Editorial: Good cause, bad governance

An affidavit unsealed last week accuses him of wielding his power as chairman of the Budget & Taxation Committee to benefit Shoppers Food Warehouse and its parent company, which he worked for as a consultant but did not disclose the work on ethics forms.

But he is not alone in hiding his affiliations. As this page reported in April, numerous legislators sponsored bond legislation for nonprofits on whose boards they sit. While many of these groups may do good, Currie’s case is one huge reason why even those relationships must be disclosed.

He sponsored in the last session SB 887, which directs $500,000 to the Capital Area Food Bank’s board of directors — he is one — for the “planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, and capital equipping” of a new facility.

Shoppers is a major contributor to the Food Bank — giving $134,000 last year and $65,000 so far this year. The food bank does not buy food from Shoppers, but what’s clear is that the money is not a simple case of the government giving money to an organization that provides a key service for the needy, but one loaded with potential ethical violations. At issue here is not the food bank asking Currie for help — it’s only logical for them to seek counsel from someone in a position of power — but how Currie selectively disclosed his affiliation to Shoppers. He told CAFB but did not disclose it on ethics forms.

Other legislators who directed money last session to organizations where they were sitting on the board include:

Sen. Verna Jones, D-Baltimore City: $350,000 to Newborn Holistic Ministries Inc.;

Del. James Malone Jr., D-Baltimore and Howard: $325,000 to the Catonsville YMCA;

Del. Steven DeBoy Sr., D-Baltimore and Howard: $250,000 to the Maryland Food Bank;

Sen. George Edwards, R-Allegany and Garrett and parts of Washington county: $225,000 to Adventure Sports Center International;

Sen. Catherine Pugh, D-Baltimore City: $50,000 to the Center for Urban Families and $100,000 to Parks & People Headquarters at Auchentoroly Terrace; and

Del. Carolyn Krysiak, D-Baltimore City: $150,000 to St. Vincent de Paul for its Beans and Bread program.

Their sponsorship in no way implies illegal behavior. But their ability to hide their affiliations from their constituents makes it possible for those, like Currie, to abuse their positions of power. We do not think the government should be in the business of doling out taxpayer dollars to legislators’ pet causes in the first place. But the potential for fraud makes it imperative to require legislators to disclose all relationships with groups — whether for-profit or nonprofit — with whom they are linked. They should pass legislation to make full-disclosure law first on their agenda next year. As the Currie case shows, improper motives may fuel support for good causes.