BREAKING: ALFA Declines to Endorse…

I am hearing now from a solid source that ALFA has declined to endorse any candidate for Governor or Lt. Governor.

In 2002, the ALFA endorsed Republicans Bob Riley for Governor and Bill Armistead for Lt. Governor, but not this year. Lingering hard feelings over Riley’s Amendment One tax proposal in 2003 likely [...]

Sue Bell Cobb Ad Responds to Nabers’ Ad

Sue Bell Cobb has an ad that responds to Nabers’ ad…

So far I have not been getting many ads (particularly YouTube links) sent to me from the Republican side, which is disappointing. I think political ads are usually interesting and revealing, and I like running them.

swfobject.embedSWF(“http://www.youtube.com/v/aYOC9DtJKAg&rel=0&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=0″, “vvq-735-youtube-1″, “425″, “355″, “10″, vvqexpressinstall, vvqflashvars, vvqparams, vvqattributes);

10-Mill Bill Without Organized Opposition

Are you a little surprised that groups like Alfa, the Alabama Forestry Association, and the Organization Formerly Known As The Christian Coalition are not lining up in fierce opposition to Amendment Two, a.k.a. the 10-Mill Bill?

I expected to see angry, organized opposition to Amendment Two, but so far it has not happened.

Debate Roundup

I don’t have anything to add to what has already been said in the blogosphere regarding last night’s debates. (Confession: they are yet unseen on my Tivo.) Wade on Birmingham and Jeff at Politics in Alabama were live blogging the gubernatorial debate (Jeff also did lt. gov. and AG race [...]

Happy Halloween!

halloween

Tuesday 10/31/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162289806296080.xml&coll=2 – Candidates tout differences in gubernatorial debate.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162289948296080.xml&coll=2 – Strange, Folsom speak to different relationships with governor in their debate.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162290033296080.xml&coll=2 – King, Tyson argue over experience.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162289907296080.xml&coll=2 – Federal judge sets December hearing on objections to settlement of long-running higher ed desegregation suit.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1162289845296080.xml&coll=2The Birmingham News announces endorsements for state’s appellate courts, gives nod to Nabers in race for Chief Justice.

http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1162290085296120.xml&coll=3 – Group receives federal funds to build affordable housing for Katrina victims in Bayou la Batre.

http://www.al.com/opinion/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1162289862296120.xml&coll=3Press-Register criticizes Cato report giving Riley an F in fiscal policy.

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1162289813295930.xml&coll=1The Huntsville Times recommends reelection of Sue Schmitz in House District 6 and Randy Hinshaw in House District 21.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/NEWS/610310355/1007/NEWS02 – Riley and Baxley both plan to spend last days of campaign on the road.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061030/APN/610301450 – Secretary of State’s office owes about 24 counties reimbursement for equipment purchases made to implement HAVA.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061030/APN/610301266 – Nabers says he is not participating in Exxon appeal case.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061030/APN/610301376 – Proponents pushing 10 mill measure for education.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/NEWS/610310305/1012/editorial1The Tuscaloosa News endorses Chapman in race for Secretary of State.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/NEWS/610310306/1012/editorial1- The Tuscaloosa News endorses Ivey for State Treasurer, Shaw for State Auditor, Sparks for Agriculture Commissioner, and Rice and Parker for PSC seats.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/061031a.shtml -The Decatur Daily endorses Ivey in race for State Treasurer.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/061031b.shtmlThe Decatur Daily endorses Shaw in race for State Auditor.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/061031c.shtmlThe Decatur Daily endorses Sparks for Agriculture Commissioner.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/NEWS/610310340/1050/OPINIONThe Gadsden Times calls for further improvement in state’s open records law.

http://www.thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=8043f392ee71bff7 – Plant closure could have “devastating” impact on Stevenson.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/NEWS02/610310341/1009 – House District 88 pits veteran legislator against activist who espouses “Southern ideals.”

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/OPINION01/610300344/1012/OPINION – The Montgomery Advertiser urges voters to approve local home rule.

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2006/as-editorials-1031-editorial-6j30u2753.htm – The Anniston Star say Alabama is a “no-party state.”

FROM TODAY’S ANNISTON STAR:


State & Region News


Education officials say Amendment 2 is necessary to improve school funding

By Brian Lyman
Star Capitol Correspondent
10-31-2006

MONTGOMERY — State education officials Monday argued for the passage of Amendment 2, saying the legislation on next week’s ballot is needed to bring fairness and equity to funding for state schools.

“We know citizens understand the value of paying for something that’s important for them,” Alabama schools Superintendent Joe Morton said at a press conference Monday afternoon. “They understand the value of national defense, the value of police protection, the value of fire protection, and they understand the value of paying for schools. And that’s what Amendment 2 does.”

Continue reading “Tuesday 10/31/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST”

Bloggered

Blogger is being Blogger which means it’s being a pain. Blogger wouldn’t update the blog yesterday, and then it finally threw up three copies of the Sunday Daily News Digest.

Won’t let me do much of anything. This post may make it up since it is an email update, and G’s [...]

Monday 10/30/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162203647259860.xml&coll=2 – Medicare Part D recipients to have more options next year.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162203487259860.xml&coll=2 – Debate for major constitutional offices scheduled for tonight.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162203528259860.xml&coll=2 – Campaigns plan to flood television airways between now and election day.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1162203418259860.xml&coll=2The Birmingham News endorses Tyson in AG race, Chapman in [...]

Sunday 10/29/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/116211773036710.xml&coll=2 – Major gubernatorial candidates each offering different tax cut strategies.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116211764936710.xml&coll=2The Birmingham News endorses Riley in race for governor.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116211759736710.xml&coll=2The Birmingham News endorses Strange in race for lt. governor.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116211806636710.xml&coll=2 – With the governor’s race all but decided, UAB professor identifies four [...]

Saturday 10/28/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162027182127180.xml&coll=2 – Article profiles advertisement strategy and its effectiveness in this year’s state campaigns.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162026935127180.xml&coll=2 – Former U.S. Attorney General Ashcroft endorses Strange for lt. governor during campaign visit.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162027092127180.xml&coll=2 – Baxley campaigns on promises to end annual property tax reappraisals

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162026957127180.xml&coll=2 – Folsom says he won’t [...]

More on Terri Willingham Thomas

Republican Terri Willingham Thomas is running against Democrat Jim McFerrin for Place 3 of the Court of Civil Appeals.

The Huntsville Times has endorsed Jim McFerrin over Terri Willingham Thomas.

The Decatur Daily has endorsed Jim McFerrin over Terri Willingham Thomas.

But Judge Terri Willingham Thomas is claiming on the front [...]

Local Conflict

I love a good story.

The race for Probate Judge Place 1 in Jefferson County between Republican former state representative Mark Gaines and Democrat Alan King started interesting and is getting more so. (Here is a good introduction to the story from Bob Archibald of The Birmingham News.) Gaines is the incumbent after [...]

Terri Willingham Thomas In the News

You may remember Terri Willingham Thomas, the Republican Candidate for Alabama Court of Civil Appeals with family ties to white supremacist groups (whose beliefs she has never repudiated).

She is in the news again, this time for proclaiming on her web site and for claiming in a campaign brochure that she [...]

Last Day to Register to Vote

A reminder: today is the last day to register to vote in time to vote in the Nov. 7 election.

Forum’s Question of the Day – Friday

Some discussions do a little better in the format over at the new forum rather than in the comments for a post that will soon scroll off the front page.

It is not the highest profile race out there, but some are watching it closely.

The Question of the Day over in the [...]

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.

[...]

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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