Issues
Transparency and Accountability
Representative Ball believes that tranparency is the best antidote for public corruption. Jesus said, \"Men seek darkness, rather than light, when their deeds are evil\". During the 2009 legislative session Representative Ball introduced and passed legislation requiring all state expenditures to be posted online to a searchable database. This is only one step toward the deterrence of corruption. Representative Ball believes the next step is to require all elected officials and their spouses to report to the Ethics Commission all city, county, or state contracts or employment to include a detailed description of the work performed, compensation, and the dates the employment or contract begins and ends to be posted online to a searchable database.
Housing Authority Accountability
Recent property acquisitions by the Huntsville Housing Authority have created alarm and distrust among many property owners in House District 10. Representative Ball believes that housing authorities should be accountable to local elected officials and be required to notify nearby property owners prior to purchasing property. Representative Ball also believes housing authorities should not continue to have the power to seize property through the use of emminent domeain.
State Budget Reform
Economic downturns magnify the inadaquacies of our state budgeting process. The state education budget, is particularly susceptable to economic fluctuations because state sales taxes and state income taxes are the primary source of funding. During strong economic times, the Alabama Education Trust Fund is flush with revenue and is hit the hardest when the economy slows down.
Representative Greg Canfield has proposed an innovative solution to this problem: Basing the budget on a 15-year rolling reserve. Under this plan, the legislature would be allowed to budget no more than and average revenue growth of the previous 15 years. Funds from high-growth years would be set aside to offset shortages from low-growth years.
Campaign Finance Reform
Rep. Ball has sponsored and promoted legislation that require campaign contributions to be filed electronically to a searchable database, reporting of the occupation of contributors, and the elimination of PAC-to-PAC transfers. During the 2009 session Rep. Ball and Sen. Arthur Orr passed into law legislation requiring timely reports even if a candidate is not opposed in a primary or general election.
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