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Get on with the ethics commission already

Sharon Buhr

Valley City

The people of North Dakota have voted. We voted FOR Measure 1 which is now Article 14 of our North Dakota Constitution. We voted for this ethics measure because we believe in fairness and honesty, and because in previous legislative sessions our legislators refused to act.

Legislators, now we find that you are trying to backpedal on our wishes through HB 1521. This bill is not what we voted for. This bill is a way to weaken the intent of measure 1 to keep corruption out of state government.

I don’t want to embarrass members of our Legislature or state government by listing previous situations that were not ethical, and there are a number. It’s time to move forward, and properly study and enact Article 14. We know that none of us are perfect – and that we all can benefit from guidelines which is what Article 14 is designed to establish.

It’s now time to move forward. Do not support HB 1521 which will weaken Article 14, rather vote for SB 2148 which will fulfill both the spirit and the intent of Article 14.

And take time to do it right! Measure 1 identified the timelines.

Also, Article 14 requires the Legislature to provide adequate funding for the Ethics Commission to perform its functions. It does not specify an amount.

An ethics commission is presently working in 43 of the states; we know it can work well here in North Dakota also. So we place our trust in you, the Legislature, to fulfill the wishes of the people.

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