AL-05 GOP Primary Heating Up
I can’t say it any better than Brian at Flashpoint already has in these posts:
The Huntsville Times also has a story you may have already seen (thanks to G).
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May 31, 2008
AL-02: Schmidtke TV Ad
If I understand correctly, this ad for GOP candidate Craig Schmidtke has been running in Montgomery. Based on email I get, even people who have not seen it are talking about it.
Unusual Interest in SBOE Races
The state Republican Party has become quite abuzz with the relatively late realization that AEA is apparently putting a lot of resources into GOP primary races in an attempt to unseat two State Board of Education members. Skip Smithwick is challenging Republican incumbent Stephanie Bell in SBOE District 3, and Paul Christopher is challenging Republican incumbent Randy McKinney in SBOE District 1.
The GOP and the incumbents were caught flat-footed, I think it is fair to say. For example, state GOP Chair Mike Hubbard told the Parlor that Smithwick was dropping a couple hundred thousand dollars in a school board race complete with TV ad buys, while Bell had $300 on hand. As I write this, the pages on the Secretary of State website with campaign finance reports are not working, but AP wrote yesterday:
Campaign finance reports filed this week show Smithwick with $238,400 in cash contributions to Bell’s $6,120, and Christopher out front with $158,175 to McKinney’s $22,460.
When the SoS site is working, you can see fairly transparently in the campaign finance reports the money going from AEA’s PAC (AVOTE) to Smithwick and Christopher with only a PAC-stop or two in between. (The Birmingham News has an article that points out the short money trail between AEA and Smithwick.) According to the Birmingham News this week, “Smithwick said he is not being funded, directly or indirectly, by AEA,” which frankly is hardly credible on his part.
In a statement released Friday, Hubbard said,
Traditionally the Party does not get involved in our primaries, but this is a unique situation where the Democratic Party and the AEA are fully funding candidates to run as Republicans and we believe we have a responsibility to alert all Republicans to this situation prior to Tuesday’s primary election. Our Steering Committee met, and unanimously voted to work against Paul Hubbert’s ulterior motives for the good of our Party. We encourage all Republican voters to not allow the Democrats to hijack our primary, specifically in the election for the State Board of Education, which, based on the levels of corruption that have been exposed, is the last place Democrats need to be in control.
The GOP has “fought back pretty hard,” putting money into the races, Hubbard told the Parlor. “We don’t know if it’s too little too late, especially with Stephanie Bell” in District 3.
AEA and its chief Paul Hubbert have fought efforts to institute a ban on education system employees serving in the legislature, a policy that has been promoted by Gov. Riley, 2 year college chancellor Bradley Byrne, and some members of the school board including Stephanie Bell and Randy McKinney. AEA’s support for primary opponents to Bell and McKinney is viewed by Hubbard as another front in that battle. “They fought it in the courts. They fought it legislatively, and now on the School Board,” Hubbard told the Parlor.
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Saturday 5/31/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST
Birmingham News – GOP leaders raise concerns over their own candidates’ ties to AEA.
Birmingham News – Specialized vehicle of former Mrs. Wheelchair America stolen and destroyed; she becomes advocate for public transportation.
Birmingham News – Legislature expected to approve education budget, end special session today.
Birmingham News – Riley launches trade trip to South American with visit to Columbian President.
Birmingham News – The Birmingham News says that political motives shouldn’t drive prosecutions, but that politicians who break the law shouldn’t rely on that as defense.
Birmingham News – The Birmingham News comments on the federal indictment of Sen. E. B. McClain (D-Midfield).
Huntsville Times – Local GOP chairman asks GOP candidate for 5th congressional district to “stop lying.”
Tuscaloosa News - Summary of yesterday’s legislative action.
Tuscaloosa News - Court of Criminal Appeals upholds death sentences in two cases.
Tuscaloosa News - Jackson County yarn plant closure to idle 400 workers.
Montgomery Advertiser – Alabama State University strips Joe Reed’s name from building.
Montgomery Advertiser - Legislators baffled by Governor’s pocket veto of alternative and renewable energy bill.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution - AJC opinion editor Cynthia Tucker looks at the discrimination complaint by parents in the hometown of author Harper Lee.
