Ethics commission due to get fresh blood come March

With a legislative session about to go into full swing and Council on the verge of appointing commission members, the Ethics Review Commission is preparing to see numerous changes in the upcoming months. Just prior to adjourning on Wednesday night, Chair Ben Stratmann voiced his concerns about making the quorum at the March and April meetings. Both he and Commissioner Luis Soberon work around the Texas Legislature and are anticipating their schedules to fill up as the 140 days of the session tick by. Additionally, Vice Chair Dennis Speight tendered his resignation and will not return in March. Commissioner J. Michael Ohueri similarly said that he may not show up in March either; he has not officially resigned. A replacement for Speight has not yet been appointed, nor did the commission elect a new vice chair.