1 big problem Lansing Democrat could have avoided — and Legislature should fix | Opinion

Breathe a large theatrical sigh as we think — properly — all politicians, elected officials, judges (take note, U.S. Supreme Court) should be more pure than priests (take note, clergy). That’s tough, humans being humans, but anyone in any governmental position should take steps to ensure their affairs are above even the question of reproach so the people feel the officials can be trusted.

Which brings us to the conundrum of Rep. Angela Witwer, D-Delta Twp., chair of the state House Appropriations Committee, subject of the latest ethical contretemps, hers being an issue that also raises a serious general question and should, nay, must, stir the public to demand the Legislature to get the work it is now constitutionally required to do done. And done damn soon.

(Wow, all that in one paragraph.)

OK, here we go.

If you’ve been lost in the daily dry toast of impeachment threats, government shutdowns, who’s running for what, and the Lions beat WHO?, let me acquaint you with Ms. Witwer and her particular hullabaloo.

Recent reports show Witwer, reported variously as a "member" and "owner" of Lansing marketing and communications firm Edge Partnerships, had continued her ties to the business since she was first elected to the House in 2018. Witwer now says she has no position with the firm — started years ago by Lorri Rishar Jandron, a former top aide to former House Speaker Chuck Perricone and joined by Witwer soon after — whose clients include a number of school districts and public agencies needing state funding. Witwer, of course, as appropriations chair, now plays a large role in who and what gets how much in state funding.

A year ago, according to a Detroit News report, Witwer was still a prominent figure on the EDGE website — she is no longer pictured there, nor mentioned (she doesn’t even show up in search results). Rishar Jandron said, when contacted, "Angela is not an owner of Edge and has no business interest in my company."

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There is an obvious issue that Witwer, and all politicians, should recognize: Take steps on your own to clear any  potential conflicts. It should be instinctive to do so.

This does not mean one has to dump one’s business, or, in most cases, stop doing what one has done professionally all their lives. Farmers in the Legislature still farm — Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, just showed up in Lansing with a truckload of corn he offered to his colleagues, staff and others. No one’s accusing him of anything — lawyers and doctors who are legislators can still practice, business owners can still operate those businesses — former Republican Rep. Tommy Brann continued to own restaurants, waiting tables and cleaning restrooms, while in office.

And if those pushing for Michigan to have a part-time Legislature get their way — let us hope not, of course — legislators will have to have another job while they serve.

But back to Witwer — at a minimum, a political leader should voluntarily take all steps needed to clear him/herself of possible misunderstandings or questionable appearances. Maybe do the job you’ve done, but handle other clients.

That’s what lawmakers should do voluntarily. Michigan still needs hard legal requirements to ensure that all public officials keep the public informed of their financial interests and connections, and finally, we have a constitutional requirement ordering just that.

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In 2022, Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved Proposal 22-1, which changed term limits and required all state elected officials to file reports on their sources of income, future employment agreements and other issues. It’s Article IV, Section 10 of the Constitution. The Legislature has to pass laws enacting those provisions by this Dec. 31.

Of course, nothing official has yet been done.  Well, some bills to enact the requirements were introduced, House Bill 4269 by Rep. Mike Harris, R-Waterford Twp., and Senate Bill 381 by Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, but that’s it. Neither has even had a hearing.

Rep. Erin Byrnes, D-Dearborn, chair of the House Ethics and Oversight Committee, has indicated she is working on legislation to satisfy the Constitutional requirement. As of yet, though, nothing has been revealed, nor scheduled for action.

And there’s a new pickle: the Legislature may adjourn sine die (without plans to return) earlier than its typical December date (why? it’s technical), which means lawmakers got to get off their butts, pronto.

So yes, there is a potential upside to Rep. Witwer’s kerfuffle — but only if it causes the people to push the Legislature to move now to get financial disclosure requirements finally enacted in Michigan.

John Lindstrom has covered Michigan politics for 50 years. He retired as publisher of Gongwer, a Lansing news service, in 2019. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lansing Democrat Angela Witwer highlights need for Prop 1 reforms