New York Times – 54 former state attorneys general file brief supporting Siegelman appeal.
Small Town Political Gazette 05/31/08
The Tuskegee News Editorial about recent health care developments in Tuskegee
Sumter Record-Journal article asks “Will Gov. appoint Tax Assessor?, election is Tuesday”
Journal Record Judge cleared after investigation
Institutional Smackdown
It’s awkward when relationships that sour become public spectacle.
The Alabama State Board of Trustees rebuked one of their own, Joe Reed, the #2 man at AEA and chair of the Alabama Democratic Conference, with a resolution that begins…
Whereas, Joe L. Reed has completely and utterly destroyed any and all confidence in his commitment to positively represent the University and its legacy;
…and ends with the University renaming a building that had been named for Reed. If a Board of Trustees can corporately talk smack, this resolution is it.
Read more about it here and here.
Hat tip to reader K.
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May 31
2003: Eric Rudolph arrested in North Carolina. He was charged with bombing a Birmingham abortion clinic. He was confessed to this bombing and other bombings. He was later sentenced to two consecutive life terms.
Source: Bhamwiki
May 30, 2008
US Senate Federal Election Commission reports
Now for pointers to the candidates for US Senate. These will presented in alphabetic order. The candidates name will be a link to a list of available reports at the Federal Election Commission. Donations will link to a list of individual and PAC contributors. According to this page, the Senate files all reports in paper, so links to a PDF of the candidates’s pre-primary will be given. Will be unable to give links to its contents, such as the ever interesting list of campaign expenses.
(more…)
Left in Alabama Going to Denver
Left in Alabama is going to Denver as a credentialed blog covering the Democratic National Convention in August. Over 120 blogs in all have been credentialed, and Left in Alabama has the whole list.
They were so eager to be represented there that they had already arranged to have someone there blogging with or without credentials. I am so glad to hear now that they are credentialed, and I look forward to reading their perspective on the event. Congratulations to mooncat and her whole crew!
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Government Releases McClain Indictment
The indictment against Alabama State Senator E.B. McClain has now been released by the federal government and accuses McClain of personally profiting from his office by getting funds for a non-profit entity called the Heritage to Hope Foundation, Inc (HTHF), also known prior to 2002 as the Christian Resource Center and Community Resource Center (CRC), and basically receiving kickbacks as a result of getting those monies for HTHF.
McClain is charged with conspiracy, receiving a bribe, money laundering and fraud and the government is seeking a forfeiture total of at least $426,909.08 from McClain and co-defendant Samuel P. Pettaagrue, who the government claims “controlled” HTHF and was working with McClain to secure the funds. Pettagrue is alleged to have then directed payments back to McClain and worked with McClain to coverup what was going on. McClain has publically denied the charges.
There are allegations contained in the indictment also that McClain was arranging money to be passed through the Department of Postsecondary Education (DPE) through Lawson State Community College and Bessemer Tech, which later merged with Lawson, to HTHF. Something only referred to as an “advocacy organization” is alleged to have also passed money to HTHF which supposedly then kicked money back to McClain.
Friday 5/30/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST
Birmingham News – Senate passes Education budget, health insurance tax breaks for small employers and their workers.
Birmingham News – Nearly one-quarter of Alabama Army National Guard screened following service in war have “behavioral health issues.”
Birmingham News – Incumbent State Board of Education member says opponent for her seat is being funded by AEA.
Birmingham News – Candidates for Court of Criminal Appeals report campaign contributors.
Birmingham News – GOP candidates for PSC presidency report campaign contributors.
Birmingham News – Prosecutors say that Rep. Sue Schmitz (D-Toney) used political connections to get postsecondary job.
Birmingham News – Prosecutors say that Sen. E. B. McClain pocketed over $300,000 of funds steered to non-profit agency.
Birmingham News – Honda adding high-tech engineering facility to Alabama plant.
Mobile Press-Register – House Black Caucus say that they will not delay vote on education budget.
Mobile Press-Register – Smoking ban passes Senate, faces uncertain House future.
Mobile Press-Register – Press-Register praises bipartisanship in Senate, urges legislature to pass budget, non-controversial bills and head home.
Tuscaloosa News - Summary of yesterday’s legislative action.
