Cayetano as governor took lead in curbing campaign finance corruption

By Bob Watada

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jul 23, 2012

~~<p>In 1995, Gov. Ben Cayetano, along with Sens. Rey Graulty and Les Ihara, led the charge to stop campaign finance corruption by signing into law Act 10 (Special Session SLH 1995), a far-reaching, 62-page bill that empowered an independent, nonpartisan commission to end many of the system's rampant problems.</p>
<p>The campaign spending law, at that time, was largely unenforceable. There was no transparency for the public and no accountability for politicians or donors. Political corruption and "quid pro quo" was the norm with businesses bidding on government contracts, especially at the county level, and donating to politicians to secure contracts and permits.</p>
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In 1995, Gov. Ben Cayetano, along with Sens. Rey Graulty and Les Ihara, led the charge to stop campaign finance corruption by signing into law Act 10 (Special Session SLH 1995), a far-reaching, 62-page bill that empowered an independent, nonpartisan commission to end many of the system's rampant problems.

The campaign spending law, at that time, was largely unenforceable. There was no transparency for the public and no accountability for politicians or donors. Political corruption and "quid pro quo" was the norm with businesses bidding on government contracts, especially at the county level, and donating to politicians to secure contracts and permits. Login for more...