Alabama Politics in
Doc’s Political Parlor
& Home of Lawn Mower Repair

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051231/NEWS/512310320/1001 - New voter registration system will require $1 million a year for maintenance costs according to Secretary of State.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051231/NEWS/512310345/1001 - Construction set to begin on Montgomery’s controversial intermodal transit center.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051231/NEWS/512310315/1007/NEWS02 - GOP memo outlines loyalty requirements for potential candidates for legislative seats.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1135851703162660.xml&coll=2 – Hispanics file suit alleging that Hoover police and elected officials are trying to drive Hispanic population out of city through racial profiling, unlawful incarceration and illegal searches.

http://www.al.com/opinion/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1135851403162641.xml&coll=3 – Editorial calls for legislature to begin work to address funding hole in Medicaid in light of change in federal financial participation rate.

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1135779303269730.xml&coll=1 – GOP state chair’s commentary calls for state to return “surplus” to taxpayers.

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1135779306269730.xml&coll=1 – Editorial urges legislature to insure that needs of state are “fully met” with potential surplus in ETF.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/051229/king.shtml - Attorney General King responds to criticism by Christian Coalition on gambling issues, accuses John Giles of ‘grandstanding.”

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051229/OPINION01/512280358/1012/OPINION - Editorial on balancing safety requirements in day care with affordability, calls for state to increase investment in subsidized child care.

FROM TODAY’S ANNISTON STAR:

EDITORIALS

Accountability: Lost in the woods

In our opinion
12-29-2005

Although critics of state government like to throw around words like “accountability,” a recent report in the Mobile Register underscored the problems facing anyone bold enough to attempt to apply principle to practice.

In examining the record of the Alabama Forestry Commission, the Register found that over the last nine years the agency had given out around $2.6 million in grants to groups affiliated with commission members.

Moreover, the reporter learned that the grants were given largely at the discretion of the state forester and that there was no requirement that grants be brought before the commission for approval. On top of that, the auditing and reporting procedure was not being fully followed.

All of this came to light when the two newest members of the commission, both appointed by Gov. Bob Riley, began asking questions and suggesting changes. In response, the veteran members of the commission pushed through a rule that made it more difficult for the commission to fire the state forester and his deputy.

This might not have happened, and some semblance of order and accountability might be emerging from the mess, if the confirmation of two other Riley appointees had not been held up in the state Senate (probably by that pesky filibuster over opening donor records of lobbying groups). So there is little chance of anything being done until the governor submits new appointees and the Senate acts.

Now, we are not suggesting that the grants given out were not needed. The agencies that received them do good work on shoestring budgets. Nor are we suggesting that there is anything illegal being covered up by sloppy accounting and reporting. Like most state offices, the Forestry Commission is understaffed due to budget cuts.

However, the situation does not look good and it will not look better until the composition of the commission is changed and real accountability measures are in place and enforced.

Gov. Riley made a good start at this with his initial appointees. We urge him to consider like-minded individuals when he appoints again, and we hope the Senate will put the good of the state ahead of politics and vote them through.

Meanwhile, those who demand more accountability in state government should consider this a test case and watch the outcome closely.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1135765780137350.xml&coll=2 – State’s habitual offender law changed in 2000 in an attempt to reduce incarcerations for non-violent offenses, but has had little impact.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/051228/drug.shtml - Senior Rx, state’s program offering assistance in medication costs, reduces age for participation to 55 from 60.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051228/NEWS01/512280329/1007 - Millbrook offering tax rebates of $5 million to lure WalMart.

http://www.al.com/opinion/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1135678707242550.xml&coll=3 – Editorial urges state to plan for now for future health insurance costs liabilities.

http://www.al.com/opinion/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1135678715242550.xml&coll=3 – Editorial in support of proposed bill that would require public disclosure of membership and meetings of boards and commissions.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/051227/raises.shtml - Legislators in North Alabama say pay raises for teachers likely in upcoming session.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051227/NEWS/512270332/1050/OPINION01 - Editorial states that law on loss of voting privileges for convicted felons needs clarification.

http://www.al.com/opinion/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1135592195245470.xml&coll=3 – Editorial urges legislature to re-write state’s open records law to insure public’s access.

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1135592151245480.xml&coll=1 – Editorial in support of proposal to require information about state’s boards and their membership be made available to the public.

FROM TODAY’S ANNISTON STAR:

EDITORIALS

What really held up state Legislature

In our opinion
12-26-2005

Recent reports from Montgomery suggest that the coming legislative session will be largely free from contention.