Tuscaloosa News - House approves health insurance tax break for small businesses and their employees.
Tuscaloosa News - The Tuscaloosa News comments on AEA’s “revenge” against higher ed, concludes only tax reform to produce adequate revenue for education is answer to battles between education factions.
Tuscaloosa News - Montgomery city and county officials put finishing touches on proposal to move State House to Dexter Avenue.
Montgomery Advertiser - Governor leaving today for South American business-hunting trip.
Anniston Star - The Anniston Star comments on those proposals included in the Governor’s call for special session – and those excluded.
Washington Post - Ailing Kennedy fades as target for right wing: congressional candidate Jay Love alters campaign ad following Senator’s illness.
Washington Post - First Lady Laura Bush delivers commencement address to Enterprise High School grads.
Small Town Political Gazette 05/30/08
Times-Journal Runoff election for constable could be costly for Dekalb County
Times Daily State Sen. Bobby Denton, the longest serving member of the State Senate, has third spinal surgery in a week
Monroe Journal Article about the racial discrimination case filed against Monroe County schools
May 29, 2008
Special Session
I have always hated special sessions. Besides the time it takes away from home it is also a huge waste of taxpayer money in my opinion. While I feel confident we will only take the minimum 5 days required to complete this session, it is still an extra $140,000 that the taxpayers get stuck with that should never have occurred. Why are we here? Oh, this blog could never hope to explain that issue in one paragraph, but suffice it to say that attitudes are going to have to change in the next regular session in order for us to be productive. It would be easy to blame one issue or even just one or two people for the problems in this session but I honestly believe it is much more complicated than that. It goes beyond political parties and into the personalities of a lot of legislators who just do not personally like each other. While I believe for the most part political debate is rough and tumble, seldom does ever need to rise to the level or personal dislike for the opposing party. Many would say we need more personal dislike and cut throat tactics against the opposing view point. I just disagree. I think we need to fight for the issues we believe in but also be prepared to move on to the next debate after the current on is over with. Maybe this is naive on my part but I believe the majority of the citizens in our state believe this should be the case as well.
AL-02: Another Poll from Grimes Campaign
The Washington Political Group did another push-button poll on the Republican field in AL-02 last night for the David Grimes campaign. Warm from the oven… They did include Schmidtke and Martin this time.
| Q1) Are you likely to vote in the upcoming Primary Election on June 3rd? |
||
| Press 1 If Yes | 437 | |
| Press 2 If no | 67 | |
| Q2) If the election were held today for Congressional District 2 who would you support? |
||
| Press 1 if David Grimes | 57 | 15% |
| Press 2 if Jay Love | 102 | 25% |
| Press 3 if John Martin | 14 | 4% |
| Press 4 if Craig Shmidtke | 48 | 11% |
| Press 5 if Harri Anne Smith | 39 | 10% |
| Press 6 if David Woods | 39 | 10% |
| Press 7 if you are undecided | 101 | 25% |
Only two questions in the poll this time… they are still not asking if the respondent plans to vote in the Republican primary. Our campaign veterans who commented on the previous poll by this outfit believed that no matter how good you think your calling list is, it’s still an important question.
Ryan at the Washington Political Group says their calling lists are good, “15 to 20% better” than most other pollsters and says they stand by their data. “If I’m wrong,” he says, “I’ll have to eat crow.”
I know people watching this race very carefully who would be dumfounded if Grimes makes the run-off.
See the polling summary document from the Washington Polling Group here (pdf).
Related Articles:
AL-05 Pre-primary reports
What follows will be pointers to the pre-primary reports for the AL-05 congressional candidates. These reports cover 4/1/08 to 5/14/08, so check the FEC for updates.
The first mention of the candidates name will be a pointer to a list of reports filed by the candidate’s committee with the Federal Election Commission, any new reports should be in that list. Where possible links to lists of donors and expenses will be given in evident places.
Harri Anne Smith’s Expedient Company
Republican state Sen. Harri Anne Smith had a fundraising reception Tuesday night in Enterprise for her campaign for the AL-02 Congressional seat. A noteworthy name on the Host Committee list was developer Ronnie Gilley.
This session Smith introduced a bill to reverse regulations allowing electronic bingo at Gilley’s Country Crossing development without a vote of the people.
