EFF Labors

Columbian ^ | 9-15-04 | Columbian

[truth49]

Unions despise the Evergreen Freedom Foundation, but voters should thank the nonprofit organization in Olympia. It is helping ensure that powerful unions which have vast resources, often comprised of compulsory membership dues are honoring campaign finance laws in Washington state.

To that end, EFF filed a complaint with the state attorney general's office in early September. It alleges that the Washington State Labor Council, the state affiliate for the powerful AFL-CIO, is violating state law by pumping money into politics without disclosing its expenditures properly. We hope the attorney general responds to the complaint as soon as possible to put the matter to rest. Gary Larson in the attorney general's office said that common procedure has been followed and that the complaint has been passed onto the Public Disclosure Commission for a recommendation.

As EFF put its concern in a recent news release, "Every election cycle, the WSLC spends tens of thousands of dollars in political expenditures to 'educate' workers on how they should vote. These efforts include phone banks, written communications, Web site and e-mail mobilization efforts. These activities are perfectly legal, as long as they are disclosed to the public."

We agree. If WSLC spending is not being disclosed properly, voters should know and the union should be fined. On the other hand, if the labor council is not required by law to disclose its brand of politicking, voters should know why not. Taxpayers in Washington have long demanded strong reporting requirements of those who dabble in their daily lives via political influence. If loopholes exist in our disclosure laws, we must close those loopholes.

Further, the trouble with money in politics isn't that there is so much of it in politics. While we think the spending can be wasteful, we understand that it takes money to communicate issues and mobilize people toward candidates of various stripes. Besides, nonprofit organizations, unions, political action committees, corporations and individuals from the far left to the far right pay into the mix.

No, the big trouble with money in politics comes if expenditures are hidden. And full disclosure allows voters yet another way to learn about candidates and their possible ideological leanings.

The state Public Disclosure Web site offers a wealth of information about who is financing whom. Visit www.pdc.wa.gov for more information, and hope that groups such as EFF continue to keep all political spending on the state's radar.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

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