Northwest Indiana Discussion

DOUG ROSS: Legislators aren't the only ones who need ethics reforms
Story Discussion By Doug Ross - Doug.Ross@nwi.com, (219) 548-4360 | Posted: Friday, December 18, 2009 12:00 am | (9) Comments

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels' sharp words in Griffith last spring still sting. "I believe in home rule, and you are entitled to all the lousy, crummy, graft-ridden government you are prepared to pay for," Daniels said.

North Township Trustee Frank Mrvan took umbrage at those remarks during Daniels' speech at the Griffith High School auditorium. "I try to do reforms and what is right on an everyday basis," he said. "But when you come here and insinuate everyone is corrupt, that doesn't benefit us."

I hear regularly from public officials who express the same sentiment. Fortunately, one of them plans to do something about it.

State Rep. Shelli VanDenburgh, D-Crown Point, has felt not only the sting of Daniels' Lake County rebuke but also the harsh spotlight on state lawmakers during a statewide effort by Hoosier newspapers to bring ethics reforms that would restrict the cozy relationship between lobbyists and legislators.

Unlike what House Speaker Pat Bauer proposes, VanDenburgh's proposed legislation goes beyond the General Assembly. She wants to include local officials as well.

"We need more accountability across the board," VanDenburgh said. "Why are we looking at only the General Assembly?"

"Every elected official in the state should be held to the same high standard we are," she said.

That includes not pressuring employees to be campaign minions. They would be able to attend campaign events if they choose, but they "just can't line their boss's pocket with money."

VanDenburgh speaks from experience. She worked in the Lake County clerk's office for 18 years and knows what it was like to have her boss, the county clerk, give her tickets to sell for a political fundraiser. It was either sell the tickets for her boss or buy them herself. And that's not just Clerk Tom Philpot, who was her last boss, but his predecessors as well. It's just the way the game is played.
Which is why VanDenburgh wants to change the rules.

She wants every elected official in the state to file an annual report accounting for gifts they receive, just like legislators do. And she wants vendors to follow the same rules as registered lobbyists.

"It's a lot easier to buy a mayor, who has the full authority to award a contract, than it is to buy a legislator," she said. Her logic makes sense. Legislators' spending authority is a lot more diluted than a mayor's.

It also makes sense for Lake County, which has a soiled reputation. What better way to clean it up than to initiate ethics reforms that apply to all elected officials, not just state lawmakers?

VanDenburgh is taking a calculated risk with this bill. She knows it.

"I'm going to take a lot of heat for this bill from my own party," especially in Lake County, she said.

So be it. It's a welcome reform. Whether it stands any chance of success remains to be seen. But hey, at least she's trying.

Editorial Page Editor Doug Ross can be reached at (219) 548-4360 or (219) 933-3357 or Doug.Ross@nwi.com. The opinion expressed in this column is the writer's and not necessarily that of The Times.

Ms Vandenberg must be feeling some heat from the Rs this time to be trying to push through a bill like this. Of course Bauer won't let it get to the floor and then Ms Vandenbergh doesn't have to worry about offending her party. but she can still at least say to republicans that she tried.

You dont hear about bs going on in Munster, Highland, etc. All the garbage is LC is in Hammond, Gary and E. Chicago. Elected officials using the taxpayer's buck as their own personal piggy bank.