Auburn, Alabama Say Free Football Tickets for Officials is a Tradition
posted 9:56 pm Sat December 01, 2007 - Montgomery
Officials say giving free Alabama and Auburn football tickets to the governor, state legislators and other selected officeholders is a tradition that does not violate state's ethics law.
The practice drew attention this week when state Rep. Alvin Holmes of Montgomery complained he didn't receive his Iron Bowl tickets from Auburn.
The face value of two Iron Bowl tickets this year was a $120. Under the state ethics law law, lobbyists can spend up to $250 a day on legislators without reporting it to the Alabama Ethics Commission.
Ethics Commission Director Jim Sumner says under the law universities and other organizations may give away tickets to sporting and other entertainment events without penalty and without reporting it.
Sumner says as long as it's not of continuous nature such as giving season passes, they're at liberty to invite members of the State Legislature to these events.
A published report (in Saturday's Huntsville Times) says Alabama and Auburn combined this fall gave away more than $100,000 worth of free football tickets to elected and appointed state and federal officials.
The face value of two Iron Bowl tickets this year was a $120. Under the state ethics law law, lobbyists can spend up to $250 a day on legislators without reporting it to the Alabama Ethics Commission.
Ethics Commission Director Jim Sumner says under the law universities and other organizations may give away tickets to sporting and other entertainment events without penalty and without reporting it.
Sumner says as long as it's not of continuous nature such as giving season passes, they're at liberty to invite members of the State Legislature to these events.
A published report (in Saturday's Huntsville Times) says Alabama and Auburn combined this fall gave away more than $100,000 worth of free football tickets to elected and appointed state and federal officials.
Latest Comment on Auburn, Alabama Say Free Football Tickets for Officials is a Tradition
USNRET
4:00 pm on 12/03/07
WHY?? Why would they need such a large pay increase if they are getting all these "freebys" Are they reporting this as Income??? The voters would be amazed if they knew what the job was really worth.
Not a member yet? Click Here to sign up.
Please leave your comments below:
Messages that harass, abuse or threaten other members; have obscene or otherwise objectionable content; have spam, commercial or
advertising content or inappropriate links may be removed and may result in the loss of your posting privileges.
Please do not post any private information unless you want it to be available publicly.
Never assume that you are completely anonymous and cannot be identified by your posts.
© 2007 TV Alabama, Inc.
© 2007 The Associated Press
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The 'RUNNING MAN' icon is a registered trademark of America Online, Inc.
ABC 33/40 News to leave comments on news stories.