Acting House Speaker Declines State Security Detail

In a statement from the Alabama House of Representatives, Acting Speaker of the House Rep. Victor Gaston (R-Mobile) has declined the security detail that state law would otherwise provide to him. The statement says the reason is to save taxpayer dollars and conserve state government resources.

Gaston recently met with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Stan Stabler while in Montgomery and discussed the option.

“Allowing law enforcement officers to dedicate their time to more important duties than chauffeuring me between Mobile and Montgomery will save scarce taxpayer dollars and conserve valuable state resources,” Gaston said.  “I have always worked to be an unpretentious man, and walking around with a security detail in tow would draw attention that is simply unnecessary.”

Gaston was also entitled to a security detail when he was originally elected House Speaker Pro Tempore in 2010, but he opted to decline the offer at that time, as well.

“As a legislator, I am well aware that our state law enforcement agency has too few officers and too many responsibilities,” Gaston said.  “The officers that would have been assigned to my protective detail may now devote their attention to more pressing concerns and priorities.”

The veteran Mobile legislator was elevated to Acting Speaker of the House when the office was vacated earlier this month.  He will carry out the administrative functions and full duties of the post until the House convenes in session and votes to hold an election for a permanent successor.