tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14646865602484474342024-03-07T23:20:09.564-08:00Capitol LettersThe Anniston Star's inside look at Alabama politics.Ben Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11089028149998032584noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-23252934855409310132008-05-08T09:27:00.000-07:002008-05-08T09:58:03.177-07:00Senate Rejects Attempt to Debate Plan to Remove Grocery TaxA bill, sponsored by Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery, that would remove the state portion of the sales tax on food, and remove the state <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">deduction</span> for federal income taxes failed to get enough votes to move on to full debate.<br /><br />In a 20 to 11 vote (with three abstentions), the bill fell just short of the three-fifths majority needed to debate the bill.<br /><br />The Senate could bring the bill back up, and Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, who is handling the bill said he wants to bring it back before the Legislature adjourns May 19.<br /><br />Sen. Larry Dixon, R-Montgomery, said the bill would shift a $345 million tax burden to 35 percent of the people and he is opposed to it.<br /><br />"This could have been phased in under the unprecedented growth we've experienced in previous years," he said.<br /><br /><br />How they voted:<br /><br />Sen. Del Marsh, R-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Anniston</span>, voted no.<br />Sen. Jim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Preuitt</span>, D-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Talladega</span>, abstained<br />Sen. Kim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Benefield</span>, D-Woodland, voted yesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-61442084087490609412008-05-06T15:05:00.000-07:002008-05-06T15:12:46.979-07:00House Passes Bill on Economic Stimulus ChecksAfter several hours of debate, the House passed a bill that would prevent the economic stimulus check that Alabamians began getting in the mail this month.<br /><br />In a 101-0 the House passed the bill sponsored by Rep. Terry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Spicer</span>, D-Elba. The bill is designed to keep the state from applying income taxes to the rebate checks people are receiving from the government. Though some say it might be an unnecessary measure because the federal government has said that the rebate is not taxable.<br /><br />A Senate version of the bill passed last week, but is likely unconstitutional because all revenue measures must <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">originate</span> in the House.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-66617469382821873782008-05-06T13:41:00.000-07:002008-05-07T06:08:27.112-07:00Senate Passes The General Fund BudgetThe Legislature is now halfway to meeting its constitutional obligation.<br /><br />The Senate has passed with some amendments the House proposed $1.9 billion general fund budget.<br /><br />The General Fund budget pays for all non-education related state expenses.<br /><br />The House will have to concur with the amendments before the bill heads to Gov. Bob Riley's desk.<br /><br />The Senate still has to tackle the education budget, which could come to the floor as early as Thursday for debate.<br /><br />Update: The House concurred on about $6 million in additions to the General Fund Budget, bring the grand total to just over $2 million. The budget is now in the hands of Gov. Bob Riley.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-312189008376085102008-05-06T13:28:00.000-07:002008-05-06T13:41:28.898-07:00Senate Committee Passes Education BudgetThe Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee gave a favorable report to the House generated $6.3 billion education budget.<br /><br />The Committee also gave a favorable report to companion legislation that collects state corporate income taxes from 44 companies that don't currently pay those taxes, and provides tax breaks to small companies and their employees.<br /><br />Sen. Del Marsh, R-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Anniston</span>, announced to the committee that negotiations on the corporate tax bill were continuing, but he <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">recommend</span> that it get the bills out of committee and amendments would be offered on the floor.<br /><br />Marsh has been actively involved with behind the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">scenes</span> negotiations, but he's been mum about just what he is trying to work out.<br /><br />Higher education is hoping that somebody works out a plan to add $25 million more to their appropriations, though Committee Chairman Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, said he is determined not to move the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">bottom line</span>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-90567659954620191022008-05-06T11:23:00.000-07:002008-05-06T13:28:17.494-07:00Seniors Support Knight Sales Tax PlanThe state branch of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">AARP</span> and the Silver-Haired Legislature are urging the Senate to pass Rep. John Knight's plan to remove the state-portion of the sales tax on food.<br /><br />In a press conference today, representatives from both groups stood with Knight, Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, Sen. Quinton Ross, D-Montgomery, and representatives from Alabama Arise.<br /><br />Sanders sponsored the failed Senate version of the Knight plan.<br /><br />Joan Carter, state director of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">AARP</span>, said 9 out of 10 people who now live on a fixed income would benefit from passing the Knight plan.