Follow the money? In Georgia that’s easy to say, but … | Opinion | Columbus Ledger Enquirer

Common Cause Georgia Director William Perry gives the state the benefit of the doubt for a “good faith effort.” But however laudable the faith, the result has been a mess.

Under a 2010 law, local campaign contribution and personal financial disclosures are supposed to be filed with the state. The idea is to have a central database where voters can get the relevant info at every level.

In reality, a report by the Macon Telegraph shows, there are so many gaps in the information chain that few seem to know who is responsible for what.

At issue, as Telegraph reporter Christina Wright notes, is essential voter information: Knowledge of a candidate’s or incumbent’s financial supporters and investments.

Part of the problem, the Telegraph reports, is the process. Every elected official and candidate in Georgia — from a council member in the smallest municipality to the governor and the elected heads of the largest departments — is required to file campaign contribution disclosures twice a year as long as those campaign accounts are open. In addition, they must file annual statements of property holdings and investments for both tthemselves and for their spouses.

Ultimately all this info is supposed to get to Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, from whose website voters can access the relevant information. But the director of the GGT&CFC, Holly LeBerge, told the Telegraph that a local “qualifying official” is supposed to notify the state when someone qualifies to run, and when someone wins an election. In one case, the Telegraph reported, the state continued assessing non-compliance fines from a Centerville council member who hadn’t been in office for three years. Other officials said they don’t receive email notifications of filing deadlines because the state was never notified that they won.

So if it is the responsibility of local “qualifying officers” to get the relevant information to the ethics office, why can’t the ethics office crack down on them? Because authority over local elections rests with the Secretary of State’s office.

via Follow the money? In Georgia that’s easy to say, but … | Opinion | Columbus Ledger Enquirer.