The state of ethics reform

or; good on ya, governor.

SALT LAKE CITY – Governor John Huntsman, Jr., offered his “State of the State” address last night. Many people assumed that he would be speaking on many of the so-called “flavor of the month” issues – things of little or no consequence that the Utah Legislature just loves to spend their time and efforts on. However, rather than waste time on unimportant issues, he moved right to the heart of things, for which I applaud him.

Currently, the State of Utah has a budget surplus of about 1.6 billion buckaroos. He would like much of that funneled into the school system. Utah does, after all, have the lowest paid teachers in the whole Union. Consequently, he came out in favor of giving the current teachers a one-time bonus, as well as a substantial pay raise. What better thing to use that 1.6 billion for than to try and retain some of the splendid teachers who are in this state, but feel compelled to seek other employment due to the atrocious wages?

Secondly, he made an announcement concerning lobbying. Lobbyists are a great detriment to the political process in Utah – they are everywhere, and they find any and every loophole to shimmy their way into the sack with the legislators. Utah's Legislature is, after all, painfully corrupt . . . thanks in large part to these lobbyists, but since the majority of the state thinks only of party lines when voting, many of these crooks keep being sent back, due only to the little {R} next to their names on the ballot.

Governor Huntsman has proclaimed a moratorium on gifts from lobbyists to his staff, and the executive branch of state government altogether. He's also announced a two-year “cooling off” period, where a former legislator cannot return to the Hill as a lobbyist for two years following his/her leaving office.

While these may be largely symbolic announcements on his part (seeing as how the “unspoken rule” for the last two years has been NO GIFTS in his office, PERIOD), he's finally sending a message to the legislature. Namely – we're on to you. Some of us know just how corrupt you've gotten. It's time to put this unethical behavior behind us and act like elected officials, not local hoodlums.

Do I think this will make a difference? Not yet. The house and the senate are entirely too accustomed to their pampering by the lobbyists. They're not looking forward to giving up all those free meals at the most expensive restaurants in the state, trips, etc. But I think the message has been sent.

We're tired of your unethical behavior. Shape up, or ship the hell out.

Liiiiink!

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Oh, I forgot to mention:

When I first arrived back in Utah after two years of living in New Mexico, Huntsman had just been elected governor, a race I didn't get the chance to vote in. At the time, I saw him as the pretty-boy son of a great Utah businessman and philanthropist, and was largely elected on name recognition alone.

In the two years since, my opinion of him has changed. Was he prepared to be governor when elected? No, heavens no. But - has he become a competent, successful governor?

More and more, my answer is yes.

Keep it up, Governor Huntsman. You may just make a little bit of a difference yet.

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