May 06, 2009
Next year will be a big election year in Alabama with all the constitutional offices and the entire legislature on the ballot. It will be especially interesting with an open Governor’s race. It will also be an important watershed year because of the census.
Our constitution calls for there to be a headcount every decade. This census is to ensure that all Americans and all Alabamians are accounted for and given equal representation in Congress and the Legislature. Each congressional and legislative seat is required to have the same number of people with very little deviation. The census takers will be out taking the count during 2010 while the elections are being conducted. Therefore, the redistricting or reapportionment of the legislative and congressional districts will not be redrawn until after the census figures are taken.
Read more
April 29, 2009
The federal stimulus spending package is manna from heaven for the Alabama Legislature. Alabama, along with every other state, is facing the bleakest and most ominous financial shortfall since the Great Depression. States like California and New York, which do not have constitutional provisions prohibiting deficit spending like we do in Alabama, are facing Armageddon. The Obama/Democratic stimulus bill will rescue legislators from a catastrophic nightmare when trying to craft a budget for the 2010 fiscal year.
Read more
April 22, 2009
The decision by Jim Folsom Jr. to run for reelection as Lt. Governor, rather than seeking to be promoted to Governor, is having a domino effect on the 2010 elections. As we speak, there is a shuffling and realignment going on among both parties’ aspirants in next year’s races.
The players are beginning to enter the stage, but maybe in a different costume or robe than initially planned. The lineup will be primarily complete within the next two months as fundraising can begin in mid June. The period from July to January will be like spring training and fall practice preparing for the political season of 2010.
Read more
April 15, 2009
The bombshell announcement by Jim Folsom, Jr. that he will opt to run for reelection as Lt. Governor, rather than make the plunge into the Governor’s race, reveals a pivotal piece of the 2010 election puzzle. It clears the field and reshapes the deck. It also opens the floodgate. You will now see the field begin to take shape over the next two months.
Read more
April 08, 2009
Next year will be a big year for Alabama politics. Besides the Governor’s race, all of the other constitutional offices are up for grabs. In addition, all of the 67 sheriffs and 140 members of the Legislature are elected. It is a much bigger year for Alabama voters than a Presidential year.
Read more
April 01, 2009
An issue has arisen during the past month that has moved to the head of the class so to speak when it comes to hot potato issues. It is one that needs addressing and is now issue number one on the minds of a good many middle class, hardworking, taxpaying Alabamians. They want their state government to make good on a promise they believe was made to them.
Read more
March 25, 2009
As the aspirants for the 2010 Governor’s race begin gearing up for the challenge, one of the initial endeavors they will embark is a Benchmark poll. This first test will cost them or their supporters a little money. Polling is not cheap, especially if it is done by a reputable pollster. To their dismay or chagrin they will discover that very few Alabamians know who they are.
Read more
March 18, 2009
For several years there has been an outcry to pass legislation to stop PAC to PAC transfers. This is something that should be addressed because this deceptive practice has rendered Alabama’s campaign finance laws useless. We may as well do away with the law that requires PACs and candidates to report contributions if we do not close this glaring loophole.
Read more
March 11, 2009
Slings and arrows have been hurled at Russellville State Senator Roger Bedford for over a decade because of his legendary ability to get extra state dollars for his northwest Alabama district. As Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee he has had immense power appropriating and distributing taxpayers’ money to his constituents. It is because of the largesse of political bacon brought home to his area that he has been dubbed by the state media as the Pork King of Goat Hill.
Read more
March 04, 2009
The Legislative Session is a month old. One third of the legislative days have been spent. The national economic recession has had a devastating effect on the state’s two budgets. It has cast an ominous cloud over everything legislators try to undertake. They are wrestling with the crafting of an Education Budget that is currently under 12.6% proration and facing a $300 million shortfall in the next fiscal year. However, the legislature may be saved by the federal stimulus spending package. There may be as much as $3 billion of one time money coming to Alabama in the deal. Santa Claus may have come early in the form of one Uncle Sam.
Read more