Alabama Governor Proposes End to "Double Dipping"

Any statewide elected official or member of the Legislature could not also work as a state employee or public education employee under sweeping legislation submitted to the Legislature last week by Governor Bob Riley and sponsored by Representative Micky Hammon and Senator Scott Beason. In addition, the proposal would prohibit elected state officials from contracting for work with a state agency or public educational institution.

Almost one of every four Alabama legislators has both a paid job in the Legislature and in another position either in state government or in public education. This practice is commonly referred to as "double dipping" because it allows them to draw legislative pay while earning other state income.

"Double dipping represents an obvious conflict of interest and should be abolished," Governor Riley said. "Under our proposal, double dipping will end -- period. It applies across state government and prohibits elected state officials from holding a second job with a government entity."

"Anytime a legislator draws two state salaries, that legislator essentially becomes a taxpayer-funded lobbyist for the agency that employs him or her," said Representative Hammon.

The Double Dipping Prohibition Act would apply to all of the following:

• "Public education employees" -- any person employed in the K-12 system or anyone employed by a two-year college
• Employees in "state service" -- any person holding an office or position of trust or employment in the service of state government
• Any person who performs services to the state, a two-year college or K-12 public school under a personal or professional services contract

Under the Double Dipping Prohibition Act, any state or public education employee or contractor who is serving in elected office would have three months after the bill became law to either resign their elected office or to resign their position as a state employee or public education employee or terminate their contract.