Alabama Politics in
Doc’s Political Parlor
& Home of Lawn Mower Repair

The new Diversity Chairman for the state GOP has gotten here none too soon.

Politico reports, “As George W. Bush winds down his presidency, Republicans are now on the verge of going six — and probably more — years without an African-American governor, senator or House member.” They are “heading into the 2008 election without a single minority candidate with a plausible chance of winning a campaign for the House, the Senate or governor.”

Former RNC Chair Ken Mehlman particularly pushed for a “big tent” GOP that can accommodate more diversity, but when George W. Bush becomes the first President since Hoover to go an entire term without meeting with the NAACP, then it supports the observation of former Oklahoma Rep. J. C. Watts that while Ken Mehlman’s efforts were appreciated, “I knew that wouldn’t last — that was one person. I’ve never gotten the impression that it was institutionalized.” Watts is one of only four black Republicans to be elected to Congress since Reconstruction.

Is there a Republican elected at any level in Alabama that is African-American or Hispanic?

Share This

It’s a new day when the Birmingham News joins the call of Siegelman, Simpson and others for Karl Rove to testify before Congress under oath about any role he had in the Siegelman prosecution.

There’s no way to get to the truth without asking questions and getting answers. Rove has told the media he didn’t push Siegelman’s prosecution. He should be willing to tell Congress.

Share This

Related Articles:

• Sunday 5/18/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST
• More Are Talking about Siegelman Prosecution

AL.com – Legislature fails to approve education budget as time runs out on 2008 regular session.

Birmingham News – Proposed ban on PAC-to-PAC transfers dies in conference committee.

Birmingham News – House adjourns without considering smoking ban.

Birmingham News – Status of major bills from this year’s legislative session.

Birmingham News – The Birmingham News says that Alabama’s foster children should not languish in child care system, DHR should move toward permanent plans.

Birmingham News – The Birmingham News says that former presidential adviser Karl Rove should testify before congressional committee on his alleged involvement in prosecution of Don Siegelman.

AL.com - Commentary by Bob Blalock finds the “Alabama Legislature often a world away from reality.”

Mobile Press-Register – Vanity Fair announces plant closings in Jackson and Monroeville.

Huntsville Times – Riley says he will veto  bill that would have provided Congressman Bud Cramer with pension.

Tuscaloosa News - Proponents unable to secure votes to bring up bill to end sales tax on food on final legislative day.

Tuscaloosa News - Summary of yesterday’s legislative action.

Tuscaloosa News - Mobile advocate rides bus from Mobile to Montgomery  to push for passage of bill to change the way state law refers to people with disabilities.

Tuscaloosa News - Majority Leader Rep. Ken Guin (D-Carbon Hill) wins shroud award for measure to require approval of school lunchroom menus to be approved by state nutritionist.

Tuscaloosa News - “Alabama Exposure,” Dana Beyerle’s weekly political roundup for readers of the NYTimes regional papers.

Gadsden Times - The Gadsden Times praises U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer (D) for asking Governor to veto measure that would have made him eligible for supernumerary payments.

Montgomery Advertiser - Legislature provides tax breaks for those participating in college savings programs.

Montgomery Advertiser - The Montgomery Advertiser endorses U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R) and State Senator Vivian Figures (D-Mobile) in party primaries for senate seat.

New York Times – Alabama among states looking to rainy day funds to fill budget gaps as revenue decrease.

Birmingham News – Young Democrats seek party nomination to face incumbent in 4th congressional district race.

Share This

Daily Home redunant editorial about the closing of a local factory

Cherokee County Herald Water coalition seeks $15 million appropiation during trip to Washington D.C.

The Daily Sentinel Political forum set for tonight at Scottsboro High School

(more…)

Share This

A State House insider tells the Parlor this afternoon that it “looks like the Senate is going to filibuster the State Education Budget all the way until just before midnight. They would then pass it and send it to the House and kind of force the House to pass their changes and then the Senate will not have to deal with any other bills that are up there.”

“They have had hundreds of House bills all session and now they are going to ‘pork’ up the budget and then tell the House to pass it with their pork (and this is bipartisan pork) or else force a special session.”

Special session or last minute budget, either way a lot of legislation important to a lot of people may wither on the vine.

Share This

Alabama takes 11.2 cents of every dollar earned from those on the low end of the income scale, and takes 5 cents of every dollar earned by those at the high end of the income scale - in state and local taxes combined. (Click for source - pdf file.)

Scott Stantis of the Birmingham News illustrated that nicely in a cartoon here.

If that seems fair to you, then you probably are not interested in HB 274, a proposed constitutional amendment to take some sales tax off groceries (the 4% state portion) and remove a deduction for federal income tax paid (allowed in only two other states).

