By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Some Philadelphia members are up in arms about a bill passed by the state House that they say would create conditions for more problems at the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

A bill passed by the House and sent to the Senate governing housing authorities contains language that would create a nine member PHA board appointed by the mayor. Philadelphia Democrat Michael McGeehan says it would see the agency again revert to local control.

“I don’t believe there’s sufficient controls to stop the backslide into malfeasance.”

But Chester County Republican Chris Ross says there are safeguards, including a provision that would stipulate that the executive staff serve at the pleasure of the authority’s board.

“This was an issue under the previous version of the housing authority, where the executive director got out of control.”

Ross also says the bill prohibits the authority from giving anything of value to employees upon separation from employment. The measure now goes to the Senate.