While Gov. Nikki Haley and Attorney General Alan Wilson were traveling the state discussing ethics reforms, Democrat and Republican members of the House offered up their own responses.
The Democrats released a statement to the media that demonstrated how, in their view, Haley violated each of the five proposals she put forth. They also catalogued Haley's own ethical run-ins as governor.
Charleston-area house member Leon Stavrinakis said he hopes Haley's "actions will speak louder than words."
Harry Ott (D - Calhoun) was even more blunt. He called the roll-out of the ethics reforms "a publicity stunt."
Meanwhile congressional Republicans were less forgiving of the proposals, but only slightly. House Speaker Bobby Harrell criticized Haley for not working closer with the legislature and noted, "Had these reforms been in place before Gov. Haley committed her actions, she would probably still be meeting with the Attorney General, only in a different place."
House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham of Cayce said, "Our laws must stay up-to-date with changing times to ensure transparency and address new ways in which some may try to game the system or unscrupulously benefit financially from public service."
House Ethics Committee Chair Roland Smith said, that the comprehensive ethics reform is already underway, spurred on by "then-Representative Haley’s questionable actions."