Mississippi Advisory Opinions April 30, 1999: AGO 1999-0149 (April 30, 1999)

Advisory Opinion Text

Hon. Michael D. Haas

Attorney for Gulf Regional Planning Commission

201 North Second Street

Bay St. Louis, Mississippi 39520

Re: Regional planning employees engaging in political activity

Dear Mr. Haas:

Attorney General Mike Moore has received your request for an official opinion of this office and has assigned it to me for a reply. Your letter has been attached for reference. You request an official opinion on the following:

The Board of Commissioners desires to know if they can legally require that an employee go on a ‘leave of absence without pay’ as a condition of offering as a political candidate for public office in this State?

If not, what conditions can they legally impose upon employees who desire to engage in political activities as a candidate for public office?

We are aware of no statutory prohibition to the Commission formally adopting such a policy.

If this office can be of any further assistance, please let us know.

Very truly yours,

Mike Moore, Attorney General

Sandra M. Shelson, Special Assistant Attorney General