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Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel called for reforms to the Missouri Housing Development Commission in a news conference in Jefferson City. He said he would work with commissioners to pass a standards of conduct policy that would remove conflicts of interest and build trust in the agency.

"We must build trust with Missourians. I am bringing a clear policy on ethics that acknowledges this issue cannot just be swept aside," said Zweifel, who became chairman of MHDC in May. "Specifically, I want to see reforms that lead to MHDC being more professional and more accountable."

Zweifel said strengthened standards of conduct policy would include meaningful and enforceable rules, such as:

· Commissioners and staff should have no personal financial relationships with anyone receiving benefits from MHDC. If that were the case, the commissioner or staff member should notify the entire commission in public meeting prior to any discussion and then recuse himself or herself from any vote at a minimum.

· Entities applying to do work for or receiving funding from MHDC would be expected to disclose all of their business relationships to MHDC.

· Entities applying to do work for or receiving funding from MHDC would not employ a former commissioner or employee for a period of time following the termination of the commissioner's or the employee's official relationship with the agency.

· Possible enforcement mechanisms could include applicants being banned from applying for MHDC benefits.

"These standards of conduct will ensure commissioners and staff with personal financial ties recuse themselves from votes and decision-making," Zweifel said. "Full disclosure will provide the transparency and openness we need to be accountable to taxpayers."

In addition, Zweifel said he wanted to see the agency coordinate efforts to link housing to economic development throughout the state, continue to produce quality affordable housing and provide mortgages for responsible first-time homebuyers.

"With professional, accountable and reformed standards of conduct in place, we can continue to focus on strengthening families and building communities," Zweifel said. "MHDC makes investments throughout the state and these investments add up to have a large impact."

Zweifel said he wanted to see MHDC coordinating efforts with the Missouri Department of Economic Development, state and local transportation departments, federal agencies and others who play a role in the economy.

"MHDC-funded projects can be an economic catalyst throughout Missouri that create opportunities for job growth, both short-term and long-term, in a strategic fashion," Zweifel said.

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