Thursday 3/29/2007 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – Legislators considering size of bond issue for schools’ capital needs, split between higher ed and k-12.

Press-Register – House committee adopts bill to keep presidential primary on February 5th, but allows Mobile and Baldwin counties to conduct early voting so as not to interfere with Mardi Gras.

Press-Register – Press-Register calls for legislature to enact Riley’s proposed tax cut plan.

Huntsville Times – Medicaid commissioner tells budget committee that advocating for program expansion “not my job.”

Huntsville Times – The Huntsville Times comments on reports that Rep. Ken Guin (D-Carbon Hill) is earning $150,000 from state sources reveals a need for constitutional reform to prevent such “double-dipping.”

Tuscaloosa News – Riley expects proposal to prohibit legislators from working in community college system to be filed this week.

Tuscaloosa News – Hundreds of adults with disabilities lobby legislators to end waiting list for services.

Tuscaloosa News – State’s schools using over 1300 portable classrooms.

Tuscaloosa News – The Tuscaloosa News urges Senate to move quickly to enact House-approved ban on pass-through appropriations.

Anniston Star – The Anniston Star states that the Alabama does not have “an illegal immigrant problem” and urges legislators to put package of bills aimed at nondocumented immigrants “on a back burner.”

Times Daily – The Times Daily calls for state to take action to decrease income tax liability for low-income families.

Times-Journal – Barron urges reform of payday loan industry, says placing transactions under Small Loan Act is not the answer.