Gov. Bev Perdue has wisely extended important ethics regulations to members of a number of state boards and commissions. But considering the scandals that have rocked state government in just the past 12 months, the reform measures only scrape the surface.
North Carolina needs a government grounded in stronger ethics and conflict-of-interest laws. The General Assembly must get to work on reforms when it returns to Raleigh in May.
The first thing the General Assembly can do is follow Perdue's lead on the specific issues handled in the governor's executive orders. A governor can order change in such matters only for her appointees to these boards and commissions. Unless legislative leaders change their rules, there will be radically different ethics and disclosure standards for members of the same boards and commissions depending on who appointed them.
In signing the three executive orders, Perdue addressed failings in state governance that have come to light in the scandals of the past year and said, "Citizens do deserve to feel good about what's going on in state government."
The first order bans appointees from taking gifts from vendors who do business with their boards or commissions. The second brings 17 important advisory boards under the state's stricter ethics-disclosure requirements for boards that set policy. The third makes a board member's criminal indictment or refusal to cooperate with a criminal investigation grounds for removal from that position.
North Carolina long enjoyed a reputation for good, honest government. But that reputation was built, in part, on the fact that state law banned very little influence buying. It was only a few years ago, for example, that legislators outlawed the blatantly fraudulent practice of lobbyist-paid wining and dining of top state officials.
Federal, state and private investigations in recent years have shown how deeply "pay-to-play" is ingrained in our state government.
While Perdue deserves credit for these modest changes, she and legislative leaders must get behind a vigorous reform package. North Carolina needs broader campaign-finance laws, to include fundraising performed by the very people who are affected by Perdue's latest orders -- members of boards and commissions.
North Carolina needs a code of ethics for local government officials and it needs restrictions on the revolving door of state officials going to private lobbying jobs. Enforcement of legislative ethics rules also needs to be conducted in the public eye, not in secret.
So, some polite applause for the governor is due. But more change is needed before North Carolinians can roar their approval.
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