Haley hopeful Legislature will pass ethics reform

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Gov. Nikki Haley says she’s optimistic about getting ethics reform through the South Carolina Legislature next year.

The newly re-elected Republican governor said Thursday the Legislature feels pressure following former House Speaker Bobby Harrell’s guilty plea to campaign spending violations. As part of his plea deal, Harrell agreed to help in any other investigations into legislative wrongdoing.

Since 2012, lawmakers of both parties have called strengthening the state’s weak ethics laws a top priority, but nothing has cleared both chambers.

Haley says legislators have told her they “get it” now.

She says she’s excited about working with a new speaker, calling her relationship with the House under Harrell almost nonexistent. Republican Rep. Jay Lucas of Hartsville is expected to be elected speaker next month during the House’s organizational session.