LANSING – State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) announced that he is sponsoring legislation in a Democratic-sponsored package of ethics, accountability and transparency bills that call for an open, honest and accountable legislature.
“Right now there is a lack of trust in elected officials and it’s created a toxic environment in Lansing,” said Dianda. “I’m here to represent my district, and be open and honest with all of my constituents and the people of Michigan. These bills will make being honest and playing fair the new norm in Lansing.”
The House Democratic package of bills, if enacted, would create a culture of accountability and transparency in campaigns and in the legislature. In particular, Rep. Dianda’s bills will create an ethics act for the executive branch and its employees to strengthen conflict-of-interest concerns for those individuals. It will also increase the penalties for a member of a board of directors who violates the Michigan Campaign Finance Act.
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.
-
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.
“My neighbors in the Upper Peninsula sent me to Lansing to do what is best for us, our families and our way of life,” Dianda continued. “Once this much-needed reform legislation is passed, we can get back to work on what matters most: our kids, our schools and protecting the middle class.”