Paul Sanford Says Governor’s Ethics Proposal Long Overdue
02/26/2009

Paul Sanford, Republican candidate for the Alabama Senate in District 7, said Governor Riley’s proposal to beef up ethics reform in Alabama is long overdue and should be adopted by the Alabama Legislature during the current session.

Representative Mac Gipson (R-Prattville) is carrying an ethics package for Governor Riley that limits public officials’ accepting gifts, puts a cap on wining and dining members of the Legislature and gives the Ethics Commission subpoena power, among other things.

"For entirely too long, the Legislature’s approach to ethics reform has been merely a whisper into thin air, tickling the ears of Alabama citizens. The cheap talk should end today and tomorrow the leaders of the Legislature should commit to passing ethics reform legislation," Sanford said Thursday. "It’s time for Alabama lawmakers to stop the rhetoric within the Legislature and actively address the need for real ethics reform. The Governor’s proposal should be voted for and enacted swiftly, in response to the outcry from citizens statewide," he stated.

Mr. Sanford has long advocated that public corruption in Alabama is a serious problem and must be addressed. He has spoken out during the recent convictions of Senator E. B. McClain and Representative Sue Schmitz, both ousted from office.

Paul Sanford and his wife Danielle own and operate "little Paul’s Barbecue" in Huntsville. They have a son, Chase, and a daughter, Ryan.