Alabama Politics in
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January 5, 2009

Considering the Court of Criminal Appeals

Filed under: AL Judicial Branch — Chauncey Sparks @ 1:21 pm

The 2008 election cycle saw more action than recent presidential election years, including three legitimately competitive congressional elections for the first time in a decade, as well as razor close margins in the Supreme Court and PSC races. Most of the political activity in 2009 will consist of posturing with an eye toward the 2010 elections. However, there will be a few sideshows to give political junkies their fix in 2009.

The earliest will be the filling of the vacancy on the Court of Criminal Appeals left by Greg Shaw’s ascension to the Supreme Court. Criminal Appeals is not the most glamorous appellate panel, but it is one of a limited number of statewide judicial positions and often a springboard to higher office (just ask Shaw or Chief Justice Cobb).

Bob Riley, alone, will determine who fills the remaining four years of Shaw’s term. Most likely the choice will be made quickly, and it would be wise to keep an eye on the following:

Clockwise from top left - Jim Main, Chris Mixon, Leura Canary, Alice MartinJim Main - The budget director is probably the most influential appointed official in state government, but with Riley now a lame duck Jim Main is probably looking toward his next step. Main wanted to make the jump to elective office in 2008, but his campaign for Supreme Court never made it out of the backrooms, as Greg Shaw was the “chosen one” by the usual suspects of the Republican business lobby. Main’s distant connections to the plaintiff’s bar has always caused BCAs and ALFAs some heartburn but the governor clearly doesn’t share such concerns. Perhaps with a few years on an appellate court under his belt, Main could demonstrate his conservative bonafides and secure backing for a future promotion to the Supreme Court. After passing over Main for Attorney General and Chief Justice appointments already, many believe Riley will give Main first crack at the Shaw vacancy.

Chris Mixon - Mixon’s first exposure to the general public was as a candidate for the Court of Criminal Appeals in 2008. When he entered the race, many viewed Mixon as the candidate of the business wing of the Republican Party and expected such support to carry him to victory. But something funny happened on the way to the coronation. Mary Windom jumped into the race late in the qualifying period and rode her name ID and funding advantage (aided in no small part by her husband) to a strong primary and general election win. The Shaw vacancy provides an opportunity for Mixon (and his backers) to put his judicial career back on track, with only a minor detour. Shy of 40 years of age, Mixon represents a new generation and potentially could help carry the banner of business conservatives on the Criminal Appeals Court and beyond for decades to come. If Main passes or Riley prefers a more forward-looking appointment, expect the emergence of a Judge Mixon.

Leura Canary / Alice Martin - Either U.S. Attorney would be a strong choice on paper and both should be looking for new employment as the Obama era dawns. Both women would of course bring baggage that need not be detailed here, but if he’s willing to stomach a few days of a media firestorm and alienating Canary/Martin critics (mostly but not exclusively on the left) Riley could certainly appoint either with minimal damage to his own administration. Many politicos believe there is a slight gender advantage for female candidates, especially in lower-profile down ballot offices like court races, and with four years under her belt before they face the electorate it wouldn’t be wise to bet against either woman meeting with success at the ballot box. Make no mistake, it is a long shot that either Canary or Martin gets the nod but neither should they be ruled out. With little to lose as he faces a lame duck stage in what he says will be his last elective office, Riley might roll the dice and make the choice he wants - critics be damned.

Obviously, there are many other solid Republicans from which Riley could choose, either from the legislative, judicial, or partisan arenas. The list above is not much more than pure speculation, but any discussion must include (but not be limited to) the names previously mentioned.

Related Articles:

Davis, Sparks, and Internet Misdirection

Filed under: Misc. AL Politics — Danny @ 1:16 pm

Computer MouseSomeone enamored more with state Agriculture Secretary Ron Sparks than with Congressman Artur Davis has secured the domain name arturdavis.com. (The two Democrats are potential rivals in the 2010 governor’s race.) Go to arturdavis.com (or .net or .org) and you are quickly forwarded to www.Sparks2010.com.

