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

Well the session has finally, and mercifully, ended.  For me to say that I am glad that it’s over would be the understatement of the century.  There was more accomplished this session than I would have guessed a month ago. The Senate finally rose from the dead and helped push through several notable bills.

The budgets, which everyone agrees are our first priority, passed.

We passed a billion dollar bond issue for school construction.

There was additional funding provided to the Enterprise school system

There were additional incentives for ThyssenKrupp/ Muscle Shoals economic development.

We established a center for alternative fuels

We fixed the Presidential Preference Primary to allow early voting for the counties who celebrate Mardi Gras

And finally, there were pay increases for teachers and state employees.

Overall, my session was very successful, despite the Senate filibuster.  $750,000 was secured for studying seat belts on school buses. This was recommended by the committee that was commissioned to study the issue as a result of the Lee High School bus tragedy. I am an alumnus and represent the Lee High area so this was very important to me and for our area.  Both of my bills for economic development in the city of Huntsville were signed into law by the Governor. The Governor also signed my local TVA bill that will allocate funding for road improvements in Madison County.  This is the first significant funding step we have taken to address our road needs.

My disappointments are the usual and some new ones:

• The failure, by the Senate, to pass the PAC to PAC bill.  Both sides, the Governor’s coalition, as well as the Majority coalition, seemed to take turns killing this bill.

• My disclosure (Electioneering Communication) bill, which is a state version of McCain-Feingold federal law, also fell victim to the filibuster in the Senate.

• The failure to pass any illegal immigration bills. I tried a new approach this year but I got the bill in late. I’ll try again next year.  Note: We did pass a resolution, by Senator Scott Beason (R-Gardendale) to “study” the issue.

• The Governor vetoing several local bills including other counties TVA bills and, curiously, the Governor vetoed the ethics bill requiring disclosure on lobbying no-bid contracts.