Luther Strange: Ethics opinion clear that legislators can’t lobby

The attorney general says a new Alabama Ethics Commission opinion is clear that legislators cannot serve as hired lobbyists.

Attorney General Luther Strange and the president of the Alabama District Attorneys Association sent a letter Thursday to legislators discussing the opinion.

They say the opinion is “emphatic” that legislators cannot be paid to promote legislation.

While lawmakers can accept salaries from organizations, they said it must be clear that the pay is unrelated to the legislator’s public position.

Commissioners in October tightened advice regarding a legislator’s employment with an issue advocacy organization after prosecutors complained it undermined the ethics law.

Defense lawyers for House Speaker Mike Hubbard pointed to the opinion in defending Hubbard who is accused of using his public position to obtain and assist clients.

Republished with permission of the Associated Press.