<br /><br />"All of us will benefit because we all buy groceries," she said.<br /><br />Bill Adams, Speaker of the House for the Alabama Silver-Haired Legislature, said if he were in the Legislature he would let the people vote.<br /><br />Adams served in the House during former Gov. Fob James' administration representing Cherokee and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Etowah</span> counties between 1979 to 1982.<br /><br />He said legislators "have no right to say to the people of Alabama that they are not smart enough to decide.<br /><br />"They should pass this bill and give people and opportunity to vote," he said.<br /><br />Knight said he doesn't see why anyone would vote against the allowing Alabamians to vote on the issue.<br /><br />He also said he is against a Republican effort in the Senate to tie the passage of the grocery tax bill to a measure that returns property appraisals to every four years.<br /><br />"I don't see how anyone could stand in the way of allowing people to vote," he said.<br /><br />Sanders will handle Knight's bill in the Senate. He said he will do what has to get it through this year, but was vague on whether the bill would come up today or Thursday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-30973158190787911032008-05-01T13:41:00.001-07:002008-05-01T14:07:12.171-07:00Constitutional Convention Bill Bites the DustIn what has become and annual tradition, a bill that calls for allowing Alabamians to vote on calling a constitutional convention made its way to the Alabama State Legislature this session.<br /><br />Each year it advances a little farther in the legislative process.<br /><br />This year the bill, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HB</span></span>308 sponsored by Speaker Pro <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tem</span></span> Demetrius Newton, D-Birmingham, made it to the floor of the House for the big dance on the fourth to the last day, only to have its' toes stepped on.<br /><br />The bill failed to get enough votes to get past the budget isolation resolution, or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">BIR</span></span>.<br /><br />The purpose of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">BIR</span></span> is to force lawmakers to tackle their constitutional responsibility of passing operating budgets to pay for the state's expenses.<br /><br />Lawmakers, however, often use the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">BIR</span></span> as a political weapon to hold up, or kill legislation.<br /><br />Though the House has passed both its' versions of the General Fund and Education Trust Fund budgets, they must still pass the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">BIR</span></span> because the Senate has not passed those budgets and transmitted them to the governor.<br /><br />For the call to convention bill to have made it to final passage, it would have needed three-fifths, or 60 percent of total members voting, not the full 105 members.<br /><br />The vote was 46 to 44 against passing the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">BIR</span></span>. There was one abstention, four members not voting and 10 absent.<br /><br />Calhoun and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Talladega</span></span> counties' delegations voted as follows:<br />Boyd--Yes<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Fite</span></span>--No<br />Wood--No<br />Hurst--No<br />Johnson--No<br />Lindsey--Yes<br /><br />Speaker of the House Seth <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Hammet</span>, D-Andalusia, also voted against the bill.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-26694916117142168952008-04-30T16:46:00.003-07:002008-04-30T16:54:22.790-07:00Cruise to Cuba?Next Wednesday at 1:30 p.m., Commissioner of Ag and Industries Ron Sparks will hold a meeting that the House Tourism and Travel Committee hopes will end in a strongly worded resolution to the state's Congressional delegation urging them push the federal to open up more travel and trade opportunities with Cuba.<br /><br />T & T Committee Chair Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, D-Red Bay, said there is a potential to attract millions from the Midwest , down I-65, divert them to attractions all over the state and then put them on a cruise ship to Cuba.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-82190003009753261742008-04-30T16:29:00.000-07:002008-04-30T16:45:26.729-07:00A Reversal of RolesWhile the House bogged down on bills that impact the Education Trust Fund, the Senate passed several pieces of noteworthy legislation.<br /><br />Including the following:<br /><br />Sen. Parker Griffith: Excluding federal tax rebates from state income tax<br />Sen. Vivian Figures: Indoor smoking ban<br />Sen. Hinton Mitchem: Sex offenders restricted from college and university property<br />Sen. Roger Bedford: Unemployment compensation bill that saves businesses more than $700 million in taxes, and a bill that provides tax breaks to attract the film industry.<br /><br />As busy as the Senate was passing bills they also killed one that many had their eyes on: a bill to remove the state-portion of the sales tax on food.<br /><br />But even when the House is in a slowdown, they eventually get some things done.<br /><br />The House finally passed a bill that adds $67 million to the proposed spending plan for education, along with bills that provide a tax break for small businesses and their employees on health insurance.<br /><br />Both chambers were still in session as of 6:43 p.m. There is some buzz that they could be here all night.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-7515688573179527162008-04-30T10:03:00.000-07:002008-04-30T10:08:59.747-07:00Senate: Back to WorkAfter a bit of partisan bickering this morning, the Senate passed a bill Wednesday that will keep Alabamians from paying taxes on the economic stimulus checks that they will start receiving tomorrow. The vote was 32 to 0.