Haley: Abolish House, Senate ethics committees

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Story Created: Aug 22, 2012 at 6:15 PM EDT

Story Updated: Aug 24, 2012 at 3:15 AM EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Gov. Nikki Haley has unveiled a package of proposed ethics reforms that include abolishing legislative ethics panels and removing legislators' exemptions from open records law.

Legislative leaders of both parties quickly derided the reforms Wednesday as Haley traveled around the state with Attorney General Alan Wilson to announce them.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell says questions about Haley herself are driving the need for ethics reform.

Haley says it's her job to lead, but Harrell says legislators in both chambers have been working on a reform package for a while.

Her launch comes two months after the House Ethics Committee cleared her of allegations she illegally lobbied for an engineering firm and a hospital while a House member.

Political watchdogs and activists assailed Haley's proposals as not touching the real problems.