Author: Justin Roberts

Government is such an easy target. With legislators making difficult decisions every day to regulate our lives and spend our money, it's easy to have problems with just about everyone. But while skepticism and opposition is one end of accountability, the other end -- praise -- is all too often ignored.

Although many legislators are deserving of recognition for their work during the 23rd Alaska legislative session, some legislators have invested a greater amount of political capital -- the currency of politics -- trying to make government accountable to the people. They have introduced bills and initiatives, challenged their party leadership, and voted for bills and amendments that would make our government more open and accountable.

Each of the following legislators voted against a bill that doubled campaign contribution limits, for amendments to strengthen the Legislature's open meetings guidelines, and either against a bill that limited lobbyist disclosure or for a reasonable compromise. They all have strong voting records, and they all took an active role in the fight for fair, open and accountable government. In recognition of their efforts, the members of Alaska Common Cause have chosen these six legislators as the recipients of this year's "Defenders of Democracy" awards.

Rep. Bob Lynn, R-Anchorage, co-sponsored a bill that required a traceable paper trail for electronic voting machines and a bill that would have increased public notice for shallow natural gas leases, voted for many amendments to strengthen the Legislature's open meetings guidelines and lost his committee chairmanship when, following a closed meeting, he voted his conscience on a motion involving the longevity bonus.

Rep. Eric Croft, D-Anchorage, is a prime sponsor of a campaign finance reform initiative and co-sponsor of a campaign finance reform bill, a constitutional amendment on open meetings and the paper trail bill for electronic voting. He has been actively working for campaign finance reform and stronger open meetings guidelines for years.

Rep. Paul Seaton, R-Homer, co-sponsored the paper trail bill for electronic voting and a bill to increase public notice for shallow natural gas leases, was very active in committee and on the floor in opposing a bill that doubled campaign contribution limits and has consistently provided full public notice as chair of the House Fisheries Committee.

Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, introduced the paper trail bill for electronic voting, is a co-sponsor of a campaign finance reform bill and a constitutional amendment on open meetings, and has been an outspoken advocate for open meetings, lobbyist disclosure and campaign finance reform.

Rep. Carl Gatto, R-Wasilla, co-sponsored a bill to increase public notice for shallow natural gas leases, refused to participate in a meeting in the hallway during a committee hearing, has a strong voting record and has consistently provided full public notice as chair of the House Education Committee.

Rep. Harry Crawford, D-Anchorage, is the prime sponsor of a campaign finance reform bill, a campaign finance reform initiative, and a constitutional amendment on open meetings and co-sponsored the paper trail bill for electronic voting.

Each of these legislators has invested time, energy and political capital in making the political process more open and accountable to Alaskans. And while good work in politics is easily forgotten, we should not forget those who defend the democratic process itself.

Justin Roberts is the director of Alaska Common Cause, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to fair, open and accountable government.