Ethics ID Bill

It would be simpler and more cost effective to just abolish the Texas Ethics Commission, but in case the Lege doesn't get around to that, one of the foxes that is guarding that particular henhouse, State Rep Ken Legler, has filed a bill that would require not one, but two pieces of ID to file a sworn complaint:

(b-1)  To be eligible to file a sworn complaint with the commission, an individual must be a resident of this state or must own real property in this state.  A copy of one of the following documents must be attached to the complaint:

(1)  the complainant's driver's license or personal identification certificate issued under Chapter 521, Transportation Code, or commercial driver's license issued under Chapter 522, Transportation Code;

(2)  a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that:

(A)  shows the name and address of the complainant; and

(B)  is dated not more than 30 days before the date on which the complaint is filed; or

(3)  a property tax bill, notice of appraised value, or other government document that:

(A)  shows the name of the complainant;

(B)  shows the address of real property in this state; and

(C)  identifies the complainant as the owner of the real property.

I know Rep. Legler is trying to keep that guy from California from continuing to point out the failure of Texas legislators to follow the ethics laws they enacted, but there are plenty of legal Texas residents who can fill out the simple sworn complaint forms and keep the lawyers and staff at the Ethics Commission busy slapping elected officials and candidates lightly on the back of their hands for being bad boys and girls.

Fortunately, the Lege hasn't (yet) figured out a way to stop AP reporter Jay Root from his investigative reporting of double dipping by Texas legislators, or the Travis County District Attorney's office from their expanded criminal inquiry into legislators stealing from the State:

Prosecutors have expanded a criminal inquiry into Texas lawmakers' double-dipping on expenses after one representative said he was auditing his spending practices and then repaid his campaign more than $15,000, an official told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Prosecutors already have acknowledged a criminal investigation into state Rep. Joe Driver, but not Rep. Dan Flynn, the only other lawmaker identified by the AP to have possibly double-dipped.

The "review has expanded to include other members that have engaged in conduct similar to Driver's," the official said Thursday.

Again, file and pass all of the silly elected officials protection bills you want, but the bottom line is that the Texas Ethics Commission is a state agency that should be at the top of everyone's budget cut list. Let the DA's office go after the more egregious violators, prosecuting the lawmakers to the fullest extent of the law.