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ethics laws

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Senate to put economic developer bill on fast track

A bill that would create a new class of individuals dubbed “economic development professionals” and essentially exempt them from lobbying provisions in the state’s ethics laws is on the fast track in the Alabama Senate. A Senate committee will consider the bill, HB317 by Rep. Ken Johnson, R-Moulton, on Wednesday, and Senate President Pro Tem Del … Continued
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March 21, 2018

Gov. Ivey asks Pro Tem Marsh to press forward with controversial bill

Last week, economic development proposal, HB317, was left hanging while Republican Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh met with Gov. Kay Ivey to discuss the bill’s future. Bogged down in controversy, HB317 seeks to create a new class of individuals called economic development professionals who are exempt from state ethics laws. Currently, those who engage … Continued
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March 20, 2018
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AG, commerce secretary hide real problem with economic development bill

During a hearing on Wednesday to discuss the controversial economic development bill, HB317, not a soul present addressed the critical problem with the bill — the gaping loophole created by allowing individuals to work as part-time economic development professionals. Of course, the bill doesn’t use the words part-time. Instead, it calls this individual a “less … Continued
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March 16, 2018
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Piecemeal approach to ethics reform continues, and it’s questionable

Two bills designed to dramatically alter current ethics laws were approved by the House Ethics Committee last week. As introduced in the House, HB387, sponsored by Republican lawmaker Rep. Rich Wingo, would among other things allow public officials to hide potentially illegal acts under a new notifications rule. Wingo’s bill is companion legislation to SB221, … Continued
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March 12, 2018
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The Alabama House: Making Illegal Lobbying Legal Again

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter There they go again. Your Alabama Legislature, playing with the ethics laws. Loosening them. Giving themselves a little more wiggle room, because dammit, earning an easy $45,000-plus for putting in a three-day work week three months out of the year can really grind on a man, I reckon. Tuesday … Continued
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March 7, 2018
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New ethics reforms are born to die

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Long-awaited legislation to strengthen and clarify existing ethics laws is being sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh, R-Anniston. Senate Bill 343 pointedly addresses significant concerns — both real and theoretical — within the code, from charitable giving, who is a principal, what are acceptable gifts under the … Continued
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February 27, 2018
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Proposed ethics law revisions offer promising first steps

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter At first glance, an omnibus ethics bill sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh, R-Anniston, is a beast of a bill by Alabama standards, but it may very well be a definite first step toward strengthening and clarifying the state’s toughest-in-the-nation ethics laws. Widely seen as the work … Continued
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February 23, 2018

Curious case of Rep. Micky Hammon continues

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter At the sentencing hearing for former Republican State Rep. Micky Hammon, U.S. Federal Judge Myron Thompson denied the government’s request that Hammon only receive probation for stealing over $50,000 from campaign contributions. Alabama Political Reporter has learned that Hammon’s troubles may not have ended with the federal prosecution’s slap … Continued
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February 22, 2018
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There is already a fix to clarify and strengthen the ethics laws

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Before then Attorney General Luther Strange took his ill-fated appointment to the U.S. Senate, his office prepared legislation to clarify and strengthen existing ethics laws. Amidst all the nascent posturing about a dire need to, “Reform and Clarify” current ethics laws, there seems to be a pretense that no … Continued
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February 1, 2018