But GOP lawmaker unimpressed

Colorado Ethics Watch can’t catch a break.

Even after the ethics watchdog group placed the House Minority Leader on their “good” list in its annual report, the group is still accused of being left-leaning, with an interest in promoting a liberal agenda.

In its 2009 report released yesterday — “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” — Ethics Watch placed Rep. Mike May, R-Parker, on its “good” list. He joins fellow Republican Rep. Cindy Acree, of Aurora, for having blown the whistle on a breach of legislative rules. After May announced in December that he would step down from office to pursue private business issues — he later withdrew his resignation — a lobbyist with the Colorado Chiropractic Association asked Acree for her support in pushing for Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, to fill May’s seat as House Minority Leader. When asking for Acree’s support, the lobbyist, Erik Groves, “mentioned” that he had a check for her from the Colorado Chiropractic Association.

Legislative rules prohibit lobbyists from becoming active participants in leadership races. Acree contacted May, who filed an ethics complaint against Balmer, while Acree filed a complaint against Groves. Balmer was found to not be involved with Groves’ push, while Groves was warned against his actions by legislative leaders.

Unimpressed

One might assume that May would take the news as an honor. But he had a different slant when asked by the Denver Daily News.

“I still view them as (left-leaning,)” said May. “I guess I’m on it to maybe have been their token Republican on the list so they can give themselves cover.”

“Every interest group has their leanings,” he continued. “One way or the other they always have to give themselves cover by putting a token member of the other party on there, and so I am their token member, I guess.”

When accused of any bias, Ethics Watch points to concerns raised in the past over Democrats as well, including Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey, Rep. Wesley McKinley, of Walsh, and Denver City Auditor Dennis Gallagher. This year’s “bad” list also includes Democratic Rep. Jack Pommer, of Boulder, for campaign finance violations.

“We still believe that ethics transcends party affiliation,” said Chantell Taylor, director of Ethics Watch. “So, we look at the conduct, not the party affiliation when we are assessing who should make the list.”

Pommer was placed on the “bad” list for having to pay more than $23,000 in fines and penalties related to campaign finance laws. The Boulder lawmaker incorrectly reported contributions from lobbyists and political groups.

At the time the story surfaced, Pommer said he was simply bad at the paperwork legally required to file. Attempts by the Denver Daily News to contact Pommer yesterday failed.

6 good, 4 bad, 3 ugly

In all, six public officials made Ethics Watch’s “good” list; four public officials or governmental agencies made the “bad” list; and two public officials and one state agency made the group’s “ugly” list.

Expanding into the federal level this year, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar — a former Colorado U.S. senator — made the “good” list for his efforts to clean up the Minerals Management Service division following sex and drugs scandals last year that rocked the division.

A spokesman for Salazar said he is honored to be recognized for his work.

“Since becoming the Secretary of the Interior, Secretary Salazar has taken the department in a new direction,” said spokeswoman Kendra Barkoff. “He is proud of the Department of the Interior and all the employees that work here.”

To read the entire Colorado Ethics Watch, “Ethics Roundup 2009: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” report, visit ColoradoForEthics.org.