Few attend ethics reform panel hearing

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Only a handful of people turned out for a public meeting on how to reform South Carolina ethics laws.

The State newspaper reported (http://bit.ly/Tqnedn ) about 10 people attended the meeting Tuesday night hosted by the South Carolina Commission on Ethics Reform.

Gov. Nikki Haley named the panel last month to come up with ideas to reform the ethics laws in South Carolina.

Columbia media attorney Jay Bender says there should be better ways to enforce the state’s open records laws. Bender says resolving open records disputes can take years and cost thousands of dollars.

Ann Timberlake with the Conservation Voters of South Carolina says she wants lawmakers to disclose all of their sources of income. Timberlake says the state also needs an independent investigative agency to probe legislative ethics cases.

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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com