“There are inherent conflicts of interest when a person has the
ability to appropriate money to go into a certain agency that he or she works for.
We must ban double dipping across the board.”
- Governor Bob Riley
In light of the scandals that have surrounded many areas of state government, it has become increasingly apparent that legislators should not be allowed to hold
another paid state job. This practice of “Double Dipping” has allowed some in the
Legislature to use their influence to steer money into their own agencies for their
own personal benefit. Although some legislators serve honorably in both their legislative
position and additional state job, the practice is far too capable of yielding corruption
among public officials.
Double-dipping jeopardizes integrity, efficiency, impartiality
and accountability in state agencies. It creates a working environment in which decisions are based
upon politics and not merit. Double Dipping presents conflicts of interest, time and responsibility for legislators and is destructive of public confidence in government.
Governor Riley strongly supported the State School Board’s decision to end Double
Dipping in the Alabama College System and in K-12 schools.
During the 2008 legislative
session, he will once again ask the Legislature to pass a bill to end Double-Dipping
across the board once and for all.
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