Tindell upset by bill covering MDA chief’s pay
State Sen. Sean Tindell has heartburn over a bill to allow secret donations from companies to raise the salary of the Mississippi Development Authority director — a powerful post with influence over major economic development decisions that companies benefit from.
Tindell, R-Gulfport, worries about House Bill 1349, which passed the House in a 101-17 vote and could come up for vote in the Senate as soon as today. He says there’s the potential for those who contribute to the salary to have heavy influence in the workings of MDA. He doubts those contributions would remain secret for long, even though the bill specifies the donations aren’t to be disclosed to the director and sets fines for violations of confidentiality. He believes the contributions to the official, who is appointed by the governor, could make them beholden and also leave some neglected. He’s also concerned about a lack of transparency.
“If someone paid an MDA director $100,000, I think it’s a bit naive to think that wouldn’t play a part in where some of the economic development would start going,” Tindell said.
Sun Herald
4/2/12
Magnolia Tribune
