Recently, Representative Craig Frank, Republican of Pleasant Grove, wrote on his blog that the sponsors of the ethics reform initiative were hypocritical because they did nothing about ethics reform while they served in the state legislature. Frank wrote that former legislators David Irvine, Kim Burningham, Jordan Tanner, and Karl Snow "had ample opportunity and motivation to enact meaningful legislation while they took contributions without limits..." He also pointed out that Carole Peterson, who also is a sponsor of the ethics initiative, served as chief clerk of the House of Representatives and as a member of the staff for the legislature and "in her position of influence ... did nothing."

For the record, Jordan Tanner was known as "Mr. Ethics" while he was in the state legislature. He repeatedly introduced ethics legislation that went nowhere thanks to a Republican party leadership who blocked bill after bill. Representative Frank should know that, even if he wasn't a state legislator in the 1990s.

Also, a legislative staff member, even a chief clerk, doesn't have the power to push any legislation through the state legislature. In fact, that isn't the job of staff and Representative Frank knows it.

And the problem has become more acute, even since Jordan Tanner fought for ethics reform in the 1990s. The costs of campaigning for a state legislative seat in Utah have risen dramatically over the past 20 years, which places more and more money in the hands of state legislators. While the costs of a campaign used to be in thousands of dollars, now they cost tens of thousands of dollars. Those dollars, at least for Utah County Republican legislators, come almost exclusively from various organizations, primarily political action committees that lobby at the state legislature.

Craig Frank is one example. Even though he faced minimal opposition last year, he still spent over $17,000. Contrast that with his race in 2004 where he spent just under $3000. Nor is Frank alone. Another is Steve Clark, Republican of Provo. Clark spent just over $3500 in his successful bid for the state legislature in 2000. Six years later he spent over $20,000. In neither case did Clark face opposition in a primary or a general election. Even though Clark didn't need the money he still got thousands of dollars from various political action committees that directly lobby the state legislature and Clark himself.

Craig Frank similarly got money he didn't need from lobbyists who weren't really helping him win re-election. Where did Franks' campaign money come from? It came from sources outside his district including Merit Medical (South Jordan), Chevron Corporation (Concord, CA), Micron Technology (Boise), and Select Health (Salt Lake City), as well as various trade associations such as the Utah Home Builder Political Action Committee and Utah Beer Wholesalers Association. In fact, Frank received very little of his campaign cash from individuals. The money primarily came from a host of interest groups.

Do these groups give just because they want good government? No, they expect something in return for their money. They expect access to the state legislators, which they get. And they expect legislators to introduce their bills, push them through committee, and vote in favor of them on the floor of the House and Senate. They get that, too.

As more and more money goes into the war chests of incumbents, does this increase the connections between legislators and lobbyists? It is hard to deny that is what has happened.

So, yes, Representative Frank, times have changed. As a recipient of increasing amounts of money from lobbyists, you know that better than anyone. It is disingenuous to pretend that things have not changed over time.

The vehemence with which Utah County Republican legislators have opposed ethics reform clearly indicates it is high time for ethics reform and it is certainly time to oust from office those who not only don't support it but attempt to fool the voters with claims that ethics initiative supporters are hypocrites or nothing has changed with campaign finance.