01/18/2007

Editorial

Senate, McManus can't let a chance for reform go by

If there was ever a time for ethics and campaign finance reform at every level of politics, this is it.

And state Sen. Michelle McManus is getting a chance to set the agenda.

Over most of the past decade lobbyists and their big-time financial backers have had their run of government. Through donations and favors they've been granted contracts and tax cuts and steered national and state policy to line their own pockets.

Taxpayers have finally had enough. In opinion polls — and at the polls in November — they've let it be known they want change.

In Michigan, much of that job is apparently going to depend on McManus, R-Lake Leelanau. She has been chosen to lead a Senate committee charged with creating what Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop called "significant” campaign finance and ethics reforms.

It is a make-it-or-break-it opportunity. McManus has a chance to push ground-breaking ethical and campaign finance reforms that could help ensure that state government is of, for and by the people.

What is needed is a bold restatement of ethics rules to force lawmakers to reveal conflicts of interest, both real and potential, special relationships with donors or those seeking redress from the Legislature.

On the campaign finance side, McManus can help bring an end to so-called "corporate” accounts not subject to public disclosure and, as she tried to do last year, force those paying for so-called "issue” ads to identify themselves within 48 hours. She can also call for more frequent and immediate reporting of contributions to close the time gap between donations and when the public gets to see who gave what to whom.

The impetus for the new effort is compelling.

Michigan voters just witnessed the most expensive elections in state history, with spending pegged at $120 million, compared to a paltry $70 million in 2002.

Republican gubernatorial challenger Dick DeVos spent more than $35 million of his Amway fortune to get himself elected. Almost as much was spent on behalf of Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the vast majority from party and union contributions and political action committees. Democratic billionaire John Stryker of Kalamazoo doled out $4.6 million on issue ads, TV spots aimed at anonymously trashing someone's reputation.

It was, in short, obscene.

McManus last year made a point of separating herself from Sen. Jason Allen, R-Traverse City, who maintained at least two corporate accounts not open to public review that contained more than $50,000. Another Allen account included contributions from gambling, landfill and tobacco interests that can't give to normal campaign coffers.

That kind of behind-the-scenes giving — and, presumably, behind-the-scenes access — is as corrosive to a functioning democracy as a stolen election. McManus was wise to reject the practice then, and should push to end it now.

This is a real chance for change. Failure cannot be an option.