Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- Gov. Nikki Haley wants legislators to abolish the House and Senate ethics committees, so lawmakers aren't policing themselves.

That's part of a package of ethics reform proposals Haley and Attorney General Alan Wilson unveiled Wednesday.

Haley wants the state Ethics Commission to handle all ethics complaints. Her tour around the state comes two months after the House Ethics Committee cleared her of allegations she illegally lobbied for an engineering firm and a hospital while a House member.

Other proposals include removing legislators' exemptions from open records law. Haley cited the exemption during her 2010 campaign, though she eventually allowed reporters to view emails in her office.

Haley's ethics case is not over. The state Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of the Republican activist who accused the governor.

(Copyright 2012, The Associated Press)