Long Thompson Proposes Open Government; Campaign Finance Reforms

Long Thompson Proposes Open Government; Campaign Finance Reforms

Democratic gubernatorial candidate calls for transparent government during "Sunshine Week"

As the nation celebrates "Sunshine Week," a national effort to promote more open government, today Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson proposed a series of reforms to make the state's campaign finance and ethics laws more transparent.

"I strongly believe that state government and our entire political process should be an open book," said Long Thompson. "We need to put in place some common sense reforms so all Hoosiers have access to complete information on who is trying to influence our government and our leaders - and why."

"As I did while in Congress, if elected Governor, I will make this a top priority of my administration."

As a Member of Congress, Long Thompson compiled an impressive record on government and ethics reform issues. She introduced one of the nation's first pieces of legislation banning members of Congress from accepting gifts and she also sponsored measures to eliminate automatic pay increases for members of Congress as well as to expand the disclosure requirements for lobbying activities.

As Governor, Long Thompson would seek legislation to strengthen the state's campaign finance laws. Specifically, she would work to limit the amount of money entities organized as limited liability companies (LLCs) may donate to political campaigns. Under her proposal, LLCs would be permitted to contribute no more than $5,000 a year, the same restrictions currently placed on corporations.

"Unfortunately, under current law there is potential to use these organizations to circumvent disclosure requirements and to hide illegal corporate or individual contributions. There is no way to know if all political contributions are legal unless there is full disclosure," said Long Thompson. "The public has the right to know who is contributing to campaigns, how much is being given, and whether those contributions are legal. My proposal makes certain there will be no safe havens for secret or illegal campaign contributions."

Long Thompson also said she would prohibit businesses and the officers of businesses doing work with, or soliciting work from, state or local governments from donating to political campaigns while they are under contract and for two years following the conclusion of their work.

Finally, Long Thompson would fight for tougher disclosure requirements for lobbyists, including mandating that lobbyists report all expenditures, including meals, made to state government employees to the Indiana Lobbyist Registration Commission quarterly. Under current law only expenditures and gifts to legislators and their staffs that equal $100 or more in one day, or more than $500 during the calendar year, are required to be disclosed two times a year.

In the area of government reform, Long Thompson outlined several steps she would take as Governor to ensure the highest degree of integrity of those serving in her administration.

To allow for greater public scrutiny of those who oversee millions of taxpayer dollars, Long Thompson said she would voluntarily submit all agency head appointees to the State Senate for confirmation and would require them to disclose their financial investments and holdings publicly. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Indiana and Nevada are the only states remaining that do not require any legislative input over agency appointments.

"I will select qualified and honorable people to lead our state agencies well; even more, I want to lead by example," said Long Thompson. "I think it's important that the public and their elected representatives have input on the choice of leaders who will run important government services and programs."

In addition to senate confirmation, Long Thompson said she would ban state employees from receiving any gifts, meals or other perks from those doing business with the state and would disallow former state employees from lobbying state government for a period of one year. She would also prohibit private entities from paying the salaries of state employees.

Finally, Long Thompson, would seek to make the state's Inspector General position a truly independent watchdog. If elected, she would push legislation to provide the position a six-year term that would overlap gubernatorial administrations. She would also require the confirmation of the nominee by the State Senate and House of Representatives prior to the appointment.

"These are all much needed reforms to create greater transparency in our government and political processes," said Long Thompson. "I firmly believe that everything needs to be on the table, for everyone to see, and as Governor, that's how I will operate."

Sunshine Week, March 16-22, 2008, is led by the American Society of Newspaper Editors to promote the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include print, broadcast and online news media, civic groups, libraries, non-profits, schools and others interested in the public's right to know.

Long Thompson represented Northeast Indiana in the U.S. House of Representatives serving from 1989 to 1995. She also served as U.S. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development from 1995 to 2001. She received her B.S. in Business from Valparaiso University and her M.B.A and Ph.D. in Business from Indiana University. A former educator, Long Thompson most recently served as CEO of The National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy. Long Thompson and her husband Don Thompson, a commercial airline pilot, live on their family farm in Marshall County.

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