By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-859206.mp3
LANSING, MI – Attorney General Mike Cox says Michigan needs an ethics law for elected officials and state department directors. He's supporting a Republican-backed package of bills in the Legislature.
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Michigan is one of three states that do not require public officials to disclose their sources of income and other potential conflicts of interest.
Cox says the bribery scandals in Detroit and other cities tarnish Michigan's reputation, and make it that much harder to convince businesses to locate here.
"I, for one, am tired of Michigan being last economically, and I'm tired of Michigan being last ethically," Cox said.
Cox wants a number of elected officials to disclose assets, sources of income, and conflicts of interest. They would include the governor, attorney general and other state and local elected officials who collect substantial public salaries. He wants the rules to apply also to candidates for elected positions.