From the Alabama Baptist:
“My personal stance is this is not bingo this is gambling, and I am opposed to any form of gambling,” said Smith, a member of First Baptist Church, Slocomb.
“When the citizens of any community face a political and moral issue as significant and important as whether or not to allow a casino into their county, the people not the elected officials should have the right to make the decision,” she said. “The people should have had a voice in this, and that’s what we are trying to give them.”
But her bill was said to put the future of the development in doubt and in 11 days Smith changed her mind. In an awkward reversal, Smith announced that she was asking that her bill be “stopped, permanently.”
Last month, developer Ronnie Gilley stood on the opposite side of the issue, but this week he is a member of the Host Committee for her fundraising reception.
“There go the people. I must follow them, for I am their leader.” - attributed to Alexandre Ledru-Rollin during the French Revolution of 1848.
The whole episode is reminiscent of Smith’s party switch in 1998.
Smith had been quite the active Democrat. She was President of the Geneva County Democratic Club. For the state Democratic Party, she served on a Small Business Roundtable that actively sought to engage small business owners in the Democratic Party.
Ken Walker, Democratic Party County Chair of Dale County, remembers when Harri Anne Smith switched. “I got a call from the E.D. [Executive Director] of the Democratic Party saying we had to have a Senate candidate right away and could I find somebody that would run. [Democratic state Senator] Chip Bailey was going to switch parties and run as a Republican, and we didn’t have much time to find a candidate. I thought of Sheriff Lamar Glover and called him to ask if he knew of someone. He calls me back to say Mac Palmer will run. So I call the E.D. back in about an hour to say we have somebody.”
“‘No, no, no,’ he says. ‘We have to wait. Harri Anne Smith is trying to decide if she is going to run as a Republican or a Democrat. I said, ‘No, we already have somebody. You asked me to find somebody, and I already talked to him.’
“‘No, no, no,’ he says. ‘We need to wait to see what Harri Anne Smith is going to do.’ I said, ‘No, I gave my word to Mac Palmer, and the way I was raised I don’t go back on my word. She can run if she wants to, but Mac Palmer is our guy.’
Smith ended up running as a Republican against the incumbent Chip Bailey, and I asked Walker if he thought Smith would have run as a Democrat if she could have had a clear primary field.
“No. The Republicans were mad at Chip Bailey. The Dothan folks, Saliba and those folks. They told her they would support her with a lot of money if she ran as a Republican against Bailey. It wasn’t about ideology or political stances. She had a chance to get a lot of money supporting her, and so that’s what she did.
“I always teased her after that, that she was on the wrong side. She had always been so active with the Democrats. Came from a big Democratic familiy. Her daddy was a big Democrat. I really hated to see her go.”
Another south Alabama Democratic party activist tells essentially the same story about when she switched. “These folks were going to back her if she ran against Bailey as a Republican. It didn’t have anything to do with party positions or anything like that. She had a chance for a big win, and she took it.”
“She was close to Siegelman for a while. Her daddy was a big Wallace man. We watched her grow up active in the Party. It really broke my heart to see her go. Not just mine. Broke a lot of people’s hearts.”
She defeated the incumbent Bailey and won the seat. But after she was elected, she gave thought to switching back to the Democratic Party. Giles Perkins, then the Democratic Executive Director, has been known to tell the tale of driving down to the Wiregrass to meet with Sen. Smith to discuss it as she, in his telling, thought seriously about switching back.
The common thread here is the demonstration of expediency over ideology. Her critics would see it as a weakness, her supporters would see it as a strength. Ronnie Gilley sees it as a $250-300 million development, and for that, he’d see you at Harri Anne Smith’s fundraiser.
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AL-02 Candidate Grimes: Good News, Bad News
Below are the results of an automated, push-button poll commissioned by the David Grimes campaign for the 2nd Congressional District race. The good news for Grimes is that it shows him in second place in the Republican primary field. The bad news for Grimes is that the poll is an outlier not remotely consistent with other polling done for the race.
The Parlor asked experienced campaign hands to offer comments on the polling summary provided to the Parlor by the polling company.
