When he was NorCo Exec, in an effort to increase transparency and accountability, Lamont McClure directed elections officials in 2023 to post online all campaign finance reports filed in that office. This enables members of the public to follow the money and see who exactly is supporting a candidate and how political money is spent. I often write about campaign finance spending, but it always helps to have several sets of eyes looking at these reports. This kind of participatory journalism is very helpful. Unfortunately, the current Executive cares a lot less about what you know
Lehigh County, Allentown and Bethlehem have all adopted ordinances requiring that at least some campaign finance reports be filed online. There is no such law in NorCo. Though McClure took the initiative of directing elections officials to post reports, NorCo Council probably should have enacted an ordinance making it mandatory because Zrinski apparently prefers to keep you in the dark.
Since she assumed office in January, no campaign finance reports have been filed in this year's races. No pre or post primary reports have been posted online, and the 2d Friday pre-election report is basically unavailable. Sure, you can go to the courthouse, spend an hour or two looking for a place to park while a new garage is being built, go through an anal cavity search by deputy sheriffs and then try to get your hands on a report while the staff tries to help others who are getting ballots. It's very time-consuming and burdens the staff much more than simply reviewing them online.
I said nothing when I noticed that no finance reports were posted for the primary. Besides, most of these races are state races and reports must also be filed with the state. But guess what? Though GOP State Rep. Joe Emrick has filed his 2d Friday pre-election report in the race for the 137th legislative district, it has yet to appear on the state website. This often occurs when paper reports are received, but I've been able to look at the copies that state house candidates must also file in their county of residence.
Until now.
I've already written about Jeff Warren, who is Emrick's opponent. In fairness, I need to review and discuss Emrick's finances as well. When I noticed on Monday that no reports at all had been uploaded to the county webpage, I emailed Registrar Chris Commini to ask him to explain. He has yet to respond.
On Monday afternoon, I texted Exec Tara Zrinski to ask her about posting these reports. She first responded that the decision to post or not post is "elective" and that the elections office is overwhelmed. I am sure it was far more overwhelmed in 2024 but had no problems posting finance reports. She then said these reports are only posted as a "courtesy" and that other things have taken priority.
When I accused her of failing to be transparent, she finally said they are "in the list of things to do."
When? After the election? That totally defeats the purpose of requiring that they be filed. The election now is less than a week away. It is inexcusable that she thinks so poorly of the public that she would fail to provide important information that will help people decide how they vote. That matters as much or more than a pop-up election that gets 4 voters.
Northampton County Council, the governing body, needs to adopt an ordinance early next year requiring that all finance reports that are filed with the county must be posted online, and within 24 hours of receipt, mot when Chris "Ball of Fire" Commini gets to it.
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