Kevin: Ethics Change = Whitewash

In an Idaho Statesman editorial this morning, Kevin Richert breaks down the unanimous move by the Idaho House of Representatives to change the way it handles ethics complaints. Among the most troubling aspects of the new rules that are now in effect is this one:  “An ethics complaint is now considered confidential, at least at first. A committee will consider sealed complaints in a closed session. If the committee finds probable cause, the complaint becomes public record. The justification, predictably enough, is to protect lawmakers from baseless smears. But this comes at an unacceptable price.” More here .

Question: After watching the House Ethics Committee’s dog-and-pony show in (mis)handling the ethics complaints against Rep. Phil Hart, do you trust that House leadership will do a better job in the future with such complaints, now that they can keep things secret?