Anniston Star Column about the pain and glory of small town politics
Tuskegee Times Editorial covers a recent trip to Cuba and local political affairs
The Selma Times-Journal Comment on the first indication the city council plans to be open to voters
The Wetumpka Herald Column about George Wallace Jr, his past and his future
Birmingham News - House rejects Senate-passed version of ban on PAC-to-PAC transfers, bill headed to conference committee.
Birmingham News - Senate committee gives approval to bill that would greatly restrict smoking in public places.
Birmingham News - Postsecondary chancellor calls committee action on bill to give legislature authority over rules relating to two-year college system a “sham.”
Birmingham News - DHR, families clash over whether caseworker interviews should be recorded.
Birmingham News - Rep. Marcel Black (D-Tuscumbia) introduces bill that would allow electronic gambling at Birmingham and Mobile dog tracks, revenues earmarked for Medicaid.
Birmingham News - Rep. John Knight (D-Montgomery) pitches plan that would reduce income and sales taxes for families.
Birmingham News - The Birmingham News thinks decision to delay consideration of budgets is a good one.
Mobile Press-Register - Former president coming to Mobile to help build Habitat homes.
Huntsville Times - AEA played role in crafting Governor’s proposed education budget.
Montgomery Advertiser - State Board of Education likely to make changes to state’s high school graduation requirements.
Montgomery Advertiser - The Montgomery Advertiser views committee approval of measure to place postsecondary colleges rules under legislative authority as “retaliation” by double-dippers, urges legislative leadership to kill bill.
Anniston Star - The Anniston Star sees those failing to support call for constitutional convention as “all for democracy, so long as they think the vote will go their way.”
Decatur Daily - House approves measure that would fine contractors who knowingly hire illegal immigrants to work on state projects.
Tuscaloosa News - Summary of yesterday’s legislative action.
Tuscaloosa News - Montgomery businessman enters congressional race.
Times Daily - The Times Daily views proposal to give legislators authority over rule-making for community colleges as “going too far.”
Birmingham Business Journal - State’s auto industry payroll tops $5 billion.
(more…)
Tuesday marked a milestone for the Alabama Senate as the PAC-to-PAC Transfer Ban bill was finally passed. There were many much neeeded amendments that failed. I presented an amendment that would require political parties and caucuses to file 40 to 50 day and 10 to 5 day disclosure reports prior to the election as required by all candidates for office. Like most other attempts to improve the bill, my amendment was tabled.
Representative Jeff McLaughlin (D-Guntersville) was on the Senate floor observing Republican attempts to seal the loopholes and shortcomings that had evolved since his version passed the House. As I introduced my amendment, I urged members of the majority to accept Republican amendments which would produce a true bipartisan reform bill. The citizens of Alabama expect their legislators to work together for the good of the state. The House members have excelled on this issue for six straight years. Now it is time for the Senate to do likewise.
The differences between the House and Senate versions will be hashed out in an upcoming conference committee meeting. Hopefully the compromises will result in a bill that will finally require financial transparency in our elections. We shall see.
Many thanks to the elected officials, the party insiders, and the well-connected on both sides of the aisle who offer us a collective take on what the odds are of various candidates and potential candidates being elected. An arrow by a name indicates up or down movement in the numbers for that person since the Alabama Line was last updated.
For reference, the previous Alabama Line may be found here.
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Alabama Line |
(R) Jeff Sessions (1-19)
Would take a Larry Craig-type revelation to shake up this race.
(D) Vivian Figures (33-1)
Is anything shaking in this race at all?
(D) David Marsh (OFF)
Stale rumors here or there, but we haven’t seen that they have legs.
(D) Artur Davis (OFF)
Could have been strong underdog, but he’s out
(D) Jim Folsom (OFF)
No rumblings, whispers, or substantial rumors that he might run.
