Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell, who in 2005 gained immortality by proclaiming that the council was "ethic-ed out" in the face of what was regarded at the time as much-needed government reform, was similarly unimpressed by City Councilman Frank Rizzo's four-part reform package that includes restrictions on nepotism, lobbyists, gifts and outside employment.
“I don’t believe we should have so many laws we don’t know when we’re breaking them,” Blackwell said Thursday. But while Blackwell has been ridiculed for a supposedly low tolerance for ethics, she's got company -- Rizzo's bill is already raising the blood pressure of even those who have supported reform. Brian O'Neill and Jim Kenney have grumbled about their ability to work outside of council. One aide called the package "reform for reform's sake." Some are predicting that Councilman Bill Greenlee, who chairs the Law and Government Committee, won't even give the legislation a hearing. Greenlee says he intends to hold hearings, probably in November.
With a closely contested election for two at large Republican seats on Council, we'll be interested to see if Rizzo pursues the legislation as fervently after Nov. 6.
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