BCA Supreme Endorsement is ‘Painful Decision’

Greg Shaw

At the Business Council of Alabama conference this weekend, BCA’s ProgressPAC endorsed Republican Supreme Court candidate Greg Shaw over Democrat Deborah Bell Paseur. Many observers will not be surprised by the endorsement as much as they will be by how difficult the decision-making process was. Both candidates had been endorsed by the BCA [...]

Session End Shrouded in Tradition

You may have noted in a Daily News Digest last month that Alabama state Rep. Ken Guin (D – Carbon Hill) received the Shroud Award for the “deadest bill of the session,” a tradition in the state House since 1978. (Listen to this year’s audio here.)

The Shroud Award [...]

Monday 6/30/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – Utilization of Birmingham transit up as gasoline prices surge.  

Birmingham NewsThe Birmingham News cites recent National Assessment of Educational Progress as evidence that Alabama’s investment in k-12 has been sound, and may need to be strengthened.  

Mobile Press-Register – “The Political Skinny,” the weekly [...]

Small Town Political Gazette 6/30/08

No news is good news.  The papers were quiet today and probably will be as the old mill towns enjoy the shutdown vacation.

June 30

1928: As mandated by the legislature, convict leasing ends in Alabama. While many southern states leased convicts to private industry as laborers, Alabama’s program, begun in 1846, lasted the longest, and for much of that time the notorious system was a key revenue source for the state.

Source: Alabama Department of Archives and [...]

Sunday 6/29/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – State may look to Alabama Trust Fund to finance incentives to lure Volkswagen to Alabama; State Treasurer warns against “continu[ing] to erode the savings account of the people of Alabama.”  

Birmingham News – Jefferson County’s sewer debt crisis:  Over 40% of residents lack income to pay bills necessary [...]

Small Town Political Gazette 6/29/08

Troy Messenger Two Pike County Commission candidates under investigation for possible violations of the Hatch Act

Prattville Progress Editorial on Prattville’s sidewalk ordinance

The Franklin County Times Editorial calls for volunteers to transport Franklin County cancer patients

Frequently seen today were articles reminding readers that qualifying for many municipal positions begins July [...]

June 29

1846: The 1st Alabama Infantry Regiment organizes in Mobile to fight in the Mexican War. Alabamians volunteered in large numbers to fight against Mexico when war came over the annexation of Texas, but only this single regiment, a battalion, and several independent companies actually were received into federal service from the state. During its eleven [...]

Saturday 6/28/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – Auburn University joins other state colleges in approving double-digit tuition increases in face of budget cuts.  

Birmingham News – Alabama-based manufacturer of recreational vehicles plans to lay off almost 100 workers as sales drop with increasing fuel costs.  

Birmingham NewsThe Birmingham News accuses AG [...]

Small Town Political Gazette 06/28/08

Times Daily Editorial advocates making a ban on smoking an issue in local elections

Eufaula Tribune MeadWestvaco employees seek job security

The Daily Sentinel Scottsboro City Council finds it difficult to buy local

June 28

2005: Richard Scrushy was acquitted of 36 counts of fraud and conspiracy.

Source: Bhamwiki

2007: Former governor Don Siegelman and ousted Healthsouth CEO Richard Scrushy are sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller to lengthy prison terms for their convictions on bribery, conspiracy and mail fraud. Siegelman is sentenced to [...]

Parties in Heated Battle in Jefferson County

Seal of Jefferson County, Alabama

There is a confusing story in Jefferson County that is turning into a pitched battle between county Democrats and Republicans.

Seems that about 18 months ago, Republican Andy Smith was appointed by Gov. Riley to fill an unexpired term as Bessemer Division Tax Assessor. That term ends Sept. 30, 2009. There is an election [...]

Alabama in Top 5 ‘Down-Ballot Bonanzas’

Hot sun

CQ Politics today has its Top Five “‘Down-Ballot Bonanzas’ — states where the presidential contests look more certain to end up Democratic blue or Republican red, but where there are hot races for Congress and/or governor to watch.”

In the Top Five? Alabama.

McCain has to be considered a sure thing to carry conservative Alabama, [...]

Ranking the Purple States

Corner of Map that Shades Purple States from Stateline.org

Stateline.org has a new article out today ranking the purple states with a very nifty interactive graphic as well.

Here’s a taste that does not do justice to the whole article:

Out There currently posits that Obama can claim 242 electoral votes as either safe or leaning in his direction, while Republican John McCain can claim [...]

Friday 6/27/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – State Board of Education appears ready to adopt new policy to increase the frequency of performance evaluation of two-year college system.  

Birmingham News – Hank Aaron hosts Birmingham fundraiser for Senate hopeful Vivian Figures.  

Birmingham News – Attorney General Troy King, other law enforcement officials praise [...]

Small Town News

Small town political gazette – 3/19/10

The Cullman TimesTim James: ‘Government must live within its means’ - an interview

Cleburne NewsPayne let go as Police Chief in Heflin – something is going on here

Moulton AdvertiserHiker finds campaign signs

The Sand Mountain Reporter - Albertville city website defaced – Have you applied all [...]

See more Recent Small Town News

 


 

Legislative Dispatch

Change

I wish my friend Hinton Mitchem godspeed and good luck after his retirement from public service. Hinton, on Monday, announced what many had suspected — he will not seek re-election. I remember meeting Hinton for the first time while I was a student at Auburn University. He served the people of his [...]

Ten Minutes in the House, Senate Moves On

Riley and her friend Caroline joined Julie on the campaign trail in Isabella this past weekend.

Here is a quick preview of the upcoming week in Montgomery. This week will be a standard legislative schedule for the House. We will be in session on Tuesday and Thursday with committee meetings scheduled for Wednesday.
The House will take up a ten minute calendar this week. A ten minute calendar is [...]

Purple Dot Connection

MARCH MADNESS

TOP TEN INDICATIONS OF MARCH MADNESS

10.  Eric Massa inviting us to ask the 10,000 Navy men he served with whether he is gay.

9.  Larry Langford hitting the jackpot 33 times in one day and not remembering it.

8.  Ron Sparks being able to make payments on a $500,000 loan with an income of $80,000.

7.  Artur Davis [...]


Back in the Day...

Union Avenue in Ozark in the 1920s

Vintage postcard