And on what is this prediction based?

The fact that last year’s effort to remove Senate President Pro Tem Lowell Barron, D-Fyffe, from his leadership position will in all likelihood not be renewed. Members of the unique bipartisan anti-Barron coalition lack the votes and they know it. Besides, no one wants to treat the public to a session-disrupting fight during an election year.

According to Sen. Gerald Dial, D-Lineville, “We all want to get in, get the budgets worked out and get out of there.”

But recall that it was more than an effort to unseat Barron that tied up the Senate last year. The Senate ceased to function and the Legislature was forced into a special session when a group of Republican Senators filibustered and eventually killed a bill that would have required nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy groups to reveal the sources of their funding if they lobby for or against a piece of legislation.

Most advocacy groups already do this. The notable exception, and the leading lobbyist against the disclosure measure, was the Christian Coalition of Alabama. Although there were other issues involved in the filibuster, there was general agreement that without CCA opposition the measure would have passed easily and the Senate would have been able to finish its business on time.

That did not happen and the taxpayers of Alabama had to pay for a special session so that the legislators could do what legislators are elected to do.

This year, that same issue remains an unresolved roadblock to a successful session.

If the Christian Coalition continues to oppose efforts to require that nonprofit organizations involved in lobbying the legislature reveal their donors, and if that core of Republicans senators continues to oppose efforts to make government more open and accountable, there could be another filibuster and another embarrassing session.

To keep that from happening, senators who supported this secrecy should abandon their delaying tactics, allow an up-or-down vote on the bill and let some sunshine illuminate that little corner of the legislative process.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/051225/riley.shtml - Prison reform at top of governor’s Christmas wish list.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/051225/guesses.shtml - Political expert predicts that Riley will be reelected.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051224/APN/512240725&cachetime=5 – “God and country” issues likely to dominate 2006 session of Alabama Legislature.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051224/APN/512240723 - Alabama race for governor shaping up as must-see political event.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/bblalock.ssf?/base/opinion/1135505806111160.xml&coll=2 – Bob Blalock’s commentary on the campaign message of Roy Moore’s wife to “return morality to our country and God to our public square.”

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051223/APN/512230880&cachetime=5 – Alabama schools to receive $30 million in Katrina relief.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051223/APN/512230803&cachetime=5 – Congress rejects significant increase in energy aid; Alabama to $16.7 million for LIHEAP.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051223/APN/512230767&cachetime=5 – Christian Coalition’s John Giles says he’s “disappointed” in Troy King’s actions related to gambling.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051224/NEWS02/512240338/1009 - New proposal would create commission to negotiate fees for attorney representation of indigent defendants.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1135333209231580.xml&coll=2 – Editorial calls for Legislature to make Sentencing Commission reforms a priority in an effort to reduce prison overcrowding.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051223/NEWS02/512230360/1009 - Fair housing group says African American Katrina refugees face discrimination in Alabama, other states.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051223/OPINION01/512230302/1012/OPINION - Editorial on the impact of rising personal incomes in Alabama resulting in loss of federal funds for Medicaid.

http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1135246986162360.xml&coll=3&thispage=1 – Finance Director Jim Main says that Butts’ version of meeting about Ten Commandments Monument is only partially accurate; denies he stated that Houston Gorman had told him that the Supreme Court would order the monument moved after the removal of Moore.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/051222/pension.shtml - Retired public employees to seek 7% cost of living raise.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/051222b.shtml - Editorial critical of deficit cutting plan before Congress, calls to look at other options rather than cuts in programs for America’s low and middle income families.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051222/NEWS/512220329/1001 - Proposed Medicaid budget would hurt Alabama’s poor.

FROM TODAY’S ANNISTON STAR:

EDITORIALS

A new lease

In our opinion
12-22-2005

In recent years we have noted, far too frequently, how Alabama so often stands alone, or nearly alone, as a state that fails to pass legislation that would protect its citizens. Here is another to add to the list.

Only two states — Alabama and Arkansas — are without laws that define the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. As a result, Alabama and Arkansas renters often find themselves unable to get their landlords to make basic repairs and keep the living standards of the property up to code.

Why not? It can’t be too complicated. About half of the states have passed what is essentially the same law and they are pleased enough with the results. Why can’t we just do what they are doing?

Well, we almost did. Last year, the Alabama Law Institute drafted a landlord-tenant bill that actually made it out of a Senate committee — a first.

But it never came to a vote — a victim (like so many others) of filibustering Republicans determined to protect the donor list of their “non-partisan” public advocacy allies.