<br /><br />But the vote might not stand because as a revenue measure, the legislation should have come from the House.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-18611185836128493222008-04-23T09:48:00.000-07:002008-04-29T07:08:59.891-07:00Kumbaya? Not Exactly.Members of the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee seemed cheery--almost giddy--during its Wednesday meeting.<br /><br />Could it be that a session marked by tension over local bills could be smoothed out with a friendly game of baseball?<br /><br />It's doubtful whether they will break into renditions of Kumbaya, but senators seem to be in a better mood after their Tuesday softball game.<br /><br />When the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FTE</span> Committee took up a non-controversial House bill that establishes a Virtual Library and an executive council for that library Sen. Rodger <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Smitherman</span>, D-Birmingham, made this quip to bill sponsor Rep. Mac <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Gipson</span>, R-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Prattvile</span>:<br /><br />"Do you see how fast that passed," asked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Smitherman</span>, who is helping to keep the existing filibuster that's slowing down the Senate alive. "You don't have to worry downstairs. We're going to get this done quick."<br /><br />Sen. Tom Butler, D-Madison, who lead a filibuster earlier in the session, jokingly added: "Unless it's a local bill. That might take some time."<br /><br />The Senate lost to the House 15 to 16, so senators ribbed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Gipson</span> a little because of the controversy in the House over a bill that would remove the state-portion of the sales tax on food.<br />But only tomorrow will tell if the goodwill lasts beyond Wednesday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-30847945398545327462008-04-22T19:16:00.000-07:002008-04-22T19:24:01.532-07:00Siegelman Speaks to PBS talk show host Tavis Smiley TonightFormer Gov. Don <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Siegelman</span> will sit down with PBS talk show host <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tavis</span> Smiley tonight.<br /><br />From <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Smiley's</span> Web site: "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Siegelman</span> served in Alabama politics for 26 years. He's the only person to be elected to serve in all four of the state's top offices: secretary of state, attorney general, lieutenant governor and governor. He was noted for his work in improving education, children's services and promoting anti-crime initiatives. In '07, the once-popular Democrat was convicted of corruption charges and sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Siegelman</span> was recently released pending his appeal."<br /><br />Show airs at 11:30 p.m. on Alabama Public Television.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-29689292583079093832008-04-22T14:33:00.000-07:002008-04-22T14:45:25.738-07:00Watch out Senators, Rep. Alvin Holmes is coming for you!Black Caucus member Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, is calling out senators who are holding up bills <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hundreds</span> of bills including the General Fund with a filibuster.<br /><br />Holmes, who has been in the Legislature for 34 years, said that the black senators who represent Macon, Greene and Montgomery counties (the core folks leading the filibuster) could expect Republicans to unseat them in the 2010 elections if they continue.<br /><br />He also predicted that any white senators helping them keep the filibuster alive can expect to turn their seats over to someone else during the next election cycle.<br /><br />Why? Because he's going to come to their districts and help campaign against them.<br /><br />Ironically enough, Holmes' remarks came during the House's own slowdown with members filibustering a bill that would force 44 companies that are not based in the state to pay Alabama corporate income taxes.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-33764439230883463542008-04-22T12:24:00.000-07:002008-04-22T12:54:44.455-07:00Keep Your Hands To Yourself!!Rep. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Duwayne</span> Bridges, R-Valley, informed Rep. Randy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hinshaw</span>, D-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Meridianville</span>, and any other member of the House who is thinking of voting for him without his permission to keep their hands to themselves.<br /><br />Bridges formally registered his dissent on a bill that would remove the state-portion of the sales tax on food (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">HB</span>274) into the Journal of the House.<br /><br />"Let the Journal record that I did not vote in favor of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">HB</span>274 and that I remain personally opposed to the measure," he wrote in a letter to the clerk of the House. "Let it further lodge my official <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">complaint</span> that my machine was voted <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">contrary</span> to my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">position</span> by a member of the opposite party without permission or authority and at a time when it should have been locked and protected from abuse."