Lack of action by the governor has hobbled Missouri’s campaign ethics watchdog

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson prior to the State of the State address on Jan. 24, 2024 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

Missourians stand to lose their ethics watchdog due to the lack of a functioning commission that is charged with holding elected officials and candidates accountable.

The stalled Missouri Ethics Commission is at a historic point of inaction, waiting for the governor to appoint new commission members.

Missourians rely on the commission to hold candidates and elected officials accountable for violations of campaign finance and ethics law. Whether failing to form a candidate committee, hiring a person related within the fourth degree, acting for financial gain or any other legal violation, commission actions educate voters and curtail others from thumbing their noses at key provisions of the law.

Without a quorum of members able or willing to meet, the commission took “no action” on 42% of the 2024 complaints posted online. Of those, 27% were filed 15 days before the April 2024 municipal elections.

Undoubtedly the commission has other allegations about other local elections and statewide elections or office holders that are in jeopardy of the same “no action” occurring.

And the Aug. 6 and Nov. 5 statewide elections are around the corner.

Missouri Ethics Commission finally has a quorum — but still can’t meet or take action

“No action” means that although the commission received a complaint for a violation of ethics or campaign finance law, it was unable to conduct a hearing, enter into settlement negotiations with the parties or dismiss the complaint because of a lack of a quorum.

It is essential that Gov. Mike Parson act now to reactivate the MEC by appointing effective, working members containing a balance of Republicans and Democrats who will fulfill their responsibilities.

To add to the growing concern, Executive Director Liz Ziegler’s term expires July 31, and the commission is charged by law with filling that position. Having no executive director and a non-functioning commission could effectively close down the state’s campaign finance watchdog.

The executive director oversees the commission’s day-to-day work such as conducting investigations and audits, taking candidate and lobbyists filings and conducting training and education. Without an executive director at the helm, the question becomes whether the commission office has clear authority to open its doors on Aug. 1.

Skirting ethics and campaign finance laws have consequences when the commission is fully staffed and functioning. Respectable politicians and public officials do not want publicity that informs voters of their unethical behavior by breaking Missouri laws. The publicity can stay with them for years to come but the incentive to abide by ethics laws disappears when the commission cannot conduct its business.

Missouri’s governor appoints commission members from nominations received by the congressional districts of the political parties that received the two highest votes for the last gubernatorial election. The law requires appointments to be made within 45 days of the vacancy. The governor has the power to appoint his own nominee, subject to Senate consent, if the political parties do not nominate within the required time limit.

It can be difficult to find individuals willing to serve on the commission because of the restrictions on members, including a prohibition on running for office, making contributions for or against a candidate or issue, working as a lobbyist, the state, or any political subdivision, being an officer of a political party or participating in an election except for voting.

The restrictions last for one year after their term expires, and they help mitigate potential conflict of interests for commissioners who are charged with making decisions on a nonpartisan basis. Yet even with these restrictions, past governors have been able to appoint commission members who effectively serve and maintain a quorum.

For the sake of propriety and ethical behavior, let us hope the governor appoints new commissioners very soon.

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