A 1972 amendment permits a state employee or any person compensated with state funds to serve on a local governing board without a salary. The proposed amendment would allow a state employee or other person paid with state funds to serve as a city councilman, school district trustee or other local governmental office, and to receive compensation from both the local entity and the state. A repeal of the salary prohibition would increase the pool of qualified candidates for local governing board positions. State employees will be more willing to contribute their time and talents if they are compensated for both state and local service. The potential for a conflict of interest between a state employee position and a position on a local governing body, such as a school board or a city council, is negligible.
Taxpayers expect their state employees to make a total commitment to the state job.
Local government positions are often very time-consuming, complex endeavors. The proposed constitutional amendment is too limited in scope. It would allow state employees or other persons compensated with state funds to serve on governing bodies of local entities, but does not permit those persons to hold other local offices. The amendment should be broadened to allow state employees to seek any local office. Red Ribbon Week balloon release set Bessie Haynes Elementary School is participating in different activities throughout the week in honor of Red Ribbon Week.