Support the Timberjay by making a donation.

Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

RAMS

State board finds no conflict with legislator’s new job

Marshall Helmberger
Posted 2/1/15

REGIONAL— The recent tempest over state Sen. David Tomassoni’s decision to accept the top job at the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools, or RAMS, appears headed for calmer waters. …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in
RAMS

State board finds no conflict with legislator’s new job

Posted

REGIONAL— The recent tempest over state Sen. David Tomassoni’s decision to accept the top job at the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools, or RAMS, appears headed for calmer waters.

That’s following the release of a draft opinion from the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board that finds no conflict of interest between Tomassoni’s new job and his duties as a legislator.

The ruling, written by staff at the CFPDB, doesn’t become official until the agency’s full board approves it next week, but it was welcome news to Sen. Tomassoni, who has been under fire from Republican legislators and some editorial writers since RAMS announced his hiring earlier in the month. Critics argued that the position was an inherent conflict of interest with his Senate position.

But the CFPDB staffers who examined the issue, determined otherwise, noting that any potential conflict would only exist if Tomassoni refused to recuse himself from Senate votes or debate where a conflict might arise.

“Hypothetically, a specific issue or appropriation before the Senate could benefit RAMS in a way that will create a conflict of interest for you,” stated the CFPDB opinion, written as a direct response to questions posed by Tomassoni. “But accepting employment with RAMS does not create a conflict of interest with the position of State Senator under the provisions of Chapter 10A.”

The opinion, if approved by the full board, should clear the way for area cities, like Ely, to reconsider joining RAMS. The city council there, last week, had put payment of its annual dues to the organization on hold pending the decision by the CFPDB.

“I sent an email to the clerk as soon as I heard, to put the issue back on the agenda,” said Ely Mayor Chuck Novak. While Novak said he’s leaning in favor of continuing the city’s membership in RAMS, he said he wants other members of the council to have a chance to discuss the issue. “I know there are some councilors with concerns and they should have a chance to voice those concerns before we make a decision,” he said.