Would it have passed? Hard to say. As disappointed supporters of the legislation have pointed out, some 42 percent of our legislators recently disclosed that they own or invest in rental property — not much need for lobbying there. Still, having rental property does not automatically make one opposed to landlord-tenant legislation.

In 2006, we hope the landlord-tenant bill that almost reached a vote will be introduced again and that legislators will rise above personal, selfish interests to do what is fair for renters and owners alike.

Then Arkansas will be the only one.

EDITORIALS

Fat cats kept happy

In our opinion
12-22-2005

The Proud Alabama Conservative — a description we hear so often it ought to be trademarked — must be beaming today. His pledge to make the fat cats fatter received the Senate’s stamp of approval on Wednesday. Vice President Dick Cheney cut a Middle East tour short to come back to Washington and cast the deciding vote to reduce domestic spending by $40 billion over the next five years.

Think about it, Proud Alabama Conservatives (“Proud ACs,” for short), that’s a full one-half of 1 percent of the estimated $14.3 trillion the feds will spend in the next five years.

Hey, don’t forget the other bonus, the Proud Alabama Conservative says. The Congress in recent weeks approved almost $40 billion in more tax cuts that will primarily benefit the wealthiest Americans. This goes along with five years’ worth of tax breaks to keep the hefty felines full.

Cut government spending, the Proud ACs say, and his fellow Alabamians in Congress answer, “Yes, sir.” They love cutting government spending, generically speaking. The trick is cuts to domestic programs are done specifically, not generically.

Luckily for the Proud AC, he or she rarely contemplates the specifics of cutting government spending that goes to friends and neighbors. Keep your blinders on, Proud Alabama Conservative. Look away from the would-be college student no longer able to afford tuition. Ignore the senior citizen whose Medicare co-pay rises from $3 to $100.

The beloved fat cats, who are lovingly stroked by the White House and Republicans in Congress, need more Meow Mix.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/051221/appeals.shtml -  Autauga County District Judge enters race for seat on Court of Civil Appeals.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1135160980210670.xml&coll=2 – Suit filed over voting rights of felons.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1135160433210670.xml&coll=2 – Counties file court motion to declare Department of Corrections Commissioner in contempt of court for extended housing of inmates in county jails.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/rdemonia.ssf?/base/opinion/1135160373210670.xml&coll=2 – Robin DeMonia’s commentary on efforts to increase the number of women elected to state government positions.

http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1135160212210720.xml&coll=3 – Parties confirm that Roy Moore’s representatives suggested Riley use Alabama National Guard troops to prevent removal of Ten Commandments monument.

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1135160243210700.xml&coll=1 – Editorial commentary on Alabama ranking 43^rd in recent report on health status.

FROM TODAY’S ANNISTON STAR:

Christian Coalition has a bold proposal

In our opinion
12-21-2005

Recently, we noted editorially that the Christian Coalition of Alabama was one of a group of organizations that were not particularly interested in fully lifting the tax burden off our poor, nor overly concerned with efforts to fund services that would “provide all citizens the health, education, economic promotion and personal security a state should.”

John Giles, president of the CCA, responded with a letter that we published Monday.

In it Mr. Giles did not say, but strongly implied, that because the state had a $515 million dollar surplus in the Education Trust Fund (ETF) and a $34 million surplus in the General Fund, Alabama had more than enough money to do the things for its citizens that a state should do. What Mr. Giles did not point out is that some $269.9 million of the ETF surplus has already been allocated for the next fiscal year, so the real surplus (that remaining after what has been allocated is spent) is $265.2 million.

As for the General Fund, that surplus was generated by using more than $200 million in one-time money, which will not be there next year. That surplus will quickly disappear.

But we don’t want to quibble over how Mr. Giles reports his facts. Although Alabama’s coffers are not overflowing to the extent he said, $265.2 million is still a lot of money.

Instead, we want to underscore the bold proposal that John Giles made concerning how the state should use this surplus.

In his letter, he wrote that the CCA “supports lowering the income tax burden on low-income families,” and “proposes existing budget surpluses could make this a reality.”

Now there is an idea.

Take the surplus and give it to the poor in the form of tax relief. Gov. Bob Riley has suggested that the money be given back to “hardworking families,” and there are none working harder to get by than those making less than $20,000 a year.

In this holiday season, when want is felt more keenly and need becomes all the greater, it is heartwarming to see the leader of an organization committed to Christian principles come forward with such a plan.

