Tranparency 2008
During the 2007 session of the legislature, I introduced HB510, which required state elected officials to report details of any state contracts and employment to the Secretary of State, who would then post the information online. I was motivated to propose this legislation after learning of some of the questionable employment practices and contracts within the 2-year college system. My intention was not political one-upsmanship or to pour salt in the wounds of those who have received negative publicity. I proposed this legislation in the spirit of Justice Louis Brandeis’ comment, “Sunshine is the best antiseptic”. Political one-upsmanship creates wounds, but an antiseptic enables healing.
With that thought in mind, I have pre-filed the new and improved version for 2008, HB20. This bill requires all state, county, and municipal elected officials, candidates and their spouses to report all state, county, and municipal employment and contracts to the Ethics Commission. The report would include details of compensation, job description, and dates of the employment/contract. Being required to report a government contract or employment does not imply one is doing anything wrong, it just puts it out in the open where it belongs. Government service is not a shameful thing. I’ve had the honor of serving in the Marine Corps, the State Troopers, and the Alabama Bureau of Investigation. When I ran for the legislature, I put it in my campaign material.
The tranparency debate is a separate issue from a “double-dipping”ban. Those who oppose efforts to ban double-dipping in the two-year college system have used the argument, “Let the voters decide” and I believe in the sovereignty of the voters in our political system. But are they really deciding anything if this information is not available and easily accessible? I believe the greatest value of this bill is potential for deterrence of improper personal gain by those empowered by the electorate to oversee their state, county, and local governments.
I am convinced this bill will receive bi-partisan support, including support from legislators who would be required to file a report under the provisions of the bill. If the leadership of the House and the Senate support this bill, it will pass and it’s antiseptic properties will work.
One thing for sure: it ain’t going away. If it dies this year, I expect that I will behave like the north end of a southbound mule. I’ll introduce it every session and yap about it until it passes or my constituents send me home.
Comment by Dan
You have a million of these little phrases, don’t you?
It’s a great bill, and I said as much last year. It’ll be interesting to see what happens to it.
Comment by Margaret
It is a great bill, but it will probably die in the Senate as most good legislation does.
Comment by walt moffett
Does sound a good bill. Which you a lot of luck and will request my goat hill herders to support it.
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[…] From State Rep. Mike Ball: During the 2007 session of the legislature, I introduced HB510, which required state elected officials to report details of any state contracts and employment to the Secretary of State, who would then post the information online. I was motivated to propose this legislation after learning of some of the questionable employment practices and contracts within the 2-year college system. My intention was not political one-upsmanship or to pour salt in the wounds of those who have received negative publicity. I proposed this legislation in the spirit of Justice Louis Brandeis’ comment, “Sunshine is the best antiseptic”. Political one-upsmanship creates wounds, but an antiseptic enables healing. With that thought in mind, I have pre-filed the new and improved version for 2008, HB20. This bill requires all state, county, and municipal elected officials, candidates and their spouses to report all state, county, and municipal employment and contracts to the Ethics Commission. […]
Comment by Don
I wish Representative Ball all the success possible in getting this bill passed and signed into law.
However, we have ample experience seeing that our legislative leaders and too many legislators have no interest in passing real reform and accountability legislation.
This may be one of those things that can become a reality only when voters have the ability (through an Initiative and Referendum constitutional amendment) to get it on the ballot for voters to accept or reject.
For that reason I hope Representative Ball will also pre-file the I&R legislation he authored, once again; and that everyone interested in a honest and more open and transparent state government will apply pressure on the 2 members of the legislature that they hired to conduct their business for them to pass it early on in the 2008 legislative session.
And, if those legislators don’t comply, I hope that their constituents will show them the exit Elvis took from the building come the 2010 election cycle.
Comment by Kathryn Dalenberg
I am opposed to double dipping in any venue. I’ll contact my state rep & senator regarding HB 20. Maybe our legislative representatives will actually do some work in 2008 to earn the salary increase they voted themselves. Ya think?
Comment by Mike Ball
Don,
I’m gonna reintroduce the initiative bill, but rather than pre-file it. I want to give colleagues an opportunity to cosponsor the bill. I’ll file it within the first two weeks of the session.
Comment by Margaret
Mike,
I’m glad you are introducing this legislation, but what hope do we have that it will ever become law? The Senate has killed most reform legislation for the past several years. It seems if the Senate leadership doesn’t want the legislation, then it never comes up for a vote even if every other person in the state wants it. Also, they will use the fighting in that chamber as an excuse not to pass any reform measures that would impact themselves.
Comment by Mike Ball
Margaret,
It’s difficult to predict what will happen on Goat Hill, but broad-based grassroots support will greatly increase its chances. It may pass this session, it may take several sessions; but I intend to do everything in my power to pass it out of the House and to make sure that it does not die quietly.
As to what may happen in the Senate, I don’t know. During my law enforcement career, there were times when I made a good case, only to have it dismissed by the court for reasons other than the merit of the case. In order to avoid being discouraged, I took consolation with the knowledge that I did the right thing and that the decisions of others is beyond my control.
It’s important to keep trying. As long as you’re trying, you ain’t defeated.
Comment by Margaret
Mike, Thanks for the response. We need more people like you on Goat Hill.