Sunday 12/18/2005 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

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.