Governor Steve Beshear Gladdens Our Hearts, Issues Executive Order For Ethics In Government. Will The Other Government Branches Follow?

Here is the Governor's Executive Order.

We wish the other branches of government will follow suit, but meanwhile we urge those who may say the order doesn't go far enough to do two things:

1) Tell us how it doesn't go far enough; and,

2) Acknowledge with us, that ethics in Kentucky government is a subject that has been RIPE for BOLD action for FAR TOO LONG, and the Governor has, at least, taken a BOLD step in the right direction.

Update: Below is a statement released by my good friend, Trey Grayson:

Statement from Secretary Grayson on Beshear Ethics Reform

“While I am encouraged to see Governor Beshear’s increased attention to ethics reform, I am disappointed that he did not follow recommendations made in the more comprehensive version of this legislation passed by the Kentucky State Senate. As it relates to my office, the Governor should have followed the Senate’s proposal to include the Secretary of State in the rotation of constitutional officers who make recommendations for appointments to the Executive Branch Ethics Commission. Ethics issues extend beyond constitutional offices that have investigative authority and in many cases relates directly to the election of candidates. Therefore, the Chief Elections Official of the Commonwealth should be included in this rotation. Such precedent has been set in the appointment authority for the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.

Finally, true ethics reform can only be achieved with bold leadership in which the influence of political contributions from those who conduct business with the state is removed. I had hoped that the Governor would seize this opportunity, but now Kentucky must turn to the legislature to raise the bar and enact real ethics reform.”

- Secretary of State Trey Grayson

Editor's note: I think Trey is right in both respects.

Why did the Governor exclude the only two constitutional offices occupied by Republicans from the rotation? It raises the question whether politics was involved in the decision.