Legislative Largess
Brett J. Blackledge of The Birmingham News is continuing his Pulitzer-winning investigation into corruption at Alabama's community colleges. His "Follow the Money" story in Sunday's paper reveals that state legislators have sent more than $1 million in taxpayer funds since 2000 to colleges that employed them or close relatives. Most of these legislators got their community college jobs after they were elected. Using public records of state grants, Blackledge gives great details about the deals the legislators were able to give their employers. Blackledge's long-running investigation is already producing results: Alabama Gov. Bob Riley is urging school boards to prohibit legislators from working at their colleges. al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1182673322207300.xml&coll=2