Press Release
Nonpartisan Group Urges Lawmakers to Pass Voter Approved Ethics Reform
Public Officers Financial Disclosure Act would add greater transparency
Lansing, MI—Days from the end of the state’s legislative session, watchdog group Common Cause Michigan pressed for passage of the Public Officers Financial Disclosure Act. The legislation, Senate Bills 613 through 616, would bring Michigan in line with 48 other states that require elected officials to file annual financial disclosure reports.
“When voters went to the polls last year, they voted for greater transparency and accountability from our elected leaders,” said Common Cause Michigan Executive Director Quentin Turner. “Now it’s time for state leaders to give voters what they asked for: the Public Officers Financial Disclosure Act. The legislation will provide basic ethics reform, already working in 48 other states, so we know our leaders are voting in the best interest of our families, our neighborhoods, and our future.”
Voters overwhelmingly approved financial disclosure requirements, with 66% of the electorate approving Proposal 1 in 2022. Specifically, Proposal 1 required office holders to disclose sources of income, the same requirements for registered state lobbyists. Recently, Common Cause Michigan advocated for comprehensive disclosure requirements, requiring the legislation include candidates and immediately family members of elected officials.
Nationally, Common Cause has a 50 year plus history of successfully winning campaign finance reform at all levels of government, including greater financial disclosure. Recently, Common Cause led the passage of greater disclosure laws in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, and more. Nationally, Common Cause advocates for the DISCLOSE Act, which would bring greater transparency to the dark money groups pumping money in the political system.
The Michigan state legislature is set to end on Thursday, November 9.
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Common Cause Michigan is a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.