As part of this effort to reform Alaska's politics, I've volunteered to help elect those I believe will work to fix our problems, and stand for the public over special interests. I've fought for change the only way I know how -- by working on community issues, writing better laws, and volunteering, including by helping to elect public officials who'll protect the public interest.
A recent Daily News editorial called a party fundraising letter I sent "legal," but argued that, as a "champion of ethics in government," I should be "held to a higher standard." I'll work to meet that standard. However, I think the editorial left out some important context.
First, I don't accept any of the party funds that I help raise. On the Democratic side, this volunteer effort to raise party funds historically has rotated between legislators, and it's my turn.
Second, I appreciate the Daily News' fairness in stating that I took care to ensure that I followed the law. Before sending the letter out, I checked with both the state agency that regulates fundraising, the Alaska Public Office Commission, and with the Legislature's ethics adviser and confirmed that the letter was permitted.
Third, it's true that even legal fundraising brings the danger of abuse by those who are dishonest. I've spent much of my career fighting those who would violate the public's trust, and co-authored the law making it a felony for a legislator to sell his vote in exchange for campaign contributions. I've also co-written laws banning the practice of legislators accepting "consulting fees" from businesses seeking legislative favors, and helped pass a strong conflicts of interest law.
But I'm not eager to let my friends on the Republican side raise significant campaign funds, and stand idly by to watch the defeat of good public servants. In this state, Republican candidates have historically enjoyed a large fundraising advantage. I've worked to help narrow that gap, but I've also taken care to ensure that my efforts complied with the law.
At least for now, our system requires candidates to raise money. We can change that in August when we vote on the Clean Elections initiative, which I support. Meanwhile, I'll keep working to take the money out of politics. As always, I'd like to hear your thoughts.
Les Gara is a state representative, and can be reached at 269-0106; or at rep. les.gara@legis.state.ak.us.
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