Posted by During the summer state politics usually dulls into silence. This is a time when most people, even those of us who really keep up with all the insider talk, are just doing other things that most normal people are doing like vacationing, back to school, etc. This summer has been no exception in Alabama except for two particular subjects. First everyone inside and outside of the state capitol have had strong opinions one way or another about the current two year school issue. The second issue that is now starting to creep into more and more talks is whether or not Governor Riley will call a special session this fall.
A special session is limited in time and what can be brought up for a vote without a super majority vote. This gives the Governor a great deal of leeway in determining what will and will not be discussed in these sessions.
For the most part I have always been against special sessions. I just feel like every time we are in Montgomery the people are not safer by any stretch of the imagination- usually. While I have no idea whether or not the Governor will call us into session I think he would be right if he did. The idea of holding a special session on ethics and just putting those bills that both parties campaigned on in the most recent election seems to be a fair deal for the taxpayers. If both parties really do support returning to property re-appraisals every four years well now is an opportunity to vote on this issue without it getting “bogged down behind other procedural issues.” Granted re-appraisals wouldn’t actually fall into the category of ethics legislation, it is a good example of legislation that both parties have pushed for. In other words if we’re for it there will be no excuse not to vote for these bills in a session where no budget delays occurred.
While I do not think a special session should include new material that has not been previously discussed, why shouldn’t we take a vote on the floor of the House and Senate to determine where everyone stands on PAC to PAC transfers? If both parties have campaigned on an ethics issue in their party platform why not put it to a vote of the legislature?
While these are just a couple of issues that would be considered in a special session I believe they highlight the sort of agenda that would make for real productivity if a session were called. Governor Riley should call a special session and we should get in and get our work done then come home.
Legislative Dispatch
Purple Dot Connection
2010 Big List
2010 Senate Elections
2010 House Elections
Press Releases
Legislators who list on their financial disclosure form with Alabama Ethics Commission employment with a public entity during 2006:
* Sen. Linda Coleman, D-Birmingham: American with Disabilities compliance officer, city of Birmingham.
* Sen. Larry Dixon, R-Montgomery: executive director Alabama Board of Medical Examiners.
* Sen. Rusty Glover, R-Semmes: teacher, Mobile County public schools.
* Sen. Jimmy Holley, D-Elba: coordinator for continuing education, Troy University.
* Sen. Quinton Ross, D-Montgomery: director of adult education, Trenholm Technical College, Patterson campus.
* Rep. Alan Boothe, D-Troy: director of local government relations, Troy University.
* Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham: director of economic and community development, city of Bessemer.
* Rep. Priscilla Dunn, D-Bessemer: homeless education coordinator, city of Bessemer.
* Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa: city attorney, city of Tuscaloosa.
* Rep. Blaine Galliher, R-Rainbow City: director of business and industry, Gadsden State Community College.
* Rep. Betty Carol Graham, D-Alexander City: vice president, Central Alabama Community College.
* Rep. Todd Greeson, R-Ider: administrative coordinator for business and industry, Athens State University.
* Rep. Ken Guin, D-Carbon Hill: works for Bevill State Community College; also worked for Shelton State Community College in 2006.
* Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville: administrator, Calhoun Community College, Decatur.
* Rep. Alan Harper, D-Aliceville: director of economic development, city of Aliceville.
* Rep. Randy Hinshaw, D-Meridianville: program director, Central Alabama Skills Consortium, Southern Union Community College.
* Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery: instructor, Alabama State University.
* Rep. Ralph Howard, D-Greensboro: instructor, Shelton State Community College.
* Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville: educator, Alabama Southern Community College.
* Rep. Yvonne Kennedy, D-Mobile: president Bishop State Community College (retired in 2007).
* Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery: director of communications and public affairs, Alabama State University.
* Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Capshaw: probation officer, city of Huntsville.
* Rep. Mike Millican, D-Hamilton: employed Bevill State Community College.
* Rep. Neal Morrison, D-Cullman: administrator, Wallace State Community College, Hanceville.
* Rep. Jack Page, D-Gadsden: community and external affairs liaison, Gadsden State Community College.
* Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham: director of minority affairs, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
* Rep. Sue Schmitz, D-Toney: employed CITY Skills Training Consortium, a part of two-year college system. Left her position in October, 2006.
* Rep. Terry Spicer, D-Elba: assistant to president, Enterprise-Ozark Community College.
* Rep. James Thomas, D-Selma: principal Wilcox-Central High School, Camden.
* Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris: Birmingham police sergeant.
* Rep. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster: director of economic development, city of Alabaster.
* Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee: director of economic development, Trenholm State Technical College.
* Rep. Henry White, D-Athens: elementary school principal, Limestone County.
Personally I think we should consider term limits as well. I know there are some good people in the legislature but for the most part I think term limits would solve a lot of our problems.
Why not give the ethics commission more power? We have seen cases like Hank Sanders and others who continue to break the law but are browbeaten by the legislature into doing nothing. Why not give the ethics commission more power to enforce the laws that we have on the books.
The Ethics Commission ruled in favor of Hank Sanders. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty?
A special session on ethics would be entertaining, especially if confined to those items everybody thinks is a good idea. We would then see a bipartisan effort to commend the sky for being blue, mothers for making pecan pie, and so on until the clock runs out.
Oh and by the way, medals for bravery to Sen. Shelby and Rep. Cramer for exposing themselves to hostile fire in Iraq.
Actually Walt my favorite is the “God Bless America” car tag. Of course considering how the regular session ended we might could even screw that up!!!
A couple of weeks exchanging ideas about the exact tint for Sen. Shelby and Rep. Cramer’s Brown Trousers Awards might be an enlightening example of bipartisan legislating.
Considering the way the senate ended the regular session, maybe that boxing commission bill someone introduced should be included in the governor’s call.
Walt, THAT was funny. I about spit my coffee when I read that post.