From Deseret News archives:
Campaigning for honesty
Unfortunately, getting campaign finance reforms through the state Legislature can be like ushering a cat through a dog pound.
On the upside, Rep. Greg Hughes would like to see fines for candidates who fail to file critical disclosure forms on time. Currently their names are simply lifted from the ballot or the candidate will get a judge to waive the penalty and allow them to be put on the ballot.
Rep. Sheryl Allen says that too many office holders also play shell games with disclosure reports. They refuse to list substantial contributors and expenditures on the initial report, then file an amended report after the election is over in order to avoid criticism and scrutiny.
The fines suggested would be stingers: $1,000 for filing a late report, with $50 added to that for each day after the deadline. A proposal also would ding candidates for amending reports.
These proposals, needless to say, will not sail through the Legislature. Chances are good, given recent history, they will not even limp through. But if the right people push them along, they would add much to the credibility of candidates and the confidence of voters.
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