Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Alabama Supreme Court Upholds Rule Against 'Double-Dipping' Lawmakers

What is the difference between holding elected office and working for a state college and holding office and working for a private business? I could see a ruling prohibiting them from voting money for their college or college system or even higher ed in general. Does the last line in the piece
"We have not found any authority granting citizens the right to simultaneously hold both elected office and the employment of their choice," wrote the court's chief justice"
preclude a lawmaker from holding any job?

Wow! What's next? A new Constitution for Alabama? Naw!! Cain't do that. We've had the same one since 1901.
This is the crookedest State with the sleaziest politicians. The Alabama Education Association helps keep this glorious State in last place educationally. Thanks for the good work!

In theory I agree with johnburningham that this is a patchwork rule designed to deal with a specific scandal. Certainly West Virginia could use a rule prohibiting legislators from working for coal mining companies, and no doubt Alabama could even use a rule prohibiting legislators from accepting salary checks from Samford, Birmingham Southern, or other private schools. But, the rule belongs to the State Board of Education, which has authority over 2 year public colleges, and they did only what they had the authority to do. Are you suggesting that the Alabama Legislature should forbid itself from accepting what are perceived of as bribes? How radical! What is the Tea Party position on that?

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