LANSING – State Representative Henry Yanez (D-Sterling Heights) announced 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 no secret that political campaigns are wrought with special interests using their money to get the candidates that will benefit their bottom line and not protect the people,” said Yanez. “I came to Lansing because I was tired of the culture of not holding candidates and elected officials to the highest of standards, and that is why I introduced this legislation today.”

The House Democratic package of bills, if enacted, would create a culture of accountability and transparency in campaigns and in the legislature. Rep. Yanez’s bills will require a corporation that makes independent expenditures to file a notice with the Secretary of State and get permission from shareholders at least 30 days prior to an independent expenditure to a campaign.

Other bills included in the package are bills that will:

  • 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.

“Comprehensive ethics reform is long overdue. The majority needs to take up these bills and work with us to create a culture that both sides can be proud of at the Capitol,” continued Yanez. “The quicker we make these common sense election reforms, the sooner we can focus on legislation that helps our kids’ schools and protects our seniors.”