Ethics Express Bus Rolls into Athens, Ga., to Push for Ballot Measure

Only a handful of people turned out to hear the messages, but that didn't seem to bother those on the Ethics Express bus. The non-partisan group pulled into Athens on Friday evening, having spent last week traveling the state to drum up support for ethics reform--specifically for Question 2 on next week's ballot.

Found on both Democratic and Republican ballots, the question focuses on whether to impose a limit of $100 on the gifts lobbyists can give to legislators. William Perry, head of Common Cause Georgia, said Friday that Georgia is one of three states in the country--along with Indiana and South Dakota--that doesn't limit lobbyists' gifts.

In the past three years, lobbyists have given Georgia's elected officials in the General Assembly $1.8 million in gifts, including dinners, trips, tickets to sports events, golf course greens fees and lunch. House Speaker David Ralston, who opposes comprehensive ethics reform, received $59,418.14 in gifts, including a $17,000 European trip, Perry said.

Riding on the Ethics Expresss was freshman senator Josh McKoon (R-Columbus), who has pledged to once again file legislation on ethics reform. A bill he introduced last session couldn't even get a hearing, he said on Friday, meaning it went nowhere in the legislative process

"You have to have trust to get anywhere," McKoon said. "Trust matters. Integrity matters."

Republican Regina Quick, who's running against Democrat-turned-Republican Doug McKillip in the 117th house district, has signed a candidate's pledge to support McKoon's bill to cap lobbyists' gifts at $100. In her campaign, she has taken no contributions from PACs, lobbyists or special interest groups.

Democratic challenger Spencer Frye, who faces Democratic incumbent Keith Heard in the newly drawn 118th district, said without ethics reform, trust becomes tarnished. He, too, has signed a pledge to support McKoon's bill.

Also speaking Friday were Republican Pam Davidson, a candidate for the Public Service Commission, and Elizabeth Poythress, Georgia President of the League of Women Voters. She likened not having ethics standards to not having directional and speed limit signs on a highway--chaos is the result.

The Ethics Express is sponsored by Common Cause Georgia, the Georgia Tea Party Patriots and Georgia Conservatives in Action.