Sullivan vetoes ordinance on rehiring elected officials

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan vetoed an Assembly-approved ordinance that would have required elected officials to have one year away from the job before working with the city again.

“It has consequences that serve no public purpose,” Sullivan said, expressing concern about the ordinance.

Sullivan says it would prohibit former Assembly and School Board members from assisting the public on interpreting city codes. He also says city code should be clear and concise, and that the ordinance isn't.

The ordinance’s sponsor, Assembly member Elvi Gray-Jackson, says she already plans to introduce an amended version that addresses the same issue.

“It just doesn't look right, it just simply doesn't look right to leave office and have a job with the muni, or to have a contract without allowing someone in the public to bid on it -- it simply doesn't look right,” Gray-Jackson said. “And I think our mayor would want to preserve the public trust, just like I want to.”

Gray-Jackson plans to introduce the ordinance at the Assembly’s Sept. 28 meeting.

The original ordinance passed by a vote of 6 to 5, but the Assembly would need 8 of its 11 votes to overturn Sullivan’s veto.