The Alabama Ethics Commission has approved of a state senator contracting with the city of Montgomery to help with youth activities planned for the 50th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march.
Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange had asked the commission for advice concerning contracting with Democratic Sen. Quinton Ross of Montgomery. The commission approved it Wednesday. But the commission said Ross should not use state resources under his control to assist him in performing the contract.
The six-month contract calls for $25,000 in payments to Ross, plus he could receive an additional $5,000 for meeting the contract's goals.
Ross is a former high school principal. The mayor wrote a letter to the commission saying Ross will help with activities in March 2015 that will involve about 400 high school students.