May 05, 2004
As we head into the final days of the regular Legislative Session it seems that very little will be accomplished. One may argue that this may be a good thing. A point can be made that we have enough laws as it is and we don't need any more interference in our lives especially from the Alabama Legislature. There is even an old saying that nobody's life, liberty, or property is safe when the Alabama Legislature is in session.
April 28, 2004
One of the more powerful and skilled legislators I ever served with was Representative Roy Johnson from Tuscaloosa. My first term, 1982-1986, he was Speaker ProTem of the House. He was a school principal and a close ally of AEA and Dr. Paul Hubbert. He had been trained by Dr. Hubbert in legislative parliamentary maneuvers and knew the rules of the Legislature as well as anyone. In the eight years prior to 1982, the House of Representatives had been controlled by conservative special interests, primarily the Farm Bureau. The Speaker had been the very conservative Joe McCorquodale from Jackson. His chief lieutenant was Rick Manley, a skilled lawyer-legislator from Demopolis. Manley was McCorquodale's Speaker ProTem. In 1982, a gigantic battle was shaping up for Speaker. McCorquodale retired and the race was on between Rick Manley and Roy Johnson. The two most powerful and opposing interest groups drew swords. Manley was the Farm Bureau/ALFA candidate and Roy Johnson was the AEA/PAul Hubbert candidate. Each had about 35 votes locked up initially. In the 105 member House it was a three-way split, Johnson 35, Manley 35, and uncommitted 35. George Wallace had just been elected to his fifth term as Governor. He knew how to control the Legislature. With his aura and experience it should have been obvious to both sides that he would be a major player in the Speaker race.
April 21, 2004
One could hardly fault Governor Bob Riley for his adamant position of seeking cuts in state funding rather than increased taxes. He is still reeling from the 2-to-1 defeat his tax package received at the polls last year. He very well heard the message loud and clear from Alabamians. He is simply responding to their mandate.
April 14, 2004
The current regular session of the Legislature should be dubbed the accountability session. The question has centered more around who will get credit for proposing and achieving accountability in Alabama's state government, the republican governor or the democratic legislature.