Ethically Challenged Bipartisanship

Once again we have an example of why no one trusts the Kentucky General Assembly.

From the Herald-Leader:

“FRANKFORT - As lawmakers gathered last week for the first of two mandatory ethics training seminars, the Senate's top Republican and Democratic lawmakers weren't around to hear noted campaign finance reformer Norman Ornstein speak……

In all, more than a third of Kentucky's 38 senators skipped at least one of two 90-minute ethics seminars Wednesday and Thursday morning even though a state law created in the wake of a 1992 bribery scandal makes attendance mandatory”

Ok, I understand the sessions are boring and legislators should already have a clue about what is ethical and what is not. But what part of mandatory do they not understand.

They give themselves this out for not attending:

“To avoid a potential charge of ethical misconduct, absent lawmakers are allowed to certify that they have watched a video of the sessions, said Tony Wilhoit, executive director of the Legislative Ethics Commission.”

For people in the public eye, the behavior of these legislators is incomprehensible. Once again they demonstrate the arrogance and stupidity that we have all come to expect from our representatives.

Granted the Legislative Ethics Commission is a toothless lion. All roar and no bite. And members still rely on "I didn’t know it was illegal" as a defense.

But the fact that we still regularly see stories, like the one about Sen. Daniel Mongiardo and his involvement with at PAC, speaks to how little the General Assembly values ethics or fears the wrath of the Legislative Ethics Commission and how much they need the training.

"If we find out that someone did not turn in a certificate of attendance, then I will talk to them personally and tell them to watch the tape," he (Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville) said.

Boy now there is something to be scared of………