LANSING – In a move to hold lawmakers to higher standards, State Representative Bob Constan (D-Dearborn Heights) on Wednesday voted for reforms strengthening campaign finance rules that ensure greater public accountability of elected officials.
"Our residents need to have confidence that their elected officials are serving our state's needs – not those of the special interests," Constan said. "Serious reforms in our campaign finance laws will give our residents that confidence, and hold our lawmakers accountable to the people they represent."
The comprehensive plan amending the Michigan Campaign Finance Act includes:
- Prohibiting a campaign committee from paying a salary to a candidate, which essentially bars candidates from paying themselves. A violation would be punishable by a fine of up to $10,000.
- Expanding the ban prohibiting legislators from receiving honoraria to include all state elected officials.
- Requiring quarterly campaign finance filings so the public knows, in a timely way, who is paying for a candidate's election campaign.
- Requiring people or organizations behind automated political phone calls, also known as "robocalls," to disclose their identities at the beginning of a call.
In addition, the plan takes partisan politics out of the administration of the Campaign Finance Act by turning responsibilities over to the state's Director of Elections. This currently falls to the Secretary of State, a partisan elected official.
"The 'good government' plan sets forth tough penalties for elected officials who violate the public trust," Constan said. "Our voters have a right to know who the money comes from, and how it is being spent. This plan will make sure that happens."