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Minn. Legislature may face tougher rules on financial disclosure

Article by: RACHEL E. STASSEN-BERGER , Star Tribune
Updated: January 9, 2013 - 5:50 AM

Minnesota rates a D+ for the level of information shared by its legislators.

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basia2186Jan. 8, 1311:33 PM

All outside sources of income must be disclosed. Trust a politician to be honest? That's a real knee slapper! Laugh out loud funny. If a politician is found to lobby or vote for ANYTHING that is of a financial benefit to: themselves, a family member or client they should be REMOVED from office and forfeit all benefits due to them. They must disclose when an issue could be a conflict and not vote on it. That is the minimum requirement. With their per diem they make about 60k. Not bad for "part time" employment.

comment229Jan. 9, 13 3:56 AM

One legislator said this would be hard to do; I don't think so. Full disclosure.

comment229Jan. 9, 13 3:58 AM

PS. Unknown to most Americans was a scandal in the last presidential campaign that was widely reported in the U.K. but since it could not be independently verified here in the USA, it never made it to the media. It would have involved BOTH candidates to release their tax information back to and including, 2009.... the year of the controversy. I will never ever vote for any politician who does not adhere to full disclosure laws. Simple as that. If neither will, I won't vote.

WalksHauntJan. 9, 13 7:35 AM

This is an issue that will never be heard of again. No way the legislature is going to trip up itself unless they are mandated to by the courts. They will always live along the boundary of legality. Can't be disturbing politicians as they are slopping at the hog trough.

evldedJan. 9, 13 8:46 AM

So the people that have the most to lose will be the ones to make the new "rules" which won't have any teeth and will be darn near worthless, and more political theatre for the low info crowd.

thunderJan. 9, 13 8:49 AM

You may trust your colleagues Senator Thompson but I do not. Encourage your colleagues to actually engage in behaviors that would instill the trust of the people you serve.

mcjoe1Jan. 9, 1310:26 AM

Nice to be hearing about the legislature working on rules like this rather than the mess that was the past 2 years. GOP - I don't know how or why you would be against a measure like this. It's as if you're completely supportive to sell our state to the highest bidder. If you think it's more complicated, then you should be helping out to close the loopholes.

teddy81554Jan. 9, 1310:52 AM

"Trust my colleagues to be honest....." Really?

luzhishenJan. 9, 1310:56 AM

Good idea, long overdue.

rileraJan. 9, 1310:59 AM

It's about time. Too many legislators are working for special interests and not their constituents. And they are in high power positions making decisions based on those special interests and not the common good.