The matter of Speaker Jim Black’s legal defense fund is a pretty clear test of where you stand on open and honest state government. There should be no secret cash contributors to powerful lawmakers, but yet that is what we have right now.
To recap, once Gov. Mike Whathisname capped the amount of state money Black would get to pay his legal bills at $30,000 — the proper amount is zero — Black set up a legal defense fund to raise more money. Fine. He can sell lemonade if he wants.
The State Board of Elections noted that election law does not really address the issue of legal defense funds for lawmakers, just campaign funds. As such, the board could not order Black to disclose the names of those who give money to the fund. Fine and fine.
The board did strongly suggest that the General Assembly address the matter in legislation which, of course, the Down East kleptocracy declined to do. Not so fine. But not a surprise.
Now it is just down to common sense. Does anyone really want a system where a lawmaker who is, by definition, short of cash to be able to get, say, $5,000 in secret from some person or persons who may, or may not, have some pressing issue before the General Assembly?
If we have any kind of rules or concern about campaign giving influencing the legislative process should we not be doubly concerned about cash that goes directly to pay the bills of lawmakers?
This is not even a close call. As always, just because something is legal does not make it right.