(D) Pete Johnson (OFF)
Said August 3 that he will not run. (B’ham News, 8/4/07)
(D) Ron Sparks (OFF)
Flirted with idea. Announced June 12 that he will not seek the office.
(R) Jo Bonner (1-29)
No obvious chinks in the armor.
(D) Benjamin Lodmell (>100-1)
Charge of soliciting more than votes gives him the longest of odds.
(D) Bobby Bright (3-2) NEW
Shoo-in for Democratic nomination, then the task toughens.
(R) Harri Anne Smith (3-1) NEW
Outright win only thing to keep her out of a GOP primary run-off.
(R) Jay Love (4-1) NEW
Easily the most viable of the Montgomery-area GOP candidates.
(R) David Woods (20-1) NEW
Is he crazy like a Fox-20 President?
(R) David Grimes (30-1) NEW
Showing least energy among those with some name ID.
(R) Craig Schmidtke (90-1) NEW
Oral surgeon will be able to numb the pain of loss.
(D) William Boyd (>100-1) NEW
Montgomery Mayoral hopeful will lose to Bright again.
(R) John W. Martin(>100-1) NEW
Army veteran will struggle to be competitive.
(R) Terry Everett (OFF)
The incumbent announced his retirement Sept. 26.
(R) Mike Rogers (1-11)
Heavy favorite but other incumbents have more favorably drawn districts.
(D) Josh Segall (19-1) NEW
District & early signs of professionalism up his chances a bit.
(R) Robert Aderholt (1-29)
Has built a base and enjoys powerful advantages of incumbency.
(D) Greg Warren (40-1)
It’s a sleeper race, and it’s still snoozing.
(D) Bud Cramer (1-12)
Can’t be too comfortable knowing GOP Pres nominee will carry district.
(R) Ray McKee (33-1)
The district gives him slightly better odds than other House challengers.
(R) Spencer Bachus (1-70)
Most senior Republican in the state, in the most GOP District.
(D) Artur Davis (1-49)
Will be extremely difficult to unseat one of state Dems’ leading lights.
(D) Jim Folsom (6-1)
LG has lots going for him, but plenty of obstacles until inaugural.
(R) Bradley Byrne (7-1)
Two year college ban is political gold. How rich is the vein?
(R) Troy King (17-2)
Top-ranking GOP candidate. Fierce detractors and fierce supporters.
(D) Artur Davis (9-1)
Little doubt that the popular Dem is considering a run.
(R) Mike Hubbard (13-1)
Party chair has nice launch pad but not committing to run.
(R) Jack Hawkins (15-1)
Transparent interest, would Riley’s blessing be boon or bane?
(R) Kay Ivey (17-1)
Hitched her wagon to the wrong presidential candidate.
(D) Seth Hammett (18-1)
Maybe ties to 2-year college scandal are a little too close
(R) Tim James (19-1)
Announced, but politically inexperienced & has GOP detractors.
(R) Beth Chapman (20-1)
Too crowded. No reason for the SoS not to wait.
(D) Ron Sparks (20-1)
With Folsom & Davis obvious Dem frontrunners, he’ll likely pass.
(D) Mike Dow (22-1)
Too early to dismiss him from what may be his last shot.
(R) Tony Petelos (22-1)
Hoover Mayor focusing on re-election first.
(R) Luther Strange (22-1)
Might be more likely to run if King passes on this race.
(R) Charles Bishop (75-1)
Perennial possibility. Probably picked up pugilists’ support.
(R) Roy Moore (75-1)
Can’t rule him out until there is a stake in him. Is he still in GOP?
(R or I) Stan Pate (75-1)
Rumor says GOP curmudgeon considering. Perhaps as Independent?
(?) David Bronner (OFF)
He gets The Jimmy Rane TreatmentTM (See Rane below)
(L) Loretta Nall (OFF)
Tells the Parlor she won’t run for governor in 2010.
(R) Rob Riley (OFF)
The rumors are stale. Might run for AG.
