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.