From the DPVA:
With less than a week until the General Assembly reconvenes, Virginia has a chance to enact meaningful ethics reform. Governor McAuliffe has led on this issue, from convening an ethics commission in the fall to proposing a series of bills aimed at curbing corruption in the Commonwealth.
While Republicans almost tanked ethics reform during the legislative session (see: blaming the media instead of taking the problem seriously), a watered-down version made its way to Governor McAuliffe's desk. In return, Governor McAuliffe has proposed real, common-sense amendments to the ethics bill, including a true $100 aggregate cap on gifts. And he's not going at it alone. There's widespread support for ethics reform in Virginia, from recent polling to opinion leaders across the Commonwealth.
- “Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) is on the right track in trying to correct its most egregious problems, and Virginians should pay close attention to what lawmakers do next.” – Washington Post editorial, March 30
- “Thanks to McAuliffe, the anemic ethics reform measure – passed after some politicians blamed the press corps for making them do it – is being fitted with dentures to give it some teeth.” Virginian-Pilot Op-Ed, March 29
- “When lawmakers return for their veto session April 15, they must decide whether to go along with McAuliffe’s modest suggestions or to further embarrass themselves by overriding his changes. This will be their third chance to get ethics reform right. Let’s hope they don’t strike out.” –Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial, March 31
- “Virginians should press lawmakers to have the courage to turn down gifts clearly designed to curry favor.” Virginian-Pilot editorial, April 1
Will Republicans in the General Assembly join McAuliffe and Virginians across the Commonwealth in making real progress on ethics reform, or protect their own interests once again?
********************************************************
Sign up for the Blue Virginia weekly newsletter
