The ethics plan finally gets introduced

So Judge Ed Emmett's task force plan for improving ethics in county government was introduced to Commissioner's Court today. It didn't get very far, but that was pretty much expected at this point. I do want to highlight something that one member of Commissioners Court said about it prior to its debut:

Commissioner Steve Radack reiterated his argument that none of the measures would make a big difference since the district attorney's office, county attorney's office and Texas Ethics Commission already have the authority to investigate and punish wrongdoing.

And haven't they all done such a splendid job of enforcing those laws and punishing all that wrongdoing? I think it's safe to say that we wouldn't be where we are today without the contributions of Chuck Rosenthal and Michael Stafford. I'm sure Brad Bradford and especially Vince Ryan, who advertises himself as an aggressive guardian of the county's business and who received the Chronicle's endorsement based on that, appreciate the vote of confidence. You make the case for them beautifully, Commissioner Radack.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on October 22, 2008 to Local politics