The subject of candidates' constituency accounts came up during a recent debate between Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., and his opponent in the upcoming election, state Sen. Jon Tester.

State election regulations allow candidates to put money they have left over from their campaigns into the accounts.

Candidates are not required by law to disclose how the money is spent, although they are not allowed to spend it on their subsequent election bids.

Federal law prohibits federal office holders from having such accounts.

In an exchange about ethics during the debate, Burns called constituency accounts a "slush fund."

"You call it a constituency account no accountability, you don't have to report where you got the money," Burns said.

Tester's campaign released records of his constituency account this week.

According to news reports, it shows that he spent about $6,700 since 2002, most of it on gasoline traveling back and forth between Helena and his home near Big Sandy and for meals for himself, his staff and constituents.

He also purchased an airline ticket to attend a National Conference of State Legislatures' meeting.

In addition, Tester made a $100 donation to the Montana Democratic Party's Mansfield-Metcalf dinner and a $150 donation to help state Sen. Jon Ellingson retire the debt after an unsuccessful run for secretary of state.

There was no indication that Tester did anything improper with his constituency fund.

After the debate, a Burns spokesman said the constituency accounts are "the worst kind of politics" because there is no disclosure required for for them.

He criticized Tester for not introducing legislation to require such disclosure.

It doesn't seem helpful to single out one legislative leader who apparently followed the rules and used his account for its intended purpose -- keeping in touch with constituents -- for ethical criticism about how the accounts are set up.

Especially since at this point there's no evidence that anyone has misused the accounts.

But we would agree that there is no reason not to have disclosure for constituency accounts.

The Associated Press also asked other legislative leaders and statewide office holders to release records from their constituency accounts. We second that motion.

And when the legislative session rolls around, tougher regulations and disclosure rules for constituency accounts should be on the agenda.