The McCormick-Goodin Commonsense Ethics Plan will increase transparency at the state and local levels, better regulate lobbying, reform campaign finance laws, and provide a reporting mechanism for sexual harassment.

 

The McCormick-Goodin Commonsense Ethics Plan has six primary commonsense ways to provide more ethical and transparent government for Hoosiers (some require legislative action):

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• Increased Transparency in State and Local Government: Restore the legal bias towards public disclosure. Government records are public records unless a compelling public benefit exists to limit their disclosure. Ensure the state legislature is bound by Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA) law. Include links to campaign finance and statements of economic interests on the Indiana Transparency Portal.

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• Total Lobbyist Gift Ban: Ban lobbyists from giving anything of value to a legislative or executive official, including members of the Indiana General Assembly. “Not so much as a cup of coffee.” Lobbyists should be advocates, not entertainers. Attach criminal penalties to both lobbyists and legislative persons for gift ban violations by making gifts unlawful lobbying. ​​

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• Remove Lobbyists from Political Offices: Registered lobbyists will be precluded from holding a position on a political committee (current law prevents State Party Chairs from being registered lobbyists).​

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• Lock Revolving Door: Increase Indiana’s post-employment restriction on lobbying activity from one year after leaving public office to three years. 

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• Reform Campaign Finance Reporting: Candidates for public office in Indiana will file campaign finance reports with the state election division (currently, local candidates file with one of 92 county election boards) and standardize quarterly reporting in election and non-election years. Additionally, state and local candidates and elected officials will file the same statement of economic interest form with the state election commission. ​

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• Sexual Harassment Reporting: The Inspector General will establish a confidential reporting mechanism for sexual harassment committed by state or local elected or appointed officials and lobbyists. After the office's investigation, the Inspector General will inform the state ethics committee of the findings. If criminal actions are warranted, refer the findings to the prosecutor of record. If the matter is noncriminal, the findings will be referred to the appropriate personnel department (state or local HR). If the harasser is an elected official, the ethics committee will publicize the findings.