Augusta County wins FOIA Circuit lawsuit reconsideration, March 20 recording remains private
OPINION

Ethics reform still incomplete

"The secret to happiness is low expectations," said psychologist Barry Schwartz. If he is correct, the General Assembly must be thrilled with itself on ethics reform.

Yes, the state legislators strengthened Virginia's lax ethics laws this year. They lowered the gift limit to legislators from $250 to $100 and eliminated a loophole that allows for intangible gifts. Senate Republican leaders even called this year's legislation "landmark."

Even so, they left much undone.

The Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council, created just last year, remains toothless, with no investigative or subpoena power.

Some believe the 2015 legislation, which Gov. Terry McAuliffe can amend, still allows legislators to accept and not disclose free travel gifts.

And all those corruption charges that the McDonnells were convicted of in federal court? A governor accepting loans and gifts from people doing business with the state? They're still legal in ethically challenged Virginia.

The "landmark" legislation is in fact lame.

We'd barely call it a good start.

The only remarkable thing about it is that after watching the former governor and his wife take their perp walks, legislators scarcely cracked the entitlement culture that gave rise to this embarrassment.

General Assembly members say the issue is complex, with all those pesky donation disclosure forms. They bellyached their way to passing this year's legislation, some complaining they were only doing so to quiet the media. To hear them tell it, the public at large doesn't care about the gifts and freebies.

Perhaps the public has given up on lawmakers subjecting themselves to real ethics reform.

How hard it is to say don't accept gifts or loans? Doing so would certainly cut down on the forms our elected officials have to complete.

Tighten the ethics laws. Put teeth in the ethics council. Finish the job on ethics reform.

If McAuliffe comes up with amendments, consider them without resentment that someone is trying to hold you accountable.

And most of, state legislators, expect more from yourself. Stop patting yourselves on the back for adjourning a day early and unanimously passing weak ethics legislation.

You weren't elected to serve yourself to a platter of happiness a la low expectations. You were elected to do the work, no matter now hard, no matter how long it takes.

You've gerrymandered yourselves into safe seats. Sit in those seats with some dignity.

Our View represents the majority opinion of the newspaper's editorial board, Roger Watson, president and publisher; David Fritz, executive editor; and Deona Landes Houff, community conversations editor.