All should disclose: Government should not be exempt from reporting price of land it buys

Because government operates entirely on taxes culled from the public, government entities should be held to the same, if not more stringent reporting of purchases, especially involving real property.

For this reason House Bill 133, by Villarreal, D-San Antonio, is way off base.

The bill would require that all sales of property include a state-created sales price disclosure form. Unfortunately, the bill exempts the government from that reporting requirement, even when it involves land taken through foreclosure or eminent domain.

Such a form can be valuable, especially if disputes arise between a new property owner and a county office that imposes an appraisal value that is significantly different than the actual purchase price. Government acquisition of land shouldn't be exempt, however.

Taxpayers must have access to such information to ensure that their money is being used properly. In addition, because foreclosure and eminent domain transactions usually aren't voluntary, it is equally important to make sure that government offices aren't abusing landowners by not providing adequate compensation for the land that's being taken by force, as required by the Fifth Amendment.

Senate Bill 444 by Sen. JohnWentworth, D-San Antonio, provides for the same sales price reporting, but doesn't exempt government entities from the requirements. This bill makes more sense.

We encourage Rio Grande Valley residents to contact their representatives, especially Rep. Rene Oliveira, D-Brownsville, who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee that is considering Villarreal's bill. That bill should be scrapped in favor of Wentworth's offering, or amended to agree with it.