New State Law Promotes Open Government

Freshman Rep. Paul DeMarco (R – Homewood) gave us a good bill (that passed!) that promotes open government for the “more than 300 public bodies created by governor’s executive order or law, which have statewide jurisdiction or regional jurisdiction.” Some of them control “millions of dollars” related to public issues, yet it could [...]

Cullman Condemns Property in Good Hope

Can one municipality use eminent domain to condemn land that actually lies within the bounds of another township? Apparently it can.

Just over two years ago, [Cullman] reportedly approached the Hoenigs, whose property actually lies within the township of Good Hope, about the possibility of running a sewer line across their property to [...]

First 14 States Finish Legislative Sessions

Stateline.org has a review of the work of the first 14 state legislatures (including Alabama’s) who have completed their sessions. While it said Alabama had “one of its most productive legislative sessions in recent history,” you might be more interested to see what the other states are doing.

Sunday 4/30/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/114638888359910.xml&coll=2 – This provides a  listing of all contributions of $250 or more to the candidates running for governor.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/114638872059910.xml&coll=2 – Immigration advocates hope that Monday’s planned activities will reflect economic contributions of Hispanic community.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/114638893659910.xml&coll=2 – A glossary of major Alabama PACs.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/114638867759910.xml&coll=2 – Siegelman trial set to [...]

Republicans’ Uphill Climb to Take State House

Over one-third of House races in the state do not have a Republican candidate. AP Story:

Republicans had promised a major effort to wrest control of the Legislature from Democrats, but left Democrats unchallenged in a number of races across the state, which could derail the GOP goal. Republicans have candidates in 69 [...]

Hyundai Boss Arrested

Barely one week after after the first Santa Fe SUV rolls off the production line in the Montgomery Hyundai plant, Hyundai’s chief is arrested in South Korea.  He and Hyundai “are accused of creating slush funds to pay politicians and officials for business favors.”

Via Poliblog.

Spending Millions to Save Billions

Birmingham News picking up on the “stealth campaign by super wealthy to repeal estate tax” reported below:

“This long-running, secretive campaign funded by some of the country’s wealthiest families has relied on deception to bamboozle the public,” said Joan Claybrook, president of Public Citizen.

In another article this morning the Birmingham [...]

Saturday 4/29/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1146302479262680.xml&coll=2 – Baxley oppose annual property tax appraisal, says she will return to four year cycle if elected.

http://www.al.com/business/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/business/1146302456262680.xml&coll=2 – Birmingham attorney leads lobbying effort to end “death tax” on nation’s wealthy families.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1146302137262680.xml&coll=2 – Editorial calls for continued court oversight in RC case.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060429/NEWS02/604290359/1009 – State Democrats, law [...]

How Many Days Do Alabamians Work to Pay Taxes?

Speaking of taxes, as we were

How many days of the year do Alabamians work to pay local, state and federal taxes? 101, according to the Tax Foundation.

Where do we rank on the list of what states work the most days to pay off their tax burdens? Last. (51st, including [...]

A Prayer for Tax Fairness

The Rev. Jim Evans is saying in an op-ed piece in today’s Anniston Star what Kimble Forrister of Alabama Arise, the Tuscaloosa News, others, and I have been saying. The recent tax reform legislation that Alabama passed is “important” and it is a “first step.”

Some highlights of his piece:

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Friday 4/28/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1146216332162180.xml&coll=2 – DOT late payments to Jefferson County transit programs results in threatened shutdown, County Commission commits $800,000 to keep service going.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1146216364162180.xml&coll=2 – Judge refuses to dismiss prison overcrowding case, refers to governor’s legal counsel’s arguments as “bizarre.”

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1146215894162180.xml&coll=2 – Governor signs bill moving 2008 presidential primary to [...]

Legislature Urges Removal of Restrictions on Cuba

File this under Things I Did Not Know.

Did you know that the Alabama legislature passed a resolution urging “the Congress of the United States to remove all trade, financial, and travel restrictions relating to Cuba?”

An AP story in the Times-Daily reports “Cuba has been under an American trade embargo for [...]

Thursday 4/27/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1146129807248200.xml&coll=2 – Moore attacks Riley on links between government decisions and political contributions to Riley campaign.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1146129402248200.xml&coll=2 – Alabama’s child restraint law to take effect July 1.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1146129436248200.xml&coll=2 – Commentary on state’s sales tax holiday, and cautions legislators and officials not to confuse that action with “real relief” for poor [...]

Stealth Campaign by Super Wealthy to Repeal Estate Tax

A newly-released report from Public Citizen and United for a Fair Economy tells of a “stealth campaign” of 18 super-wealthy families, including the family of Alabama’s Marguerite Harbert, to repeal the federal estate tax.

From the press release:

The report (PDF file) details for the first time the [...]

Wednesday 4/26/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/114604369115560.xml&coll=2 – Jefferson County Commission votes to join state tax holiday.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/114604361715560.xml&coll=2 – Moore tops Riley in most recent campaign contributions, but Riley still far outdistances his opponent in total contributions.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060426/NEWS02/604260319/1009 – Strange leads fund raising in lt. governor’s race.

http://www.oanow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=OAN/MGArticle/OAN_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1137835597331 – Auburn and Opelika likely to join [...]

Legislative Dispatch

A Look from the Rearview Mirror

This Thursday will mark the last day of the legislative Session.  For some, it was a Session that seemed would never end.  For others, it was one that ended much too quickly.  It may be early, yet, to write an obit on this Session, but as we approach the finish line, some perspective may be in order.

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Putting Students First

As you know, a very important piece of legislation will be presented for our consideration in the House tomorrow in Montgomery – Senate Bill 310 – the “Students First” tenure and fair dismissal reform bill. Like me, many House members have been inundated with phone calls and emails from opponents of this bill, and some have been [...]

Legislative Transparency

There are a lot of issues to debate before we begin the final days of this session. In fact, I am quite certain there will be some comments on this post debating many of them. Before we get into the last seven day of the session I wanted to bring up a topic that [...]


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