The Bull Elephant
  • Home
  • About The Bull Elephant
  • Fun Stuff
  • Contact The Bull Elephant
Latest Posts
Tennis Vincit Omnia!
RPV state convention call puts undue burden on...
Prayers, Preaching and (Revised) History Lessons
Proposed Convention Amendments
Cancel Culture as America’s New Religion
A letter in Response to SCC Vice Chair...
Right From The Start: Will Democrats Re-Elect President...

The Bull Elephant

  • Home
  • About The Bull Elephant
  • Fun Stuff
  • Contact The Bull Elephant

Governor’s Ethics Commission Reveals Common Sense Reforms

written by Paul A. Prados October 20, 2015

Given the consistent failure in Richmond to address ethics reform in a substantive manner, those of us concerned about transparency and corruption should applaud the work of the Governor’s Ethics Commission.

I care not for the partisan reasons behind failed ethics reform, or for the partisan reasons behind appointment of the Ethics Commission.  In what is likely just an accident as they come from the McAuliffe administration, the recommendations of the Commission all warrant consideration.

Photo Credit: Reuters

Photo Credit: Reuters

A draft of the recommendations has been released.  Once finalized the Commission will disband, and the General Assembly and the Governor can go back to pretending they have addressed ethics reform.

The reforms

Banning use of campaign funds for personal use

This seems like common sense, albeit the devil is in the details.  Reimbursements for campaign related uses of personal items (like vehicles) should be allowed.  Notice I did not suggest purchase of vehicles, just use.

Banning fundraising during special sessions

This might be a partisan attack as the G.A. is marginally controlled by Republicans who insist the G.A. is perpetually in session.  Nonetheless, what goes around comes around.  There has to be a way to do this without banning fundraising when the G.A. is in session pro forma.

Increasing compensation of the legislature

Other people have stronger views on this than I do.  The legislature is underpaid, but then again they know what they signed up for.  I agree there definitely should be a separate fund for expenses/staff that can not be pocketed by the legislator.

Measures to increase the transparency and non-partisan nature of judicial selection

As someone who has participated in the Fairfax system that is being promoted as a model for the rest of the Commonwealth I fully support this.  Additionally, the public may not be aware, but there was a judicial evaluation program where attorneys could anonymously evaluate the Judges before whom they practice.  This system was ended a few years ago and has just been revived.  This system is critical for evaluating reappointment of Judges.  The results should be available to members of the legislature.

Align budget cycle to gubernatorial elections

I understand an incoming Governor may not be prepared to step right in with new budget priorities upon election, but the current system that has a new Governor implementing the previous Governor’s budget does not make sense.

Funding for a transition office for the Governor-elect

Sounds okay, but how much funding?

Require economic disclosures for registrars and electoral board members

Electoral board members are appointed by Judges usually with the influence of political parties.  A registrar is a more ministerial position, and I feel should be somewhat immune from more scrutiny.

Gift disclosures: Gifts from relatives exempt from limits and disclosure

This could cause all sorts of consternation for some.  I feel family should be allowed to treat one another like family without public scrutiny.

Gift disclosures: Require disclosure of gifts form personal friends in excess of $1000

Sounds reasonable.  I am sure some people want a lower threshold.  Perhaps a $1000 aggregate limit over a 12 month period makes sense.

Gift prohibition:  No gifts from personal friends in excess of $5,000

There would be a way to work around this.  This seems reasonable.

 

By and large the draft recommendations appear worthwhile.  As such, we can presume that they are unlikely to be enacted for petty partisan reasons on both sides (unless the G.A. wants to vote themselves a raise).

Governor’s Ethics Commission Reveals Common Sense Reforms was last modified: October 20th, 2015 by Paul A. Prados
ethicsethics commissionGovernor McAuliffe
2 comments
Paul A. Prados

Having fallen prey to the allure of DC politics in college, Paul escaped only to make the similar judgment error of going to law school. Trained at the side of a sitting state Senator, Paul is now the owner of a law firm in Reston, Virginia. In previous years Paul built a base of support on Twitter @ppradoslaw and founded and wrote for a blog on Virginia politics and legal procedure northernvirginialawyer.blogspot.com. As a pro-life libertarian, Paul finds himself at home within the broader conservative movement, and believes in a big tent Republican Party. In May 2016 Paul was elected as Chairman of the 11th Congressional District Republican Committee. Paul resides in western Fairfax County with his wife and children.

Your life will be better if you click one of these

Tennis Vincit Omnia!

March 4, 2021

RPV state convention call puts undue burden...

March 4, 2021

Prayers, Preaching and (Revised) History Lessons

March 3, 2021

Proposed Convention Amendments

March 2, 2021

Cancel Culture as America’s New Religion

March 1, 2021

A letter in Response to SCC Vice...

March 1, 2021

Right From The Start: Will Democrats Re-Elect...

February 28, 2021

The McDuff Debacle

February 28, 2021

A new convention plan

February 28, 2021

Sunday Memes–Let’s all try to be less...

February 28, 2021

Fun Stuff

  • Sunday Memes–Let’s all try to be less white

  • Sunday Funday Memes!

  • Sunday Memes–We deserve a laugh today

  • Best Super Bowl commercials 2021

  • Sunday Memes, Circleback!

Advertisement

Advertisement

Sign Up for Email Alerts

[wysija_form id="5"]

Advertisement

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

@2017 Bull Elephant Media LLC.


Back To Top