Alabama Politics in
Doc’s Political Parlor
& Home of Lawn Mower Repair

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/11726551123410.xml&coll=2 - Industrial incentive bill gains quick committee approval in special session.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/11726544303410.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News questions appeal in long-running child welfare case.

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/1172658363269110.xml&coll=3 - Debate begins today on industrial incentive measure.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1172657821268850.xml&coll=1 - Student’s documentary tells the story of Alabama’s constitution.

http://www.dailyhome.com/opinion/2007/dh-editorials-0228-0-7b27v2101.htm - The Daily Home praises the quick committee action in special session to approve incentives funding.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070228/OPINION01/702280330/1012/OPINION - The Montgomery Advertiser says that the proposal to create trust funds to pay for future health insurance for public retirees “must be passed.”

http://www.dothaneagle.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=DEA%2FMGArticle… - The Dothan Eagle sees continuing delays in the state’s implementation of HAVA requirements as “embarrassing.”

http://www.selmatimesjournal.com/articles/2007/02/28/news/local/news%201277.txt - Selma preparing for visits by presidential candidates Clinton, Obama.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070228/NEWS/702280322/1012/TL05 - The Tuscaloosa News calls for legislature to fill gaps left by federal funding cuts to programs fighting poverty.

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2007/as-editorials-0228-editorial-7b27u2136.htm - The Anniston Star is disappointed that toilet paper, utilities and other basic needs are budgeted for schools on a contingency basis.

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Lt. Governor Jim Folsom marches with the parade of folks who support banning PAC-to-PAC transfers and says we’ll see legislation lowering the amount of unreported money that lobbyists can spend on legislators.

I’ve stated publicly and still am supportive of [legislation on PAC-to-PAC transfers]. I think we need to address that. You’re going to see legislation dealing I think with probably lower caps on entertainment expense - I’m supportive of that. I think that probably needs to be addressed. You can never have too much disclosure in public office. You can never have too much transparency. That’s really the key to it.

All good… and it gives me a chance to call your attention to the Goat Hill Gazette, a WSFA-TV blog that is covering this week’s special session.

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Related Articles:

• PAC-to-PAC Prediction
• Call to Arms

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/117256812431630.xml&coll=2 - Questions arise over incentive funds as special session gets underway.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/117256773531630.xml&coll=2 - Both ETF and General Fund expected to grow in FY08.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1172571323204170.xml&coll=1 - Chair of Legislature’s Contract Review Committee warns agencies not to bypass committee by contracting with universities.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070227/NEWS/702270340/1001 - GOP threatens fight if changes are made to committee that oversees economic development expenditures.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/070227/afford.shtml - State Finance Director says increased revenue from oil and gas severance taxes will allow increased bonded indebtedness.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/070227/bills.shtml - North Alabama legislators complain that special session is rushed, assert that more time needed to review complex legislation.

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2007/as-editorials-0227-editorial-7b26u2251.htm - The Anniston Star believes Democrats and Republicans can craft a better bipartisan budget than the one Bush has proposed.

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Political Parlor’s Alabama Line was created by insiders across the political spectrum who gave their takes on the 2008 U.S. Senate and U.S. House races, and the 2010 Governor’s race.

Considerable care went into thinking this through. Of course, your mileage may vary.

The plan is to update the Alabama Line when information becomes available that would change what is presented here.

So without further ado… here is the Alabama Line complete with odds of candidates winning these various races… (remarks on candidates are kept quite short so that the Alabama Line may also fit into the sidebar)…

(more…)

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http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/117248169291080.xml&coll=2 - Governors of Florida, Mississippi back Alabama’s efforts to lure huge steel manufacturing facility.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/117248150491080.xml&coll=2 - Legislature to convene today for special session, primarily to provide mechanism for funding huge incentives to lure steel plant to state.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/117248142391080.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News criticizes State Board of Education for their complaints against interim chancellor.

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/1172485058235590.xml&coll=3 - Governor’s commission to implement HAVA lags behind self-imposed schedule.

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/1172484997235590.xml&coll=3 - “The Political Skinny,” the Press-Register’s weekly roundup from Mobile, Montgomery and Washington.

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1172485001235700.xml&coll=1 - The Huntsville Times sees interim chancellor as “on the right track.”

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070226/NEWS/702260327/1001 - Hillary Clinton to join Obama for visits to Selma this week.

 http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070226/NEWS02/702260314/1009 - AP poll shows overwhelming support for ending annual property tax reappraisals.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070226/OPINION… - The Montgomery Advertiser calls for legislators to set aside political agendas and rivalries as special session begins.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070226/NEWS/702260332/1007/TL02 - Community Action Agencies to seek more money in regular session for anti-poverty programs.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070226/NEWS/702260342/1012/TL05 - The Tuscaloosa News reviews Alabama’s cuts in Bush’s proposed budget, calls for congressional delegation to work to insure funding for needed programs.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070226/NEWS/702260343/1012/TL05 - The Tuscaloosa News praises proposal by Sen. Bradley Byrne (D-Fairhope) to end payday lending in state.

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2007/as-editorials-0226-editorial-7b25w0538.htm - The Anniston Star believes the suggestion to give two-year colleges its own board may be a good one but that it will die in the legislature.

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http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/117239544572970.xml&coll=2 - Corts’ problems with Board of Education said to have begun almost immediately after he assumed interim chancellor’s position.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/117239530172970.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News calls for legislators to put aside partisan differences to enact needed legislation in special session.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/jkennedy.ssf?/base/opinion/117239500972970.xml&coll=2 - Joey Kennedy’s commentary on the decision by James Tucker, plaintiff counsel in long-running child welfare case, to appeal dismissal decision.

http://www.al.com/opinion/press-register/index.ssf?/base/opinion/117239913090890.xml&coll=3 - Press-Register calls for legislature to increase restrictions on young drivers in effort to improve state’s driving safety.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/117239903791130.xml&coll=1 - State Medicaid Agency accused of “money laundering” in new contract for lobbyist.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/070225/request.shtml - Decatur area lawmakers back proposals in special session.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070225/NEWS/702250339/1013/TL06 - “Alabama Exposure,” Dana Beyerle’s weekly political roundup for the NYTimes regional papers.

After the jump there are two stories from The Anniston Star with the headlines “2 Top Education Issues Up for Debate in Legislature” and “Riley Proposal Faces Obstacles.”

(more…)

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On the subject of the special session, the Alabama Senate Democratic Caucus is circulating a letter to the editor. (You may see it as early as tomorrow in some papers.)

Thanks to a reader, you may read the full text of the letter below or see the original here (pdf).

(more…)

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Related Articles:

• Waiting for His Call
• Special Session Has Call Waiting

Still no copy available of the official call for the special session.

At this writing, the first blurb on the Governor’s official web site is entitled “Governor Riley Calls Legislature into Special Session.” The body of the first blurb reads

Friday, February 23 - MONTGOMERY—Governor Bob Riley has called the legislature into a special session. The special session will begin Monday, February 26, at 5:00 p.m.

and it is followed with a link to the “Full Story.”

If you click on that link, you are taken to the press release which has exactly the same text - not one word more.

That appeared on the Governor’s website yesterday,

From my email inbox: “Still no copy of the official Call, which would include the Governor’s determination that an ‘extraordinary occasion demands the convening of the Alabama legislature’ along with the issues to be considered.”

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Related Articles:

• Special Session Has Call Waiting

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/11723088488770.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News suggests that state follow the lead of Minnesota in developing a merit selection process for judges to replace partisan elections.

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/1172312321261150.xml&coll=3 - U.S. Senators from Mississippi, Florida join colleagues from Alabama to urge Mobile as site for huge steel manufacturing plant.

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/1172312157261150.xml&coll=3 - Democratic legislators want more information on proposal to increase borrowing authority for industrial development by $400 million.

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/1172312209261150.xml&coll=3 - Governor to set special meeting for State Board of Education to discuss concerns over leadership of Interim Chancellor Tom Corts.

http://www.al.com/opinion/press-register/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1172312181261150.xml&coll=3 - Press-Register calls for Rep. Yvonne Kennedy (D-Mobile) to step down as president of Bishop State Community College.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/070224/measure.shtml - AP poll shows that majority of legislators support constitutional amendment declaring the life begins at conception.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070224/NEWS/702240350/1001 - U.S Rep Artur Davis (D) says he is considering run for governor in 2010.

http://www.dothaneagle.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=DEA%2FMGArticle%2FDEA_BasicArticle… - Major Daleville employer announces plan to shut down.

http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070224/NEWS/702240312/1015/OPINIONS - The Times Daily endorses measures that would give Medicaid recipients increased choices in services received.

http://www.thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=edb3a694abf4b554 - Jackson County legislators Barron and Robinson differ on importance of special session.

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In the back of the shop, the usual crowd was gathered around an old Evinrude 2-cycle that Doc had pulled apart, when talk came around, as it often does, to politics. Lots of jawing over many days, lots of input from people across the political spectrum, and pretty soon they figured that they’d answered some pretty good questions.

• What are the odds that Jeff Sessions will be re-elected?
• Who is the odds-on favorite right now to be the next Republican nominee for governor? And the Democratic nominee?
• What are the odds that …say… Beth Chapman will be the next governor? Or Mike Dow? Or your favorite candidate?
• Who are the four candidates figured to be tied at 14-1 odds?

Answers to all that and more… coming here on Monday. Don’t miss it.

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Editorials across the state are supportive of the news that last week Governor Riley called a special session (beginning this Monday) reportedly to deal with incentives to lure industries and jobs to Alabama and to “create irrevocable trusts to pay billions in health care costs for retired teachers and state workers.”

Special sessions may deal only with the agenda items specifically mentioned in the call. (Editor’s Note: Not exactly. See update below.) What specifically is in the Governor’s call? We don’t yet know for sure.

One lobbyist told me that the Governor’s Press Office told him this week, days after press reports about the special session being called, “that the call has not yet been issued, but would be at a ‘later date.’” While copies of proclamations for other special sessions have been available beforehand, the lobbyist could not get one at last check yesterday. Says he, “It does give the Governor lots of flexibility to slide issues other than those reported in the newspapers into the call at the last minute.”

For whatever reason, the details of the special session have been slow to come together. I have heard reports that many legislators learned of the upcoming special session from lobbyists and others who knew more about it than they did.

Update: Matters that are in the call for the special session require a simple majority in each chamber to pass. (Plus, there is no BIR.) Matters that are not in the call may be taken up but they require a 2/3 vote in each chamber to pass. Except, in either case, if we are talking about a constitutional amendment, which requires a 3/5 vote to pass.

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http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1172222638290070.xml&coll=2 - State Board of Education delays discussion of Interim Chancellor at request of Governor.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1172222638290070.xml&coll=2 - Rep. Artur Davis (D) says nation’s health crisis growing.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1172222545290070.xml&coll=2 - Plaintiff’s appeal court’s decision to end long-running child welfare case.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/070223.shtml - The Decatur Daily calls for the Board of Education to support Interim Chancellor.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070223/NEWS02/702230326/1009 - AP poll shows bond issue for school construction has broad support among legislators.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070223/OPINION01… - The Montgomery Advertiser calls for state to pursue sentencing reform in effort to reduce growing prison population.

http://www.dothaneagle.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=DEA%2FMGArticle%2FDEA_BasicArticle… - Rep. Terry Spicer (D-Elba) files bill to increase law enforcement officers in schools.

http://www.oanow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=OAN%2FMGArticle%2FOAN_BasicArticle… - Opelika-Auburn News opposes proposed increase in gasoline tax.

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2007/as-editorials-0223-editorial-7b22u5440.htm - The Anniston Star agrees with Dr. Thomas Corts that the two-year college system should have a separate board, but predicts the messenger may be shot.

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2007/as-editorials-0223-editorial-7b22u5508.htm - The Anniston Star believes that “if anything’s worth spending money on, [education] is certainly it.”

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2007/as-columns-0223-jevanscol-7b22v0003.htm -The Rev. James Evans writes about the issue of restoring felons’ right to vote from a theological perspective.

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 http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1172135798108060.xml&coll=2 - State Board of Education members question leadership of Interim Chancellor.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1172135944108060.xml&coll=2 - Victims’ advocate testifies before grand jury investigating former community college chancellor.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1172135730108060.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News agrees with Interim Chancellor’s suggestion that the state needs a separate board to oversee community college system.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1172136132108060.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News praises the action of Circuit Judge Association in calling for new state constitution.

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/1172139593302280.xml&coll=3 - Alabama would take big losses in Bush’s proposed budget.

http://www.al.com/opinion/press-register/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1172139354302280.xml&coll=3 - Press-Register calls for legislators to “put brakes” on proposed gasoline tax increase.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070222/NEWS/702220347/1001 - Sen. Bradley Byrne (R-Fairhope) plans bill to end payday lending in state.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070221/NEWS/102210002/1001 - Articles looks at the number of payday loan locations in Montgomery.

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http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1172054078189410.xml&coll=2 - Interim chancellor wants new board to oversee community colleges.

http://www.politicalparlor.net/sanders-senate-sketches/senate-sketches-1029/ - “Senate Sketches,” the weekly column by Sen. Hank Sanders (D-Selma) to his constituents.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1172053736189410.xml&coll=2 - Groups receive $7.3 million to combat homelessness in Birmingham metro area.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1172054262189410.xml&coll=2 - Riley pushes plan to increase borrowing capacity for economic development during stop at Mercedes facility.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1172054256189410.xml&coll=2 - Presidential contender Obama plans visit to Selma next month.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1172053338189410.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News calls for state to copy new plan of federal district court to insure adequate representation for indigent defendants.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1172053206189380.xml&coll=1 - Riley endorses candidate in House District 22 race.

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1172053181189380.xml&coll=1 - The Huntsville Times comments that even with strong growth, the state’s budgets cannot meet all the demands expected during regular session.

http://www.dailyhome.com/opinion/2007/dh-editorials-0221-0-7b20v3638.htm - The Daily Home calls for legislators to “act responsibly” when considering how to use expected windfall from off-shore drilling.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070221/NEWS02/702210381/1009 - State employees join teachers in seeking 7% pay hike.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070221/OPINION01/702210339/1012/OPINION - The Montgomery Advertiser cautions lawmakers to avoid temptation to raid rainy day accounts.

http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070221/NEWS/702210334/1011 - Rep. Tammy Irons (D-Florence) to push measure to provide Medicaid recipients more choices for long-term care.

http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070221/NEWS/702210303/1015/OPINIONS - The Times Daily endorses proposal to raise hunting and fishing license fees.

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2007/as-editorials-0221-editorial-7b20u4310.htm - The Anniston Star urges legislators to use potential billions from offshore drilling as law intended.

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I’ve received a report that Don Webster, 2nd place finisher in the HD 22 Democratic primary, endorsed GOP nominee Wayne Johnson for the March 6 special election at a campaign event tonight in Maysville.

Don Webster finished second to Butch Taylor in the Democratic primary. Taylor was a few votes shy of winning an outright majority, but Webster withdrew from the race and a Democratic primary run-off was avoided.

Though Webster finished a distant second in the Democratic primary with barely 25% of the vote, he received about as many votes as the entire Republican field.

I’m told that Webster and Johnson are long-time friends.

The HD 22 seat became open when Rep. Albert Hall died five days after being re-elected in November.

Thanks to reader Jay.

Update: Here is The Huntsville Times story on this.

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Related Articles:

• HD 22 Runoff Run Off
• HD 22 by the Numbers
• On HD 22