Ethics Laws and the outside Earnings of Politicians: The Case of Alabama's "Legislator-Educators"

THIS PAPER IS ABOUT THE PRICE OF PORK. IN PARTICLAR, IT EXAMINES THE DISTRIBUTIONAL IMPACT OF A PROVISION OF ALABAMA'S CODE OF ETHICS WHICH ALLOWS SITTING STATE LEGISLATORS TO BE ON THE PAYROLL OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. THE PAPER FINDS THAT THE 15 JUNIOR AND SENIOR COLLEGES IN ALABAMA THAT PAY EDUCATIONAL SALARIES TO LEGISLATORS RECEIVE NEARLY $19 IN EXTRA PUBLIC FUNDING ANNUALLY FOR EVERY $1 PAID TO A STATE SENATOR OR REPRESENTATIVE. THIS PAPER DISCUSSES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEGISLATIVE PAY AND THE OUTSIDE EARNINGS OF POLITICANS. IT PRESENTS THE DATA AND EMPIRICAL RESULTS.