That law is open to interpretation. The main purpose of it is to bar outside employment. Like if she was the governor and also an executive at BP or something. Obviously in an energy rich state, that would create lots of conflicts.
But is writing a book outside employment? The legislature or the Alaska courts may have to clarify that for her before she proceeds with this.
Thanks, mathwhiz. I really hope there’s a loophole for her somewhere. After what she’s been through, she deserves to capitalize where she can. Plus, it could be an extremely interesting read if everything comes out. I think, though, that Sarah is too classy to throw the campaign under the bus (even though many involved deserve it).
Maybe a work around it would be to have Todd write the book.
She can write her book and collect the money.
The law was not written to apply to the Constitutional office of the Governor.
The part of the law at issue:
“AS 39.52.170. Outside Employment Restricted.
...(c) The head of a principal executive department of the state may not accept employment for compensation outside the agency that
the executive head serves.”
But according to the Alaska Constitution, by definition the Governor is NOT “The head of a principal executive department of the state”:
“Article 3 - The Executive
... 25. Department Heads
The head of each principal department shall be a single executive unless otherwise provided by law.
He shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by a majority of the members of the legislature in joint session,
and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor, except as otherwise provided in this article with respect to the secretary of state.
The heads of all principal departments shall be citizens of the United States.”
(Of course some immoral gutless sissy liberal lawyer may think otherwise...)