Wednesday 6/18/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST
Birmingham News – UA campuses seeking double-digit increase in tuition.
Birmingham News – Birmingham’s public housing program projects shortfall of over $9 million in FY09.
Mobile Press-Register – GAO decision on tanker contract to Northrop Grumman-EADS may come as early as today.
Mobile Press-Register – Alabama Christian Coalition seeks to broaden its focus under new leadership, turns its attention to health care for uninsured.
Daily Home - The Daily Home says that “it’s time lawmakers concentrated on the real problems of this state,” calls for legislature to reject proposal for “I believe” car tag.
Senate Sketches – “Senate Sketches,” the weekly column to his constituents by Sen. Hank Sanders (D-Selma).
Tuscaloosa News - Alabama AG agrees to reducing death sentence of person determined to be mentally retarded.
Montgomery Advertiser - State’s attorney contends that drug companies cheated Medicaid for years by overcharging for medications.
Montgomery Advertiser - The Montgomery Advertiser says that proposal by U.S. Rep. Artur Davis (D) for state funded college scholarships is “worthy of debate.”
Anniston Star - The Anniston Star cites recent Kids Count report, federal review of DHR and report that ranks state 14th in terms of health care access for children in finding that “[w]hile there is much work remaining, things have been accomplished that will make Alabama a better place for children.”
Birmingham Business Journal - New report puts costs of high school dropouts to Alabama’s economy at $6.5 billion.
Mobile Press-Register – Mobile City Council unanimously endorses pending congressional appropriation that would provide $50 million for Katrina-related housing needs.
Before throwing out Erwin’s car tag idea, has anyone considered the revenue possibilities?
Comment by walt moffett — June 18, 2008 @ 9:53 am
No, but if we taxed political pandering in Alabama we would be a 1st world state, uh, maybe 2nd world is more appropriate. After all, we are still pretty sad.
Comment by Willie — June 18, 2008 @ 10:37 am
They should charge a little extra for the “God Bless America” tags and give the money to veterans or something.
Why are they the same price as the “Stars Fell on Alabama” tags anyway?
Comment by OldCloverdale — June 18, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
Old Cloverdale, those “God Bless America” tags are the same price. When I got mine last year, I was offered either that or keep the old one.
The Alabama Veterans Assistance Fund gets a cut of another plate.
I suspect we’ll soon see a Friends of TVA proceeds to be used by the TVA caucus next.
Comment by walt moffett — June 18, 2008 @ 2:45 pm
And I don’t think that Erwin sees this as a revenue generating proposal, he just wants to make it clear to all how much we love Jesus - which I guess is not a bad idea since it would be hard to come to that conclusion based on any other policy decisions we seem to make. I think that his proposal will merely add this as a third choice available to Alabama’s car tag buyers - Stars fell on Alabama, Good Bless America or I believe. If there are revenue considerations, it probably should be an examination of the cost of producing so many options.
Comment by Anonymous — June 18, 2008 @ 3:32 pm
walt moffett
Re-read my post and you’ll see that I said what you said — the “God Bless America” tags are the same price as the “Stars Fell on Alabama” tags.
Why?
Comment by OldCloverdale — June 18, 2008 @ 4:21 pm
Old Cloverdale,
This unworthy one will no longer obtrude itself upon your consciousness other than to beg your pardon.
Comment by walt moffett — June 18, 2008 @ 5:51 pm
As originally intoduced, the “God Bless America” tag was to replace the standard issue Stars tag. Everyone getting a standard issue tag was going to receive the GB America tag. When it was pointed out that such a change would likel lead to litigation by a number of parties, the sponsor agreed to a change that allowed citizens to make the choice of which tag they wished to have on their autos.
I suppose that explains that fact that they are both the same fee, and why in all probability the I Believe tag will be equally as much of a choice, without any additional costs to the buyer.
Comment by Anonymous — June 18, 2008 @ 7:35 pm
IMO, anything other than the basic “Stars Fell on Alabama” tag should cost extra … w/ the fees going to a good cause (and tax deductible if possible)
Comment by OldCloverdale — June 19, 2008 @ 8:01 am