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From our State Capitol in Lansing to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, WKAR is committed to explaining how the actions of lawmakers are affecting Michiganders. Political and government reporter Abigail Censky leads this section. There are also stories from Capitol correspondents Cheyna Roth, Rick Pluta and the Associated Press. As the 2020 presidential race begins, look here for reports on the role Michigan will play in electing or re-electing the president.

Show Me The Money: Financial Disclosure Bills On The Legislature's Agenda

stack of money
flickr/Ken Teegardin

State lawmakers will start discussions this week about whether they – and other elected officials – should have to produce personal financial disclosures. 

Craig Mauger  is with the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. That’s a nonpartisan watchdog organization that follows money in politics.

Mauger says bills up for debate in a state House committee on Wednesday would help the public get a better sense of who their lawmakers are. And see potential conflicts of interest.

Mauger says Michigan is one of two states that doesn’t require any personal financial disclosures from its elected officials.

“It really is more like a conflict of interest screen to put information out into the public to empower the public to know more about what could be driving their representatives in Lansing," said Mauger. “We simply don’t know now. We are on a trust me basis now," said Mauger.

The bipartisan package of bills would require elected officials – including the governor, elected judges, lawmakers, and members of university boards – to disclose certain personal finances.

Candidates running for those positions would also have to disclose.

Before becoming the newest Capitol reporter for Michigan Public Radio Network, Cheyna Roth was an attorney. She spent her days fighting it out in court as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Ionia County.
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