By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – A petition is circulating through the state House and Senate that asks Governor Bob Riley to appoint former Governor Guy Hunt as a special "councilor." The state legislature created the position almost 30 years ago as a way to help former governors. It pays 18 thousand dollars a year. Representative Johnny Mack Morrow says Hunt's wife and two older brothers have died in the past year, and he says Hunt has had persistent financial troubles. Hunt says he wasn't aware of the petition and he hasn't asked anyone for help. Hunt was elected in 1986 as Alabama's first Republican governor since the late 1800s. He was elected to two terms but was removed from office in 1993 after being convicted of a felony ethics charge. He was later pardoned.