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Committee hears testimony on financial disclosure legislation

A state House committee heard testimony Wednesday on bills that would require elected officials to disclose their finances.

The bills would require sitting officials – like the governor, representatitves, senators, and more – to file campaign finance statements regularly. Candidates for those offices would also have to file.

      

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey has been a firm opponent of the idea.  

“I think this is a kabuki theater, it’s much ado about nothing. I don’t think it adds anything of value to the conversations. We already require in both chambers to disclose when we have conflicts.”

Supporters of the bills say right now lawmakers are on the honor system when it comes to conflicts of interests. They say elected officials need to be held to a higher standard of transparency.