Aug 09, 2007
Ethics work not done
Ryan Teague Beckwith - News & Observer

Gov. Mike Easley signed ethics reforms into law today, but he said the work was not done. 
At a press conference in the state Capitol, the governor said three bills passed by the legislature were part of an ongoing process of cleaning up state government. 
 
"This will be a continuing issue for us," he said. 
 
The bills make state Ethics Commission hearings open to the public, set limits on donations to legal defense funds set up by lawmakers and clarify ethics regulations passed in previous years. 
 
The reforms are intended to clean up some of the problems revealed by recent political scandals, including former House Speaker Jim Black's acceptance of illegal cash donations from chiropractors and campaign finance problems for Reps. Thomas Wright and Mary McAllister, all Democrats. 
 
Easley praised the new openness of ethics hearings, saying public officials who have done nothing wrong will welcome the chance to air their side of the story. 
 
"It gives officials the chance to show they did nothing wrong," he said. "It's good for the public officials, it's good for the public, it's good for everybody to hear both sides." 
 
Easley was joined at the signing ceremony by Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin, who sponsored the legal defense fund bill; Judge Robert Farmer, head of the N.C. Ethics Commission; Perry Newson, its executive director; and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. 
 
Newson said the Ethics Commission, which was created on Jan. 1, has issued hundreds of advisory opinions, most of which have not been made public yet. 
 
By law, the commission is required to publish redacted versions by the end of the year.