The Begich Ethics Pledge

Alaskans expect their elected officials to live by the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and transparency. Unfortunately, Alaskans have been let down by their public officials. Secret meetings, hidden favors, special access for special interests, and now convicted legislators have given Alaska a black eye. The only way to restore Alaskans trust in their elected leaders is for them to earn it.

As Anchorage mayor, Mark Begich brought greater openness to city government, putting more information on the Internet, increasing citizen participation and oversight, and making his financial statements public. Mark Begich will take to Washington the same high ethical standards he has lived by as mayor and give Alaskans a senator as independent as Alaska.

Last year, Congress passed a major ethics reform bill, but it still didn’t provide the high level of transparency Alaskans expect. Mark Begich will serve under a higher standard to assure Alaskans he is fighting for Alaska families, not special interests.

Mark Begich’s ethics pledge includes:

1. Make financial records open, detailed, and easily accessible: Mark Begich won’t wait for Congress to shed more sunshine on senator’s finances and campaign funding. He will voluntarily post his financial disclosure form on his Senate website. He will show – to the dollar – his income and that of his spouse. He will make these disclosures available permanently and in a format that Alaskans can easily search.
2. Ban secret meetings, secret earmarks, and hidden connections: From day one, Mark will post his daily Senate office schedule on his website so every Alaskan knows he is working for Alaska families, not special interests. Mark will make public every earmark he seeks and those requested of him formally or informally, and who it will benefit; and, he will post on his website any family member or former staff person that is lobbying Congress. To close the revolving door between lobbyists and staff, Mark will ban any former staff person from lobbying his office on any issue.
3. Stop special Senate privileges and protections: Over the last 10 years, senators have received 8 pay raises and yet have only increased minimum wage one time. Mark won’t support automatic pay raises. He will insist that they are voted on out in the open. When a pay raise vote does come up, he will not support it unless there is an increase to the minimum wage first. He will also push for an Office of Public Integrity that brings citizen ethics oversight to the Senate.
4. Provide timely and complete campaign records: Currently, both presidential and House candidates are required to file their FEC reports electronically, but the Senate has exempted itself. Mark will push the Senate to also file electronically, but will voluntarily file his FEC reports electronically.
5. Give Alaskans straight answers and more access: Mark Begich is always an open book. He will give Alaskans straight answers, not hide behind high-priced lawyers or the Senate Ethics Committee. Mark will bring the same openness and citizen participation he offered as mayor to his Senate office.