The top Meadowlark topics for 2008 were all about political money and governmental ethics. The following is a topic summary with details given below.
1. New reports for last minute political money can make a difference.
2. More transparency is needed in Kansas governmental ethics.
3. Why is franking abuse ignored?
4. Why do political appointments often correlate [...]
Continue reading about Political Money & Ethics were Top Meadowlark Topics in 2008
The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission met yesterday to review several matters, including six fines and three advisory opinions.
Continue reading about Fines and other actions by the Ethics Commission at their December meeting
One can ask hypothetical questions and get guidance about Kansas Law and ethics rules from the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission, but once specific information about any wrongdoing is provided to the Commission, there is no way to find what action, if any, the Commission takes. Kansans need more transparency in the operation of the Commission.
At [...]
Kansas law is quite peculiar in letting out-of-state PACs have fewer reporting requirements than in-state PACs. Out-of-state groups are allowed to spend huge amounts on Kansas politics and not have their “verified statements” shown online. There is no online list of out-of-state PACs that get to hide their political participation in Kansas’ elections. As [...]
Continue reading about Over $500,000 missing from online PAC reports in Kansas
Kansas conflict of interest statutes require many involved with state government to file Statements of Substantial Interest (SSI) forms once a year at the end of April. In state fiscal year 2008 there were 9225 individuals required to file, yet about 120 individuals have not yet filed the required report. Most of [...]
Continue reading about 120 fail to file conflict of interest reports required by Kansas law
Today’s meeting of the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission included two civil fine hearings, as well as a number of civil fine assessments, and decisions about recent missing “Paid for by” attributions.
The big story was the $2500 fine levied on the ProKanDo PAC, the the $500 fine on a Sheriff candidate.
Continue reading about Ethics Commission Fines Candidate $500 and PAC $2500
There is too much secrecy in how the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission operates. There is no way to learn what investigations are, or are not initiated, unless there is a public hearing. Even retrospective studies are not possible. There are several improvements that should be made, but these may take legislative [...]
Continue reading about We need more transparency in the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission
The Wichita Voters for Truth PAC sent out this hit piece against State Rep candidate Jan Beemer in the Nov 2006 election, but never filed its Jan 2007 PAC report with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission explaining how much money was raised and spent on that mailing. Bruce McKinney from Wichita was the [...]
[Updated] Gov. Sebelius’ reception for Dr. George Tiller at the Governor’s mansion while Tiller was under criminal investigation has been in the news for the past several days. News reports today focused on a late reimbursement to the State of Kansas for the event. Gov. Sebelius did not report auction items she donated [...]
Repeated offense from 2006? This morning the Kathleen Sebelius Committee sent out an email with the subject “Our Energy Future.” The email addressed Sebelius’ view of the debate over the coal plants in Western Kansas during this year’s legislative session. Gov. Sebelius did not ask for contributions in words in her letter, [...]