LANSING – State Rep. Andy Coulouris (D-Saginaw) today voted in support of a bipartisan plan to restore integrity to the Legislature and state government by requiring elected and appointed officials, as well as statewide candidates, to disclose their financial assets.
"It is a privilege to serve as a lawmaker and work for the public," Coulouris said. "People have a right to know whether money is influencing the political process. This plan brings an end to secrecy in government."
A 2004 state-by-state survey by the Center for Public Integrity gave Michigan a failing grade – scoring 0 out of 100 points on a survey of personal financial disclosure regulations for state legislators. The Center for Public Integrity is a non-partisan, Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that studies government ethics issues. Michigan consistently receives the lowest score in the Center's ranking of state disclosure laws.
The proposal is part of a package that aims to strengthen integrity in the House. On March 1, the House passed a bill in that package that ends the revolving door policy between lawmakers and lobbyists by prohibiting lawmakers from becoming lobbyists for a year after leaving office. The package also includes bills that will ban state lawmakers from receiving state grants and clarify what constitutes a conflict of interest.
"Michigan today took an important step toward restoring integrity and ensuring that government works for our citizens, not for special interests," Coulouris said. "Full financial disclosure is crucial to a healthy democracy."