If it ultimately passes, people on the low end of the income scale would pay 9.6 cents of every dollar earned in combined state and local taxes and those at the high end would pay 5.8 cents of every dollar earned. (Click for source - pdf file.)

An unsung portion of this bill is that it would also raise the standard deduction and personal exemptions for everyone - and index it to inflation. Middle income couples have a standard deduction of $4,000, and that has been unchanged since 1982. This bill would raise it to $11,100 and index it to inflation. A family of four has to pay tax on income as low as $12,600; this bill would raise that threshold to $20,000 for every such family.

If the bill passes the Senate today, it would go to a vote of the people.

Updated below with charts.

This chart below shows who pays what under current Alabama law.
 

 
This chart below shows who would pay what if HB 274 were passed.
 

Share This

Related Articles:

• Alabama Tax Burden Illustrated
• Removing Sales Tax on Groceries on House Floor Today

Brian at Flashpoint sent a questionnaire to Congressional candidates in AL-05 and posts the responses here. A couple of the heavy hitters haven’t responded (yet), but we can hold out hope. I appreciate those who did.

Share This

NOTE:  At this writing, The Bimingham News has not yet published their online edition.   Readers may wish to check www.al.com later for the latest updates.

Mobile Press-Register – Family members of several legislators are registered as professional lobbyists.

Mobile Press-Register – Poarch Creek Indians, Attorney General  hang tough in battle over gaming.

Mobile Press-Register – Sen. Trip Pittman (R-Montrose) talks about the experiences of  his first legislative session.

Mobile Press-Register – “The Political Skinny,” the weekly political roundup from Mobile, Montgomery and Washington  for the readers of the Press-Register.

Tuscaloosa News - Proposal to remove sales tax from food comes down to the final legislative day, proponents unsure whether they have the votes to move bill.

Tuscaloosa News - List of major bills facing legislature in today’s final day of the 2008 regular session.

Tuscaloosa News - The Tuscaloosa News contends that “dangers lurk as Legislature face session’s last day.”

Tuscaloosa News - The Tuscaloosa News says that bill to expand eligibility for supernumerary status for DAs points to problems with entire supernumerary process.

Anniston Star - The Anniston Star says that it’s “can’t really be that difficult” to craft an effective law that would end “double-dipping.”

Decatur Daily - The Decatur Daily urges legislature to reject Governor’s plan, pass original proposal to remove sales tax from food.

Gadsden Times - The Gadsden Times reviews issues remaining for the final legislative day.

Montgomery Advertiser - The Montgomery Advertiser urges lawmakers to “salvage some of the session” by passing education budget and measure to allow voters to decide whether to end sales tax on groceries.

Share This

Times-Journal Article rounds up who is running for what in Dekalb County

Hartselle Enquirer Brief profiles and quotes of Morgan County candidates

Tuscaloosa News Summary of West Alabama local candidates

(more…)

Share This

Birmingham News – DHR pushing to quicken the pace of placing foster kids in adoptive homes.

Birmingham News – Race for 5th congressional district seat draws five GOP hopefuls.

Birmingham News – Major bills await action on last legislative day.

Birmingham News – The Birmingham News reviews the battle between higher ed and k-12 over the education budget.

Birmingham News – Commentary by Gov. Riley urges compromise on food tax plan.

Birmingham News – Commentary by Kimble Forrister of Alabama Arise argues that Knight tax plan boosts state’s level of fairness in tax policy.

Mobile Press-Register – South Baldwin county residents face task of elevating repaired homes to allow area to maintain participation in National Flood Insurance Program.

Mobile Press-Register – Commentary by James Evans questions whether the religious right is losing its political power.

Huntsville Times – Rep. John Knight (D-Montgomery) says he’s willing to compromise with Riley on tax plan.

Huntsville Times – The Huntsville Times reviews issues facing legislature, concludes that there are “many opportunities for mischief in this session’s final day.”

Montgomery Advertiser - State has limited specialized treatment opportunities for women with disabilities.

Montgomery Advertiser - Governor says he will sign measure requiring higher auto insurance coverage for state’s drivers.

Montgomery Advertiser - Bishop, Barron both say relationships in Senate are better this year.

Montgomery Advertiser - The Montgomery Advertiser urges legislature to give approval to ban on smoking.

Tuscaloosa News - State Pension Chief David Bronner asks Governor to reject bill that would provide retirement benefits to retiring congressman.

Tuscaloosa News - As battles between higher ed and K-12 threaten passage of an education budget, The Tuscaloosa News argues that a modest property tax increase could provide adequate funding.

Dothan Eagle - Older Alabamians face challenges, increased costs.

Washington Post – Democratic win in Mississippi congressional race raises speculation on whether GOP can retain other Southern seats.

