Ethics Reform in the Air at Statehouse

***UPDATED to include members of the Democratic House committee.***

In a year that has seen the resignation of Lt. Gov. Ken Ard, multiple investigations into the ethics of Gov. Nikki Haley, numerous claims by both parties of shady doings during an unprecedented primary election season and, most recently, questions about the ethics of House Speaker Bobby Harrell, the demand for meaningful ethics reform by the public may be at its highest point since Operation Lost Trust.

As it stands now, the legislature effectively self-polices. There is a six-member ethics committee in the House—five of whom are Republicans. The nine-member ethics committee in the Senate is more balanced, with five Democrats and four members of the GOP.

Gov. Haley has often referred to the self-policing as a case of the "fox guarding the henhouse."

With recent history in mind, legislators have moved to address the problem, forming three separate groups.

On Thursday, the House Republican Caucus announced the formation of an Ethics Reform Study Committee. The ten-person committee is as follows:

• Chairman Murrell Smith, R-Sumter
• Rep. Rita Allison, R-Lyman
• Rep. Derham Cole, R-Spartanburg
• Rep. Joe Danning, R-Goose Creek
• Rep. Phyllis Henderson, R-Greer
• Rep. Jenny Horne, R-Dorchester
• Rep. Andy Patrick, R-Hilton Head
• Rep. Tommy Pope, R-York
• Rep. Rick Quinn, R-Lexington
• Rep. Roland Smith, R-Warrenville

Also on Thursday, The State reported that House Minority Leader Harry Ott (D-Calhoun) and Senate Pro President Pro Tempore John Courson, (R-Richland), would be forming groups to look into ethics reform.

***Ott announced his committee on Friday:

• Rep. Chandra Dillard
• Rep. Laurie Funderburk
• Rep. David Weeks
• Rep. Leon Stavrinakis
• Rep. Michael Anthony 
• Rep. Ronnie Sabb 
• Rep. Walt McLeod 

Whatever plans emerge from the legislature will compete with those of Haley and Attorney General Alan Wilson, who traveled the state last month promoting ethics reform.

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