(R) Harri Anne Smith (OFF)
She’ll be representing CD-2 or tainted by the loss.
(D) Susan Parker (OFF)
Democratic Party team player not needed off the bench.
(R) Jimmy Rane (OFF)
No indication that he is running despite earlier rumors.
(R) Richard Shelby (OFF)
Riley/Shelby office swap intriguing idea but no indication that he’ll run.
Related Articles:
The Alabama Line will be updated later today and will show a lot of movement. Elected officials, party insiders, and the well-connected on both sides of the aisle offer a collective take on what the odds are of various candidates and potential candidates being elected.
At this writing, you can still see the old Alabama Line in the sidebar.
Times Daily Leighton’s ex-mayor avoids prison time
Dothan Eagle County Commissioners explain their vote to regulate gaming
The Randolph Leader Conflict between the Mayor and City Council of Wadley over police chief appointment
The Arab Tribune Conflict over commercial development between local business owners and City Council
Birmingham News - House committee gives approval to measure that would place postsecondary rules under legislative control.
Birmingham News - Alabama GOP asks CBS for retraction or evidence to support allegations in “60 Minutes” report on Siegelman prosecution.
Birmingham News - The Birmingham News blasts Senate-passed PAC ban, stating that bill provides “a whole new way to launder contributions.”
Birmingham News - The Birmingham News challenges evaluation of ADEM director.
Mobile Press-Register - Committee approves measure that would restrict sexual offenders from living near college campuses.
Mobile Press-Register - Students, others testitify during public hearing on proposal to ban smoking in the public places and working environments.
Mobile Press-Register - Press-Register contends that producers of “60 Minutes” should “plead guilty to bad journalism.”
Gadsden Times - The Gadsden Times comments on disagreement between Chancellor of postsecondary system and Rep. Jack Page (D-Gadsden.
Montgomery Advertiser - Legislative budget chairs decide to delay work on state budgets.
Montgomery Advertiser - Senate committee delays consideration of immigration bill to allow public hearing.
Senate Sketches - “Senate Sketches,” the weekly column to his constituents by Sen. Hank Sanders (D-Selma).
Anniston Star - The Anniston Star finds Senate actions on proposed PAC-to-PAC ban “pathetic.”
Tuscaloosa News - Sale of Bryce Hospital property to UA may happen soon.
Tuscaloosa News - Summary of yesterday’s legislative action.
Tuscaloosa News - The Tuscaloosa News blasts Senate approval of weakened PAC ban law.
Times Daily - The Times Daily calls for Legislature to move to merit selection for judges rather than partisan elections.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Alabama, Florida and Georgia unlikely to reach agreement on water sharing before Saturday’s deadline.
(more…)
1887: Alabama passes its first child labor law, fixing age limits and restricting work hours for certain types of labor. The legislation, which also protected women workers, was repealed in the 1890s.
Below is the proposed Special Order Calendar for bills to be voted on Thursday in the House of Representatives. For the most part it is still a non-controversial agenda but anything can happen when you have some bills that are long. With real estate, illegal immigration and some tedious recompilation of the code a potential slow down can occur with one stumble.
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Representative Thigpen:
HB234
Energy, Alternative and Renewable Energy Act, tax incentive for certain projects, Public Service Commission approval of programs for purchase of electricity produced by distributed generation facilities, state motor fuel tax refund for certain agricultural vehicle uses, tax credit for photovoltaic generation of electricity, captial credit for certain new facilities producing electricity, duties to Revenue Department, Secs. 37-4-140, 40-9B-11, 40-18-21.1 added; Secs. 40-17-100 to 40-17-108, inclusive, amended and renumbered as 40-17-300 to 40-17-308, inclusive
_____
Representative Grantland:
HB74
State contracts, employment of illegal immigrants by contractor prohibited, certification required, penalties
_____
Representative Ward:
HB131
Uniform Limited Partnership Act, relating to the organization, rights and liabilities, and rules for registration of limited partnerships, established, Chapter 9C of Title 10 added; Chapter 9B of Title 10, repealed
_____
Representative Todd:
HB360
Commission to Reduce Poverty, established, members, duties, appropriation
_____
Representative Kennedy:
HB377
Child Protection Act, chief executive officer and local employing board, further defined to include two-year institutions of postsecondary education, Sec. 16-22A-3 am’d.
