Wrap: Leadership from both caucuses named ethics as the most important issue they are facing this legislative session.

House Speaker Todd Richardson said ethics reform will be the first thing the General Assembly addresses.

Actuality:	HETHICS.WAV
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Description: Tommorrow on the first day that bills can be referred, I will refer every ethics bill that has been filed to the Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability.

That committee is chaired by one of the legislature's leading proponents for tougher restrictions on special interest money in government and politics -- Jefferson City's Jay Barnes.

From the State Capitol, I'm Madeline Odle.

Wrap: Speaker Todd Richardson's opening speech to the House made clear that General Assembly leaders are aware of the problems poor ethical judgement has created in the past, and are committed to make a change.

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Description: This institution should not and will not be defined by the actins of a few. Together we will work to make this a place where you are all proud to do the peoples' work and where you are proud to go home and talk about your accomplishments on Thursdays.

Just last year conflicts arose with a legislator involving sexually charged text messaging with a college intern. 

This was among some of the different transgressions that has sparked a push for ethics reform in 2016.

From the State Capitol, I'm Madeline Odle.

 

Wrap: Democratic Minority leaders from both the House and Senate sounded hesitant in a party press conference when discussing the ability to pass the ethics reform needed this session.

Senate Minority leader Joseph Keaveny pointed out that ethics is a conversation the legislature has every year.

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Description: I am a little bit concerned that we are not going to pass everything that we should pass. But I think that if we can make a constructive step, we can keep expanding on it.

House Minority leader Jacob Hummel said it is unfortunate that the push for ethics reform had to happen because of last year's multiple transgressions.

Though he also said the enthusiasm of House Speaker Todd Richardson made him hopeful.