Kentucky's Capitol
(2011-01-14)
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The appointment of lobbyist Stephen Huffman of Lexington to the State Board of Elections is raising questions in Frankfort. The Executive Branch Ethics Commission will discuss the appointment early next week.
Photo courtesy HCM Governmental Relations (Click image to enlarge)
FRANKFORT, KY (Kentucky Public Radio) - Should a lobbyist be allowed to serve on the Kentucky Board of Elections? One now does, but his service is raising questions. Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeigh has been looking into the matter...(Listen above)
Stephen Huffman is a registered lobbyist employed by HCM Governmental Relations in Lexington. In November, Gov. Beshear appointed Huffman to a four-year term on the State Board of Elections.
The Executive Branch Ethics Commission has consistently ruled that "public servants" cannot be lobbyists. So, does Huffman's service on the Board of Elections qualify him as a public servant?
Commission Director John Steffan believes it does, because board members are considered full time state employees; they receive state pay and incremental raises, whether they attend meetings or not; they participate in the state retirement system, and they receive state health insurance and life insurance benefits.
The ethics commission will discuss the issue early next week, where Huffman, with attorney in tow, will defend his service on the board.
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