Outrageous!

The state of Texas has gone over the edge! The Ethics panel has decreed that public officials can accept cash, check, or money order and all they have to do is declare, "I've received a check" or I've received currency". No amount is necessary. Bah!

The state has a law that says if a public official receives any gift valued more than $250, a description of the gift must be given. Apparently, all one has to do to meet the law's requirements is give a description of the gift - retangular piece of paper with mountain scenes and lines for date, payee, amount, and signature, but the actual amount written on the check or cash donated doesn't have to be disclosed. Could be $250 or $250,000,000.

If you don't think the amount of that check makes a difference, you're quite naive. Human nature being what it is, unfortunately, someone accepting the big bucks might easily be swayed to try to return the favor by helping the donor on some issue of importance to them. That is, unless the official happens to be someone of exceptionally honest character. I'd say that's probably a rarity, and, if the donee is up-front and honest about not letting financial considerations affect policy-making, the donor will probably not make such a substantial donation.

So here we are, just endorsing bribery. *sigh* To their credit, the Ethics panel said that if the language of the law was different, they'd change their ruling. The problem is that their rationale is just that - a rationalization. It makes perfect sense to me that a 'description' also be required to include the amount. It also appears to me that the Ethics panel had the authority to say "Ahem, public officials, yes, you've got to tell the public how much the check or wheelbarrow full of money was. It's important information and may affect how you choose to vote. We'll do everything we can to help the voting public make informed decision." But they wimped out.

Let's just hope the legislature follows through with the ethics bills that have been submitted and enact something with language that has some force to it. The cynic in me says it won't happen. Do you think they'll prove me wrong?