http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/116756067436180.xml&coll=2 - Interim chancellor faces tough challenge in cleaning up community college system.
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/116756033836180.xml&coll=2 - Chancellor, Board considering changes in community college system structure during next legislative session.
http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116756059236180.xml&coll=2 - Commentary by Arise’s Jim Carnes on the need for state action to fund public transportation.
http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116756095736180.xml&coll=2 - Former board member of Birmingham-Jefferson transit offers commentary on the need for stable and adequate funding for regional transportation programs.
http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/116756048236170.xml&coll=1 - New PARCA study confirms that Alabama’s taxes remain lowest in the nation.
http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116756018436170.xml&coll=1 - The Huntsville Times says that action, or inaction, by legislature justify the amount of coverage news media provides.
http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061231/NEWS/612310327/1015/OPINIONS - The TimesDaily sees the opportunities for bipartisan state senate leadership as a good thing.
http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2006/as-insight-1231-editorial-6l29t3454.htm - The Anniston Star has specific wishes in 2007 for local, state, and national groups and individuals.
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http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1167387994276300.xml&coll=2 - Program designed to increase the number of physicians in rural areas of state reaping rewards.
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1167387757276300.xml&coll=2 - Death penalty sentences down in U.S., but increase in Alabama.
http://www.al.com/business/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/business/1167387921276300.xml&coll=2 - Motions seeking new trial filed in Siegelman case.
http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1167387820276300.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News says that Alabama has a long journey to make state’s tax system fairer.
http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061229/NEWS/612290311/1050/OPINION - The Gadsden Times calls for 2007 legislature to take action to end PAC-to-PAC transfers and to limit unreported spending by lobbyists.
http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2006/as-editorials-1229-editorial-6l28s4507.htm - The Anniston Star thanks those involved in giving 9300 acres along the Perdido River to the people of Alabama.
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http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/116730137710100.xml&coll=2 - State 4th lowest in percentage of women in legislature.
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/116730146910100.xml&coll=2 - Bipartisan group pledges to support Preuitt in race for Senate pro tem.
http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116730144510100.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News calls for increase in cigarette taxes and more funding for programs to discourage smoking.
http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/116730127010110.xml&coll=3 - New alleged juror emails surface from Siegelman trial, attorney plans to ask court to set date to consider motion for new trial.
http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/116730102710040.xml&coll=1 - Preuitt says that GOP will have some committee chairmanships in new Senate.
http://www.dailyhome.com/opinion/2006/dh-editorials-1228-0-6l27v3052.htm - The Daily Home complains about inequity in allocation of federal resources for education for low-income children.
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061228/OPINION01/612280312/1012/OPINION - The Montgomery Advertiser supports efforts by Corrections Commissioner to increase salary of prison staff in order to attract and retain employees.
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http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1167215394194340.xml&coll=2 - Schools system impacted by new revenue as a result of passage of Amendment One consider how additional revenue will be utilized.
http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1167214578194340.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News calls for the Public Service Commission to determine why price for natural gas exceeds that of our neighboring states.
http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1167214973194350.xml&coll=3 - Bayou la Batre receives $15.6 million grant to build affordable housing.
http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/061227a.shtml - The Decatur Daily says that state’s new landlord-tenant law is an example that “politics can work.”
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061227/NEWS/612270336/1012/editorial1 - The Tuscaloosa News speaks out in support of equal pay in light of new report that shows female college graduates are loosing ground to their male peers.
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http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1167128178183300.xml&coll=2 - Portable clinic provides health screenings for over 12,000 children in state.
http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1167128215183300.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News comments on the failure of Jefferson and Shelby counties to meet new EPA air quality standards.
http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/061226a.shtml - The Decatur Daily sees momentum building for increase in federal minimum wage.
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061226/NEWS/612260329/1007/NEWS02 - Costs of Katrina related waste expected to ballon next year as focus of investigation shifts from fraudulent claims for assistance to no-bid government contracts.
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May you
and your family
enjoy
all the joys
of the season.
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I hope you and yours have a wonderful and merry Christmas!