News link - With Alabama’s record for passing out huge incentives to industrial prospects, speculation centers on whether Tennessee can outbid state for VW facility.

Montgomery Advertiser - Tallassee an example of small Alabama towns trying to find economic opportunities.  
(more…)

Share This

Daily Mountain Eagle Political rally will also be a fund raiser for two Sumiton students

Opelika-Auburn News Auburn soldier finds most respond positively to his anti-war stance

The Selma Times-Journal Vivan Figures campaigns in Selma

(more…)

Share This

Birmingham News Sen. Sessions (R) opposed to immigration provision of supplemental spending bill.

Birmingham News - Embattled Gadsden State Community College president to unexpectedly leave post immediately.

Birmingham News - The Birmingham News comments on the reforms to the state’s juvenile justice system.

Mobile Press-Register - Mobile receives almost $3 million from feds for port security.

Mobile Press-Register - Press-Register says that AEA’s Paul Hubbert has lost all major fights during this legislative session.

Mobile Press-Register - Press-Register urges Governor to veto bill that would provide U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer (D) and other DAs pensions of $120,000.

Huntsville Times - Candidate for 5th congressional district seat says campaign signs being removed illegally.

Huntsville Times - Commentary by David Person on the chances of passage of House Bill 829, which would expand state’s hate crimes statute to protect sexual preference.

Montgomery Advertiser - Democrats looking for gains in South.

Associated Press - Beer battle coming to a head on final legislative day.

Montgomery Advertiser - State’s jobless rate falls slightly in April.

Montgomery Advertiser - Montgomery mayor says city will offer incentives if Legislature decides to building new State House on Dexter Avenue.

Tuscaloosa News - Alabama sheriffs profiting personally from state’s payment of $1.75 per day to feed jail inmates.

Huntsville Times - Advocates urge North Alabama senators to support tax plan.

Opelika-Auburn News - The Opelika-Auburn News says that attempts to ban smoking in personal automobiles “is beginning to push the line of what’s fair. ”

Share This

Times Daily Candidate for school superintendent’s job disqualified. Still plans run for office

Prattville Progress Forum for school superintendent candidates held

Eufaula Tribune Tax measure will be on general election ballot instead of next month’s primary election

The Outlook Editorial encourages voters to get involved in the race for school superintendent.

Share This

This post has been updated with more information.

WAKA-TV, Channel 8, the CBS affiliate in Montgomery, has a piece called Talk Back Live where Congressional candidates for AL-02 are on to take calls from the TV audience for 15 minutes at a time. Republican State Sen. Harri Anne Smith was slated to end her busy PR swing through Montgomery today (TV, radio and clubs) with a stint on the show taking calls at 5 p.m. However, because she had a scheduling conflict, her campaign called Tuesday to reschedule her next appearance on the show for next Friday, on Memorial Day Weekend.

Smith’s campaign told the Parlor that she is speaking at the American cancer Society’s Relay for Life event in Dothan tonight at 7:15 p.m.

Smith also has a new TV ad out today.

Share This

Related Articles:

• Harri Anne Smith's 1st TV Ad Airs Tonight
• Smith Leaves Morning Forum Early
• Sen. Smith to Miss TV Debate

Continuing to look at the victory of Democrat Travis Childers over Republican Greg Davis in Mississippi’s 1st House District… and considering what implications, if any, it has for Alabama’s House races.

Stuart Rothenberg of the Rothenberg Political Report has an interesting article, “Mississippi Special: Why Childers Won and Why Davis Lost.”

Rothenberg has re-thought some of his initial assessments of the race. I found it all interesting, but I’ll mention only a couple of points.

Hypothesis No. 2: Any Republican with a pulse should have won this district, so Davis’ defeat is a sign of the deep, deep national problems in the Republican Party.

This seems logical. The only problem is that it is wrong. […]

Polling in the district showed Bush’s “favorables” well above 50 percent, and Democratic pollster Anzalone minced no words when he told me, Louisiana’s 6th and Mississippi’s 1st “are not referenda on Bush and Republicans in Congress.”

Rothenberg also agreed with the observation of our Mississippi GOP insider who believed the “message was wrong.”

Republican attempts — both by the Davis campaign and by the National Republican Congressional Committee’s independent expenditure — to polarize the race merely by calling Childers a liberal and linking him to Obama and Pelosi simply didn’t work. That approach was sufficient to produce a victory at one time, and it may have resonated with GOP voters in this race. But they weren’t the swing group in the contest, and those sort of generic messages seem less effective now.

Maybe invoking liberals works in a Republican primary.

There is more, and if this is your kind of thing, you’ll probably enjoy it.

Share This

Related Articles:

• Love's Primary Targets
• Insider's Take on the MS-01 Childers/Davis Race
• The Post MS-01 Election Landscape
• Dem Wins Deep South House Seat