Speaker Howell calls for Hamilton investigation

House Speaker Bill Howell steps up!

“As Speaker, I believe in faithfully and impartially discharging my duties and in protecting the integrity of the entire House of Delegates,” Howell said in a news release. “The seriousness with which I view this matter dictates determining the facts and finding out if any impropriety occurred. Therefore, with unanimous concurrence of the other members of the House leadership, today I formally requested an independent inquiry by the House Ethics Advisory Panel into any possible violation by Del. Hamilton involving the creation and state funding of a teacher center at Old Dominion University while he simultaneously discussed the possibility of employment with ODU.

“It is my hope that the independent ethics panel will conduct and conclude its work as thoroughly and expeditiously as possible,” Howell added.  ”It is important to me and the citizens in whose name all delegates serve to know whether Delegate Hamilton’s activities in this matter were legal and in keeping with expected standards of conduct for lawmakers. Virginia has a reputation for good government and I want to keep it that way.”

Good for you, Mr. Speaker.