I don't think these laws make public officials ethical. They tell the public we mean business because we are serious about wanting an ethical institution.

212

What happens in the states too often is that when the ethics commission oversees the Legislature, and the Legislature gets mad at them, they cut their budget.

193

This was a case of competing values. Honesty, fairness, respect, responsibility and compassion, these values drive our actions.

182

States are doing this for two reasons. They want to be ethical institutions, and they want the skeptical public to view them as ethical institutions.

145

It was bothering her, so she chose public service.

123

These laws show the public we mean business. It will probably be a step toward increasing public credibility toward the legislature.

118