THE PUBLIC has a right to be fed up with reports that some legislators have engaged in acts of ethical misconduct, alleged bribery and "pay to play" corruption. The public is justifiably demanding increased integrity, transparency, and accountability at all levels of government.
The majority of legislators understand that without public trust, there cannot be public service. Ethics reform is not a partisan issue, nor is it one we should expect to be the sole responsibility of the governor. The House's recent passage of legislation mirroring the governor's Ethics and Lobbying Reform bill is a necessary first step. Unfortunately, legislative leaders stopped short of what is being demanded by the public. To bring us to where we have an opportunity to regain the public trust, I have proposed additional reforms.
First, we should eliminate all contributions from lobbyists and close the loophole that permits gifts to government employees. While there are those who argue such reform goes too far, we need to take this poison out of our political system. Similar to what other states have done, we must remove any appearance of conflicts of interest or impropriety based on monetary influence out of the people's house. No lobbyist contribution is worth keeping on the books because it raises serious questions as to who is being served.
Second, it is essential that the Legislature be held to the same standards regarding the Open Meeting Law as every other governmental body. As a matter of practice, caucuses, budget deliberations, and conference matters are routinely closed to the public. This lack of transparency only serves to fuel public mistrust and cynicism. Other states have already opened doors to let the people back into the legislative process by expanding executive session criteria to include security or emergency matters germane to state office and the public welcomed it. Citizens must insist that public business be conducted in full public view.
Third, when legislative leaders are fined the maximum penalty by the State Ethics Commission, they should immediately be stripped of their leadership position and any additional pay that goes with it. The Legislature must demonstrate zero tolerance for those who do not abide by existing ethics regulations and laws. To do otherwise makes a mockery out of ethics reform.
Fourth, the time has come to eliminate legislative earmarks. Rightfully, the public expects transparency when their tax dollars are spent. Consolidating hundreds of earmarks behind closed doors into one behemoth amendment is not the public's idea of transparency. Earmarks are often used to keep rank and file members in line. Those who dare to challenge legislative leaders will be punished and so will their districts, not based on merit, but on political agendas or internal power pursuits.
Other important and necessary reforms include statutorily mandating legislative ethics education, prohibiting lobbyists and trade groups from brokering trips or entertainment, eliminating pay for play opportunities, subjecting quasi-public agencies to a full study of their financial management, accounting and personnel practices and putting the awarding and status of state contracts on line.
What some legislative leaders fail to see is how high the stakes have become in restoring the public's confidence and redefining acceptable good government standards. Even some recent House leadership appointments were ultimately viewed as the fox guarding the hen house because they included colleagues whose names have been splashed across media headlines because of ethical transgressions. The public and media know leadership actions like these are not indicative of meaningful reform.
There is no quick fix to ethical compromise in public service. To promise sweeping reform is one thing, but to deliver is yet another. This is one promise the Legislature cannot bluff its way through and one in which it will be held accountable for years to come.
State Representative Jennifer Callahan, Democrat of Worcester, serves the 18th District. 
