Mar 28, 2007
Bill would open ethics hearings
Matthew Eisley, Rob Christensen, Barbara Barrett - News & Observer

State Sen. Phil Berger wants state ethics charges and hearings opened to the public. 
 
Berger, an Eden Republican, filed a bill this week to open to the public the meetings of the State Ethics Commission and the separate Legislative Ethics Committee. The commission oversees state government workers, while the legislative committee polices lawmakers. 
 
Berger's bill also would bar lobbyists from contributing to or raising campaign money for political candidates. And it would prohibit government officials and candidates from asking lobbyists for campaign money. 
 
When lawmakers passed ethics and lobbying reforms last year, they made misconduct charges and ethics hearings secret. 
 
Gov. Mike Easley, the Ethics Commission's chairman and openness advocates have urged the legislature to revise the ethics law to open proceedings to the public once misconduct complaints are substantiated and formal charges are filed, but before hearings. 
 
Berger's proposal faces uncertain prospects in the legislature, where Democrats dominate both chambers. 
 
"It would send a strong message that lobbyists shouldn't purchase influence and that ethics proceedings should be open," said Louisa Warren, director of the N.C. Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform.