Sunday 12/31/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

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 [...]

Saturday 12/30/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1167473898252640.xml&coll=2 – Long-running DOT discrimination suit to come to end this weekend.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1167474081252640.xml&coll=2 – Secretary of State refuses to certify election of Sen. Larry Means (R-Attalla).

http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1167473791252660.xml&coll=3 – Suit filed to challenge election of Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile).

http://www.al.com/opinion/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1167473702252660.xml&coll=3Press-Register sees state senate “poised to [...]

Friday 12/29/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

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=2The Birmingham News says that [...]

Thursday 12/28/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

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=2The 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[...]

Wednesday 12/27/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

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=2The 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 [...]

Tuesday 12/26/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

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.shtmlThe Decatur Daily sees momentum building for increase in federal minimum wage.

[...]

Joy to You

manger

May you and your family enjoy all the joys of the season.

Monday 12/25/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116704187431640.xml&coll=2The New York Sun’s response to Virginia O’Hanlon’s question of whether there is a Santa Claus.  Merry Christmas!!

http://www.politicalparlor.net/sanders-senate-sketches/senate-sketches-1021/- Sen. Hank Sanders’ weekly column for his constitutents.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/116704190331640.xml&coll=2 – Article profiles efforts of DOT Director Joe McInnes to improve state’s highways.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/116704172231640.xml&coll=2 – Hoover [...]

Merry Christmas

ScaredofSanta30

I hope you and yours have a wonderful and merry Christmas!

Sunday 12/24/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

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 [...]

Saturday 12/23/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

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 [...]

Friday Fun: Christmas Edition

dot113

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 [...]

Friday 12/22/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

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=3Press-Register uses [...]

State Cited for Good Public Policy

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 [...]

Scott Beason Announcement

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 [...]

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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