Lawmaker sues over double-dipping ban
Published 3:00 am Tuesday, November 11, 2014
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama state lawmaker re-elected last week has gone to court to challenge a law prohibiting legislators from having a second state job.
Democratic Rep. Dexter Grimsley of Newville filed suit in Montgomery County Circuit Court to challenge the “double dipping” law that took effect the day after the Nov. 4 election.
After Republicans won control of the Legislature in 2010, they passed the law but they delayed enforcement until after the election.
Grimsley has been a juvenile probation officer in Henry County since 1995. He contends the law violates his equal protection rights and prohibits certain legislators from maintaining gainful employment.
Circuit Judge William Shashy scheduled a hearing for Wednesday on Grimsley’s request for a preliminary injunction, but Grimsley’s attorneys asked for a delay Monday because one of the lawyers had a death in the family.
Several legislators with state jobs either retired or moved to private sector job before last week’s election. For instance, Republican Sen. Rusty Glover of Semmes retired from his job as a public school teacher.