§ 17-156. Political assessments. Any officer or employee of the state, or of a political subdivision thereof who, directly or indirectly uses his authority or official influence to compel or induce any other officer or employee of the state or a political subdivision thereof, to pay or promise to pay any political assessment shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit an officer or employee of the state or political subdivision thereof from making a voluntary contribution to a candidate or political committee.