“While it’s not a perfect bill, the ethics reform that we passed today certainly represents a big improvement in bringing about more openness and transparency to the actions of elected officials. It is imperative that the legislature take the necessary steps to reform our system in order to begin to repair the damage that has been done to this institution by the unethical and sometimes criminal behavior of elected officials. It is my hope that this reform will begin to restore the public’s trust and confidence in its legislature so we can act with credibility on behalf of the interests we are supposed to represent – the public’s!”