2008 July » Doc’s Political Parlor

Forbes.com has a story about the supplemental retirement savings program offered to Alabama state employees offered by Nationwide Financial Services (the Nationwide Insurance folks):

How Nationwide got this exclusive deal says a lot about the often cozy, pay-for-play relationships between public employee unions and business.

Nationwide pays $1 million a year to the Alabama State Employee Association for the right to sell its savings plan to state workers. It’s a great deal for the union, which has gained financial and political clout with the money, and a great deal for Nationwide. It’s not so great for workers.

The article comments on deal details that are “poorly disclosed” and adds that “ASEA President Edwin Jean (Mac) McArthur Jr. has used secretive payments like Nationwide’s to generate much of his union’s $3 million in revenue.”

The full story is here.

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Daily Headlines, Wednesday, 7/30/2008

Filed under: Daily News — H @ 5:25 am

Birmingham News - Convicted murderer serving life says he, not Thomas Arthur, killed Troy Wicker Jr. in 1982

Birmingham News - Alabama Department of Human Resources Commissioner Page Walley resigning effective Sept. 1

Birmingham News - A former Hanceville court magistrate pays the city $18,860 after state audit

Birmingham News - Contempt vote today on Karl Rove

Birmingham News - Judges are asked to block Nov. 4 election unless cleared by the U.S. Justice Department

Birmingham News - Thomas Arthur is to be executed Thursday for a murder another prisoner now claims he committed. Clearly, these claims must be investigated before the execution occurs

Press-Register - Audit: Austal failed to keep tabs on LCS Company didn’t keep Navy managers informed on cost and schedule, says report

Press-Register - Keep after that money

Huntsville Times - 3 pre-K programs to merge resources

Huntsville Times - Crisis on state roads

Huntsville Times - NASA still our bestspace hope

Montgomery Advertiser - Groups eye historic Bryce campus

Montgomery Advertiser - Real ID may cost Alabama $16.3 million

Montgomery Advertiser - Alabama Medicaid gets $17.4 million

Montgomery Advertiser - Courthouse threats: Judges, attorneys face risks on the job

Anniston Star - Go ahead; it’s OK to shop - Sales tax? What sales tax?

Anniston Star - Harvey H. Jackson: Fat’s in the fire

Decatur Daily - Blame voters for debt that keeps on soaring

Opelika-Auburn News - AU professor to testify before Congress

Washington Post - House Issues An Apology For Slavery

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Small Town Political Gazette 7/30/08

Filed under: Small Town — waltm @ 5:24 am

The Selma Times-Journal - Editorial argues for the preservation of Bryce Hospital

The Wetumpka Herald - Editorial on the Jefferson County bond default

The Brewton Standard - Opinon article, “State has seen winds of change”

(more…)

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July 30

Filed under: TDAH — waltm @ 12:01 am

1942: Alabama native Cornelius Paul was among the sailors killed when the USS Grunion was sunk by the Japanese during World War II.

1946: NASCAR driver Neil Bonnett was born.
Source: Bhamwiki

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July 29, 2008

Terry Everett Wants Love for His District …and Governorship?

Filed under: Campaign & Election, AL Executive Branch, AL and DC — Danny @ 8:10 am

Retiring Republican Congressman Terry Everett endorses his party’s nominee, Jay Love, to succeed him in the 2nd Congressional District.

And he might run for Governor? He’ll hang on to some campaign money, just in case.

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King’s Overcompensation

Filed under: AL Executive Branch — Danny @ 7:50 am

Many readers already made the connection from our Daily Headlines on Sunday… A salary in the AG’s office that was not commensurate with experience/training is partly what undergirded the recent rumors related to our state’s Attorney General, and the Birmingham News had the story on Sunday - though not in the context of said rumors. The reality as reported in the News was not as outlandish as what I heard in most versions of the story (e.g., “six figures!”).

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Glad to be Helpful

Filed under: Misc. AL Politics — Danny @ 7:40 am

Been quite busy around here. We’ll catch up a little now, catch up a little later…

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Sebastian Kitchen almost sorta kinda mentions the Political Parlor in his Sunday column when he refers to us as “a popular Alabama blog.” Thanks, SK!

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