State's new boss: McCrory's staff will sign ethics pledges. Let's hope they stick.

There will be lots to discuss about the new governor and the changes he will make. But there was a line in the account today of his trip to the state capital Thursday that should be noted.

Pat McCrory is having his staff sign ethics pledges if they want to be part of his team.

Now, in all fairness, a pledge of this sort is ceremonial -- and although it allows for dismissal of anyone who is caught violating it, it will not prevent the misdeeds themselves.

But it is a sign that the new governor gets that North Carolinians do not want to read anything else about their state leaders in court.

And it brings up another point. Perhaps we should have ALL public officials sign renewals on their ethics pledges.

It might not stop the shenanigans in Washington, but it sure would be a good first step and a reminder that the public is watching.

Published in Editorials on November 9, 2012 11:01 AM