Democratic Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom, also a potential candidate, apparently does not generate the same cyber-interest from any Sparks fans. Domains jimfolsom2010.com and folsom2010.com, for example, are still available.

Thanks to reader J.

Daily Headlines, Monday, 1/5/2009

Filed under: Daily News — H @ 6:15 am

Birmingham News - Hoover mayor calls for Jeffco to get city manager

Birmingham News - Jefferson County, workers await judge’s ruling over county occupational tax suit

Birmingham News - Shelby County practices disciplined spending, no-debt

Birmingham News - Workshop to focus on improved transit for Birmingham

Birmingham News - Recession, loss of revenue windfalls could bring cuts in Alabama spending and cause public employees to be laid off in fiscal 2010

Birmingham News - Alabama Rep. Alvin Holmes calls for support of Illinois Senate appointee Roland Burris

Birmingham News - Jimmy Carter to speak at Birmingham event

Birmingham News - New members seated on A&M board after SACS controversy

Birmingham News - Alabama Gov. Bob Riley forms gambling task force

Huntsville Times - School tax bias suit quietly simmers

Huntsville Times - Small steps at A&M

Montgomery Advertiser - Public safety safe from cuts for now

Montgomery Advertiser - Energy bills expected to top Legislature list

Montgomery Advertiser - Area students excited to see inauguration

Montgomery Advertiser - Hints of green surface in state

Tuscaloosa News - Government needs to decide how to tax drivers

Anniston Star - Clean air? Not yet: Breathe deep in Alabama

Anniston Star - Execute, again

Decatur Daily - Lies, damned lies and voting records

Opelika-Auburn News - Lee County considering drug court proposal

Associated Press - TVA inspector says business put before regulations

Small Town Political Gazette

Filed under: Small Town — waltm @ 6:14 am

Daily Mountain Eagle - Union formed to represent bingo charities

Gadsden Times - Development chief sees challenges ahead

Daily Home - Hard times see crowded animal shelters

January 4, 2009

Daily Headlines, Sunday, 1/4/2009

Filed under: Daily News — H @ 5:40 am

Birmingham News - Coal ash disposal becomes burning issue for Alabama

Birmingham News - Alabama 4-H Center gets environmental recognition; such projects becoming more common statewide

Birmingham News - Alabama’s two-year colleges are asking for identification to curb admission to illegal immigrants

Birmingham News - Greg Shaw’s move to Alabama Supreme Court creates vacancy on state Court of Criminal Appeals to be filled by Gov. Bob Riley

Press-Register - Active 2008 hurricane season could result in new insurance challenges

Press-Register - Courts utilizing newest gadgets

Press-Register - Mayor says Dauphin Island faces ‘desperate situation’

Press-Register - Council to vote on mayor Jones’ financial promise to school system

Press-Register - Balance fish and business

Press-Register - Corruption dominates the news in Alabama

Press-Register - Digital era paves the way for full transparency in government

Press-Register - New task force designed to enforce state’s anti-gambling laws

Huntsville Times - Technology, government cushion blow; 2nd half may see light

Huntsville Times - People’s Law School returning

Huntsville Times - Does ‘green’ matter?

Montgomery Advertiser - A job that counts: Census needs workers

Montgomery Advertiser - Legislator wants to clean up campaigns

Montgomery Advertiser - Boycott unlikely to hurt state

Montgomery Advertiser - Alabama’s support for children hit

Florence Times Daily - St. Clair program guides students on right path

Anniston Star - In court’s hands

Decatur Daily - NARCOG head should be more forthcoming

Opelika-Auburn News - I-85 extension hinges on next highway bill

Small Town Political Gazette

Filed under: Small Town — waltm @ 5:39 am

The Cullman Times - Bussman announces plans to run for state Senate seat held by Zeb Little

The Tuskegee Times - Betty Davis appointed to Macon County Racing Commission

The News Courier - Limestone Water and Sewer Authority looks for a better year

Gadsden Times - Head of Governor’s gambling task force to meet with Etowah County officials

