EDITORIAL
Campaign 'reform' merely a half step

While the 2005 Legislature missed the boat on major campaign finance reform that would change the way the game of politics is played in the Islands, it did offer some useful, if modest, changes.

Lawmakers took the sensible step of mandating that new electronic voting machines produce a "paper trail" that can provide verification in cases of controversy or confusion.

Another measure makes numerous changes to the law governing raising and spending money for campaigns. One of those changes appears aimed at candidates such as Republican Linda Lingle, who raised considerable amounts of money out of state.

The proposed new law would limit out-of-state contributions to no more than 20 percent of the total collected by a candidate. This has the virtue of encouraging home-grown support for a candidate. But it tilts the balance of power toward established candidates who have built a substantial fundraising relationship with unions, businesses and others.

Another change takes aim at the corrosive connection between those who do business with government and those who make political contributions to incumbents. It makes it illegal for any business or individual with a contract with the state or county to make any political contribution during the life of that contract.

This lessens the appearance that government money is being directly turned around and returned to the officials to make the contract award. And it will limit the political activity of businesses when they are actively engaged in a government contract.

It's a good first step. But nothing in this proposal will stop people from giving generously before they win the government contract or from giving once they have finished the work.

Bans on contributions from government contractors should apply — at a minimum — for the length of the term of office of the awarding authority.

Far better, Hawai'i should adopt federal laws and outlaw gifts from corporations — and unions — altogether.