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 to repay borrowed funds.
Birmingham News – High gasoline prices are impacting Alabama’s SUV-heavy automobile manufacturing sector.
Birmingham News – The Birmingham News says that recent audit which shows that political ideology played a role in hiring practices at Department of Justice bolster Siegelman’s claims of politically-motivated prosecution.
Birmingham News – Commentary by Gov. Bob Riley argues that Congress must allow development of U.S. Energy resources in order further nation’s efforts at energy independence.
Mobile Press-Register – Higher gas prices mean lower revenue for road construction and maintenance.
Mobile Press-Register – New Press-Register/USA poll shows Alabamians feel secure in their jobs, but falling behind financially.
Mobile Press-Register – Political analysts tell Business Council of Alabama that presidency is “Obama’s to lose.”
Huntsville Times – Source of campaign contributions likely to be center of race for State Supreme Court seat.
Huntsville Times – PACs and law firms are the big contributors to judicial races.
Huntsville Times – The Huntsville Times blasts legislators’ summer travel plans at taxpayer expense.
Anniston Star - The Anniston Star winds up its week-long series on payday lending, making suggestions for community alternatives.
Anniston Star - Commentary by payday loan industry says that payday loans lead to financial freedom.
Anniston Star -Commentary by advocate says that a cap on interest rates should be state’s response to burgeoning predatory lending industry.
Montgomery Advertiser - Ads turn negative in GOP runoff for 2nd Congressional District.
New York Times – Reopening black farmers’ discrimination suit against the Department of Agriculture may require billions more.
Dothan Eagle - Wiregrass area poor struggling with cooling bills as temperature rise.
News link – Obama win in Deep South states seen as unlikely.
Too bad the Huntsville Times didn’t publish a list of the junketing Legislators. Editorial might have had more of an impact. Has anyone seen such a list?
Comment by walt moffett — June 29, 2008 @ 11:15 am
Don’t you know there were some long faces when the “experts” told the BCA crowd that it is Obama’s to lose?
And kudos to Treasurer Kay Ivey for having the guts to raise concern about how today’s politicians are always quick to spend our kid’s future for photo ops and claims of “look what I have done.”
Comment by LA — June 29, 2008 @ 11:32 am
Walt:
They were identified in Friday’s article in The Huntsville Times. Go to http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/121455815441510.xml&coll=1
Comment by Anonymous — June 29, 2008 @ 11:51 am
Thanks for the steer but its not the full list, just North Alabama folks.
Comment by walt moffett — June 29, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
sue schmitz might want to skip the conference.
Comment by Anonymous — June 29, 2008 @ 12:26 pm
>>Now she’s harassed by collection agencies looking to recoup the thousands of dollars she owes.
Imagine if the payday lenders didn’t exist and she had to turn to mobbed-up loan sharks. “Harassment” would not nearly describe the fix she might be in. Making the payday lenders illegal will not stop desperate people from getting loans. It will only reduce their options.
Comment by Onelife — June 29, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
they could squeeze in a 5-day special session from Sunday (7/15) through Saturday (7/19)
Comment by OldCloverdale — June 30, 2008 @ 8:05 am
Oh, I didn’t realize that the water shortage was a result of the lottery!! Damn, you need to publicize that a little better. Sorta like old Hank saying that Katrina was the result of God punishing New Orleans for such sin. What would we do without you guys to point out the one and right way for the rest of us?
Comment by Anonymous — June 30, 2008 @ 1:04 pm