Gov. Nikki Haley pivots to ethics, state-owned buildings during cabinet meeting

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Despite her eyes clearly affixed on her plan to fix the state's crumbling infrastructure, Gov. Nikki Haley pivoted to two other issues during a Friday morning cabinet meeting.

Haley first discussed ethics and implementing a state code of conduct for each agency to follow. There are eight general guidelines, like who can and can't accept gifts within the agency.

Haley said the code goes into effect July 31.

"This came about two ways: one because ethics reform has become such a big conversation in the state for elected officials, but also Pat Maley, our inspector general, just had an uneasy feeling about the public servants in South Carolina," Haley said. "Not that they're doing anything wrong, but do they know what the rules are that they need to follow."

Secondly, Haley went into a new initiative to create a database of state-owned buildings and property.

Haley declared this would be the year South Carolina gets rid of buildings and equipment they don't use. Haley hopes in the process it will save taxpayer dollars.

Copyright 2015 WIS. All rights reserved.