Harris County leaders looking at their ethics problem

Amid renewed attention to ethics in Harris County government, some elected officials appear open to closing a loophole that keeps secret senior employees' outside income, real estate holdings or business connections.

State law requires county judges, commissioners and county attorneys to file "personal financial statements" designed to reveal any potential conflicts of interest. But it does not apply to many of the other elected and appointed officials who make multimillion-dollar decisions with taxpayer funds.

Commissioners Court has the power to require disclosure for these officials, such as sheriffs, constables and clerks, yet the policy has remained the same for years.