Governor to seek two-year moratorium on portions of Accountability Act

By Bill Britt
Alabama Political Reporter

MONTGOMERY—Historic, unprecedented, a great new day for the children of Alabama are all words used to describe the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013.

Today, Gov. Robert Bentley will, in so many words, say, “Not so fast.”

It has been reported that the Governor will hold a press conference to announce an Executive amendment to the Accountability Act before noon today.

Word around the Capitol is that the governor will ask that the tax credit portion of the law be held in abeyance for two years. It is believed that this is to give state education  superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice time to study all the details of implementing the massive new program.

Bentley, it is believed will make the case that given a two-year window, Bice and his colleagues will also have an opportunity to reduce the number of failing schools around the state.

Bentley will address the fact that there are unanswered questions as to who will be eligible and the total cost to the program.

It is being said that the governor will sight the state’s needs to payback—the almost half-a-billion dollars—it borrowed from the gas and oil trust fund as another reason to delay the tax credits.

He may also address the fact that the education trust fund is still anemic in covering existing obligations.
Pragmatically, it appears that Bentley wants to keep the flexibility sections of the bill —that were favored by Bice and the state’s school superintendents and put aside the rest for now.

Perhaps most profoundly, the Governor will repeat the fact that he never intended for the Accountability Act to  “support private education” as reported by Mary Sell, of “The Decatur Daily.“

President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston) and Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn), have expressed opposition to all but “technical changes.” This could potentially, set-up a battle of time and wills on the last day of the 2013 legislative session.

As of late Monday night it appeared that the votes were lining up for the governor in the senate. So, it will be the house where the battle could be won or lost. However, Marsh could not choose to take the amendment out of the “basket,” thus reverting back to the original bill. This is a likely scenario in the House where there is little support for what is called “the Mountain Brook” exception. 

On February 28, the Accountability Act swticharoo was executed by Marsh and the republican supermajority. Since then, contention and open hostility have been the hallmark of the 2013 Session.
The Democrats, feeling betrayed by Marsh and company, have used what little power they have to slow the legislative process down to a crawl.

Cooperation has been almost non-existent between the two parties since that day. Perhaps, nowhere, has the antagonism be more furious than between the GOP leadership and the Alabama Education Association.

The AEA has used radio advertising to target legislators who voted for the Accountability Act while the Republicans have sought revenge on the AEA and its chief Dr. Henry Mabry.

Marsh, recently has sought to change portions of the Accountability Act. This has also cause turmoil among legislators, including some Republicans who have had second thoughts about the law.

There is no guarantee as to exactly what the governor will do at today’s press conference but it should come as no surprise that Bentley sees a reason to change.

Adam Thompson Addresses Shelby Country Republican Party

By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Republican State Auditor candidate Adam Thompson addressed the Executive Committee of the Shelby County Republican Party in Pelham on Tuesday night and 'The Alabama Political Reporter' was there to cover the event. Shelby County Republican Party Chairman Freddie Ard welcomed Thompson to Shelby County.

Thompson told the 60 Republicans, “It is a privilege to be here in the reddest county in the reddest state in America.” Thompson said that Auditor, “Is not an exciting office but it is a very important office.” Thompson said that current state auditor Samantha Shaw is term limited so she won't be able to run again.

Thompson said that he was the deputy chief of staff for Secretary of State Beth Chapman and that he also worked for Chapman when both were in the state auditor's office. “The deputy chief of staff does a little bit of everything.”

Thompson says that campaign reporting in 2014 it will be all electronic. The Secretary of State's deputy chief of staff said it will be a “game changer.” Candidates won't be able to hide details in bad handwriting. Thompson said that it photo id will be implemented in 2014 and that will be a very important change for improving Alabama elections.

Thompson said that the Alabama state auditors office has nothing to do with money. Instead it deals with the state's physical assets. The state has over $2 billion in assets like cars, trucks, desks, filing cabinets, computers, etc. The auditor deals with anything the state owns. Every state agency is audited every two years. The auditor's office has less than ten employees and has a budget that is less than $one million a year. “The auditor has to physically see every item every two years.”

The Auditor checks to see if those things that state agencies purchase are still there and checks to see if they wastefully are spending money on things they don't really need. “Accountability is doing what you are supposed to do,” and keeping state government accountable and transparent to the public is what the state auditor is supposed to do.

Thompson said that one agency actually lost a $10,000 copy machine. “When an agency loses something money has to be spent to replace the lost items.” “The state auditor's agency has a lot of paper work to do a very simple task” Thompson said that it should be easier to transfer equipment between state agencies. Right now five people have to sign to transfer a piece of equipment from one agency to another.

Thompson said that he would like to put the entire property database online too make state government more transparency and accountable to the public. “Government should be accountable and answerable to the taxpayers.” Thompson said that his parents taught him you don't spend what you don't have and you take care of what you have.

The state auditor gets to appoint some country registrars in the state. Thompson said that his appointees would be both qualified and conservative.

Thompson said that Senator Cam Ward's (R) from Alabaster bill to consolidate all of the state's vehicles it into one agency is a great idea and will makes it much easier for the state auditor to keep track of state vehicles rather than having each state agencies have their own vehicle fleet.

