New web site a venue for quick, easy and public campaign finance reporting

Conservative political blogger Mario Burgos has started a new Web site on which candidates for office can voluntarily report campaign contributions.

Ethical Reporting is a blog-formatted site “for politicians and political candidates who want to provide real-time and easily searchable campaign finance information to the general public,” Burgos writes on the site. His goal is “to address deficiencies with the campaign finance reporting system in New Mexico,” though he invites candidates from across the nation to participate.

It’s brand new and, as of Wednesday, only one candidate had signed up.

Candidates can obtain free usernames and passwords that allow them to post their contributions, expenses and gifts on the site, which is updated by the candidates as they input data. Each post allows comments and trackbacks, which, Burgos writes, is designed so that, “if you are taking money from a questionable source, the public will know and let you know how they feel about it.”

That will pressure candidates to think twice before accepting questionable gifts and hold participants “to a higher standard than the current campaign finance law requires,” Burgos writes. He says participating candidates are expected to post within 24 hours all contributions they receive and their expenses.

A searchable database allows people to easily find a specific candidate.

Burgos says the goal is to help candidates self-regulate and says that, though he’s quite conservative, the site will remain non-partisan.

It’s a great idea. I wish the site success and encourage candidates in Doña Ana County to participate. If you sign up, let me know and I’ll write about it to let people know they can keep up with your contributions on the site.

If you have questions, you can contact Burgos at clearthinking@gmail.com.