Post by Logan on Jun 27, 2016 4:07:36 GMT -6
Which Alabama lawmaker should be prosecuted next? So many to choose from
Let's suppose, hypothetically, there was a lawmaker who was also a dentist. And let's say that dentist/lawmaker sponsored a bill that would make it illegal for insurance companies to dictate what dentists could charge for certain services. In short, the lawmaker is pushing a law that would benefit his business.
Is something like that a crime?
On Tuesday, I called the Alabama Ethics Commission's lawyer, Hugh Evans, with that question.
Evans wouldn't speak to a specific case, hence the hypothetical dentist/lawmaker. But even as a hypothetical, Evans went roundabout regarding if the lawmaker was part of a larger class, and when it came down to the nitty gritty — whether that hypothetical was crime — he wouldn't say.
It's an important question, because the Alabama Legislature is replete with lawmakers who sponsor or vote on things that affect their private business interests, and somebody needs say where the line is.
Read more: www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/06/ethics_commission_wont_save_al.html
Let's suppose, hypothetically, there was a lawmaker who was also a dentist. And let's say that dentist/lawmaker sponsored a bill that would make it illegal for insurance companies to dictate what dentists could charge for certain services. In short, the lawmaker is pushing a law that would benefit his business.
Is something like that a crime?
On Tuesday, I called the Alabama Ethics Commission's lawyer, Hugh Evans, with that question.
Evans wouldn't speak to a specific case, hence the hypothetical dentist/lawmaker. But even as a hypothetical, Evans went roundabout regarding if the lawmaker was part of a larger class, and when it came down to the nitty gritty — whether that hypothetical was crime — he wouldn't say.
It's an important question, because the Alabama Legislature is replete with lawmakers who sponsor or vote on things that affect their private business interests, and somebody needs say where the line is.
Read more: www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/06/ethics_commission_wont_save_al.html