<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Hinshaw</span> has admitted that when the final vote came, he voted for absent members which caused the bill to pass with the 63 votes necessary to pass the measure.<br /><br />Bridges was on a job recruitment mission to Korea and China on that day, and he said if he had been here he would not have voted for the measure.<br /><br />Bridges wrote in his letter that House Minority Leader Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, had made the motion that his machine and the machines of other absent House members be locked for the remainder of the meeting day.<br /><br />When House Rule 32 (requires members to vote their own machines) was invoked and then rescinded by Rep. Jack Williams, R-Birmingham, that should not have affected Hubbard's motion, he said.<br /><br />"If I asked someone to vote my machine and they did, I thank you for that," Bridges said from the House floor Tuesday. "But when someone from another party votes for me while I'm gone--I find that wrong and I think it's wrong for someone to do that.<br /><br />Bridges said at first he believed that the leadership in the House orchestrated the move, but now he believes that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Hinshaw</span> was simply being sneaky.<br /><br />"I never authorized that gentleman to vote my machine," he said. "Unless I ask you to vote my machine, keep your hands off of it, and to that individual--don't you ever touch my machine again."<br /><br />Whether Bridges' complaint is too little, too late remains to be seen.<br /><br />The Senate Finance and Taxation Committee on Education voted Tuesday to give HB274 a favorable report, which means that it could go to the full Senate as early as this week.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-59645272444841867702008-04-21T06:55:00.000-07:002008-04-21T07:00:34.879-07:00Hey Batter, Batter!It will be the House versus the Senate as state lawmakers square off Tuesday.<br /><br />No, it's not a contest of which body can do more work on the 23rd legislative day of the session. We already know which one is winning that contest, don't we?<br /><br />Legislators will square off in the Legislative Softball Game at 6 p.m. at the Auburn Montgomery baseball complex.<br /><br />That is if the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">filibuster</span> over bingo is ended by then.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-89582358653388584042008-04-17T05:27:00.001-07:002008-04-17T06:00:48.882-07:00Sir Charles for Governor?In 2014, some star-power could come to the race for Alabama's highest office.<br /><br />Basketball Hall of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Famer</span> and Leeds native Charles Barkley told NBC Tonight Show host Jay Leno Wednesday that he plans to run for governor of Alabama that year.<br /><br />"They need my help," he said, with all seriousness. "It's still like 1977 in Alabama."<br /><br />Barkley said the late 1970s was around the time that he was a public school student in Leeds, and not much has changed in his opinion.<br /><br />Leno asked him why he's waiting until 2014 to run, and he said he <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">needed </span>to meet the residency requirement for the job. Alabama's Constitution requires that you live in the state for at least four years before running.<br /><br />Barkley, who lives in Arizona now, said he recently purchased his mother's house so that he could meet that requirement.<br /><br />He also might be trying to get his political resume together with a possible run for mayor of Leeds. Friends and family have apparently asked him to run and he's considering it.<br /><br />Barkley told Leno that if he decides to run for governor he will make his announcement on The Tonight Show.<br /><br />I wonder where he stands on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">constitutional</span> reform?<br /><br />Check out this link about the would-be politician: <a href="http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/02/15/charles-barkley-promises-to-run-for-alabama-governor-in-2014/">http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/02/15/charles-barkley-promises-to-run-for-alabama-governor-in-2014/</a><br /><br />P.S. The post mentions that Barkley has recently lost a signifcant wad of money gambling. I wonder how he'd resolve the bingo dispute that's currently shutting down the State Senate if he were governor?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-72018827267403157762008-04-16T15:05:00.000-07:002008-04-16T15:34:56.254-07:00Tainted Vote?Goat Hill has been all abuzz today about Tuesday's historic House-vote to remove the state-portion of the sales tax on food.<br /><br />The bill, which is sponsored by Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery, just <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">eked</span> out of the House with exactly 63 votes. That was the number needed for it to pass the House.<br /><br />But how the House got to that magic number is creating much controversy because several of the legislators who voted "yes" weren't even in the chamber--nay not even in the country--when their votes were cast.<br /><br />At least two House members are on a international trade mission, according to Gov. Bob Riley's Office.<br /><br />The thing is, members of the State Legislature have a friendly agreement among each other, as one legislator put it.<br /><br />If a member is absent, but wants to have his or her vote counted, he authorizes another legislator to vote on his or her behalf. The key is the House member has to authorize someone to vote for them.<br /><br />Some say that agreement didn't happen before the final vote for the Knight Tax Plan.<br /><br />In the House, a member can invoke Rule 32 to force members to vote on their own machines. Rep. Jack Williams, R-Birmingham, did so during the time that the House voted on the budget isolation resolution, or BIR.