Not true reform

I read Sen. DeWitt's commentary on SB 3636. Once again, Sen. Dewitt achieves the difficult by shouting from the mountain top while having one foot in the swamp.

The bill has the usual platitudes of reform but actually takes a step back from the static. The bill still allows politicians to use in-laws, aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces to be lobbyists and "marketing experts" to benefit from political influence. It now permits politicians to disguise lobbyist meetings as "town halls," "fundraisers," and "fact-finding tours" as long as there is no exchange of compensation. The bill also runs afoul with other legislative languages, such as the criminal codes, too numerous to elaborate in under 300 words.

There was whining about Democrats ignoring recommendations for the legislative inspector general post. The facts are that two candidates both have impressive resumes; but, they both have records of public service in government offices during scandals yet remained silent on the matters. Republicans pushed hard for one candidate despite numerous other candidates equally qualified given no consideration at all.

This bill should not be hailed as a step toward fighting corruption.

James Dixon

Lake in the Hills