PATRONAGE SYSTEM
"They are still earning two taxpayer-funded salaries when it is physically impossible to be in two places working for two different entities at the same time."- By Bradley Byrne
Well, they could if they worked in Alabama in the two-year college system. IF they were legislators. They could also have financial ties to the system. Bradley Bryne, the newly-appointed Chancellor was writing in the Anniston Star (Aug 12) about the political patronage system in Alabama that allows such blatant conflicts of interest that work to discredit two-year education in the state. It's a scandal worthy of New Jersey.
THE UNION VIEW: In contrast, Dr. Paul Hubbert, executive secretary of the Alabama Education Association, in an opinion piece in the Montgomery Advertiser, (Aug 11) compares not allowing state employees to also hold public office to a new kind of segregation ("In Alabama we have a sordid history of denying groups political rights. For decades blacks and women were denied the right to vote and the right to run for public office.)
He claims that 'Double dipping' doesn't exist.
TT - This, despite the fact that reporters found 40 members of the Legislature have direct or indirect financial ties to the colleges. Currently 13 legislators are also employed under Alabama's two-year college system. Three newspapers concur that it's a major source of shame.
The problem isn't preventing state employees from holding public office, but allowing legislators, after they are elected, to "accept" state employment in a sector in which they will have oversight. As Bradley Bryne, points out, "...the vast majority of double-dippers are neither teachers nor had a "career" in the two-year college system prior to their election."
See TT - Patronage System for BACKGROUND.
The Alabama Education Retirees Association, Inc. is e-mailing a list of talking points. Someone sent us a copy.
Our favorite? "Prohibits legislators, with as little as a 5% interest in a company, from contracting with any college in the two-year system." Gives you a clue, doesn't it?
