Sunday 7/6/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – New census report shows that per person taxes in Alabama remain the lowest in the nation.  

Birmingham News – Alabama companies have worst week in over a decade as stock values decline for fifth straight week.  

Mobile Press-RegisterThe Press-Register reviews the [...]

Saturday 7/5/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – State Department of Education, citing high fuel costs and low utilization, asks for waiver to requirement to offer transfers from poorly-performing schools.  

Birmingham NewsThe Birmingham News calls for Governor to order DNA testing for Tommy Arthur, death inmate scheduled for execution on July 31st. [...]

Friday 7/4/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – Quality of life, attentiveness of recruiters may play a role in VW’s decision on location of U.S. facility.  

Birmingham News – Federal Energy Regulatory Commission orders Alabama Power Company to study minimum water levels at Smith Lake.  

Birmingham News – Rove continues to [...]

Thursday 7/3/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – Bessemer woman’s crusade to enforce ADA requirements draws critics.  

Birmingham News – UA, AU see success in fundraising efforts, campaigns reach $1 billion.  

Birmingham News – New study ranks Birmingham as nation’s most generous city.

Birmingham NewsThe Birmingham News discusses recent report by U.N. envoy that points out weaknesses in state’s capital punishment processes, concluding that those weaknesses “work to the detriment of weaknesses in Alabama.”  

Birmingham NewsThe Birmingham News applauds decision by prosecutors that restitution ordered in two-year college corruption cases will go to the Department of Postsecondary Education.  

Mobile Press-Register – ADEM proposes fine of $30,000 against Chevron for releasing too much air pollution at Creola natural gas field.  

Huntsville Times – Former Sen. Jeff Enfinger says he will seek State Senate District 7 seat if incumbent wins U.S. senate race.  

Huntsville TimesThe Huntsville Times comments on declining revenue for state school budget, see primary culprit as surging fuel costs.  

Tuscaloosa News – U.S. Rep. Artur Davis (D) again says that he’s seriously considering 2010 run for governor.  

Tuscaloosa News – Governor did not give permission for use of video in Harri Anne Smith campaign ad.  

Montgomery Advertiser – Low-income seniors to pay more for Medicare Part B as federal funding for program ends.  

Anniston Star – Payday loan investor defends his industry in response to Star’s week-long series.    
Continue reading “Thursday 7/3/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST”

Wednesday 7/2/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

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Birmingham News – Attorney General Troy King rejects United Nations’ report critical of state’s capital punishment policies, accuses UN of “pushing an ideological agenda.”  

Birmingham News – Montgomery-made Sonata shows strong sales as most of state’s SUVs show deep declines.  

Birmingham NewsThe Birmingham News says that efforts by politicians to steer air tanker contract to Boeing are “self-serving.”  

Senate Sketches – “Senate Sketches,” Sen. Hank Sanders’ weekly column for his constituents.  

Mobile Press-Register – PSC moves to require third-party billing companies to register with Commission.  

Mobile Press-RegisterPress-Register calls decision by Department of Corrections to sell 5,000 acres of farmland near Atmore “sensible.”  

Huntsville Times – UAH informs 13 workers that jobs will be eliminated due to budget cuts.  

Montgomery Advertiser – Jury awards state $114 million in case alleging that pharmaceutical companies defrauded Medicaid.  

Montgomery Advertiser – State receives $1.7 million bonus for food stamp accuracy.  

Montgomery AdvertiserThe Montgomery Advertiser says that revelations of Justice Department politics add credence to Siegelman’s claims of politically-motivated prosecution.  

Anniston StarThe Anniston Star echoes concerns that new revelations bolster Sieglman’s claim of politically-motivated prosecution.  

Tuscaloosa NewsThe Tuscaloosa News says that Arthur case reveals problems with state’s refusal to allow post-conviction DNA testing in capital cases.  

New York Times – Parole denied in 1964 murder case.  

News link – Michigan’s chance to land VW plant dim.  

News link – Tennessee governor says new incentives may held state land VW facility.  
Continue reading “Wednesday 7/2/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST”

Tuesday 7/1/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – State set to resume executions on July 31st.  