First, from a Republican campaign veteran…
There are so many things wrong with push-button polls it’s not even funny. They should rotate the names, but that’s just for starters. Also, they don’t ask if you are going to vote in the Republican Primary?? They have Love’s favorables lowest, unfavs highest and yet he still leads?? Schmidtke has spent $500K and they don’t include him??
A Democratic campaign professional believes that some outfits can do push-button polling well, but otherwise has similar observations.
Lots of problems with this. In no particular order….
They don’t ask what party people are likely to vote in. Looks to me like they’re talking to a fair amount of Democrats here.
Love is leading the race though his fav/unfav numbers are the weakest? That doesn’t make sense.
Where are Schmidtke and Martin in Q2? It skips from “Press 2” to “Press 5,” which makes me think they listed both Schmitkde and Martin, but the numbers for the candidates listed add up to 100%.
And it has “Woods” and “Undecided” listed as “Press 6.”
And of course, how can you have a fav/unfav choice where those are your only two choices? Even if you’ve never heard of the guy, you have to choose one or the other.
The prevailing perspective is that the underfunded Grimes’ campaign will not be competitive in next Tuesday’s GOP primary for the 2nd Congressional District.
The poll summary is below.
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Government Responds to Court Directive in Schmitz Case
Helen Hammons looks at the court proceedings in the case of Rep. Sue Schmitz (D - Toney) and gives us this report.
In an answer to a court directive, Federal prosecutors on Wednesday specifically mentioned Alabama legislator Sue Schmitz’s alleged efforts to obtain help in getting a job with the Community Intensive Treatment for Youth Skills Training Consortium (the CITY Program) from Dr. Paul Hubbert, House Speaker Seth Hammett and former two-year college Chancellor Roy Johnson.
Prosecutors have claimed Schmitz fraudulently made approximately $177,251.82 from the program and “performed virtually no services and generated virtually no work product.” Schmitz has denied the charges and has alleged she has been the target of selective prosecution.
The directive from the court told prosecutors “to explain upon what basis it had concluded that Ms. Schmitz obtained her position through illegitimate means and the relationship between that claim and the mail fraud counts…”
The government’s submission to the court says the basis for the allegation is as follows. (I have not tried to interpret or correct some of the typos in the government’s document.)
“1. The defendant utilized her status as a legislator to request and receive preferential treatment in obtaining a position with the CITY Program. Her efforts included, but were not limited to, requesting the assistance of the head of the Alabama Education Association, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the then-Chancellor of the Department of Postsecondary Education in furtherance of her desire to secure employment. The fact that Schmitz called upon these individuals - who were well known to wield great influence - rather than contacting prospective employers directly distinguishes the nature of her job search and evidences her desire to obtain special treatment.”
“2. The position Schmitz secured for herself with the CITY Program - “Program Coordinator for Community and External Affairs” - never existed previously and was in fact specially created for her.”
“3. The position Schmitz obtained as not posted to allow for other individuals to apply, and, in fact, no other applicants were considered for the position.”
“4. Schmitz was offered the position by letter dated January 16, 2003, and she accepted the position by countersigning that letter on January 24, 2003. Schmitz did not submit an application for the position until February 3, 2003 – a full eighteen days before she was offer, and a full ten days after she had accepted, the job.”
The government went on to say Schmitz’s “illegitimate means illuminate Schmitz’s fraudulent intent…” and her actions “serve to demonstrate that she never intended to actually perform any work in her role as a CITY Program employee. Rather, Schmitz merely sought to secure for herself a specially created, well compensated position with nebulous duties by capitalizing on her status as an elected official so that she would receive a stream of payments from the CITY Program as salary even though she planned to rarely even appear for work at CITY Program offices, much less perform any actual work.”
A cursory review of court filings, indicates both the government and the defense have to a certain extent been playing to a future jury and the media. Necessary basic legal elements have been missing from some of the defense’s filings and the court has so far in its rulings said Schmitz has not proven the elements needed to sustain allegations of government misconduct.
Many a defense lawyer wishes the routine posturing antics of prosecutors did amount to misconduct, but Chief Magistrate Judge Paul Greene certainly hit the nail on the head by acknowledging a simple fact. “Derogatory remarks and statements made by prosecutors or government witnesses do not amount to prosecutorial misconduct.”
