A few weeks ago, I expressed my displeasure that HB510 requiring state elected officials, their spouses, or their children to post any state employment or contracts on the internet was buried by the Rules Chairman.

When this was brought to the attention of the Chairman of the Special Order Calendar Subcommittee Chairman, Neal Morrison he located the bill and called a special meeting of his subcommittee to get the bill on the calendar.  Unfortunately, it was placed on the ten-minute calendar, which meant that any member could stop the bill.  

When the bill was called, the BIR vote passed by a margin of 80-1.  After BIR vote, Rep. Demetrius Newton went to the microphone and expressed his opposition to HB-510, referring to it as being “absurd”.  Obviously, my definition of absurd is different than Rep. Newton’s.   I thought Rep. Newton’s resolution to raise legislative pay 62%, indexed to inflation, was absurd.  At least he killed my bill in public.

Requiring elected officials to report income obtained from the government they are elected to regulate is a concept whose time has come.  In opposing Gov. Riley’s double-dipping ban, I have heard repeatedly, “Let the voters decide”.  I agree with that statement, especially if they have the opportunity to make an informed decision.  

It will be back.