Legislature considering changes to state ethics laws

The subject of gifts to politicians and their families was an issue Wednesday as the Alabama Ethics & Campaign Finance Committee met to discuss possibly reforming the state’s ethics law. “At our last meeting, we discussed the Ethics Clarification and Reform Report,” said Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne), chairman of the committee. “This is what people have identified as problems with our current ethics law.” Simpson said the discussion will include what the courts have identified as issues.  “I will tell you that does include a discussion of ex parte Hubbard,” Simpson said.  Jimmy Entrekin of