State Financial Disclosure Laws resulting in Resignations

I don’t see the problem.

 

I don't really see the prob either. In general, I think there should be more required disclosure & financial oversight of elected officials. I recall that SOB who put all the student ghetto property in his brothers name, got on the gville city council & insta-passed zero int rate loans to revitalize the ghetto.

 

I don’t have crazy money, but I wouldn’t want the world knowing my finances. These are local officials, the law could have been written far better. Make it a felony to not disclose any financial interest in a law or ordinance being considered. That’s really the only point here. Would only take one or two convictions for people to pay attention.

 

Honest question: why wouldn’t you want the world knowing your finances?

 

Because I have just enough to invite scammers and ne’er do wells, but not enough to not care if I had to deal with that. That wouldn’t be worth it for me for a local gvt job.
But look at it another way, we’ve both been posting here for years, how many times has someone voluntarily given their net worth? I can think of one in all the years I’ve been here. It’s almost akin to medical history on presumption of privacy, not just here but culturally nationally.

 

you are probably right....more targeted, relevant disc would probably be sufficient for local gov. I have to fill out a COI every year for my job & the Qs are very targeted to potential conflicts only.

 

No but I wouldn’t ever want any sort of job like that.

 

if I had the skills, maybe. Not knocking your decision at all.

 

Does this law affect the legislature as well?

 

Seems like overkill to me. Most folks would probably have to pay their accountant to fill out that form given the level of detail required.

Many years ago, wife was a city commish and she (me) had to do financial disclosures. Seemed more about exposing conflicts of interest but the questions/details were pretty general compared to these. Still, it was a PIA for a p/t gig.

Seems illogical that a small town commish might be subject to more financial scrutiny than a Supreme or a Prez.

 

Are county commissioners typically volunteer? I thought they were paid?

In any case, I think elected govt officials should have to disclose basically everything when it comes to business holdings and incomes. Unless people have unusual dealings they wish to hide I don’t see the issue. Generally if an elected person has wealth I think that is generally known by voters already, and if they don’t that is also probably generally known even without disclosure. But disclosures can be useful for shenanigans that are happening on the side.

 

Federal law should certainly have more requirements as well. At the fed level, the dems at least put this sort of stuff on the table but it never seems to go anywhere. Kind of odd this increased reporting came onto the books in currently deep red FL. Especially with them being hostile to sunshine laws. Not going to assume it’s virtuous.

 

It’s ridiculous to ask local folks to donate a close this kind of information. We’ve had a few local folks resign here over this.

 

Perhaps a poll should be up so folks on this site can see what people’s net worth is. Much smaller eyes on it than the general population. Will still probably get very little response…I’d be curious of the network of people who post too hot versus other forums.

 

It's nobody's businesses what my assets are or whom my clients are.

 

It's fascinating that we would have this kind of law for local officials but you can run for president and hide your tax returns and fudge your financial disclosure forms with impunity.