Sen. Marc Keahey, Sen. Cam Ward, Rep. Joe Hubbard, and Rep. John Merrill will be blogging here during the 2011 Legislative Session.

Ballot Access Should Be Easier

Last year during one of my posts I had a spirited discussion with a folks about ballot access. I used to work for the Secretary of State’s office so I was at least somewhat familiar with the issues. However, I had no idea how bad our ballot access laws are compared to other states.

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Butler to Sit Out AL-05 Race

Tom Butler

aka “The Butler Did Didn’t Do It.”

Democratic state Senator Tom Butler is telling colleagues today that he is not going to run for the 5th Congressional District.

Butler had previously told colleagues and party officials that he would be switching to the GOP and would run for Alabama’s 5th Congressional District as a [...]

Wayne Parker to Announce Thursday

Alabama with the 5th Congressional District highlighted

Republican Wayne Parker will officially announce his candidacy for Alabama’s 5th Congressional District, this Thursday, at the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center. His campaign has a website that should have the exact details as they are finalized.

Republican attorney Ray McKee is also a candidate. Parker will be the first GOP candidate to [...]

Small Town Political Gazette 3/31/08

Montgomery Advertiser Autauga County elections remain low key

Press Register Prichard’s police chief defends hiring family members

Tuscaloosa News Primary likely in Tuscaloosa County

Continue reading “Small Town Political Gazette 3/31/08″

Monday 3/31/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – Residents of Alabama’s Black Belt among those hit hardest by rising gasoline prices.

Birmingham News – DHR to implement system of evaluation, monitoring of mental health professionals providing services.

Birmingham NewsThe Birmingham News says that state should be seeking ways to expand services to vulnerable adults, not slash programs due to budget constraints.

Mobile Press-Register – Musically-talented legislators perform weekly at local Montgomery nightspot.

Mobile Press-Register – Mobile area agencies provide permanent homes to 69 homeless individuals.

Mobile Press-RegisterPress-Register endorses proposed measure that would establish minimum experiential requirements for judges.

Mobile Press-RegisterPress-Register views action of legislative committee rejecting proposed changes to state’s severance tax as “wrong.”

Montgomery Advertiser – April 1 marks midpoint of state’s fiscal year, legislative session.

Montgomery AdvertiserThe Montgomery Advertiser contends that legislature should let voters decide whether they want electronic gambling to help fill Medicaid funding shortfall.

Gadsden Times – Legislators may look to gambling as revenue source for ailing General Fund.

Decatur DailyThe Decatur Daily says that voters should demand legislators to give proposal to ban all public employment by legislators “a fair look.”
Continue reading “Monday 3/31/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST”

March 31

1994: Michael Jordan is assigned to the Birmingham Barons, the Chicago White Sox’ AA affiliate

Source: Bhamwiki 

Small Town Political Gazette 3/30/08

gazette logo 3

gazette logo 3The Outlook Coosa County rock quarry dispute ongoing

The Andalusia Star-News Profile of Mary Hixson, mayor for the last 42 years of River Falls

The News Courier Limestone County officials plan next steps in battle of a rock quarry

Continue reading “Small Town Political Gazette 3/30/08″

Sunday 3/30/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – Records show Sen. E. B. McClain (D-Midfield) directed state funds to non-profit that used those funds to pay him for consulting services.

Birmingham News – Spending for interpreter services increasing for Public Health Department.

Birmingham News – Siegelman appeal of conviction may take [...]

March 30

1968: Actress, Donna D’Errico, was born in Dothan.

Small Town Political Gazette 3/29/08

Gazette logo 2

The News Courier “We only have power if we speak out”, an editorial about the State Legislature

Opelika Auburn News “Legislators claim part-time job really is full-time, and vice-versa”, editorial about the legislature

Tuscaloosa News Former White Hall cop convicted of criminally negligent homicide.

Saturday 3/29/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – Siegelman rejoins family after 9 months in federal prison.

Birmingham NewsThe Birmingham News urges Senate to approve House-passed measure establishing experience requirements for judges in state.

Birmingham NewsThe Birmingham News comments on efforts by Governor to expand ban on [...]

March 29

1944: Attorney and politician, Charles Redding Pitt, was born in Decatur.

Oden Passes on PSC, Eyes Treasurer Spot

Jeremy Oden

Rep. Jeremy Oden (R – Eva) had considered running for President of the Public Service Commission this year but tells the Parlor that he is going to sit out that race to focus on his greater interest, a run for State Treasurer in 2010. Current work commitments and a desire to be best [...]

Small Town Political Gazette 3/28/08

Cullman Times Cullman County voters not happy with their precinct appointments

Enterprise Ledger Local officals meet to help uninsured children

Monroe Journal Article explains how a challenge to the Cedar Bluff wet/dry vote could affect alcohol sales in Monroeville, Jackson and Thomasville

Continue reading “Small Town Political Gazette 3/28/08″

Friday 3/28/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – Federal appeals court finds Siegelman’s appeal established “substantial question of law or fact”  in ordering his release.

Birmingham News – Board of Education to vote in May on toughened high school graduation requirements.

Birmingham News – House Judiciary Committee gives approval to package [...]

Legislative Dispatch

A Look from the Rearview Mirror

This Thursday will mark the last day of the legislative Session.  For some, it was a Session that seemed would never end.  For others, it was one that ended much too quickly.  It may be early, yet, to write an obit on this Session, but as we approach the finish line, some perspective may be in order.

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Putting Students First

As you know, a very important piece of legislation will be presented for our consideration in the House tomorrow in Montgomery – Senate Bill 310 – the “Students First” tenure and fair dismissal reform bill. Like me, many House members have been inundated with phone calls and emails from opponents of this bill, and some have been [...]

Legislative Transparency

There are a lot of issues to debate before we begin the final days of this session. In fact, I am quite certain there will be some comments on this post debating many of them. Before we get into the last seven day of the session I wanted to bring up a topic that [...]


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