No state claims greater moral superiority than Rove's home, where political marriage is defined as a union between one party and one church. And each legislative session, holier-than-thou legislators take umbrage at the suggestion that they are as subject to the subtle blandishments of power as anyone. That and an effectively one-party state make ethics reform a tough sell in Utah.
But history suggests those legislators doth protest too much.
Just last week House Majority Leader Greg Curtis was elevated by his fellow House Republicans to the post of speaker in an election marred by illegal lobbying. It was a fitting way for Curtis, who seems to attract ethics questions, to get elected.
Curtis, if you'll recall, reimbursed the state $767 last spring for double-dipping after receiving state travel reimbursement while driving a Salt Lake County-supplied vehicle. He did something similar while serving as West Jordan city attorney. Between 1996 and 2000, Curtis accepted a monthly allowance of between $300 and $448 for his car while also being reimbursed by the state for Legislature-related travel expenses.
And as legal counsel to outgoing Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman, Curtis couldn't keep his client from being charged with two felonies for misappropriation of public funds. One wonders what, if any, advice he gave her on ethics.
Ethics aren't something safely left to religious conviction alone. They're a function of the maxim Ronald Reagan applied to international arms control: Trust but verify. I had a high school history teacher - I'm sorry that his name escapes me, because I'd like to give him full credit - who understood the importance of this practical approach.
One day we were about to take an important test. He stood before us and declared, "I want you all to know that I trust you not to cheat." He then broke up our tight little seating pattern at the front of the classroom, friend sitting next to friend, and redistributed us around room. After we were all sitting as far from one another as physically possible, he said, "Now that I've established why I trust you, we'll begin the test."
That's what Utah needs - not more patting ourselves on the back about what upstanding citizens we are, but someone who will move the chairs around.
Gov.-elect Jon Huntsman Jr. seems to take this seriously. During the campaign Huntsman supported term limits on governors, a two-year cooling-off period before outgoing state officials can work as lobbyists at the Capitol, full disclosure of gifts to legislators, and monthly disclosure of campaign donations.
Good ideas, but I would go several steps further:
l Institute a complete ban on gifts from lobbyists, as is the law in many states. In Minnesota, famous for liberals and squeaky-clean government, a lobbyist can't even by a legislator a cup of coffee.
Adopt new recusal rules to discourage legislators from participating in votes where they have declared conflicts of interest. Utah is one of only 13 states where the law is silent on such matters.
Restrict campaign contributions to diminish the influence of big money in politics. Utah is one of only 13 states that allows unlimited individual contributions to state campaigns. It is one of only five states that allows unlimited corporate contributions. Twenty-two states prohibit corporate contributions completely, including such liberal bastions as Texas and Alaska.
When it comes to ethics, you have to sweat the small stuff, because demonstrable corruption is rarely the issue. Appearances matter. Cheating on travel reimbursements is hardly grand larceny, but people wonder: If someone is willing to cheat on that - twice - what else might he have done and gotten away with?
I'm baffled by legislators who don't make the confidence of the citizens they serve their highest priority. The willingness of House Republicans to ignore ethical blind spots in electing their leadership suggests that reform will only happen when serious scandal, such as that experienced by Salt Lake County, forces the issue. It also makes Republican claims to the moral high ground ring hollow.
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John Yewell is a regular contributor to the Opinion section.