Schmitz has also sought in pre-trial motions to have the court agree she was paid a bona fide salary and compensation as a normal course of business. Chief Magistrate Judge Paul Greene’s finding and recommendation says that issue has to be left to a jury. “What Ms. Schmitz seeks is an evaluation of her evidence in support of a possible challenge to an aspect of the indictment before the government has presented its case…In any case, the indictment may not be dismissed merely because the defendant at some later time may offer evidence to a fact finder that an exception ameliorating criminal culpability may be appropriately founded to be applicable.”
Schmitz requested a trial without a jury but the government refused to go along with that request. Prosecutors have advised Schmitz and the court they expect former Chancellor Roy Johnson to be a witness during the trial. Although the court’s electronic system still shows a June trial date, there is no written decision on file related to a request in that system related to Schmitz’s request for a further continuance until September. That issue may have been addressed during a recent pre-trial conference, but I was unable to determine that prior to this writing. Prosecutors previously wrote they had no problem with a delay into July, but did not agree the case should be moved into September.
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Thursday 5/29/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST
Birmingham News – Attorney for Sen. E. B. McClain (D-Midfield) says he expects his client to face federal indictment this week.
Birmingham News – Full Senate expected to approve education budget today.
Birmingham News – GOP candidates for Court of Criminal Appeals tout their experience.
Birmingham News – U.S. Senate Jeff Sessions plans series of fundraising stops across state this week.
Birmingham News – Campaign finance reports show that state’s GOP congressional candidates spending their own money in campaigns.
Birmingham News – The Birmingham News says that AEA’s Hubbert won the education budget battle.
Mobile Press-Register – Members of House Black Caucus consider filibuster of education budget; say that they want tax off groceries.
Mobile Press-Register – Mobile area senators pushing insurance reform in special session.
Daily Home - The Daily Home endorses Hornady in GOP primary for PSC president.
Tuscaloosa News - House committee approves measure to exempt federal stimulus checks from state income tax.
Tuscaloosa News - Legislature creates statewide autism council.
Tuscaloosa News - Summary of yesterday’s legislative action.
Times Daily - Sen. Bobby Denton (D-Muscle Shoals), Dean of the Senate, misses special session due to surgeries.
Washington Post - Honda switching production of larger vehicles to Alabama facility to allow Canadian plant to increase production of fuel-efficient vehicles.
Montgomery Advertiser – Senate committee approves bill to prohibit “washing” of PAC money.
Chicago Tribune – Hyundai may produce some models at Georgia’s Kia facility.
(more…)
Small Town Political Gazette 05/29/08
Moulton Advertiser “Make your opinon count”, an editorial
The Outlook Faintly amusing editorial cartoon
The Times-Journal Voting changes in Dekalb County on hold for the primaries
May 29
1901: Seven days into the Constitutional Convention of 1901 a petition submitted by Booker T. Washington and twenty-three other African-American leaders is read to convention delegates, all of whom are white. The petition asked that the black Alabamian be given “some humble share in choosing those who shall rule over him.” Nevertheless, with the ratification of the Constitution of 1901 in November, blacks–along with poor whites–were effectively disfranchised.
May 28, 2008
The Millionaire’s Amendment and AL-02
Here is a promised follow-up to this post.
I sought a little clarification and understanding regarding the FEC Millionaire’s Amendment… it kicks in for U.S. House races when a candidate contributes over $350,000 to his/her own campaign, in which case it may allow donors to other candidates to contribute more than the usual $2300 limit - possibly up to $6900.
Someone familiar with FEC Millionaire’s Amendment explained that the Millionaire’s Amendment would have little practical ramifications in the AL-02 race. “It’s all formulaic once someone crosses the $350,000 threshold. You plug the numbers in the formulas, there is a calculation that is done, at the end of the figuring, you see how much more donors can give” to the affected campaigns.
“It’s all formula based. It’s on a sliding scale, based on how much you’ve raised and given.”
Once one candidate crosses the threshold (as Schmidtke did), the Amendment applies, and it doesn’t matter that others cross it later. “John Martin and David Grimes would be the candidates most likely to be affected, but they did not have maxed-out donors anyway, so it probably wouldn’t make much difference to them.”
In the AL-02 GOP primary, the Millionaire’s Amendment would have “almost no ramifications at all.”