<br /><br />After reaching an agreement with Knight, Williams <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">rescinded</span> the rule, which many believed helped the measure pass because legislators could vote for absent members.<br /><br />Because of the questions about the voting, Rep. Robert Bentley, R-Tuscaloosa, attempted to bring the matter up for a re-vote, but couldn't get the necessary votes.<br /><br />The Knight Plan is headed for the Senate.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-79816806756811433862008-04-16T05:46:00.001-07:002008-04-16T15:38:22.317-07:00Say What?!?As you know immigration reform is a hot button issue in Alabama these days.<br /><br />People start to foam up when they talk about lost jobs, overcrowded schools and people abusing the system.<br /><br />But just when you think you've heard it all, somebody raises the bar on the outrageous things they can and will say in public.<br /><br />I'm all about free speech, hence this whole journalism thing, but during a discussion of two English-only bills being sponsored by Sen. Scott <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Beason</span>, R-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Gardendale</span>, a member of the Senate Government Affairs Committee actually used the term "wetback."<br /><br />Sen. W.H. "Pat" Lindsey, D- Butler, in his opposition to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Beason's</span> bills, said that the German and Korean workers who have made Alabama their home in recent years, "are not wetbacks trying to slip across the Rio <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Grande</span>...this legislation is an insult to them."<br /><br />I don't know about south Alabama, but where I'm from, calling somebody a "wetback" is insulting, even if it's aimed at people who are here illegally.<br /><br />The bills as an insult was the same point that a representative from the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce was trying to make, but she was able to make it without calling anybody names.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-90026941277544827282008-04-16T05:38:00.000-07:002008-04-16T15:39:15.898-07:00Very ConcealedIt could become a lot more difficult to find out who is carrying a gun in your county.<br /><br />This week the Senate Governmental Affairs <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Committee</span> green-lighted a bill that would prohibit the disclosure of information contained in gun permits.<br /><br />While the purpose of the bill is to protect personal information that is often collected when a person applies for a permit to carry a gun, it could cover up which one of your elected officials (or neighbors for that matter) is packing heat.<br /><br />No objections from the Alabama Press <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Association</span> though since the bill was amended to allow for the release of statistical information on gun ownership.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-6423804412430114992008-04-10T13:46:00.000-07:002008-04-16T15:37:41.839-07:00Isn't that a coincidence?<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Protesters</span> around the world have drawn attention to China's poor record on human rights this week by making it very difficult for the Olympic torch to make its trip around the world.<br /><br />Candidates for the nation's highest office are demanding a boycott of the ceremonies.<br /><br />All this negativity couldn't come at a worse time for Alabama.<br /><br />Gov. Bob Riley is busy promoting Alabama's products and firming up trade relations with China.<br /><br />This has got to be an editorial <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">cartoonist's</span> dream.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-58211726784413161772008-04-10T11:19:00.000-07:002008-04-16T15:39:47.280-07:00Statwide Water Management Plan Committee Clears LegislatureMONTGOMERY A joint resolution that creates a committee that will develop a statewide water management plan is on its way to the governor's desk.<br /><br />Sponsored by Rep. Greg <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Canfield</span>, R-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Vestavia</span> Hills, and Sen. Kim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Benefield</span>, D-Woodland, the resolution creates a 14-member committee will include seven members from each chamber, and representatives from the U.S. Geological Survey and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ADECA</span> Office of Water Resources.<br /><br />The committee will be responsible for assessing water resources, conservation practices and technology to recommend the most efficient and effective use of the state's water resources.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Benefield</span> said the move would not only help the state get a handle on its water resources, it might also help the state in its long-standing water feud with Georgia and Florida.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-65987273067268643322008-03-06T13:46:00.001-08:002008-03-06T13:48:07.407-08:00Riley: No More Double DippingSo the legislators in the two-year college system won't feel singled out, Gov. Bob Riley has a bill in the House that would end double-dipping in all state agencies.<br /><br />Check out this link at Riley's Web site:<br /><br /><a href="http://governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/pr-2008-03-06-02-BanDoubleDippinALL.asp">http://governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/pr-2008-03-06-02-BanDoubleDippinALL.asp</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-15784715427850096932008-03-06T13:34:00.000-08:002008-03-06T13:40:58.742-08:00Gov. Bob Riley to Weigh in on Northrop Grumman ContractGov. Bob Riley will hold a press conference Friday about the Air Force Tanker Contract, according to his Press Office.