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Representative Ball Introduces Bill to Require Public and Neighbors Be Notified Before Public Housing Can Purchase Properties
04-10-2009 - from Press Release, Office of Mike Ball
Huntsville-Representative Mike Ball will introduce a bill next week that will require public notice before municipal housing authorities can purchase properties to relocate tenants. The bill with also take away a municipal housing authority’s right to use eminent domain to seize property. Housing authorities could still acquire property as long as the majority of the local governing body approves and pubic notice is given at least 30 days before the proposed action. Also, property owners within 500 yards of any targeted property will be given 30 days notice before the local governing body’s meeting.
Representative Ball attended the Housing Authority meeting Monday night regarding the Huntsville Housing Authority’s purchase of Stone Manor in the Chaffee Elementary School neighborhood. “I completely understand why people are upset,” said Ball. “This community feels like the purchase was done in secrecy and it will have an impact on property values. Neighborhoods deserve the right to be informed on any and all public housing developments. These are public authorities using taxpayer dollars and must be accountable to the community.” concluded Ball.
Senator Arthur Orr is introducing the Senate version of the bill next week as well. This bill adds to the long list of other bills that Representative Ball has introduced in the 2009 Regular Session that demands accountability and transparency. “It has always been my priority to keep the public informed,” said Ball.
Other bills Representative Ball has introduced related to accountability from government officials and entities include the following:
• HB 295 Requires a public disclosure of the names of public officials or spouses of public officials or candidates who are employed by the state or who have a contract with the state, a county, or a municipality.
• HB 288 Under existing law, campaign finance reports are required to disclose the name of any person making a contribution in excess of $100. This bill would require that the report also include the occupation and name of the employer of the contributor.
• HB 283 This bill would provide that the reports shall be filed regardless if the candidate has an opponent in any primary, special, runoff, or general election.
• HB 388 Requires the Comptroller to establish and post on the Internet a database of state expenditures, including contracts and grants that are electronically searchable by the public and would provide for exceptions. Also require state entities to cooperate with the Comptroller with regards to the information to be posted on the Internet.
• HB76 Currently, the State Ethics Commission does not possess subpoena power. This bill would grant subpoena power to the commission.
• HB 135 Prohibits public funds from being passed through from one entity to another at the direction of a member of the Legislature; defines “pass-through” appropriations; expressly protects the right of a legislator to lobby for or offer support for a legal and valid program of an agency; provides for reporting of grants; and provides penalties for violations.
• HB 137 This bill would require the Governor to disclose quarterly all expenses from the Governor's Contingency Fund and the flight logs of state aircraft.
• HB 247 This bill would provide an additional procedure for the electronic filing of campaign finance disclosure reports in a computer format for contributions or expenditures of a certain amount and would provide a phase-in period.
• HB 402 This bill would provide that employees, including those who provide services under a personal or professional services contract, of the state, a state department, agency, board, or commission, or educational institution in this state, including a city or county board of education and public colleges and universities are ineligible from holding any statewide elective office or serving in the Legislature. This bill would provide that an individual who is a public official would not be disqualified from holding the office during the term of a contract that was in effect before the effective date of this bill until the contract can be terminated without penalty.
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