A primer on the Millionaire’s Amendment is here.
Related Articles:
Wednesday 5/28/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST
Birmingham News – Federal magistrate rejects claims by Rep. Sue Schmitz (D-Toney) of politically motivated prosecution.
Birmingham News – Governor includes other measures in call for special session.
Birmingham News – Education budget may cut higher ed $5 million to “punish” colleges for killing budget in regular session.
Birmingham News – The Birmingham News hopes that state senators will quickly approve education budget.
Mobile Press-Register – U.S. Supreme Court rules in Governor’s favor in case challenging appointment of Mobile County commissioner.
Mobile Press-Register – Federal court reinstates suit by Mobile county man imprisoned for 27 years.
Mobile Press-Register – State’s efforts to use ethanol in motor pool vehicle has mixed results.
Huntsville Times – Teledyne Brown announces expansion in Huntsville.
Daily Home - The Daily Home endorses Smithwick as GOP nominee for State Board of Education.
Daily Home - The Daily Home endorses Sessions, Figures in primary races for U. S. Senate.
Opelika-Auburn News - Administrative law judge voids termination of Southern Union College president.
Anniston Star - The Anniston Star presents its endorsements for the June primaries.
Tuscaloosa News - Lawmakers complain that Governor never notified them of special session.
Tuscaloosa News - Summary of yesterday’s action in the Alabama legislature.
Senate Sketches - “Senate Sketches,” the weekly column for his constituents from Sen. Hank Sanders (D-Selma).
Small Town Political Gazette 05/28/08
Cullman Times Political forum set for Friday
Times-Journal Article about school board race between a recent high school graduate and the incumbent
News Courier Limestone County legislators hope to amend fire fee law
May 28
1828: A United States arsenal is established at Mt. Vernon, near the juncture of the Tombigbee and Alabama Rivers. It had previously been the headquarters for General Claiborne in the Creek War of 1813-1814. In 1873 the Arsenal was converted into a barracks, which from 1887 to 1894 housed Apache Indian prisoners, including Geronimo. In 1895 the land was conveyed to the State of Alabama and became the site of the Searcy Hospital.
1916: Writer, Walker Percy, was born in Birmingham
1951: Batting for the New York Giants against the Boston Braves, Alabama native Willie Mays gets his first hit in the Major Leagues–a home run.
Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History
May 28, 1916: Novelist Walker Percy was born at St Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham.
Source: Bhamwiki
May 27, 2008
AL-06 and AL-07 pre-primary reports
Since Davis and Bachus are unopposed, will combine their information. More below the prompt
(more…)
Smith Bolsters Campaign Funds in CD-2 Race
Republican state Senator Harri Anne Smith dropped another $150,000 of her own money into her AL-02 campaign today, according to a Parlor source.
I think it’s fair to say that if her polling showed her where she wanted to be, she wouldn’t be dropping this kind of money in now.
Related Articles:
Education Budget Agreement Reached
Though we have a special session starting today because no deal on the state education budget could be reached, I had heard optimism and confidence that a budget deal would be quickly reached in the special session.
And indeed, a deal was announced even before the session started today at 4 p.m.
There were other matters in the Governor’s call. See the complete call here.
AL-03 Pre Primary Reports
The Federal Election Commision pre-primary reports filed by Rogers and Segall are available. These cover receipts and expenditures from 4/1/08 to 5/14/08. Earlier information information on Rogers and Segall campaign committees’s receipts and spending is available at the FEC.
Rogers’s campaign committee has raised $ 39,795.00 split roughly between individuals and PACs. The campaign has spent $52,949.51 which includes a $10,000 transfer to another committee. The campaign has $ 948,940.44 cash on hand as of 5/14/08.
Segall’s committee reports raising $ 34,678.62 in small donations and none from PACs. The campaign has spent $58,594.24. The campaign has $ 199,625.38 cash on hand.
Looking these over, it is evident that Segall is trying to raise funds from multiple small donors instead of PACs. Rogers is using the more traditional PAC/donor approach. Rogers also has the advantage of having left over campaign funds and the inherent ability of incumbents to attract PAC money.
The size of Rogers’s war chest should be troubling to Segall’s backers. While money does not mean votes, it does help to get the message out.
