I am pleased to announce that yesterday the Commission extended its deadline for my taking action to comply with its August 2, 2013 advisory opinion until its next regularly scheduled meeting on September 19. The Commission granted this extension in response to the request I made on Monday, August 26, 2013.
As I informed the Commission, I intend to join with a group of civic minded people to petition the Commission to adopt a regulation that would allow and even encourage citizens from many walks of life to enter public service while protecting the public from any potential conflicts or undue influence. Although the petition does not take issue with the Commission’s interpretation and application of section 7 of the conflict of interest law, the Commission nevertheless has agreed to consider the petition and extend my compliance deadline.
This petition will be submitted to the Commission in advance of September 19 and provided to the public after it is provided to the Commission.
I extend my thanks to the Commission and its staff for its continuing willingness to further examine this issue,knowing its strong commitment to enforcing and expressing the letter and spirit of the law.
Until then, I will remain as State Senator for the Cape and Islands with hopes of a positive resolution to this matter, which would also allow me to resume my gubernatorial campaign.
Wolf should stop negotiating and go directly to whatever is the next appeal step–administrative appeal within the ethics commission itself, or directly to court. Then all of this matter can be ventilated publicly in a court of law. If the ethics commission has overstepped its bounds, we’ll all know–including those who might have similar disqualifying “issues” that might trip them up.
Also, I should say that just as an ordinary voter, I find his unwillingness to fight a bit disturbing. At the first sign of opposition, would be fold his tent as governor?
As for the matter at hand, what’s wrong with introducing a bill after he litigates, should he judge that necessary? What’s going on now might look very insider-ish to the average potential supporter.