Republican gubernatorial hopeful Garrett Soldano models transparency platform off
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Garrett Soldano unveiled a set of transparency and anti-corruption proposals that might sound familiar to Michigan Democrats.
Soldano, a Kalamazoo chiropractor, said his “Michigan Sunshine 2.0″ platform is modeled after reforms Gov. Gretchen Whitmer supported as a 2018 candidate but hasn’t delivered on. It’s also a response to sexual harassment and ethics investigations facing former House Speaker Lee Chatfield, a Republican who left the chamber due to term limits in 2021.
Related: Whitmer campaigned on transparency, but Michigan still lags the nation
“This is a bipartisan issue,” Soldano said. “I think this goes across the aisle and not only Democrats and liberals, Republicans and libertarians, everybody is waiting for somebody to get in there and actually do what’s right for the good of the people as a whole.”
Soldano’s platform contains several proposals that are identical to what Whitmer released while running for office. Here’s what they have in common:
- Expanding the Freedom of Information Act to include the governor’s office and state Legislature
- Passing new lobbying rules to require more extensive reporting of expenditures and a five-year ban on lobbying for former state legislators
- Requiring the Michigan Economic Development Corporation reform to report taxpayer incentives companies have received.
- Enacting personal financial disclosure for all state candidates and senior administration officials.
- Strengthening conflict of Interest laws to prevent any lawmaker from taking votes on something that will financially benefit them
Soldano is also eyeing several new proposals. He wants to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act by “ending the delaying tactics governments use to respond to a request,” narrowing the scope of what government bodies can redact from public documents, reducing fees and simplifying the process of filing requests for public information.
He also criticized non-disclosure agreements signed by Whitmer and state lawmakers regarding potential development projects that could benefit from a new $1 billion incentive package signed into law last year. Soldano said large corporations shouldn’t have “secret backroom deals” that require lawmakers to sign confidentiality agreements.
Soldano took aim at campaign finance loopholes Whitmer used to raise large sums of money while facing recall efforts. He also wants to prohibit lawmakers from coordinating with 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups to use as “slush funds.”
The latter proposal is a reaction to reporting about former Speaker Chatfield’s connection to a nonprofit that spent thousands of dollars on travel and entertainment for public officials. Soldano said these groups are used to evade lobbying disclosures and campaign finance law.
“The way he abused his position is alarming,” Soldano said. “This is just another reason why we need reform. Somebody needs to stand up and do what’s right. Somebody needs to bring some accountability back to the government. I’m the man for the job.”
Transparency reforms have come before the state Legislature before but struggled to cross the finish line. Bills are currently pending in the state Legislature to extend the Freedom of Information Act to the governor, lieutenant governor and their staff. The packages also establish a separate Legislative Open Records Act.
Soldano, who has organized a grassroots following through social media and activism to oppose Whitmer’s now-defunct COVID-19 restrictions, said he would “activate the people” to push lawmakers in the right direction.
“I don’t care if the establishment party insiders in Lansing don’t like me, I think that’s a badge of honor,” Soldano said. “Michigan ranks 50th over and over again and transparency, and I am the candidate who’s going to bring back transparency and truth to the governor’s office.”
Soldano called Whitmer one of the least transparent governors in the country. Maeve Coyle, communications director for Whitmer’s re-election campaign, said the governor has taken multiple actions to improve transparency in state government.
“Gov. Whitmer is the first governor in state history to voluntarily disclose tax returns, personal financial information, use of the state plane, and public calendars while implementing a number of executive directives and signing bipartisan legislation to make her administration the most transparent in history,” Coyle said.
“Michiganders deserve to see the same level of disclosure about personal financial information, tax returns, and corporate board seats from Garrett Soldano, James Craig, Kevin Rinke, Tudor Dixon and the rest of the Republican field.”
The governor took executive action to improve response time on public records requests and ban the use of personal email for state business.
She also banned separation agreements in state departments that include confidentiality clauses, but this came after Whitmer faced controversy from former state health director Robert Gordon received a $155,000 separation agreement in January 2021.
Whitmer was a supporter of creating the independent redistricting commission formed through a ballot initiative in 2018, which was included in her transparency platform. She signed bipartisan legislation amending the Open Meetings Act to ensure the body can’t conduct closed-door sessions.
Soldano is among a crowded field of Republicans running for their party’s nomination to challenge Whitmer in 2022. Voters will choose one Republican candidate in the Aug. 2 primary who will go on to face Whitmer in the Nov. 8 general election.
Before that, candidates must file nominating petitions with 15,000 valid signatures. Soldano is confident he has the required signatures to meet the April 19 deadline.
Soldano said his campaign raised $1.2 million in the last eight months, with 97% of funds coming from donors who gave under $200. Soldano said 98% of the donations came from Michigan residents.
Polling released this week by The Detroit News/Local 4 found 40% of general election voters plan to re-elect Whitmer in November, while 42% said they would vote for someone else.
The survey found former Detroit Police Cheif James Craig leads the field in a head-to-head matchup against Whitmer. Voters favored Whitmer over Craig by 49% to 39%, with Soldano trailing at 49% to 33%.
Businessman Kevin Rinke trailed Whitmer 50% to 33% and conservative commentator Tudor Dixon trailed 50% to 31%, according to the poll.
READ MORE ON MLIVE:
Whitmer campaigned on transparency, but Michigan still lags the nation
Open records expansion poised to advance in Senate committee as group tees up ballot initiative
Secretary of State announces ‘worst to first’ agenda to improve Michigan’s transparency laws
Michigan House unanimously votes to include governor, legislature in open records laws
Read More: Republican gubernatorial hopeful Garrett Soldano models transparency platform off