<br /><br />Riley will be joined by officials from Northrop Grumman, members of Alabama's Congressional delegation and Mobile city and county officials to discuss the $40 billion contract that was awarded to the Mobile-based company.<br /><br />Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi's ears will likely be on fire during the 2 p.m. press conference because of her call for congressional hearings on the awarding of the contract.<br /><br />Democratic Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom and members of the State Democratic Senate Caucus have already blasted Pelosi this week over the congressional hearings into a deal that could create more than 2,000 jobs in the state.<br /><br />U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Mobile, and U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, are expected to be on hand.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-72817263193309182822008-03-06T13:00:00.000-08:002008-03-06T13:43:50.800-08:00Ala. Dems to Speaker Pelosi: Leave Alabama Jobs Alone!With Alabama's Democratic Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom leading the way, the Alabama Democrats have collectively told their fellow Democrat Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to back off.<br /><p>Earlier this week Folsom fired off a testy letter to Pelosi expressing his dismay and bewilderment over her call for a congressional hearing on the federal contract awarded to Northrop Grumman/EADS.</p><p>Under the new contract, Northrop Grumman/EADS will build the U.S. Air Force's aeiral refuleling tankers at Mobile's Brookley Field Industrial Complex, creating more than 2,000 new jobs in the state.<br /></p><p>"Congressional hearings serve only to delay the positive impacts this project will have on our state and our people," Folsom said in his letter. "As you well know, the exhaustive bidding and vendor selection process required over twoyears to complete and should have answered any concerns you may now have. I find it hard to understand your sudden scrutiny of this selection."</p><br /><p>The Alabama Senate Democratic Caucus is having the same time understanding and introduced a resolution criticizing Pelosi's call for congressional hearings.</p><p>Senate Majority Leader Zeb Little, D-Cullman, intoduced the resoluition and it was co-sponsored by a majority of the Senate, passed the Senate today with a unanimous vote. </p><p>Boeing Co. lost the $40 billion jet tanker contract to Northrop Grumman/EADS. Supporters of Boeing Co. in Congress want the contract suspended until lawmakers can review the decision.<br /></p><p>“It is tough when you have to criticize a national leader of the Democratic Party, but this issue is not about political party. It is about what is in the best interests of Alabama and this nation," said State Sen. Pat Lindsey, D-Butler. "Speaker Pelosi should not play politics with Alabama jobs, and our Caucus will stand up to anyone, Republican or Democrat, who threatens jobs for our families."</p><p>“By every conceivable measure Northrop Grumman had the best proposal to build the tankers, and Alabama is certainly the best place in America to build the tankers. The best thing for this nation's security and the best thing for Alabama's economy is to leave this contract alone,” Lindsey said. </p><p>Little said the contract is a major coup for Alabama.<br /></p><p>“The contract was won fair and square, and it’s time for Washington politicians to step aside and allow Alabama to get to work as soon as possible.”<br /></p><p>State Sen. Vivian Figures of Mobile, who is running for the U.S. Senate, said the contract will have an immediate and long-term impact on Alabama.</p><p>“It was awarded on merit only, not politics, and that is the way it should be," she said. "Our military leaders made the best decision, Northrop had the best proposal and Alabama has the best workers. It's time to get out of the way and let us get to work.”<br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-73113575650278259122008-02-28T12:10:00.000-08:002008-02-28T12:16:42.472-08:00Riley Backs House on PAC-to-PAC RejectCheck out this link to Riley's Office.<br /><br /><a href="http://governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/pr-2008-02-28-01-pac.asp">http://governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/pr-2008-02-28-01-pac.asp</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464686560248447434.post-17014017696438434092008-02-28T09:21:00.000-08:002008-02-28T09:35:37.614-08:00No Dice on PAC to PAC BillThe House voted to non-concur with the Senate version of a bill that would stop the practice of transfering money between political action committees (PAC) to hide campaign contributions.<br /><br />The bill will now go to a conference committee of members of the House and Senate where they will either negotiate a bill they can live with it or kill the bill again.<br /><br />The Senate passed a much revised version of Rep. Jeff McLaughlin's bill that removed legislative caucuses from being defined as a PAC.<br /><br />McLaughlin said he's happy that the Senate finally passed a bill, he's just frustrated it wasn't the bill that unanimously passed the House.<br /><br />"The senate disregarded the work of the House, and substituted our bill and been changed significantly," he said. "We have unanimously voted a very clean PAC-to-PAC prohibition bill in this chamber, and we want a clean bill."<br /><br />Represenatives McLaughlin (D-Guntersville), Mac McCutcheon, R-Capshaw, and Rod Scott, D-Fairfield, will be a part of the conference committee.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0