Nothing like a little practical experience on the road to my 2011 appointment to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics as an alternate -- I inadvertently found myself on the wrong end of an ethics complaint process initiated by my primary election (and subsequent general election official write-in) opponent.
I won both those elections handily. Good news.
Bad news: My opponent "won" some of the seven ethics complaints he filed against me after the elections. I'm not perfect, and the Ethics Committee affirmed it. Note: Four complaints were dismissed out of hand -- like Allegation 6, which related to a newsletter photo of me standing next to a guy dressed up like "George Washington" who I identified as my "political consultant." Some people need a humor transplant.
Here's what happened. I publish an eight-page tabloid newsletter after each legislative session. I write every word of it with publishing software on my home computer. It's printed and mailed by private Anchorage businesses. Legislative newsletters can be boring and tend to find a home on birdcage bottoms. So I attempt to make my newsletter somewhat more interesting with articles on controversial issues, plus some self-deprecating humor.
But my ex-opponent did score "gotcha" on some of his allegations. For example, I needed to fill a half-inch by one-inch space, bottom of page two. Couldn't think of anything else to put there, but I goofed by writing "Reporting a fact: I am seeking a new term in the legislature." Allegation 1: Gotcha!
In my newsletter article about legislation requiring legal presence for an Alaska driver's license -- which didn't pass the House -- I opined that I hoped to re-file the bill in 2011. Gotcha! My opponent thought my article was campaigning. The Ethics Committee agreed (Allegation 7b). I really don't think this cost my opponent the elections. Whatever, I erred.
On a "Handy Dandy Telephone Card" mailer -- in addition to fire/police/suicide numbers -- I provided, for constituent convenience, phone numbers for a couple of movie theaters, utility companies, and for getting a missed newspaper delivered. That was called a benefit to private business, even with my disclaimer. Another Gotcha!
On my political website, in addition to the phone for my kitchen table campaign headquarters, I provided telephone numbers for my legislative offices -- with the disclaimer "For Legislative Business Only." Another gotcha! No legislative numbers on campaign websites. Period.
According to the Ethics Committee, I violated some of the ethics statutes, whatever my intent. To paraphrase the old saying, "the road to violations can be lined with good intent." Lessons learned. The Ethics Committee didn't fine me but did caution me to be more careful in the future.
It matters not whether I agree or disagree with Ethics Committee rulings. They have a job to do and decisions to make. That's the way it is -- no complaint from me. Elected officials -- and, more importantly, the public -- benefit from our ethics watchdog committee. Both the letter and the spirit of ethics laws deserve compliance and respect.
As a matter of information, a fellow traveler of my opponent -- with his assistance -- filed almost identical complaints against me with the Alaska Public Offices Commission, but the APOC dismissed the whole kit 'n' caboodle. Different opinions than the Ethics Committee, but similar quality people.
Even though the complaints may have emanated from my opponent's "gotcha politics" -- personal slip-ups are my responsibility ("the buck stops here"). Frustration and irritation -- as well as an occasional dose of humble pie -- go with the political turf.
Whatever, good things happen more often than not. It means we're in the fray, and we're doing something. It's an honor to serve constituents in the Legislature.
Rep. Bob Lynn, R-Anchorage, has represented District 31 in the state House of Representatives since 2003.
By REP. BOB LYNN