_____
Representative Buskey:
HB222
Education, State Superintendent of Education, county and city superintendents of education, Chancellor of Postsecondary Education, certain chief executive officers, vacancies, posting of notices required, Secs. 16-4-1.1, 16-60-111.9 added; Secs. 16-9-11, 16-12-1, 16-60-111.1 am’d.
_____
Representative Johnson:
HB432
Hospitals, licensing, operation of unlicensed hospitals, penalties further provided for, civil penalty after injunction for a licensed inpatient hospital to refer a person in need of care to unlicensed hospital, or for a home health care agency or hospice to provide care in an unlicensed hospital, Sec. 22-21-33 am’d.
_____
Representative Ford:
HB343
Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, established to assist children of active duty military families and certain veterans in education transition issues including transfer of records, enrollment, placement, extracurricular activities, graduation, uniform treatment at state and local district levels, etc.
_____
Representative Galliher:
HB331
Real estate agents and brokers, advertising size of type requirements altered, reciprocal licensing requirements altered, Secs. 34-27-32, 34-27-36 am’d.
_____
Representative Dunn:
HB119
Child support, arrearage during child’s years of minority included, Sec. 30-3-60 am’d.
_____
Representative Williams:
HB149
Motor vehicles, driving without a license, custodial arrest of driver under certain conditions, Sec. 32-1-4 am’d.
_____
Representative Fite:
HB81
Teachers’ Retirement System, reopened for purchase of prior service credit for service at a public high school while employed by postsecondary institution
_____
Representative Johnson:
HB431
Adult Protective Services Act, Human Resources Department, interagency placement coordinating council, established, disabled or elderly adults, placement into licensed facilities from unlicensed facilities authorized, exploitation further defined, Secs. 38-9-2, 38-9-6, 38-9-7 am’d.
_____
Representative Ford:
HB338
Real property, redemption of property sold for nonpayment of taxes, foreclosure, or court judgment, time period reduced, partial prospective application, Secs. 6-5-248, 6-5-252, 8-1-172, 40-10-73, 40-10-74, 40-10-120 am’d.
Republican state Sen. Harri Anne Smith had over 300 in attendance last night at a Dothan fundraiser that raised over $230,000 for her Congressional campaign, according to a release from her campaign. For those interested, the list of the Host Committee is below.
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| Click image to see Host Committee list |
Related Articles:
Media outlets outside Alabama are noting the black eye that WHNT-TV in Huntsville gave itself when it did not show the majority of the 60 Minutes segment on Don Siegelman in its regular Sunday night time slot. The New York Times (here and here, and first here on its blog The Lede), Reuters, and Associated Press are among those who have taken notice.
The state Democratic Party is not only calling for a special prosecutor for the allegations of political prosecution of Don Siegelman, but state party chair Joe Turnham is also calling for an FCC inquiry into the Sunday evening blackout.
Lee Roop in the Huntsville Times:
Why do people believe conspiracy stories? We know. Conservatives don’t trust the “liberal drive-by media” and liberals don’t trust the “Republican spin machine.” No one trusts big media owners, and not many trust the Justice Department.
People also like to believe things don’t just happen. In a weird way, they’d rather believe evil forces control the agenda than believe machines just fail at the worst possible time.
WHNT aired the full report Sunday evening during its 10 o’clock news and again during the Monday night 6 o’clock news. The segment may also be viewed online.
