New tool of democracy

By The Standard Staff - 04/27/2007

Of course we’ve always known powerful interests spend substantial sums of money trying to influence the Legislature. Now we know exactly how much they spend and for what, thanks to a powerful new tool of democracy the state Commissioner of Political Practices just rolled out.

That tool is an easy-to-use database that allows anyone with a computer and Internet access to pore through the registration information and financial reports lobbyists must file under state law. Check it out at www.lobbysearch.mt.gov.

The database makes it easy to zero in on a specific interest or lobbyist and see which bills they support and oppose, as well as how much money they’re spending to do it. Such records have long been part of the public record, but mostly in the form of pieces of paper. The information was never very accessible — requiring a trip to Helena — and never particularly easy to navigate. That’s now changed.

What good will come from this? Who knows? Maybe people will gain a greater understanding of who’s behind certain legislation and how much behind-the-scenes influence they’re exerting. Maybe people will gain a greater understanding of and confidence in the legislative process.

Like many reports of this nature, the records reflect past filings — not real-time expenditures. A good goal would be to require filings that bring records up to date at the end of each business day.

We look forward to gaining online access to other records and filings handled by the Office of Political Practices. We now have the technology — technology to more fully empower citizens. This is progress.

— The Missoulian