Harsher ethics laws recommended by panel

January 6, 2:54 PMBoston Young Democrats ExaminerDan McDowell

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After the arrest of Dianne Wilkerson, Governor Deval Patrick convened a panel to review and propose changes to the state's ethics laws. Included in the recommendations are an increase of the penalty for bribery from a $5,000 fine and three years in prison to $100,000 fine and 10 years in prison. Also included were wiretapping privileges for the Attorney General, provided there is judicial approval.

Maybe increases such as these would make Massachusetts officials think long and hard before accepting bribes or committing similar violations. People have long since stopped trusting the state government. It's about time the state pushes to try and earn back some of that trust with harsh punishments for corruption. These recommendations ought to go through with ease; if they fail it will just seem like any other day in Massachusetts with corrupt politicians trying to cover their tracks and scratch their own back.

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