 |
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
State Housing Agency Approves Ethics Reform
Passage
of new ethics policy implements reforms proposed by Treasurer Zweifel JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Housing Development Commission
unanimously passed comprehensive ethics reform today that will bring increased
transparency, accountability and enforcement to the housing agency. "By implementing significant professional and accountable
reforms that increase transparency and create enforceable rules, MHDC is now a
state leader on ethics reform," said Treasurer Zweifel, who oversaw his first
meeting as chair of the organization. "The
reforms address removing personal conflicts of interest among commissioners and
require applicants coming before the commission to fully disclose ownership
interests. For the first time,
enforceable penalties are provided for violations." The reformed Standards of Conduct specifically address the
following: ·
Commissioners
and staff shall identify personal financial conflicts of interest, disclose
them publicly and then recuse from making recommendations, discussing and
voting on related matters. ·
Commissioners
and employees shall not have business relationships with applicants coming
before the commission for its resources.
A violation will result in a two-year ban on the applicant coming before
the commission for MHDC benefits. · Ensures MHDC is following state law on waiting periods for former employees and commissioners leaving the commission to work for applicants. Additionally, applicants may not establish employment with a current commissioner or director. Doing so will result in a two-year ban on the applicant coming before the commission for MHDC benefits. ·
Applicants
for MHDC resources must disclose the principal owners, along with consultants,
attorneys, accountants and others to tell the story of who is coming before the
commission. A violation will result in a
two-year ban on the applicant coming before the commission for MHDC benefits. "Including this reform, the agency has had great successes
recently, including being the first to allow first-time homebuyers to claim the
federal first-time homebuyer tax credit upfront to help with home purchase and
continuing to invest in affordable housing throughout Missouri," Treasurer
Zweifel said. "Now we can turn our
attention to leveraging taxpayer resources and situating MHDC to have an
increased role in economic development." Treasurer Zweifel said he looked forward to his next meeting
as chair of MHDC. "I want to thank my fellow commissioners, especially those
serving on the Standards of Conduct Committee, for their efforts on this
initiative," Treasurer Zweifel said. "I
look forward to working with them to advance the mission of MHDC." The next regular meeting of MHDC is scheduled for August 28. |
Unclaimed PropertySearch the Unclaimed Property Division's Database of Unclaimed Property:Last name first followed by a space
and
a few letters of the first name. 
|