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.