No doubt that the 60 Minutes segment has gotten more attention than it would have had WHNT aired it in its normal time.
Related Articles:
Yesterday Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright publicly confirmed the stories broken here and here in the Parlor about his plan to run as a Democrat for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District seat.
In an article this morning titled “Congressional hopefuls ride the Obama wave,” Politico suggests that some Democrats in conservative districts (like Bright) won’t run as far as usual from the party’s presidential nominee as they sometimes do - if that nominee is Obama.
Obama was one of the reasons behind [Bobby Bright’s] decision to run. The district, centered in Montgomery, has a 29 percent black population and overwhelmingly voted for Obama in Alabama’s presidential primary.
Those results proved encouraging to Bright, who needs high turnout from African-American voters to prevail in the heavily Republican district.
Bright’s campaign recently released a polling memo suggesting that a huge show of support from the African-American community could “add 3 to 5 points” to his margins against leading Republican opponents.
Not sure if they should have said the district was “centered in Montgomery,” though they might could have gotten away with “anchored in Montgomery.”
Related Articles:
Karl Rove holds a “Free Don Siegelman” banner in this somewhat awkward encounter available on YouTube.
The 60 Minutes segment is going to give at least a bump in exposure to the story. For example, Dan Abrams on MSNBC followed with a segment this week.
In it, Abrams had a clip (available on YouTube) of Karl Rove saying:
I did not ask her or anyone to dig up dirty photographs on the Governor. I’ve never worked with her. I don’t believe I have ever met her. I may have shaken her hand at a fundraiser, but she has never been working in a campaign in Alabama I worked in, and I never asked her to do a darn thing.
Jill Simpson responded (in the same segment):
Since Karl Rove has said that and he feels so good about saying that, what I want him to do is go and swear before the United States Congress and swear what he is saying is true.
We have largely the same information available, but more people are looking at it and talking about it.
Thanks to reader C.
Related Articles:
Times Daily Opinion article about the effort by local legislators to establish economic development boards.
Courier Journal Editorial comments on Charles Barkley’s intent to run for governor
Gadsden Times Opinion article about proposed drug testing by city schools
The Selma Times-Journal Editorial about the conduct of a recent election.
Birmingham News - Former presidential advisor Karl Rove denies allegations that he sought compromising photos of Siegelman.
Birmingham News - Montgomery Mayor makes it official - Bobby Bright announces he will seek election to congressional seat.
Birmingham News - Economic forecaster says Alabama will fare better than rest of nation in economic downturn.
Birmingham News - The Birmingham News comments on efforts by Siegelman to win review of his conviction, concluding that ” there’s precious little reason to believe justice wasn’t served when a jury found him guilty.”
Mobile Press-Register - House passes measure to increase minimum limits of auto insurance.
Mobile Press-Register - Calling the state’s tax system “a national disgrace,” the Press-Register calls for looking to property taxes as a way of providing a more stable source of education revenue in effort to reduce tax burden on poor.
Mobile Press-Register - Press-Register thinks that constitutional reform is dead for the year, expresses hope that one day legislators will let issue move ahead.
Opelika-Auburn News - The Opelika-Auburn News sees proposal to ban smoking in work places and public spaces “a step in the right direction.”
Associated Press - Senate passes weaker version of PAC-to-PAC ban.
Montgomery Advertiser - Corrections officials now say reductions to state’s prison industries programs will not be as severe as planned.
Montgomery Advertiser - Advocates push midwife bill at legislature.
Montgomery Advertiser - The Montgomery Advertiser views Senate PAC ban as “worse than current law.”
Anniston Star - The Anniston Star comments on scholarship program for future teachers.
Decatur Daily - The Decatur Daily says that the public “firmly supports” efforts to address problems in postsecondary system.
Times Daily - Summary of yesterday’s legislative action.
Times Daily - ADEM fines ExxonMobil $90,000 for gas release.