(more…)

January 3, 2009

Daily Headlines, Saturday, 1/3/2009

Filed under: Daily News — H @ 6:00 am

Birmingham News - Alabama first-quarter tax collections plummet 12.6 percent for Education Trust Fund

Birmingham News - Alabama expected to keep seven House members based on Census data

Birmingham News - Public hearing set on endangered Alabama sturgeon habitat

Birmingham News - Defunct defense contractor Axion sues old rival as cause of failure

Press-Register - Delays, doubts for I-85 extension through Black Belt

Huntsville Times - A big appeal looms

Montgomery Advertiser - Governor’s team to try to walk all over its competition

Montgomery Advertiser - Former Gov. Hunt in private facility

Montgomery Advertiser - Former official challenges loss

Montgomery Advertiser - State, local officials eager for piece of Obama plan

Montgomery Advertiser - Jobless picture bleak for ‘09

Montgomery Advertiser - RANTS AND RAVES: Audit slams state regulatory board

Florence Times Daily - Who is this? California couples getting Ala. calls

Decatur Daily - Decatur smoking ban was wise move

Decatur Daily - TVA spill reflects on trustworthiness

Opelika-Auburn News - New challenges face Lee County in 2009

Opelika-Auburn News - Jennifer Foster: Politically, time will tell if 2009 will be a new year

Associated Press - Cannons from Confederate raider Alabama preserved

New York Times - Ever a Critic, Barkley Is Lacking in Credibility

Small Town Political Gazette

Filed under: Small Town — waltm @ 5:57 am

The Cullman Times - Hanceville’s budget woes revealed

Prattville Progress - Garbage fee exemptions trigger a bit of indigestion

Daily Home - Honda production declines

And lastly, we now know  Unemployment rate increases jobless rate

January 2, 2009

Bright’s Campaign Named One of the Best in House

Filed under: Campaign & Election, National Politics, AL and DC — Danny @ 12:55 pm

Chris Cilizza of The Fix, the Washington Post’s political blog, named Bobby Bright’s winning campaign for the 2nd Congressional District as one of the six Best House Campaigns of 2008.

Bright’s campaign manager David Mowery is now working with Montgomery mayoral candidate Todd Strange who is seeking to claim the seat vacated by Bright.

Related Articles:

Daily Headlines, Friday, 1/2/2009

Filed under: Daily News — H @ 6:05 am

Birmingham News - Jefferson County Commission President Bettye Fine Collins facing more challenges in 2009

Birmingham News - Alabama lawmakers and Jefferson County talking about sewer crisis

Birmingham News - Anniston incinerator finishes destroying weapons containing VX

Press-Register - Faithful gather to mark Emancipation Proclamation anniversary

Press-Register - Riley relative got meeting on proposed route

Press-Register - Riley set to name new judge to replace Thomas Baxter

Press-Register - Clarify the gambling laws, then enforce

Press-Register - Keep watch on jail count

Huntsville Times - Let’s use it and lose it

Montgomery Advertiser - Glitch has out-of-work Alabamians calling California

Montgomery Advertiser - Deadline puts $5.7M disaster fund at risk

Montgomery Advertiser - Fate of chemical burner disputed

Montgomery Advertiser - King: Law still forbids electronic bingo

Montgomery Advertiser - Technology’s helpfulness comes with school-related burdens

Montgomery Advertiser - Hubbard to again seek GOP top spot

Montgomery Advertiser - Incentives for filmmakers justified

Tuscaloosa News - Intermodal Facility could bring more people downtown

Tuscaloosa News - Prison crisis is latest thorn in state’s finances

Anniston Star - We’re good at collecting data: But what will we do with it?

