ROCKINGHAM — Rep. Ken Goodman will share the referee’s whistle on a state House panel tasked with weighing legislative conflict-of-interest claims.
Speaker Tim Moore this month named Goodman, D-Richmond, co-chairman of the House Ethics Committee, the 16-member body that investigates ethical complaints lodged against any of the chamber’s 120 state representatives.
Goodman will serve alongside Rep. John Faircloth, R-Guilford, as rules require members of both parties to jointly chair the ethics panel.
“I was very pleased, very honored and flattered,” Goodman said of the appointment. “I would assume it was done because I am somebody who works well and plays well with others.”
Moore tapped Goodman to the post during the General Assembly’s recent special session to approve new congressional district maps to submit to the U.S. District Court panel that tossed out the boundaries for North Carolina’s 1st and 12th districts.
The committee investigates reported conflicts of interest or claims of ethical violations and recommends appropriate action. Because it responds to complaints, the panel meets upon the call of either co-chairman and does not maintain a regular meeting schedule.
“I am honored to serve my colleagues as the Democratic chair on this important committee,” Goodman said. “I am grateful for the speaker’s confidence and will serve the committee with vigor and energy.”
Co-chairing the ethics committee are Rep. Leo Daughtry, R-Johnston, who chairs the powerful Judiciary I committee, and Rep. Becky Carney, D-Mecklenburg.
As most committee chairmanships are assigned to members of the majority party, the post elevates Goodman’s seniority in the Republican-controlled House.
Several members of Goodman’s Main Street Democrats Legislative Caucus also serve on the ethics panel, including Rep. William Brisson, D-Bladen, who shares the Appropriations, Health and Human Services Committee chairmanship with three Republican legislators.
Goodman is running unopposed for a fourth term representing Richmond, Scotland, Hoke, Montgomery and Robeson counties in House District 66.
The General Assembly will reconvene for the 2016 short session on April 25.
Reach Editor Corey Friedman at 910-817-2670 and follow him on Twitter @corey_friedman.