New York Times - The New York Times comments on Huntsville station’s technical problems that interfered with “60 Mintues” Siegelman segment.
(more…)
1703: The first Mardi Gras is celebrated in Mobile, Alabama.
1886: Hugo Black, US Senator, and later Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court was born.
Source: Wikipedia
If you are involved in a three state dispute over water rights, it’s helpful to have your legislature re-visit “a centuries-old border survey” in hopes of tapping into the Tennessee River, heretofore just-beyond-reach of Georgia’s borders.
It’s not about moving the boundary, Georgia says, it’s about correcting a mistake made in 1818.
Water. It’s the new gold.
Related Articles:
Alexander City Outlook Citizens challenge the Tallapoosa County Commission to be frugal
Daily Home City Council learns of the various grants available
Andalusia Star-News Escambia County starts a family drug court
Hartselle Enquirer Morgan County Commission rejects attempts to change Sheriff’s pay
I have blogged on this before but I thought I would do an abbreviated version again for those new to the forum. A lot of people ask me about the day to day schedule in the Montgomery. Like most legislators mine can get pretty busy especially on Tuesday. Everyone’s day varies to a degree depending on your committee assignment, etc. but below is a summary of just how today is going to be for me.
7:30 am - Leave home
9:00 am - Arrive at State House
10:00 am - Interview with APT on Autism Support Act passing
10:30 am - Constituent meeting in state house office about crime legislation
11:00 am - House GOP Steering Committee meeting
11:30 am - House GOP Full Caucus meeting
12:30 pm - House Rules Committee meeting
1:00 pm - House session begins which lasts until about 5:00 pm.
1:30 pm - Go present Municipal Ordinance bill in Senate Committee then go back to House floor for votes.
2:30 pm - School group from Alabaster to visit state house. Come out and speak with kids and take a photo.
5:00 pm - Reception with Homebuilders Association across the street
7:00 pm - Dinner
9:30 pm - Finally get to check in to my hotel room and start preparing for bills in committee tomorrow. Return e-mails from the day.
I only lay this to show that strangely enough the part of the day that is the most stable is when you are actually debating and voting on bills. The rest of the day you learn to move very fast and become a good multi-tasker. Just another day in the House.
Birmingham News - Attorneys for Siegelman, Scrushy want Justice Department to appoint special counsel to investigate claims that witness notes were withheld from defense.
Birmingham News - The Birmingham News comments on claims by Rep. Todd Greeson (R-Ider) that federal prosecutors have turned their attention to him in an effort to show that postsecondary probe is not a partisan issue.
Birmingham News - The Birmingham News doubts whether the Legislature will accomplish any substantive ethics reform.
Mobile Press-Register - Some legislators give bill to convene constitutional convention has little chance of passage.
Mobile Press-Register - Bill to reform state’s homeowners insurance plans set for public hearing this week.
Huntsville Times - Equipment failure at Huntsville television station during “60 Minutes” story on Siegelman causes controversy.
Huntsville Times - The Huntsville Times sees proposal to establish a permanent commission as an appropriate step to address state’s long-standing problem of poverty.
Montgomery Advertiser - Former GOP chair Twinkle Cavanaugh announces candidacy for PSC.
Decatur Daily - Chancellor says he’s making progress resolving problems at state’s postsecondary college system.
Times-Journal - President of Athens State confirms that records relating to Rep. Todd Greeson have been submitted to federal authorities in response to subpoena.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Huntsville looks to Atlanta to recruit workers.
Birmingham Business Journal - State home sales down 20% in January.
Tuscaloosa News - The Tuscaloosa News says that reports that Alabama leads the nation in amount spent on judicial races shows things “are out of kilter.”
(more…)
February 26, 1965: Jimmie Lee Jackson, a young black man, dies eight days after being shot by a state trooper during civil rights protests in Marion. His death gave immediate impetus to the decision of civil rights organizers to lead a march from nearby Selma to the state capital in support of voting rights for black Alabamians.
