Greg Curtis Sprints Through Revolving Door

[Ethics-Schmethics] Holy shit. Former Utah House Speaker Greg Curtis, whose legislative seat is still warm from his loss in November, is now a registered lobbyist for Phillip Morris USA, the tobacco giant. So much for standing up for the Word of Wisdom (among other questions about the man's judgment) in your professional life.

Please Legislature, what more proof do you need about lousy political ethics in this state? Wouldja just pass all ethics reforms bills (which include a "revolving door" lobbying ban on former legislators) in the hopper, like now? (Holly Mullen)

Brains TK

[Legislative Afterglow] The Republican majority at the House of Representatives just sent us its official news release outlining the "significant progress" of the 2008 legislative session. It reads, in part:

“It was one of the calmer and more productive sessions I’ve been able to lead,” said [House Speaker Greg] Curtis. “I’m especially heartened by our continued progress improving education funding."

But what's this? Looks like the speaker's staff hit the "send" button a bit prematurely, before double-checking final info. with the boss.

"During my time as speaker," Curtis said, "I’ve seen an unprecedented increase of X billion in education funding, with this year continuing that trend.”

(Holly Mullen)