Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Here’s a gov’t decree that makes sense...
How rare is that?!

but it needs to be expanded.
In today's Star Ledger:
"Confusion reigns on university ethics rules
Conflict compliance is 'very, very slow'"

Acting Gov. Codey issued Executive Order 65 last year that forbids any college president or trustee or their family members from having business dealings with the school for which they work. This was touted as an ethics ruling and the goal was to prevent conflict of interest. Several trustees have resigned rather than give up their paying jobs and a few have asked for exemptions. Most have simply ignored the order so far.

The order makes sense in that an awful lot of money goes through the 2 and 4-year schools here in New Jersey. Trustees and presidents of the schools decide where it gets spent. They shouldn’t be able to enrich themselves or their families by those transactions.

But Acting Gov. Codey should have also issued a similar order regarding elected officials. It should be improper for an elected official to hold two elected offices at the same time. A state senator should be a state senator only and not a mayor or county official also. Heck, let’s also include those drawing two government salaries whether they are elected or not.

1 comment:

Gun Trash said...

A state senator can also be a city/county official, also? I can see some conflict of interest there. I don't think we permit that here in KY.