Wednesday 2/13/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – Immigration commission releases recommendations.

Birmingham News – House gives unanimous approval to proposed constitutional amendment to establish rainy day account for General Fund.

Birmingham News – The Birmingham News calls for legislature to enact measure to require the use of seat belts by all vehicle occupants.

Mobile Press-Register – Number of lobbyists this year may set new record.

Huntsville Times – The Huntsville Times contends that the increase in number of lobbyists make ethics reform more urgent.

Tuscaloosa News – Summary of yesterday’s legislative action.

Tuscaloosa News – Chief Justice warns of court system layoffs if budget not increased.

Tuscaloosa News – Trial of former fire college director reset for June.

Tuscaloosa News – The Tuscaloosa News says in crease in number of lobbyists warrants stronger ethics laws.

Tuscaloosa News – The Tuscaloosa News cautions that the discrepancies in budget projections should delay action on budgets.

Anniston Star – The Anniston Star views most recommendations of immigration commission as “flawed.”

Anniston Star – The Anniston Star criticizes Governor’s education budget proposals.

Daily Home – The Daily Home urges legislature to exempt federal rebates from state income tax.

Senate Sketches – “Senate Sketches,” the weekly column to his constituents from Sen. Hank Sanders (D-Selma).

FROM TODAY’S ANNISTON STAR:

Fite’s American flag bill passes House

A flag flies above a mailbox in a Jacksonville neighborhood. Photo: Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star

MONTGOMERY — Rep. Lea Fite, D-Jacksonville, is hoping that the fourth time will be the charm for one of his bills.

That’s because for the last four years Fite has introduced a bill that would void any restrictions such as those in a homeowner’s association covenant that prevent a person from flying the American flag on his or her property.

The bill has always met with success in the House — it passed Tuesday, but it hasn’t had good luck in the Senate.

“It just dies in the Senate,” he said. “It’s a non-controversial, simple bill, and this is what upsets me and so many others.”

Fite said the idea to draft the bill didn’t arise out of any local problem, but from the tragedy of Sept. 11.

“A lot of homeowners around the nation found that because of covenants in their subdivision they could not fly flags, including the flag of the United States,” he said. “State legislatures around the country were passing this law and I thought Alabama should join the rest of the country and pass it also.”

Alabama has failed to follow suit, much to Fite’s frustration, but he said he’s hopeful that this year will be different.

If the bill dies again this year Fite said “Alabama will continue to be different, even when it comes to the American flag.”

But this isn’t the only flag bill that Fite hopes to fly before the Legislature this year.

Fite is sponsoring another bill that would require any government agency that flies an American flag to be sure that the flag is made in the United States.

If the bill passes both chambers, a violation of the law could carry a civil penalty of $1,000 for the person responsible for flying an American flag not made in America.

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