Democrats Push Ethics Reform in Wake of Hamilton Scandal

By Meghan Spellman Monday, January 25, 2010

RICHMOND – In response to a political scandal involving a former Republican member of the House of Delegates, House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong, D-Martinsville, announced that Democrats in the General Assembly will push for ethics reform legislation this session.

The Democratic proposals include House Bill 657, which would revise the General Assembly Conflicts of Interests Act and establish a five-member ethics review panel. The panel would investigate complaints of ethics violations by legislators, and its proceedings would be public.

“Ethical issues are conducted best when conducted in the sunshine,” Armstrong said.

He encouraged bipartisan support for the proposals.

“Ethics and the proper conduct of people’s business isn’t a Democratic cause or a Republican cause,” Armstrong said. “It’s a cause for everyone to embrace.”

Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk, is sponsoring Senate Bill 186, the Senate equivalent of HB 657.

The Democrats’ focus on ethics follows a scandal involving Phil Hamilton, a Republican from Newport News and a former member of the House Appropriations Committee. Hamilton's district stretches north into parts of James City County. Hamilton lost his bid for re-election to newcomer and Democrat Robin Abbott, a consumer advocacy attorney.

A federal grand jury is investigating Hamilton for allegedly trying to pursue a paid position at Old Dominion University while carrying a budget amendment to create that position.

“The citizens of Virginia entrust us to serve them with integrity,” Northam said. “And now more than ever in these tough economic times, we need to serve as proper stewards of the state’s limited resources.”

HB 657 and SB 186 would:
• Create an ethics review panel. Its five members would be appointed by the House and Senate majority and minority leaders and the governor. Currently, the House and Senate have separate ethics advisory panels; the proposed review panel would replace them.
• Require public proceedings.
• Ensure that an ethics investigation continues even if the accused legislator resigns.

Abbott, who successfully challenged Hamilton, joined Armstrong and Northam at a press conference last week to unveil the ethics reform package.

“During the course of my campaign, I pledged to lead the effort to bring much needed ethics reform to Richmond,” Abbott said.

“I have fulfilled my promise by introducing four bills to be considered by the General Assembly during the 2010 session relating to ethics reform. This legislation is absolutely necessary to ensure proper safeguards are in place to eliminate corruption.”

The ethics bills have been referred to committees for consideration.