A bill to restrict how local elected bodies deal with nonprofit contracts, grants, loans or other appropriations has passed the state Senate by a 42-6 vote and is now before the state House.
Senate Bill 473 restricts local public officials from participating in contracts that benefit a nonprofit with which they are associated.
The bill states, “No public official shall participate in making or administering a contract, including the award of money in the form of a grant, loan, or other appropriation with any nonprofit with which that public official is associated.”
The bill also defines the terms and states, “Participate in making or administering a contract – Any of the following actions by a public official:
- Deliberating or voting on the contract.
- Attempting to influence any other person who is deliberating or voting on the contract.
- Soliciting or receiving any gift, favor, reward, service, or promise of reward, including a promise of future employment, in exchange for recommending, influencing, or attempting to influence the award of a contract by the political subdivision of the state with the not-for-profit with which that public official is associated.”
The bill if it becomes law would go into effect Dec. 1, 2021 and would change the way the Greensboro City Council has been dealing with contracts with nonprofit organizations.
For example, City Councilmember Yvonne Johnson is the executive director of One Step Further, which oversees the Cure Violence program in Greensboro.
While Johnson was recused from voting on the contract for Cure Violence, she was not recused from the deliberations and definitely attempted to influence the councilmembers who were deliberating and voting on the contract.
Johnson fully participated in the discussions on awarding the $500,000 contract to One Step Further and, since the initial contract was awarded in 2019, has also participated in the discussions on the renewal of the contract although once again being recused from the vote.
The bill if it becomes law would make that type of activity, which is currently legal, illegal.
The bill also expands the definition of “associated” to include unpaid positions on the governing board of a nonprofit organization. Currently it is not uncommon for a councilmember serving on the board of a nonprofit organization to ask the City Council to financially support that organization.
This would be great. Too bad our elected officials here in Greensboro need laws to enforce voting monies for their own nonprofit interests. Too bad they lack the integrity to act in the best interest of taxpayers instead of voting themselves monies and awarding contracts with out legal force.
Ms Johnson and mr. kennedy won’t be happy if that bill becomes law
I say it’s about time there was a law to prevent cozy relationships with elected officials and “non-profits”, or should I say . . . . .profits for council members. Kennedy got “donated” police cars for free, then later sold them for $$$$$. Hopefully, this will put a stop to that.
It’s a shame that this has to become law to be followed. What ever happened to common sense?
You ‘vill du as you are tolt!
“It rubs the lotion on its skin, it does this whenever it’s told.” -Buffalo Bill
good one
Maybe this will finally shine a light on the Uber cozy relationships if some Guilford county school board members and the school district.
About time somebody did something . Of course , it has not passed yet so have to wait and see. $900,000 to Ms Johnson’s One Step Further for running Cure Violence. And she got upset when asked where/how money was spent. Also how much good has it done? Violence is UP. This has to be the worst city council EVER…. and now we are stuck with them till March 2021!!! Damn