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Today’s State Journal-Register editorial endorsed “a short list of obvious reforms” for Congress.
Ban the 200-plus ex-congressmen now working as lobbyists from walking freely onto the House floor during sessions.
Stop allowing lawmakers to use “earmarks” to provide millions to favored companies and organizations without the usual public scrutiny.
Require the deliberations of all conference committees - in which differences between House and Senate bills are reconciled and earmarks are smuggled into legislation - to be public.
Mandate that the language of all bills be posted on the Internet at least 24 hours before they are voted on, except when a supermajority of the House or Senate agrees otherwise.
I know I usually concentrate on Illinois politics, but the never-ending DC scandals could wind up impacting some Illinois races.
What do you think of the SJ-R’s list, and what, if anything, would you add? Also, do you think any reforms will really work?
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 6, 06 @ 8:05 am
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There is another side to “earmarks”. I’ve worked for non-profits through which “the people” were well-served by funds being directed our way by helpful congresspersons. It doesn’t all go to companies.
I’d add some other reforms, including making sure that each bill actually only deals with one topic–no tacking on non-germane amendments, especially that deal with funding…
…and, of course, (never happen) public financing of campaigns.
Comment by RFK fan Friday, Jan 6, 06 @ 8:18 am
They should also be extended to the IL GA; except more thought about the method of appropriating $ is needed. The GA is quick to tell other orgs. such as municipalities that their meetings, notices, ordinances, etc. need to be open to the public and posted accordingly. Why not theirs? Why isn’t the press association pushing the legislation to open up the GA. I would love to attend a caucus meeting!
Comment by Rod's Hair Friday, Jan 6, 06 @ 9:01 am
The scandals in the Congress are a huge issue. And the money being makes one wonder why the G is not more active out there.
Meanwhile.
HOW ABOUT SOME REFORMS FOR THE MEDIA:
1.tell us a little about how editorial board decisions are made.
2. Paying for free office space in State House
3. Accepting free staff from U of I.
4. Take a break from quoting numbskulls academics, who have never worked a campaign or made a donation, about politics
5. Less reliance on polls in covering campaigns
Comment by Anon Friday, Jan 6, 06 @ 9:37 am
All the reforms listed are worthy. However, until the issue of $ and politics is confronted head on, the corruption will continue unabated. Both parties are tarnished by corruption. At the federal level it is falling primarily on the Republicans because they hold all the levers of power. In Chicago/Cook County/Illinois it is falling primarily on Democrats because they hold all the levers of power. Corruption is about the only truly bipartisan issue that exists.
I would add a Clean Elections system like that in Arizona or Maine. Both systems have survived numerous legal challenges and candidates in both states of both parties have won accepting the public money. For those convinced it is unethical to take public money for campaigns, both states retain a private money system, candidates can choose which system they prefer.
No set of reforms will completely eliminate corruption, but greater transparency, more accountability and significant campaign finance reform would reduce it. The final ingredients are a vigilent press (largly missing in D.C., but good work lately here in Chicago) and aggressive prosecutors unafraid to ruffle political feathers. Unfortunately, you can’t create those elements via legislation.
Comment by Navin Johnson Friday, Jan 6, 06 @ 9:46 am
How about paying salaries to candidates for state legislative (and perhaps other) office if they agree to certain limitaitons on campaign contributions. Most of the Illinois legislators are so appallingly bad that perhaps this would
draw a better class of candidate. I think this has already been tried somewhere.
and this might allow new
Comment by Cassandra Friday, Jan 6, 06 @ 10:05 am
SJ-R’s “reforms” (with the exception of “earmarks”)have all been implented by the Illinois General Assembly. Hmmmm.
Comment by "Paddy" Bauler Friday, Jan 6, 06 @ 10:41 am
First, an indirect solution to the money fountain required to remain ensconced in Congress and qualify for the almost unnatural pension benefits: Shorten the campaign time by moving all primaries to Labor Day. National Conventions would take place on “Convention Dat” one week later. Pre-primary campaigning would start July 1. No advertising before that.
Second — no omnibus bills. I would also suggest that the Members be required to initial each page of each bill voted upon, but that would not be possible. Each Member’s earmarks would be a single bill bearing his name.
Third, the Mandarins are running the Congress. Unelected Member Staff and Committee Staff are writing law, negotiating with other unelected staff and with unelected Executive Office staff. Mandarins move from job to job, from Staff to Staff effortlessly. We keep building Office Buildings to accommodate their growth.
Cut the Mandarins in half, and there will be an equivalent cut in the number of pages produced for the Federal Register.
Comment by Truthful James Friday, Jan 6, 06 @ 11:42 am
I wonder why the State Journal-Register thinks conference committees actually meet.
Some may, but precious few did during my 16 years in the House. It’s usually a staffer collecting signatures on language the leadership wants.
In fact, members got to serve on many fewer conference committees in the 1990’s than they did in the 1070’s.
Just another example of concentration of power, I guess.
Comment by Cal Skinner Friday, Jan 6, 06 @ 11:47 am