Simple survey should keep voters on alert

In August, 73 percent of Alaska voters said &#8220yes” to a ballot measure that toughened campaign finance laws and placed tighter restrictions on lobbyists. The vote was the culmination of a nearly two-year effort spearheaded by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Alaska Public Interest Research Group, a statewide education and advocacy group that defines its role as promotion of &#8220the public and consumer interests, especially when inconsistent with monied, powerful or other special interests.”

The organization has put up an effective fight over the years for regular working Alaskans, lending its citizen-friendly muscle in defense of the Alaska Public Offices Commission, the permanent fund, identity theft protection and workers' compensation. Not content to sit on its laurels after the Aug. 22 vote, AkPIRG kept its focus on the issue.

Knowing its efforts were necessitated by the gutting of previously mandated campaign finance reforms by the legislative majority in 2003, AkPIRG is keeping the heat on the current crop of candidates through a recent survey. Incumbents and challengers alike - 20 Senate hopefuls and 72 House hopefuls - were asked two simple questions about their commitment to honoring the will of the people, as expressed through the just-passed ballot initiative.

One question addressed the portion of the initiative calling for more detailed disclosure of legislators' outside sources of income. This should prevent future controversies like the ongoing one surrounding Sen. Ben Stevens and the hundreds of thousands of dollars he has received through vague and undefined &#8220consulting” work.

The question was, &#8220If elected, will you support more disclosure of outside income sources for legislators, including the number of hours worked and a clear description of the work performed?”

Providing a good indication that more reforms are needed, all who responded said they would.

Unanimity was lacking, though, with the more general question, which asked, essentially, for a commitment to not overturn the reforms again: &#8220If elected, will you oppose any efforts to weaken the campaign finance, lobbying and legislative disclosure reforms contained in Ballot Measure 1?”

Valley candidates were split on their commitment to the new reforms. Most signaled their support of the measure with a &#8220yes” answer. Reps. Vic Kohring and Mark Neuman, both of whom are spending VECO money on their campaigns, answered &#8220no.” Rep. Bill Stoltze, Sen. Charlie Huggins and challenger Jay Cross did not respond to the survey.

There are many issues of importance facing Alaskans as they prepare to go to the polls. But the ongoing FBI investigation into an alleged vote-buying conspiracy by VECO executives puts campaign finance in the spotlight.

Recognizing this, AkPIRG has challenged candidates to stand by their answers with quick adoption of more reforms early in the next legislative session. It is a challenge well worth meeting. The Aug. 22 vote showed that the vast majority of Alaskans concur.

It falls to voters now to remain vigilant about the issue and to be ready to hold those who represent them accountable.