In February of 2008, Mike Cox made history by putting the Department of Attorney General's spending on-line. Cox is a great believer in the old adage, 'sunshine is the best antiseptic in a democracy'. By going to www.michigan.gov/ag and clicking on the button, "Track Your Taxes", any Michigan citizen can see how the Department of Attorney General spends its money. Contracts, rent, office supplies, salaries - you name it - are all there open for inspection. This year Cox posted all consumer protection settlements entered into since his administration began in 2003, over 8,000 pages.

While Cox has set the example for transparency, only the Secretary of State's office has followed suit. Governor Granholm who controls the other 16 departments and over $43 billion in spending refuses to show us - the taxpayers of Michigan - how she and her directors are spending YOUR money. With today's technology, you can listen to half of a hit song on I-Tunes before you decide whether to buy the song or not; yet after giving Governor Granholm over $43 billion this past year, we are unable to see how state government spends its money.

As Michigan's next governor, Mike Cox will put all state government spending on line to prevent corruption, waste, inefficiency, and to give every taxpayer the ability to watch over the shoulder of government as his or her dollars are spent. It is telling to note that even the federal government currently offers details on more than $613 billion of its budget online at usaspending.gov. This website was created as a result of a bipartisan effort by Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama in 2006.

States across the country are embracing transparency. A great example is the State of Missouri website, www.mapyourtaxes.mo.gov. Fifteen other states have their state budgets online. Michigan needs to follow suit. Let's put the State of Michigan budget online.

Mike Cox wants to make Michigan a national leader in government ethics. He has always believed in transparency of information. Cox has already voluntarily posted his own information online for any citizen to review. Beyond placing his entire state budget online, Mike Cox will be the first Governor of Michigan to ensure that all of his department directors will annually disclose gifts, reimbursements and personal financial information for themselves and immediate family members.

The public has a right to know of potential conflicts a public servant may have when they make decisions affecting Michigan. If a public servant or candidate is on a corporate board in a sector that individual will deal with, the public has a right to know. If a public servant receives a gift or travel from lobbyists, the public has a right to know. A more informed public will help Michigan become a national leader in government ethics.

Mike Cox has proposed legislation to cover department directors and state employees making more than $65,000, elected officials whose salary is more than $65,000, and candidates for those offices. Disclosures would be required for:

Gifts from registered lobbyists (e.g. sporting tickets): $250 and over (aggregate)
Reimbursements from lobbyists (e.g. travel): $250 and over (aggregate)
Income (e.g. wages, salary, dividends, rental income): $1,000 and over
Assets (e.g. property, stocks, bonds): $2,500 and over
Liabilities (e.g. mortgages): $10,000 and over

Reports will be filed with the Secretary of State's office, which will have powers to investigate possible violations.

Michigan can become a national leader in government ethics. Through transparent disclosures, the public will be confident that public servants have the public's best interest at heart.