IPT: Solons Get Overall ‘C, Ethics ‘F’

Idaho Press Tribune editorial page gives 2012 Legislature a “C” overall, but an “F” for ethics: “Lawmakers had time to debate daylight-saving time, express support for students studying in the arts, promote grape growers and push moratoriums on wind farms. But they couldn’t find time to produce an independent ethics commission? With all the controversies lawmakers have faced lately, from Hart’s tax evasion to McGee and Sen. Curt McKenzie’s per diem expenses to Pearce’s failure to disclose a conflict of interest, voters were clamoring for a panel of non-lawmakers to sort out the mess without the threat of inappropriate influence. Instead, all we got were two last-minute resolutions: one says preliminary inquiries should be kept secret; the other says what we already knew — that senators should disclose conflicts of interest both in committee and on the Senate floor. Duh. We deserve much, much more.” More here.

Question: In which area would you give the 2012 Idaho Legislature a high grade? In which area would you give it a low grade?