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But that shouldn't stop the public - and legislators - from admitting the obvious: Big-money contributors have too big a role in Alaska politics. It taints the entire legislative process and undermines the credibility of public officials.

This is the year to demand that our elected officials start repairing the damage. What better time than an election to push for change. And those who refuse to help should lose their election in November.

Not convinced there are problems? Look at just a few examples.

The four Veco executives named in the FBI warrants contributed almost $1 million to state and federal campaigns nationwide over the past decade - all on behalf of candidates favorable to the company's agenda. Almost a quarter-million dollars went to state races in Alaska between 2004 and last month's primary election. More than $80,000 went to Republican legislative candidates or the Alaska Republican Party this year alone.

With so much at stake in oil and gas legislation, no wonder Veco executives are so quick to spend the money they earn at the office. And with big money like that floating around, no wonder the public is cynical and skeptical, even if the contributions are legal.

Meanwhile, Veco has been paying legislators for consulting work, the most notable being Senate President Ben Stevens. The Anchorage Republican, who is not seeking re-election this year, has received $252,000 from the company for consulting work since 2001. But the senator refuses to say what he did for the money, and the law doesn't require him to do so. Hiding behind the law may be a good legal defense but it's lousy public policy.

And, separate from Veco, there is Gregg Renkes, who while attorney general to Gov. Frank Murkowski negotiated a coal deal involving the state and a company in which Mr. Renkes owned more than $100,000 of stock. The attorney general resigned in 2005, after enduring months of criticism for ignoring the serious conflict of interest between his state job and his personal finances.

Solutions to these last two problems have been before legislators for the past couple of years, with no progress.

It's time to act.

The Legislature should pass a law that requires all lawmakers to provide details of how they earn money in their off-hours. Simply listing the magic word "consultant" is not enough; the public deserves to know what legislators do, the issues they work on and how they are paid.

Next, legislators should adopt a specific limit on how much financial interest a public official may hold in a company involved in a state issue or contract. Existing law sets no dollar limit. Legislators need to fix that ethical hole in the levee immediately after getting back to work in January.

Until then, the public should demand of every legislative candidate a pledge to pass a tight dollar limit on conflicts of interest and full disclosure of legislators' outside earnings. They should demand that every candidate for governor promise to sign such legislation.

As for whether big donors have too much of a role in Alaska politics: Campaign money buys access and influence. It often puts donors ahead of the public. At least the law requires full disclosure of contributors. That way, voters can choose the best candidates by the company they keep.