Confirming what we had heard earlier in the Parlor, former state GOP chair Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh officially announced today that she will run for president of the Alabama Public Service Commission. AP reports, “Cavanaugh announced Monday that she will leave the governor’s staff at the end of March to qualify for the Republican primary.”
Related Articles:
Alabama won a $215 million judgment in a suit against a drug company brought by AG Troy King in which the state was represented by Jere Beasley. “‘A grave misjustice has been righted,’ Alabama Attorney General Troy King said after hearing the verdict.”
Right wing Troy King and trial lawyer Jere Beasley? Not sure if that is the first or second most unusual pairing involving King, so I went to a legal guru who explained it to me:
Here’s the real background: These kinds of cases have been and are being brought by a bunch of states. In order to persuade a state to sue you have to convince the Attorney General to file suit. Several plaintiffs firms are handling these cases around the country. The traditional plaintiffs firms couldn’t even get a foot in the door with Troy King. So up steps the Hand Arendall firm out of Mobile. They are a silk stocking old line defense firm with very strong Republican roots. They got Troy on board and then associated Beasley to actually try the case (although Hand lawyer Caine O’Rear took a very active role in the case). I don’t believe that Beasley could ever have gotten Troy to go forward with these cases without Hand Arendall’s political connections.
And now we know.
The drug company, AstraZeneca, “is one of more than 70 drugmakers King sued in 2005 over drug prices for Medicaid recipients,” according to the AP story. AstraZeneca intends to appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court.
Related Articles:
The 60 Minutes piece on the prosecution of former governor Don Siegelman, from what I gather, has not changed opinions of people who already had them.
Viewers in the northern part of the state were frustrated that CBS affiliate WHNT out of Huntsville had a blank screen for most of the segment. At first, WHNT said, “It was a technical problem with CBS out of New York.” They have since acknowledged that the problem was not out of New York.
NewsChannel 19 lost our program feed from CBS. Upon investigation, WHNT has learned that the satellite receiver that allows us to receive programming from CBS failed. The problem was on our end, not the network’s.
WHNT re-broadcast the entire Siegelman segment during the 10 o’clock news and has made it available via the internet. All you can do is all you can do, but broadcasting it during the 10 o’clock news while the Oscars are on won’t give it near the audience it would have had on 60 Minutes, one of the networks top-rated shows (for example, 60 Minutes was the top-rated show for the network the week of Feb. 11).
Remember… conspiracy is one of the premises of those who believe Siegelman was unjustly targeted, and of the piece. So you know it raises eyebrows among some that WHNT is owned by Oak Hill Capital Partners, an outfit whose roots are in the business partnership of four Bass brothers, at least one of whom, Lee M. Bass, is a “Bush Pioneer.” Bush Pioneers raised $100,000 for George W. Bush’s election campaigns.
Regarding the piece, did it change any minds?
Related Articles:
Gadsden Times City School Superintendent comments on proposed student drug testing policy
Shelby County Reporter Board of Education adopts uniform school schedule and ends Vincent’s year round schedule
Cleburne News Discusses the misconceptions about a proposed motor sports park and local opposition
Times Daily Racial slurs painted on door of church
Birmingham News - Former GOP Attorney General says that Siegelman case raises red flags.
Birmingham News - Most workplaces covered under proposed statewide ban on smoking.
Mobile Press-Register - U.S. Air Force may announce as early as today decision that could bring aircraft manufacturing to Mobile.
Mobile Press-Register - State begins offering scholarships to increase number of teachers, program may end in 2009 due to budget cuts.
Mobile Press-Register - “The Political Skinny,” the weekly political roundup from Mobile, Montgomery and Washington for readers of the Press-Register.
Mobile Press-Register - Press-Register hopes that State Senate considering ban on PAC-to-PAC transfers “talk the latest hide-the-money scheme to death.”
