Legislation further enhancing ethics in state government will be among proposals authored and considered by state senators during the 2010 session.

It’s important to note that these discussions are indicative of senators’ advocacy for more open and transparent government and not the result of scandals, corruption, indictments and prosecutions that have plagued state officials elsewhere.

Indiana is fortunate to have in place many preventive measures, including public reporting of contributions and expenditures, ethics training for state officials and employees, standing ethics commissions and committees, lobbyist registration and reporting requirements and an inspector general whose sole role is to be a watchdog of the people’s business.

Our state continues to be among the best in providing easy access to legislation, amendments and roll calls, as well as real-time online coverage of committee and floor proceedings.

Still, a primary goal of our state’s elected officials should be to ensure that we who hold office are ever vigilant in protecting the integrity and reputation of our institutions. Government by and for the people can succeed only if it retains the trust and confidence of the people.

In recent years, there has been increasing scrutiny and comment over the decision by some legislators to shift from the inner halls of government to its outer hallways as members of the lobbying community. Those who have made this move are generally quite talented and have done so because they need to earn a better living to support themselves and their families. The pay of an elected official is not lucrative, nor should it be. It is understandable why these individuals would make such a move and why they would be in high demand by lobbying firms.

Switching from one role to the other without the passage of a little time can have the appearance of impropriety, however unfair that may be to the individuals making such a switch. Simply stated, it just doesn’t pass the smell test.

This issue will be the centerpiece of a lobbying reform package to be proposed by Republican Senate leadership. Several bills will be introduced that will recommend the following changes in our state’s lobbying laws:

•Establishing a one-year cooling off period before former legislators can professionally lobby state lawmakers.

• Closing a long-standing loophole by requiring university officials who lobby legislators to meet the same registration and reporting requirements as other lobbyists.

•Further limiting and better defining gifts, meals and entertainment that may be provided to legislators by the lobbying community.

Senate Republicans look forward to an open and productive discussion about these issues in the coming session.