State Representative Charles Smiley (D-Burton) announced today that he will be sponsoring legislation in a Democratic-sponsored package of ethics, accountability and transparency bills that call for an open, honest and accountable legislature.
“It is time to put the people first, and create an environment of honesty and openness in Lansing,” said Smiley. “The ethics package that we are introducing ensures elected officials are spending their time working for the people, not toward the benefit of their own personal agendas.”
The House Democratic package of bills, if enacted, would create a culture of accountability and transparency in campaigns and in the legislature. Rep. Smiley’s bill would make it illegal for individuals to solicit or accept campaign contributions while in a state facility.
Other bills included in the package will:
• Require a corporation that makes independent expenditures to file a notice with the Secretary of State and get permission from shareholders.
• Ban elected officials from lobbying for two years after leaving office.
• Require committees to file quarterly campaign finance filings in both on and off years to shed more light on campaign contributions.
• Create an ethics act for the administration and its employees to strengthen conflict-of-interest concerns for those individuals.
• Require financial disclosure from certain elected officials.
• Create a lobbying expenditure database.
• Require a candidate who switches parties to pay back with interest any contributions collected before the party switch.
“This package, if enacted, would help establish a more transparent and fair campaign reporting process,” Smiley said. “Our proposals would benefit Michiganders, which is what I was sent to Lansing to accomplish.”