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Michigan Could Soon Be the Only State Where Lawmakers' Finances Are Unknown

Michigan could end up being the only state in the country where legislators pass and reject laws without the public knowing about their personal finances, a distinction that good government watchdogs say is an embarrassment that must be changed.

Michigan could end up being the only state in the country where legislators pass and reject laws without the public knowing about their personal finances, a distinction that good government watchdogs say is an embarrassment that must be changed.

Forty-seven states now require lawmakers to file some type of financial disclosure that lists their occupation, income or business associations — information that indicates if a legislator might benefit personally from supporting or opposing legislation.

Vermont will begin mandating disclosure reports next year. And in Idaho, a group of lawmakers recently agreed that elected officials should disclose financial information and forwarded a proposal to the full Legislature for consideration in 2018.

"It's increasingly looking like we'll be the only state" with no personal financial disclosure, said Craig Mauger, executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. "In Michigan, we have no idea what financial interests these people have."

The Center for Public Integrity and The Associated Press found that at least 76 percent of state legislators around the country reported outside income or employment in 2015. The review was based on an analysis of disclosure reports from 6,933 lawmakers in the 47 states that required them. It found numerous examples of state legislators who have introduced and supported legislation that directly and indirectly helped their own businesses, their employers or their personal finances.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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