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http://www.al.com/business/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/business/1166955677184540.xml&coll=2 - Alabama seeing big increase in home foreclosures, trend expected to continue.
http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/elard.ssf?/base/opinion/1166955784184540.xml&coll=2 - Eddie Lard’s commentary offers a Christmas list of state policy decisions that would improve the lives of low-income Alabamians.
http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1166955740184370.xml&coll=3 - New York’s Innocence Project says that DNA tests have freed 188 prisoners wrongly convicted.
http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1166955639184370.xml&coll=3 - State fights efforts to gain DNA testing for convicted rapist who says it will prove him innocent.
http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1166955695184360.xml&coll=1 - Ethics Commission director says Attorney General not pursuing cases.
http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061224/cobb.shtml - Incoming chief justice outlines plan for non-partisan judicial elections.
http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061224/giles.shtml - John Giles’ tenure as leader of Alabama’s Christian Coalition comes to end next week.
http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061224/phone.shtml - PSC expands eligibility for programs that help provide telephone services access to low-income consumers.
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061224/OPINION01/612240301/1012/OPINION - The Montgomery Advertise calls for pay raises for teachers to be linked to classroom performance.
http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2006/as-letters-1224-0-6l23t1727.htm - Dr. Randy Brinson (of Redeem the Vote and the new head of the Alabama Christian Coalition) writes that Christian evangelicals can see government as an instrument of good.
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http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/116686895898340.xml&coll=2 - U.S. Rep. Bacchus (R) lands top ranking minority position on House banking committee despite others with more seniority.
http://www.al.com/business/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/business/116686890398340.xml&coll=2 - State’s jobless rate for November ties October record.
http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061223/worley.shtml - Riley aide criticizes Secretary of State Worley, blames her for delays in certification of November’s election results.
http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061223/pay.shtml - State Supreme Court says that expenses for office overhead must be paid as part of costs for representing indigent defendants.
http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2006/as-editorials-1223-editorial-6l22t0628.htm - Editorial Christmas rhyme at The Anniston Star calls for new constitution.
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Merry Christmas…
- I have no doubt that our own cultural traditions are probably odd to other people, but as Christmas traditions go, this may be about as odd as it gets. (If you want the full effect, the accompanying slide show may be worthwhile.) Thanks to a friend and reader.
- Did the reindeer Donder have some sort of the brush with the law that necessitated the change to Donner? Does Santa even do background checks? (Rudolph has a hoof in all this.)
- Prancer - clearly not as popular as other reindeer…. (Google Trends lets you compare search volumes for multiple terms.)
dasher 
prancer 
blitzen
I wish the best for you this season.
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http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1166793360185660.xml&coll=2 - Alabamians pay less for electrical service, more for natural gas than neighbors.
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1166793593185660.xml&coll=2 - National Guard delays start of program for at-risk youth to allow directors to attend training.
http://www.politicalparlor.net/sanders-senate-sketches/senate-sketches-1020/ - Sen. Hank Sanders’ weekly column for his constitutents.
http://www.al.com/opinion/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1166782672192950.xml&coll=3 - Press-Register uses the example of failed Prichard local amendment as an example of why the constitution should be amended to remove allowing one legislator’s negative vote to send measure to a statewide vote.
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061222/NEWS02/612220339/1009 - Dr. Randy Brinson takes over as chair of Alabama Christian Coalition, pledges bipartisan efforts.
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061221/APN/612213791 - Sen. Scott Beason (R-Gardendale) withdraws from race for chair of state GOP.
http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2006/as-editorials-1222-editorial-6l21t4523.htm - The Anniston Star connects the state’s unhealthy dependence on cigarettes to opposition to tax and constitution reform.
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The Montgomery Advertiser notes that Alabama “was among six states recognized for good public policy” in 2006 by the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy.
The Drum Major Institute for Public Policy highlighted the best and worst in public policy for the year and cited Alabama for its modest move toward tax fairness.
Until this year, Alabama was the only state in the nation that taxed the income of working families making less than $10,000 per year.
2006 changed that. New legislation makes the first $12,500 of income exempt from taxes for a family of four. Because it concentrated tax relief at the bottom, Alabama’s tax changes, however modest, delivered more help to working families in that state than the rubber stamp tax cuts, skewed to favor wealthy taxpayers, that are too often seen on the federal level.
Note that not only was Alabama “the only state in the nation that taxed the income of working families making less than $10,000 per year,” but a family of four started paying taxes in Alabama at an embarrassingly low $4,600 before this year’s change.
There is more to be done. Riley and others are talking about what more can be done to help low-income Alabamians in a state where the working poor still pay a larger percentage of their income in state and local taxes than they would in any other state.
But it’s a good start.
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Confirming the story Political Parlor broke here last night and that the Parlor foresaw last month, Politics in Alabama is reporting that Sen. Scott Beason (R - Gardendale) will not run for state Republican Party chairman.
Stay tuned to Political Parlor for more exclusives and breaking news.
Update: The Associated Press got a story out on it.
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