Anniston Star - Our environment: Some progress — Still work to be done

Decatur Daily - Decatur smoking ban was wise move

Decatur Daily - TVA spill reflects on trustworthiness

Opelika-Auburn News - Chambers election dispute goes to court

Associated Press - Some favor keeping Anniston incinerator

Small Town Political Gazette 1/2/09

Filed under: Local Politics — waltm @ 6:01 am

The Selma Times-Journal - Dallas County-Selma United Way falls short of goals

Daily Home - Council man accuses mayor of violating city ordinances

Daily Mountain Eagle - A look at bingo in Walker County

The Piedmont Journal - A look back at the year in Alabama politics

January 1, 2009

Happy New Year!

Filed under: Otherwise Topical — Danny @ 6:33 am

Happy New Year

Wishing you a happy and joyful 2009…

Daily Headlines, Thursday, 1/1/2009

Filed under: Daily News — H @ 6:00 am

Coffee cup Birmingham News - Alabama auto industry downshifts in 2008, more of same expected in 2009

Birmingham News - Alabama suffered severe weather in 2008 with deadly tornadoes, some drought and drownings

Birmingham News - Murders in Jefferson County, Alabama down 2 years in row

Birmingham News - Lawyers apply for U.S. attorney’s job

Birmingham News - Federal judge to set retrial date in McWane Inc. pollution case

Birmingham News - Nuclear Regulatory Commission to review nuclear plant inspection with Browns Ferry officials

Birmingham News - Walker County residents sue Alabama’s environmental agency about coal mine water discharge permit

Birmingham News - The New Year arrives in Alabama

Press-Register - Moon Pie story goes nationwide

Press-Register - Wanted: 80 trucks to pull Mobile’s Mardi Gras floats

Press-Register - National resolutions for a brighter 2009

Huntsville Times - Israeli-Hamas fight stirs local concern

Huntsville Times - A year of challenges

Montgomery Advertiser - AG to review UA suspension details

Florence Times Daily - Double dipping suit reaches Alabama Supreme Court

Anniston Star - 2008 Anniston Star Alabamian of the Year: Albert Brewer

Anniston Star - The challenge Alabama faces: Legislators must help, not hinder

Decatur Daily - 2009 resolution: Embrace limited legalized gambling

Opelika-Auburn News - Revised state law ends Lee County ‘talk straight’ juvenile offender program

Associated Press - Ala. lawmaker wants new leaders for House panels

Associated Press - AG threatens to seize electronic bingo in Etowah

Small Town Political Gazette 1/1/09

Filed under: Small Town — waltm @ 5:59 am

Times Journal - Time to have a discussion about gaming

The Selma Times-Journal - Selma City Council to take pay cut

The Gadsden Times - Albertville city leaders continue feud

Daily Home - Talladega area legislators expect lean year

(more…)

December 31, 2008

Daily Headlines, Wednesday, 12/31/2008

Filed under: Daily News — H @ 6:10 am

Birmingham News - Birmingham City Council member calls for new appointee to resign

Birmingham News - BJCC head says minority firms to get work on dome

Birmingham News - New Year’s Eve sky show

Birmingham News - Alabama is hoping to ramp up executions in 2009 after 2008 proved a slow year nationally for capital punishment

Press-Register - Fund set up to benefit wounded woman shot in night of abuse at Rosinton, Ala., home

Press-Register - Rabid raccoon in Baldwin County prompts advisory

Press-Register - Don’t lose sight of common goals in’09

Huntsville Times - Riley takes notice

Montgomery Advertiser - Corruption was state’s top news

Montgomery Advertiser - Leaders remember Bevel for work

Montgomery Advertiser - Inmate backlog on the rise again

Tuscaloosa News - Riley should have a different approach to gambling

Florence Times Daily - Alabama has coal ash ponds at 9 locations

Anniston Star - An idea that’s sheer lunacy: Import no chemical weapons

Anniston Star - Alabamians worthy of applause

Anniston Star - Speaker’s Stand … Funding issues for 2009

Decatur Daily - 2009 resolution: Embrace limited legalized gambling

Opelika-Auburn News - Fredonia residents plan to appeal to commission first

Associated Press - Justice sues Ala. agency for delay in soldier hire

Washington Post - Alabama AG’s office to review Smith situation

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