Montgomery Advertiser - State GOP disputes claims of political involvement in Siegelman prosecution.
Montgomery Advertiser - The Montgomery Advertiser says proposal by Sen. Roger Bedford (D-Russellville) to amend PAC-to-PAC ban to prohibit campaign fund-raising for other candidates by the state’s constitutional officers “is a cheap political maneuver to kill the bill without openly opposing it.”
Times Daily - “Alabama Exposure,” Dana Beyerle’s weekly political roundup for readers of the NYTimes regional papers.
Anniston Star - The Anniston Star says that the state’s cycle of ups and down in education revenue are the result of refusal to reform tax system to provide consistent revenue for schools.
Birmingham News - Alabama has sixth-highest death rate from cancer.
(more…)
60 Minutes tonight tackles the tale of Don Siegelman, Jill Simpson, Karl Rove and Bob Riley. Associated Press has its story here.
Many interested folks are also buzzing about the article from Eddie Curran (reporter on leave from the Press-Register) in the Montgomery Independent.
Having prior obligations, I will be unable to watch 60 Minutes tonight when it is aired. I look forward to seeing it later.
In the meantime, feel free to use the comments to tell what you think of the articles or the show.
And do remember, free speech is enhanced by civility.
Related Articles:
What is the likelihood that Artur Davis will be the next Governor? That Jay Love will be the next representative to represent Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District? Look for the answers to those questions and more when the Alabama Line is updated this week.
With changes in the campaign landscape in Alabama, especially regarding AL-02 and the gubernatorial races, an update on the Alabama Line (seen now in the right sidebar) is overdue. Look for it this week, right here.
I’ve been wanting to write about Sen. Phil (for Philibuster) Poole, D - Moundville, aka The One Man Shenanigan, for a couple of weeks now, but Bob Gambacurta in the Montgomery Independent will now catch you up pretty fast.
My mother would use the word “unseemly” to describe Poole’s over-the-top conduct on the Senate floor.
Birmingham News - Sweeping immigration reform proposal draws concerns from business and industry groups.
Birmingham News - Former Justice Department officials tell Eagle Forum conference attendees that local and state governments should enact measure to control illegal immigration.
Birmingham News - State awaits announcement of air tanker contract.
Birmingham News - Commentary by Sen. Kim Benefield (D-Woodland) argues that the state must develop an effective water resource plan.
Birmingham News - University of South Alabama English prof sees value in proposal allow professors to carry weapons on campus.
Mobile Press-Register - Proposal would place all Alabama high school students in college prep curriculum.
Mobile Press-Register - Commentary by Gary Palmer of the Alabama Policy Institute reviews state’s grade of “F’ on disclosure of lobbyist spending and the failure of both Democrats and GOP to fulfill election promises of transparency.
Huntsville Times - State Superintendent says budget cuts to K-12 not as severe as he had feared.
Huntsville Times - The Huntsville Times argues that colleges in state should not bear unfair share of cuts under proposed education budget.
Montgomery Advertiser - Montgomery civil rights icon Johnnie Carr dead at 97.
Montgomery Advertiser - Alabama foreclosures on the rise.
Tuscaloosa News - The Tuscaloosa News sees removing sales tax on food as a good way to begin ending poverty in state.
Gadsden Times - State’s regional universities join UA, AU in opposing proposed education budget.
Gadsden Times - The Gadsden Times sees the Senate as once again failing to act on issue of PAC ban.
Decatur Daily - State launches $1 million anti-meth campaign.
Anniston Star - The Anniston Star is pleased that committee chair has delayed action on proposal to allow some college students and professors carry weapons on campus.
Anniston Star - Commentary by Sen. Scott Beason (D-Gardendale) says state must act on immigration issues.
Washington Post - Air Force tanker deal has huge implications for competing states, industries.
Montgomery Advertiser - State doesn’t expect much impact from President’s vow to veto special projects.
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