leaders don't run from serious problems. We tackle them. One of the reasons Americans view Washington with such little regard is the perception that nothing ever gets done. Whatever the issue—no matter how urgent—they always seem to be "working on it." They'll hold press conferences, form working groups and "gangs," but when it comes to real solutions, they are few and far between. Right now, Virginians are looking to their state government and wondering whether we're going to give ethics reform the immediate attention it deserves. If we wait until January, ethics reform will not receive the undivided attention of the General Assembly, and I do not believe our reforms would go as far in January as they would in August. Why not take up this issue right now when it's in the front of everyone's mind? Telling the public, "we'll get to it later," is inadequate. That's what the federal government does. Ethics reform is about restoring the public trust. When that is in doubt, nothing is more important than restoring it. In recent days a number of leaders, including Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, have put forward constructive ideas for streamlining Virginia's broken ethics laws. These ideas, however, will remain only words on a page unless we have an avenue to implement real change. That's why I believe Governor McDonnell should immediately convene a special session of the General Assembly. Legislators will be able to come forward with their own ideas and reforms and hammer out their differences. Should a special session take place, I would look to support a number of needed reforms, including a cap on gifts at an amount agreed upon by the General Assembly, a new requirement for spouses and immediate family members to take part in the disclosure process, extending restrictions related to General Assembly members' lobbyist-spouses, a mandatory 10-day reporting period for significant travel expenses provided to a state official, and the formation of an independent state ethics commission. I did not expect my colleagues in Richmond to jump for joy when I called on the governor to call a special session. Likewise, I predicted Terry McAuliffe, now the subject of two federal investigations, would dismiss my proposal as a gimmick-which he promptly did. But now is the time for people to come forward and be part of the solution. If my opponent doesn't want to be part of it, that's his prerogative. As for me, I will be the first to admit that I've made my own mistakes when it comes to Virginia's disclosure requirements. Though I was fully cleared by a Democrat Commonwealth's Attorney, I've learned from my mistakes and believe they make me a more credible messenger in this much-needed debate. Change—especially when it is needed most—is never easy. But the General Assembly should act now to take on ethics reform. Virginians are legitimately looking for action, and the sooner they get solutions from their elected representatives, the sooner and more completely will trust be restored in our state government.   Ken Cuccinelli    Ken Cuccinelli is Virginia's Attorney General and the Republican nominee for governor.   Carl Ray Louk Not racist, not violent, just not silent anymore Fighting for lower taxes, less government, and more freedom. I am Carl Ray Louk and unlike the President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama, I stand with Israel FreedomWorks We are a community of over 2 million grassroots activists We recruit, educate & mobilize across the country Fighting for lower taxes, less government, and more freedom. http://www.freedomworks.org/ "Friendship Never Ends" SG-1996 "Let Love Lead The Way" SG-2000 "The Phoenix Shall Rise" Count Carl Ray Louk 2003 "Even A Man Who Is Pure In Heart And Says His Prayer By Nigh, May Become A Wolf When the Wolf bane Blooms And The Autumn Moon Is Bright." LT-1941 "Flesh of my flesh; blood of my blood; kin of my kin when I say come to you, you shall cross land or sea to do my bidding!" CVTD-1895 "From Hell's Heart I stab at thee, for hate sake I spit my last breath at thee" CA-1895 "I have been, and always shall be your friend" Spock "Trick or Treat, Trick or Treat candy is dandy but murder, oh murder, is so sweet" Count Carl Ray Louk-2003 "Eye of newt, and toe of frog, wool of bat, and tongue of dog adder's fork, blind worm's sting, lizard's leg, and owlet's wing. For a charm of powerful trouble, like Hell broth boils and babble. Double, double, toil and trouble, fire burn, and caldron bubble" WS Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarlRayLouk Twitter: www.twitter.com/CarlRayLouk MySpace: www.myspace.com/carlraylouk Yahoo Group: Yahoo! Groups : LouksHauntedGraveyardhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/LouksHauntedGraveyard/ Yahoo Group: Yahoo! Groups : TheWorldAccordingtoCarlRayLouk http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheWorldAccordingtoCarlRayLouk/