May 01, 2007
Ethical Issues
Editorial - Rocky Mount Telegram

We've complained before in this space that the lobbying reform bill passed last year by the N.C. General Assembly didn't go far enough. We would prefer to see government officials report all gifts, for example, not just the ones worth $200 or more. 
 
But nit-picking aside, there's little question that the reforms passed by North Carolina legislators are having an impact in at least two significant areas. 
 
The N.C. Legislative Black Caucus has stopped soliciting donations for its foundation, pending a ruling from the N.C. State Ethics Commission. In years past, the caucus has raised money from political action groups chiefly to fund scholarships, but the caucus often spent significant dollars on conferences related to the fund. 
 
Scholarships are a worthy cause, but legislators shouldn't be soliciting money from lobbyists and corporations with interests in legislation. That only begs for political favors down the road. 
 
Called on the issue by reporters from several state media, N.C. Rep. Alma Adams, D-Guilford, said the foundation won't raise any more money until the ethics commission rules on the situation. 
 
Of equal importance, N.C. State Treasurer Richard Moore has changed policies in his department. Until questioned by the Charlotte Observer, Moore's employees routinely traveled on the tab of private companies offering golf trips, meals, hotel stays and other freebies. The same companies were bidding for the attention of North Carolina's well-financed state employees pension fund. 
 
Since the Observer began its inquiry, Moore has developed a policy that forbids such junkets. That's a good step, though Moore should have known better than to allow such trips in the first place. 
 
With the Jim Black scandal still making headlines, North Carolina knows full well the consequences of a system in which powerful state officials can abuse their positions. At least now, the state is making headway toward resolving some of those conflicts.