It’s amazing to me how low the Republicans will go. Gov. Bob Riley (R-AL) used a pocket veto to kill an ethics package that was approved 101-0 in the Alabama House and 30-0 in the Senate.
Bob Riley let a Sunday deadline slip by without signing an ethics bill that had passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate, effectively killing it. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Marcel Black (D-Muscle Shoals) would have expanded the definition of lobbyists who were required to register with the State Ethics Commission to include those who attempt to influence the awarding of state contracts that don’t require competitive bidding.
Democratic leaders are accusing Riley of vetoing the bill in order to shield his own children, who are rumored to lobby him on behalf of entities looking to secure no-bid contracts.
His staff never complained about the bill when it was being considered and never indicated that he would veto it. His lame explanation is that the bill is redundant and would cover too many people.
It’s the utter shamelessness of this that is so breathtaking. Republicans are just corrupt to the core.
Really! To the core?
I moved there a month before he was first elected, and though he is repulsive, the Democratic choice in the election wasn’t any better. I’m surprised they could get the state reps to line up together on anything – but not so surprised that Riley would do this anyway. Midleading the average voter in Alabama is an artform that those in power have perfected – they by and large line up like cattle and vote as they’re told. Reprehensible.
Now it looks like Rove was involved in the Seligman case.
Congratulations, Booman…
You’re beginning to get it.
Except it’s not just Republicans.
But this is definitely a start.
Governor Riley’s record of Vetoes can be found at: Governor Riley’s Pocket Veto Record
For more information on Governor Riley, please visit Project Vote Smart or call our hotline at 1-888-VOTE-SMART.