Lindsey Tippins served 12 years on the Cobb school board before deciding against seeking another term two years ago.

At the time, this columnist observed that Tippins had steadfastly represented the best interests of the people of this county. His level head, common sense and business acumen had been invaluable assets for students, parents and other citizens of Cobb.

It was pointed out that Tippins had stood up for the taxpayers to oppose then-Superintendent Joe Redden's plan to spend $100 million plus on take-home laptops for students. Tippins also balked at the zany overpriced-consultant-inspired governance plan for the school board.

And it was suggested that Tippins showed the kind of leadership Cobb would need in the future.

Now Tippins is running for a seat in the Georgia Senate, challenging District 37 incumbent John Wiles in the Republican primary July 20.

One of the issues that has emerged in the race is ethics, a good subject for discussion in this and other legislative races.

Wiles says that legislators in the last session passed "an omnibus ethics reform legislation that establishes the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission and provides for more stringent reporting requirements on all officials and lobbyists, in addition to new provisions that limit the abuse of official power, conflicts of interest, improper conduct and sexual harassment. This was real, substantive change and we need to see how these major reforms work before we make additional changes."

The "omnibus reform legislation," the mouse brought forth by new House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), tackled ethics issues by renaming the state Ethics Commission the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, banning e-mail or text messages between lobbyists and legislators during committee or floor debates of bills.

That's "real, substantive change"? Renaming a commission and banning email and texting with lobbyists. And imposing a $300 registration fee on lobbyists, among other things.

The big problem with the legislation is what it fails to do. Despite all the efforts of reform-minded citizens, the legislation sets zero limits on gifts from lobbyists to legislators.. It was another victory for politics as usual under the Gold Dome, a clear message that legislators can continue to eat, drink and be merry with lobbyists at their expense. Speaker Ralston set the table by chomping through $1,225 in meals and refreshments paid for by lobbyists in just one month before his bill passed.

Common Cause Georgia said Ralston and his team were "continuing the fundraising practices of former Speaker Richardson and the Democratic Speakers before him."

How does Tippins stand on gifts from lobbyists? He told the MDJ: "As far as I am concerned, they can all be banned. I have a job so I don't need someone else to buy my lunch or give me presents."

During the 12 years he served on the school board Tippins donated every penny of his salary to student scholarships and teacher stipends, a total of more than $250,000.

Enough said.

dmckee9613@aol.com