Free the Hops
Today, the tourism committee, met and passed without dissent, HB195 (the Gourmet Beverage Bill) by Rep. Thomas Jackson.
I was pleased to recommend and make the motion to give the bill a favorable report.
March 21, 2007
March 20, 2007
Today
Today we were honored to hear from a true American hero. Senator John McCain addressed the joint session of the legislature. He seems to represent a return to a Ronald Reagan type republicanism. Although he seemed to sound the pro-Iraq war theme of the current administration, He distanced himself from the administration and congress and their excessive spending. I am a huge fan of the Senator. I even sponsored the state version of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill which bears his name. Hopefully, the filibuster in the house will stop and we can vote on it today.
I was a little disappointed that the Senator mostly read his speech. He is much better off the cuff.
Still, There is no question that this man is a patriot.
March 13, 2007
Shocked !!!… I tell you… Shocked !!!
Shocked !!!…… I tell you……. Shocked !!!
Indeed, there is much humor to be found in the Legislature. Humor, at least in my opinion, was rampant this past week after the Legislature passed a pay raise resolution. Never have I seen so many legislators - on both sides of the aisle - be so quick to deny any knowledge of what was happening. The pay raise has been discussed in all caucuses, including the amount, since the organizational session. It was discussed with the Governor, who had indicated that he would be more favorable in the regular session rather than the organizational session. Democrats and Republicans have been told it was coming, via voice vote, since January. We just didn’t know the exact date it would come. Any hint of something sneaky or tricks being used to pass this resolution is untrue and, quite frankly, does a disservice to the whole Legislature. Everyone knew it was coming. Very few seem to want to admit it.
A form is available in the accounting department where members may decline a pay raise. Giving to charity is nice but unverifiable. This is taxpayer money. Forms can be provided to each legislator. We’ll see how many give it back to the state treasury.
Now, this week in the legislature.
This week I expect to have House votes on the following:
- Emergency funding for Enterprise High School By Rep. Terry Spicer (D-Elba)
- Pac to Pac Transfer ban by Rep. Jeff McLaughlin (D-Guntersville)
- My Electioneering Communication (Disclosure) bill
In committee action this week, I expect to address the “Free the Hops” (gourmet beer) bill by Rep. Thomas Jackson (D - Thomasville) in the Tourism subcommittee that I chair and recommend approval to the full Tourism Committee.
The Constitutions and Elections Committee will not meet this week. I have referred several bills, including the Photo Voter ID bill to the subcommittee chaired by Rep. Tommy Sherer (D-Jasper). I have asked Rep. Sherer to study the bill. There will need to be “give and take” on this bill to gain final passage.
I have referred the bill to have Constitutional Convention referendum to a subcommittee headed by Rep. Jack Page (D- Gadsden) and I have referred a bill requiring internet posting of campaign finance reports to a subcommittee chaired by Rep. Joe Mitchell (D-Mobile).
March 6, 2007
The State of the State
I want to thank Doc’s Political Parlor for the opportunity to communicate to a group of citizens that represent the future. I believe that, through this medium, we can bypass the corporate media and present information and viewpoints to the public without their edits or biases. These words are mine and mine alone. They represent my viewpoints. The readers can draw their own conclusions.
Now, just a few comments on the Governor Riley’s State of the State address: This is the fifth State of the State that I have heard from the Governor. As always, his speeches are very well delivered; his words are carefully chosen. I especially was moved by his comments on the Enterprise tornado tragedy. The Enterprise area is fortunate to have Terry Spicer representing them in the House. He is already working to get relief for the area.
The Governor’s speech focused on things, quite frankly, that many of us Democrats have championed in the past.
As for tax cuts, Representative John Knight, along with the Democratic Caucus, championed cutting taxes for the poorest Alabamians for seven years. After the Governor’s proposed tax increase of 2003 was defeated, he helped us pass a tax cut into law in 2006…just in time for re-election. The Governor proposed many tax cuts and tax breaks we will have to study. I prefer eliminating the sales tax on food, while closing special interest loopholes
In Alabama, the Constitution requires us to balance the budget. We can’t—unlike they do in Washington—spend money, then borrow money to make up the difference. We are not allowed to run a deficit. Every tax cut we make comes out of the Education Budget. We cannot afford diverting education dollars. We rank 44th in education spending in Alabama. Our focus during these prosperous times should be to build schools, reward our teachers and prepare for a “rainy day”.
The Governor also addressed campaign finance reform. Representative Jeff McLaughlin and I have proposed a ban on PAC-to-PAC transfers and a bill requiring full disclosure, respectively. In fact, we in the House have passed these bills at least six times, only to have them die in the senate. In the 2005 regular session, it was due to a filibuster by the Governor’s coalition.
Yes, that is correct; we were one vote away in the Senate from passing a combined version of both, only to fall one vote short of cutting off the filibuster and voting on the bill.
I support campaign finance reform and lobbying reform and I believe that if the governor actively engages the Senate that we will pass these bills.
I was a little disappointed the way the Governor discussed Iraq. He began his speech by talking about being bipartisan and ended with a congressional issue. There is no question that Alabama’s elected officials support the troops. So, sadly, I think the Governor just fired the first salvo of a 2008 presidential campaign.
As for what’s coming up: As Chairman of the House Constitution and Elections Committee, I have scheduled a vote on Representative Jeff McLaughlin’s PAC-to-PAC ban and my electioneering communications bill (otherwise known as the Disclosure Bill) for Wednesday.
I plan on having votes on Initiative and Referendum and a Constitutional Convention Referendum in the future … Although, as of yet, I have not seen an I & R bill introduced.
I am sure there will be plenty to do and many issues to comment on this session. I look forward to blogging on the session here at Doc’s Political Parlor.
