Legislators React to Guv's Ethics Reform

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Governor Jon Huntsman Junior has banned any gifts from lobbyists for his own staff, but Utah legislators are unlikely to follow suit. State Senator Howard Stephenson says there is simply no problem on Utah's Capitol Hill with lobbyists having too much influence on the process.

Furthermore, he says the Governor's plan to require a two-year cooling off period for his employees to become lobbyists could hamper the state's ability to tap the best, most well-informed professionals for key posts. Stephenson blames the media for stirring up unfounded concern over lawmaker ethics and stands by his now-famous comparison of the press to a swarm of killer bees.

Many of Stephenson's legislative colleagues concur, but are less-willing to speak openly on the issue. Governor Huntsman has decided to enact ethics reforms for his office by executive order, rather than ask for lawmakers for support.

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