Minnesota State Senator David Tomassoni (DFL) has made the unusual and unprecedented move of assuming the Executive Director position at the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS) - a lobbying group - while still a sitting lawmaker.

In an article in the Mesabi Daily News, Tomassoni argues that the move is legal because he will be taking a leave of absence during each time the legislature is in session. In other words, the lawmaker is suggesting that he will hit "pause" on his lobbying efforts when he goes to St. Paul to make laws and then resume that lobbying role when he goes home afterwards.

The news of Tomassoni's new position arrived in a press release from RAMS which arrived late Friday afternoon - just in time for the weekend's news-pause.

While there is a lengthy history of outgoing legislators assuming roles with lobbying groups after their elected time in office has ended, this is the first a senator has tried to be a lobbyist and a lawmaker at the same time.  Ethics' watchdogs are already questioning the nature of Tomassoni's future as a legislator.

To read more about the story, click here to view the Minnesota Brown blog penned by Aaron Brown.

 

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