Lawmakers profiting off state contracts would have to disclose such business relationships under a plan passed today by the Senate, the Associated Press' Jay Root writes:

(Republican Sen. Steve) Ogden's legislation, which passed with one dissenting vote, would require that lawmakers disclose each year any state government contracts in which they or their private business entities hold a "substantial interest."

The one naysayer?

Sen. Mike Jackson, a LaPorte Republican.

The AP:

"I don't understand the need of that type of information being on our personal financial statement," Jackson said. "To have that on a personal financial statement of the member of the Legislature, I think it's just a little too much information for me."

Too much information?

If a lawmaker's firm makes the widgets in the state buildings' air conditioners, thereby buttering his bread, that's none of the public's business? That's hooey.



And a political misstep, I might add, to make such an argument. Voting against a measure for government transparency will only bring a politician more public scrutiny. The logical question is: What is it you have to hide? (Find Jackson's most recent ethics disclosure, as well as that for all Texas lawmakers, here.)

Jackson's other argument, that lawmakers could find themselves unaware, doesn't wash, either.

It implies that the people we have elected to set rules governing our state haven't the foresight or diligence to pay attention to the rules governing their service. Makes me concerned they haven't read the fine print of the rules they've imposed on us.

Next time I'm stopped for whatever new laws are put on the books this legislative session, I'll just grin sheepishly and say, "Officer, I sure am sorry. I was caught unaware."

Check out the full AP story here, and follow the bill, SB 1200, here.

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