Outside Interests

Al Tompkins at Poynter.org points out a report on state politics and conflicts of interest this morning. All too often, legislators' private interests are hidden from public view. The Center for Public Integrity has a new report on state lawmakers in all 50 states serving on committees that hold power over areas that the lawmakers themselves have a personal interest in. No small issue, considering that statehouses passed 42,000 laws last year. (Center for Public Integrity & Al's Morning Meeting)