Ethics Reform

Common Cause wishes to extend its sincere thanks and appreciation to state Assembly members Lucy Killea and Robert Frazee who, together with five of their colleagues, played a leadership role in the drafting of a comprehensive package of ethics-reform proposals designed to restore public confidence in state government.

As members of the bipartisan Assembly Select Committee on Ethics, Killea and Frazee had to make unpopular decisions affecting the activities of other legislators. Through an extraordinarily open and deliberative process, the committee recommended to the full Assembly an exhaustive, thoughtful list of reforms: Eliminate honoraria, strictly limit gifts, prohibit the personal use of campaign funds--and much more. Common Cause gives the committee report a grade of B for substance. However, the committee’s effort deserves nothing less than an A+.

Unfortunately the committee’s recommendations were not fully implemented in either house of the Legislature. This should not lessen our praise for each committee member who, faced with tough decisions, made tough choices. Killea and Frazee, along with other committee appointees, have served their constituents and the state of California well. They have provided for some restoration of confidence in the institution they serve and have opened the door to a more responsive and effective state Legislature.

STANLEY F. ZUBEL

San Diego Area Representative

Common Cause