PENDER: Lawmakers talk big on campaign finance reform but haven’t seemed gung-ho

Geoff Pender: ‘Private Gain’ series shows fundamental flaw

State lawmakers talk about transparency and reform a lot. But they haven’t seemed so gung-ho about reforming this exquisite nonsense.

Already this session, proposals to ban or restrict personal spending of campaign money died without a vote.

But two measures remain alive that would require politicians to itemize credit card spending. And Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves has said he supports restrictions on personal spending and will allow a vote on it as an amendment to a living elections bill. Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, plans to propose such an amendment.

Itemizing credit card expenditures and restricting personal use would be good steps, but only steps.

ClarionLedger
3/12/16