Every elected official and public employee who makes or influences governmental decisions is required to submit a Statement of Economic Interest, also known as the Form 700. The Form 700 provides transparency and ensures accountability in two ways:

1. It provides necessary information to the public about an official’s personal financial interests to ensure that officials are making decisions in the best interest of the public and not enhancing their personal finances.
    
2. It serves as a reminder to the public official of potential conflicts of interests so the official can abstain from making or participating in governmental decisions that are deemed conflicts of interest.