March 28

1990: - President George H. W. Bush posthumously awards Jesse Owens the Congressional Gold Medal.

1957: Athlete and coach, Harvey Glance was born in Phenix City.

1971: Basketball player, Wesley Person, was born in Brantley

Source: Wikipedia

Scrushy Deemed a Flight Risk

Though The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals today ruled that former governor Don Siegelman is to be released from prision on bond pending his appeal, it also today denied Richard Scrushy’s request for release (pdf).

Scrushy has not demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence that he is unlikely to flee if he is [...]

Sunset Bills Pass – Senate To Move Forward

After over 3 weeks of dealing with sunset bills, the Senate completed work today and is ready to take up unfinished business. There is much speculation that in the next couple of weeks we will see gambling, immigration, and other high profile bills brought to the Senate floor for debate. What comes up for [...]

Siegelman Released on Appeal

Former Gov. Don Siegelman is to be released on an appeal bond.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals said the governor had shown he was not a flight risk; that he was not appealing for the purposes of delay and that his conviction “raised substantial questions of law or fact.”

Read more: [...]

Another GOP Candidate in AL-05?

I hear that Paul Sanford of Huntsville may qualify for the race as a Republican. He is the great-grandson of Big Bob Gibson of barbecue fame and apparently is known as “Chef Paul.”

Small Town Political Gazette 3/27/08

Gazette logo 2

Gazette logo 2Decatur Daily Editorial about the decision to hold an election for a Morgan County judgeship

Tuskegee News Editorial asks “Can’t we all just get along?”

The Daily Sentinel Former Jackson County Sheriff cleared after investigation

Continue reading “Small Town Political Gazette 3/27/08″

April is Autism Awareness Month

Everyday we are reminded of issues our state has not addressed. April is Autism Awareness Month and is the perfect time to look at this growing health care crisis that deserves state government’s attention.

There are many misconceptions in today’s society. One of those is that time heals all wounds. Not necessarily…..for families [...]

Thursday 3/27/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – Food banks having difficulty meeting needs as economy worsens.

Birmingham News – Senate committee passes sweeping immigration reform bill.

Birmingham News – House committee rejects proposal to increase natural gas severance taxes.

Birmingham NewsThe Birmingham News calls for Senate to give approval to measure that would ban smoking in workplaces and in public places.

Mobile Press-Register – Mobile mother leads protest at state house over proposed cuts to state’s early intervention programs.

Huntsville Times – Sen. Tom Butler (D-Madison) may seek congressional seat under GOP banner.

Tuscaloosa News – Senate committee rejects proposals that would allow students, faculty members to carry weapons on college campuses.

Tuscaloosa News – Summary of yesterday’s legislative action.

Tuscaloosa News – Tuscaloosa businessman sues state over ExxonMobil winnings, says funds should go to Alabama Trust Fund.

Tuscaloosa News – House Judiciary Committee to vote this morning on package of immigration bills.

Tuscaloosa News – Rep. Jay Love (R-Montgomery) kicks off campaign for 2nd Congressional District race.

Anniston StarThe Anniston Star questions whether our education system is providing Alabama workers with the skills and knowledge need in state’s changing economy.

Montgomery AdvertiserThe Montgomery Advertiser comments on continuing slowdown by Senate.

News linkCongressional Quarterly sees race for 2nd congressional district as more competitive.
Continue reading “Thursday 3/27/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST”

March 27

1814: In the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, Andrew Jackson leads a force of Americans, Creeks, and Cherokees against Red Stick Creeks. Attacking the Red Stick stronghold of Tohopeka on the banks of the Tallapoosa River, Jackson’s men killed more than 900 people. The victory soon led to the end of the [...]

Congressional Power Rankings

Mary Orndorff of Sweet Home Potomac mines the power rankings from Congress.org for some choice bits:

Here are some of the nuggets I picked out:

* Alabama’s delegation ranks 28th in the nation overall. * Shelby and Sessions were 55th and 58th, respectively, in overall power, out of the 100 senators.

The [...]

AL-05 Field Grows

Republican Wayne Parker says he’s in the race for Alabama’s 5th Congressional District, according to Dana Beyerle in the Times-Daily. He also quotes Alabama’s Senate Minority Leader Jabo Waggoner (R – Vestavia) as saying, “[State Sen. Tom Butler] told me he will switch to the Republican Party and run for Congress.”

More Calling AL-02 ‘Highly Competitive’

Alabama's 2nd Congressional District

Similar to what the Cook Report has recently done, CQ Politics has changed its rating on the race in the 2nd Congressional District from Safe Republican to Leans Republican, “denoting a highly competitive contest.”

The change is “the result of seven-term Republican Rep. Terry Everett’s surprise decision to retire after eight terms [...]

National Dynamics Affect Alabama Only Somewhat

Pile of money

Thinking about Alabama’s two congressional races this year (in the 2nd and 5th districts), and how dynamics nationally affect (and don’t affect) the candidates here…

CQPolitics this week reports on the widening disparity between the cash raised and available to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).

[...]

Politico on AL-02 and AL-05

POLITICO logo

Politico takes note of Alabama’s congressional races this year in an article yesterday… specifically noting that Democratic candidates expect to be competitive while not particularly embracing the Democratic label.

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Blogging Been Slow This Week

I have been a little slow in keeping up with my blog this week. After the Easter break I have to admit I had a little trouble getting back into the swing of things. Yesterday was one of the busiest days I have had this session in the House. I didn’t have a [...]

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.

[...]

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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