Questions are being asked about a possible conflict of interest regarding State Representative Steve Hunter of Joplin, the Chairman of the House Workforce Development and Workplace Safety Committee. Hunter works part-time for Associated Industries of Missouri, a business lobby group. Hunter says he received the “okay” from both House Speaker Catherine Hanaway and the State Ethics Commission before accepting the offer from AIM President Gary Marble. He insists he’s done nothing wrong. Hunter says his work for AIM is no different than the work done by other state lawmakers, past and present. He says he’ll recuse himself if a possible conflict should arise.