We look forward to seeing this proposal prominently displayed on the CCA Web site (www.ccbama.org) as part of the organization’s legislative agenda for the coming year.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051220/NEWS02/512200335/1009 - Questions raised about grants made to members of Forestry Commission.

http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051220/NEWS/512200329/1011 - Candidates announce plans for race to fill late Rep. Starkey’s seat.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1134901178248970.xml&coll=2 – Editorial calls for court to maintain jurisdiction over DHR until agency can show that it has capacity to sustain improvements attained under RC decree.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1134901196248970.xml&coll=2 – The mother of an Alabama inmate urges legislature to have “courage to fix injustice of state’s habitual offender law.”

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1134901173248970.xml&coll=2 – Arise member John Meehan’s commentary on public transit in Alabama.

http://www.al.com/opinion/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1134901102248980.xml&coll=3&thispage=1 – Commentary on the need for energy assistance for Alabama’s poor.

http://www.al.com/opinion/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1134901073248980.xml&coll=3&thispage=2 – Editorial refers to Riley’s plan to return ETF surplus to taxpayers as “irrational exuberance.”  Suggests revenue to used for rainy day funds, for “transitional costs” for progressive tax reform.

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1134901192248960.xml&coll=1 – Huntsville Times editorial in support of Arise tax reform plan.

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/jehinger.ssf?/base/opinion/1134901070248960.xml&coll=1&thispage=1 – John Ehinger’s commentary on the talk about taxes in an election year.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/051218/health.shtml - Study ranks Alabama at the bottom in its ability to protect residents from major health threats.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/NEWS02/512180319/1009 - Alabama Democratic Conference wants more women to seek elective office.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/NEWS02/512180310/1009 - Federal budget discussions this weekend to impact Alabama’s low income families.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/NEWS/512180357/1007/NEWS02 - Riley’s plan to return ETF surplus to taxpayers finding little support.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/NEWS/512180335/1012/editorial1 - Editorial calls for “surplus” to go to education funding.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/NEWS/512170322/1013/EDITORIAL2 - “Alabama Exposure” Dana Beyerle’s weekly political column for the NYTimes regional papers.

http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/NEWS/512180327/1015/OPINIONS01 - Editorial supports call for increased gasoline taxes.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/113481451250420.xml&coll=2 – Editorial on the beginning of the election season – pay raises, tax cuts, feel good legislation.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051216/APN/512160901&cachetime=5 – Study reveals that Alabama students’ poor performance in math cannot be attributed just to poverty rate.

http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051217/NEWS/512170336/1011 - Governor to set special election to fill Rep. Starkey’s seat.

FROM TODAY’S ANNISTON STAR:

EDITORIALS

How about some details

In our opinion
12-17-2005

The campaign season is here. The Alabama primaries are less than six months away. Candidates for governor are traveling the state, meeting with potential supporters, raising money, putting out feelers and talking in glowing generalities about what they will do when they are elected.

And not telling voters much.

Over the next few months, we plan to point this out.

Already, we have challenged Roy Moore to tell us more about how he will deal with state problems, if elected. So far he hasn’t, but we haven’t given up hope.

Now it is Don Siegelman’s turn.

Last Saturday, the former governor and current candidate spoke to the New Alabama Voters League and in his comments gave a hint of what he wants to do if elected — only a hint.

We’d like more details.

For example, Siegelman told reporters that by closing tax loopholes used by “multinational corporations” the state could realize around $1 billion in new, much-needed revenue. He said much the same thing back when he was in office and the economy had tanked. Then and now, we are left in the dark over who these mysterious corporations are and where these loopholes exist. More than that, we wonder how, as governor, he could bring about these changes. Can he do it with the stroke of a pen or will he need to put together a coalition of legislators to get it done. What’s the plan?

He also wants a statewide lottery for education.

We have said before that we do not object to a lottery if it comes after installing a comprehensive program of tax reform that takes the burden off the poor and provides the revenue needed to adequately fund state services. But the only tax “reform” Siegelman spoke of was the loophole closing.

Is that all?

Oh, we forgot that he would take the state back to the less efficient and, believed by many illegal, system of appraising property every four to five years rather than annually. Perhaps he could explain why it is better to see a property tax bill jump 15 to 20 percent every four years than see it go up around 5 percent every year?

We have said before and we will say again: Don Siegelman is one of the most experienced politicians ever to sit in the governor’s office. With his experience, one can assume he has thought through these ideas he is pitching out.

We are just asking him to let us in on the details.

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