About Sandy Springs reporter. (Sandy Springs, GA) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 8, 2013)
COMMUNITY Wilkinson spars with ethics reformers BY DAN WH1SENHUNT danwhisenhunt@reporternewspapers.net Rep. Joe Wilkinson clashed with groups looking to reform the state’s ethics laws over remarks he made at a Jan. 24 luncheon for Fulton County leg islators. House Speaker David Ralston in January introduced a bill that would be “a complete ban on lobbyists spend ing on individual members of the gen eral assembly, a complete ban on gifts, tickets to athletic events, concerts and other entertainment events.” Wilkinson chairs the House Ethics Commit tee and said the state has some of the strongest ethics laws in the country and that journalistic bias is responsible for the mo mentum behind the pro posal. During the luncheon Wilkinson, R-Atlanta, drew compar isons to believing in the Easter Bunny when talking about whether the state needs to strengthen its ethics laws. “I know Santa Claus is real, but I’ve had some doubts about the Easter Bun ny, so why don’t I say the Easter Bun ny is real so I’ll feel better,” Wilkinson said during the luncheon. “I mean this is why we we’re working very carefully to be substantive, not an Easter Bunny- type thing.” Representatives of two groups push ing for reforms — Common Cause Geor gia and the League of Women Voters of Georgia — said Wilkinson’s comments show he is out of touch with residents. William Perry, executive director of Common Cause Georgia, called Wilkin son’s remarks “flabbergasting.” “He’s definitely towing the party line and it’s something I think shows how completely out of touch he is,” Perry said. “The problem is people who act in an ethical manner don’t fear raising eth- Joe Wilkinson ical standards.” Elizabeth Poythress, president of the League of Women Voters of Georgia, said the reforms are about restoring trust and transparency. “That’s why we need ethics reform,” Poythress said. “It’s not about making us feel better, it’s about building trust, and trust is the foundation of democ racy. Chairman Wilkin son should really get fairy tales off of his mind and listen to the voices of Georgians that spoke in the last election, 82 percent saying that they wanted ethics reform.” The groups pushing for reform want to limit what lobbyists spend on state legislators and pass laws addressing conflicts of interest. Wilkinson’s remarks drew the attention of Jim Walls, edi tor of the Atlanta Unfiltered Blog. Walls helped the Center for Public Integrity produce a 2012 report that found Geor gia ranked last among all 50 states when it comes to transparency. Until Reporter Newspapers post ed the video, Walls was unaware that Wilkinson commissioned a report to challenge the CPI report. Wilkinson declined to provide a copy of the report to Reporter Newspapers. The state Legislature is exempt from the state’s Open Records Act. “It is not a public report,” Wilkinson said. “It is something I used to try to do an appeal. The fact of the matter is, it’s moot now.” Wilkinson said that he wants sub stantive reforms, not “feel good” legis lation. “My goal is far higher than that,” Wilkinson said. “It is to restore the public’s confidence in their elected of ficials.” honor a life well lived For generations, remembering the many lives of our community with unique traditional to modern memorials. ARLINGTON MEMORIAL PARK (404) 255-0750 H.M. PATTERSON & SON FUNERAL DIRECTORS, ARLINGTON CHAPEL (404) 851-9900 SANDY SPRINGS CHAPEL FUNERAL DIRECTORS (404) 255-8511 www.SandySpringsFuneralProviders.com | © 2013 Dignity Memorial. Dover Sole with Beurre Blanc Sauce $25 Skate Ding Stuffed with Crab and Shrimp $23 Lobster Tail and Angus Steak Filet with Pepper Cognac Sauce $27 Each accompanied with Saffron Rice and Vegetables, Complimentary Dessert for Two and Champagne Split for $8 404-497-9997 I www.tincanfishhouse.com 227 SANDY SPRINGS PLACE IN THE CITYWALK SHOPPING CENTER The Insignia Senior Living Family of Properties Distinctively Kosher 690 Mt. Vernon Hwy. Sandy Springs, Georgia 30328 404.843.8857 www.thecarltonalf.com Assisted Living ' and SEASONS ’ memory can 9212 Nesbit Ferry Road Alpharetta, Georgia 30022 770.992.0505 www.gardensofroswell.com fl fl Assisted Living /y s\ j t r /y am/t*lemory Care /Ls Celebrating Seniors Every Day 2725 Holcomb Bridge Road Alpharetta, Georgia 30022 770.649.0808 www.tapestryhouseassistedliving.com o Insignia Senior Living www.ReporterNewspapers.netl FEB.8 —FEB.21,2013 | 5
