McGonegal calls on Ward to come clean on junket

BRIGHTON – Mike McGonegal, candidate for the 66th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives, said the voters deserve an explanation for why his opponent traveled to Taiwan at a foreign government’s expense when he says he wants to introduce legislation that would ban that very thing.

Last week, Gubernatorial Candidate Dick DeVos said in a story published in a Detroit newspaper he wants “Lansing legislators to follow his example and use their own dime, rather than lobbyist-paid junkets.” Chris Ward was quoted in the same story saying he has been trying to get “similar legislation in the House for years.” However, that does not ring true when his party controls the House; as the Majority Floor Leader he decides what’s considered on the floor and as the chair of the Committee on Oversight, Elections and Ethics he decides if it gets a hearing.

According to records filed with the Secretary of State's Office, lobbying firms and groups spent $27.9 million trying to influence lawmakers in 2005. Currently, no legislation proposing a ban on lobbyist-paid travel is pending. However, last October Rep. Steve Bieda, (D-Warren) introduced similar legislation that required elected officials to reveal the source of travel expenses, but it sits in Ward’s committee where he refuses to give it a hearing.

“This is typical of Mr. Ward saying one thing and doing another,” McGonegal said. “I know the people in the 66th District expect our government to be open and honest, and his record is anything but open and honest.”

Ward tried to justify his junket to Taiwan in August by saying it was ethical because the Chinese government does not lobby Michigan. Then Mr. Ward should tell the voters the real reason for the free travel.

“He needs to answer for his many ethical lapses, not just the latest one,” McGonegal said. “There is a pattern here, and right now we needs people in government that can restore trust and honesty in the government.”
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