Hurray to the CT Mirror for writing about a subject that this blogger has discussed before on this page - the issue of the disclosure of public officials’ financial interests. In its inaugural online edition, Mark Pazniokas raises the concern that Connecticut received a “C” from the Center for Public Integrity for its disclosure laws. This does not bode well for a state that was supposed to have been through a major ethics overhaul in the wake of recent political scandals. Legislative and regulatory focus remained tight on the lobbying community but little has changed when it comes to the legislature.
The Office of State Ethics did conduct an audit of the statements of financial interest that legislators and public officials are required to file. But the differences in regulatory oversight between that community and the lobbying community remain. Lobbyists are required to file all financial reports electronically. They must do so monthly and quarterly and must disclose all financial arrangements upon the expectation that they will expend the $2000 threshold. Legislators are only required to file an annual report and they can still do so on paper. Lobbyists’ reports and registrations are all available on the Office of State Ethics website to the public. The legislators’ SFIs can only be seen by going to the Ethics office in person. Lobbyists are randomly audited every year. Last year was the first time that legislators and public officials were audited.
If we are truly to be the state where ethics is a priority and government transparency is paramount, the legislature must pass legislation giving the Office of State Ethics the authority to level the playing field and regulate them as strictly as they do the lobbying community.
Tags: CT Mirror, disclosure, ethics, financial report, lobbyist, Office of State Ethics, statement of financial interest
