Happy New Year 2009! I hope that this New Year brings with it some needed changes in our state government but much like those watching the economy; my “consumer confidence” is low. That being said, it is time to set our state’s New Year resolutions.
First, on behalf of the entire Alabama House of Representatives I wish, no beg, the State Senate to please engage in a productive session. This is not finger pointing but just a realization of what everyone is already talking about, that the Senate is currently fractured into multiple groups with little sign of coming together any time soon. Some state senators have been advocating for a session that avoids some of the issues that have locked down the entire process in the past. I hope those senators from both sides of the aisle prevail in 2009.
This New Year also brings about an economic climate that we have known seen in a couple of decades. I hope that we can all resolve in Montgomery to make the necessary cuts in state spending to balance the budget while still preserving those services most vital to our children like the Kids First Health Insurance Program and Medicaid.
Not only does the economy require us to cut state spending it also means that we must develop a tax policy that puts more money in the pockets for people to spend. Two-thirds of Alabama’s economy is based upon consumer spending and we need to encourage more of it. How about raising the tax credits for families with two children and also eliminating the tax on groceries in the New Year without raising new taxes?
Alabama has always held out a reputation as being tough on crime but we still allow convicted murders to make money off of the crime they committed. In 2009 we should work to eliminate this practice where victims are held in less regard than the profiteering of criminals. If we are truly dedicated to making sure those who commit heinous crimes are punished then surely we can eliminate their profit making habits while they serve their sentence.
Finally in the New Year I would like to see our state take on an issue that it has long been neglected. When you drive a car in Alabama you should be held responsible when you damage another car in an accident. Sounds simple enough but under current Alabama law many drivers involved in car accidents end up not having insurance and providing false addresses to officers at the scene. These drivers are now found and the victim of these accidents is stuck with a bill they should not have to pay.
While there are other issues that need to be addressed by Alabama’s state government in 2009 I would like to at least see us use these relatively non-controversial goals above as a starting point. Some productivity out of Montgomery would indeed make for a Happy New Year.
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Alabama Citizens for Constitution Reform (ACCR) is putting together a mock constitution convention next month. If you want to participate as a delegate, time is fast running out to get in your application. The deadline to apply is December 31.
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Birmingham News - Executions, death sentences down in 2008, but Alabama has set 5 executions for 2009
Birmingham News - Birmingham city councilors demand authority in dome spending, selection
Birmingham News - Alabama has an environmentally friendly year
Birmingham News - Civil rights movement leader Shuttlesworth in Birmingham hospital ICU
Birmingham News - Shelby organization offers safe haven, counseling for youths
Birmingham News - Proponents of a `multipurpose facility’ tried in vain to persuade people not to call it a dome; now, as long as you know what it is, you can still use …
Birmingham News - Birmingham City Council should have vetted its newest member
Birmingham News - The Jefferson County Commission’s new fees for copying public documents are exorbitant
Press-Register - Pollard is a tiny town but it has a big history
Press-Register - Moon Pie hailed as ‘idea for the ages’
Huntsville Times - School-merger chances grow
Huntsville Times - Mulching Christmas tree a perfect end to holidays
Huntsville Times - Laidlaw injury claims still pending
Huntsville Times - A 2009 state tax cut?
Montgomery Advertiser - State lacks incentives for film projects
Montgomery Advertiser - First reports show reduction in energy used, money spent
Montgomery Advertiser - Official ‘concerned’ about health system
Montgomery Advertiser - Councilman wants to improve residents’ quality of life
Tuscaloosa News - Roy Moore for governor in 2010?
Tuscaloosa News - Our community wish list for the new year
Tuscaloosa News - Coal ash options must be discussed
Florence Times Daily - 2008 brought change to local, national politics
Anniston Star - Sweet home Alabama
Anniston Star - We’re a competitor
Anniston Star - Opportunity, yes
Decatur Daily - With gas prices down, will drivers keep conserving?
Decatur Daily - Recession should trigger increase in some funding
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1835: The Cherokee Indian Treaty Party signs the Treaty of New Echota, ceding their lands east of the Mississippi River to the U.S. government. The Cherokees were to receive five million dollars and land in the western Indian Territory. Alabama created the new counties of Cherokee, DeKalb, and Marshall from the ceded land and the Cherokees began their infamous “trail of tears.”
1841: Howard College was founded in Marion. In 1887, it moved to the Eastlake area and eventually became Samford University.
1894: Politician, J. Lister Hill, was born in Montgomery
1959: Musician Eric Essix was born.
1959: Actress, Paula Poundstone, was born in Huntsville
1982: The Bear Bryant era at Alabama ended with his final game, his 323rd victory.
1995: The last episode of the Country Boy Eddie Show aired on WBRC.
Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History, Bhamwiki
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1857: Physician and co-founder of Children’s Hospital, Thomas Duke Parke was born.
1950: Former U. S. Ambassador Margaret Tutwiler was born in Birmingham.
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