Birmingham News – Study shows UAB failing to adequately prepare education students to teach math.  

Birmingham News – Rural Alabama site loses out on bid for auto assembly facility, but effort among cities and [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 Troy King of playing politics in his attack on Supreme Court over decision banning death penalty in child rape cases.  The News says that this case points out the difficulty in administration of the death penalty, again calls for abandoning capital punishment.  

Mobile Press-Register – Congress strips $50 million for Alabama Katrina-related housing needs from supplemental budget, advocates hope for second funding chance following congressional break.  

Mobile Press-Register – Judge rejects state’s plan to build $100 million hotel at Gulf State Park, saying that plan to lease site to Auburn University and private developer violates state statutes.  

Mobile Press-Register – Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) blocks bill that would prohibit spending on Air Force tanker project unless rebid or awarded to Boeing.  

Mobile Press-RegisterPress-Register calls for cooperation between federal and state officials in investigating claims of voter fraud.  

Huntsville Times – State Supreme Court rejects death row inmate’s appeals.  

Huntsville Times – Federal judge sets August trial date for charges against Rep. Sue Schmitz (D-Toney) in two-year college corruption probe.  

Tuscaloosa NewsThe Tuscaloosa News contends that recent disclosures of politicization of Department of Justice show that “Siegelman correct to question his prosecution.”  

Times Daily – Rising fuel prices one factor leading to increase in payday loan stores and title pawn shops in Shoals area.  

Montgomery Advertiser – Alabama officials  at odds over whether to comply with Federal ID requirements.  

Anniston StarThe Anniston Star continues its week-long series on predatory lending.  Today’s editorial suggests that Alabama could look to North Carolina’s example in dealing with payday loan stores.  

Montgomery Advertiser – Legal Services of Alabama receives grant to help citizens avoid foreclosure.  

Burbank Leader – Religious leaders in Burbank, California comment on proposed “I believe” car tag.  
Continue reading “Saturday 6/28/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST”

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 [...]

Thursday 6/26/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – GAO says that Air Force mistakes in evaluation of rival Boeing’s proposal may have led to Northrop Grumman receiving tanker bid.  

Birmingham News – Baseball great Hank Aaron to host fundraising events for Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Vivian Figures.  

Birmingham News – Attorney [...]

Wednesday 6/25/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – UAB increasing recruitment of Hispanic students in effort to expand availability of Spanish-speaking health professionals.  

Birmingham News – Study shows state has made improvement in closing achievement gaps by race and income in elementary and middle school grades, but gap grows among high school students.  

[...]

Tuesday 6/24/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – Troy King says that U.S. Justice Department is refusing to help his office investigate possible election violations in Perry County.  

Birmingham News – Michelle Obama raises at least $250,000 during Birmingham campaign fundraising stop.  

Birmingham News – Cahaba River dam removal successful at [...]

Monday 6/23/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – Large number of absentee ballots in small-population counties raise questions in Secretary of State’s office.  

Birmingham News – Alabama’s system of enforcing judicial ethics receives D+ in latest national scoring.  

Birmingham NewsThe Birmingham News urges the state to increase investment in [...]

Sunday 6/22/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Birmingham News – Officials say state has strong aerospace industry in spite of disappointment in GAO’ s ruling on tanker contract.  

Birmingham News – DHR to end homemaker services to at-risk adults due to funding shortages.  

Birmingham News – Alabama GOP on track to raise $4million [...]

Legislative Dispatch

A Look from the Rearview Mirror

This Thursday will mark the last day of the legislative Session.  For some, it was a Session that seemed would never end.  For others, it was one that ended much too quickly.  It may be early, yet, to write an obit on this Session, but as we approach the finish line, some perspective may be in order.

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Putting Students First

As you know, a very important piece of legislation will be presented for our consideration in the House tomorrow in Montgomery – Senate Bill 310 – the “Students First” tenure and fair dismissal reform bill. Like me, many House members have been inundated with phone calls and emails from opponents of this bill, and some have been [...]

Legislative Transparency

There are a lot of issues to debate before we begin the final days of this session. In fact, I am quite certain there will be some comments on this post debating many of them. Before we get into the last seven day of the session I wanted to bring up a topic that [...]


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