Thompson said that he is running in the Republican Primary in June 2014.

Thompson said that he serves on the state Republican Executive Committee and is also on the state executive board for the Alabama Young Republicans. “I have been a Republican my whole life.” Thompson invited the Shelby County Republicans to follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

Chairman Freddie Ard thanked Thompson for speaking to their group.

Changes to voter registration process may be in store

by Beth Clayton
Alabama Political Reporter

MONTGOMERY--The Senate is expected to vote Monday on a bill that will shorten the time period to register to vote by seven days.

Under current law, voter registration applications are accepted until ten days prior to an election. If HB162 passes, voters will not be able to turn in applications after 17 days prior to an election.

The bill, sponsored by Representative Wes Long (R-Guntersville), has been called voter protection by supporters and voter suppression by opponents.

Long said that this bill was to protect people who have registered to vote to ensure their form is processed or that registration transfers are able to take place before Election Day.

Additionally, Long said that current law requires the forms to be turned in ten days before an election and the probate court to run the list of registered voters in the newspaper 12 days before an election.

This bill requires that forms be turned in 17 days before an election, however it requires the list be finalized and printed 20 days before, which would "give an extra day, and give the office a little more time," Long said.

"It's really about giving them [county registrars] a little more time to double check. It's not about disenfranchising," Long said.

Senator Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) addressed the bill during a committee report, saying that he believed it would hurt people's ability to vote.

While Singleton was speaking, Senator Quentin Ross (D-Montgomery) came to the podium to dialogue with Singleton.

"My question is this," Ross asked, "how can one dare to carry the slogan 'We Dare Defend Our Rights' and on the other side not give people the right to access the vote? Can you answer that question?"

"It seems to be double talk to me," Ross said.

"That's just a slogan. It sounds cute. It's a media kick," Singleton answered.

"When you look at the legislation that's passed this session, it's not about the people of Alabama," Ross said.

"They're going to keep their guns...and they're going to defend their rights with those guns though...Stick 'em up!" Singleton joked.

After Senator Ross left the podium, Singleton continued to explain his hesitations about the bill.

"Here we are talking about the right of people to vote and the right to participate, and Senator Ross, you were exactly right about that. We dare defend our rights, but instead we want to take away the process by which people can have the right to vote," Singleton said.

"Is the right to vote part of those rights we dare to defend?" Singleton asked.

Singleton also pointed out that "we are still a section five state," under the Voting Rights Act, so all election legislation must be cleared by the Department of Justice. "I hope they give this back," Singleton said.

"I think we need other things to improve our registration offices as far as technology, but since the general fund is in the shape it is, I think this gives them more time," Long said.

Long said he would support legislation to allow online registration in the future.

The bill passed the House with 67 yay votes and 34 nay votes. Overall, the votes in the House fell along party lines, with Republicans supporting the bill and Democrats opposing it.

Representative Elaine Beech (D-Chatom) broke with the Democratic Caucus and voted for the bill. Representative Richard Laird (I-Roanoke) voted alongside the Republicans. Representatives Joseph Mitchell (D-Mobile), Demetrius Newton (D-Birmingham) and Randall Shedd (R-Cullman) were either not voting or not present.

The bill received a favorable report from the Committee on Constitution and Elections with three yay votes and two nay votes.

The bill must be adopted by the Senate on Monday to go to the Governor to be signed. If the Senate filibusters keep the bill from coming to a vote, the bill will be dead for the session.

Generation America and Alabama Senior Advocate Veteran Join Forces to Launch National Advocacy Program

MONTGOMERY—Generation America, a dynamic national organization representing conservative senior citizens retained Conwell Hooper to lead its national state advocacy efforts.  Mr. Hooper has served as a lobbyist and consultant to a wide range of senior organizations, Fortune 500 companies, as well as prominent state and national corporations and trade associations.

Generation America was founded to preserve traditional family values, seek a more efficient government, fight for personal freedom and deliver safety, security and well-being for its membership.  With members in all 50 states, Generation America offers a conservative advocacy agenda for its members, outstanding benefits, discounts and first rate services.
 
According to senior advocate and volunteer, Joan McCormick, ”Conwell Hooper is the greatest thing that has ever happened in Alabama for its senior citizens.  He has an amazing track record with Alabama’s senior citizens and has a special gift to lead, motivate and activate senior citizens.”  Mr. Hooper led the effort for Alabama’s 50 plus population by working to pass legislation giving seniors a discount on their automobile insurance; bringing 26 state agencies together to form the Interagency Council for the Prevention of Elder Abuse; and allowing for a security freeze mechanism to be placed on consumer credit reports. To cap off the 2012 legislative session, his state wide volunteer team helped pass a bill giving developers incentives to build housing for senior citizens and for those with disabilities.

Recognizing his ability with Alabama’s senior citizens, Governor Bentley appointed Mr. Hooper to serve on the board for the Alabama Department of Senior Services.  According to Louise Jones, former AARP member and volunteer, “Generation America is coming along at the perfect time.  With Generation America’s conservative patriotic views, they are the conservative voice for the 50 plus community and have earned the respect of seniors for their commitment.  Generation America is on the Right Side for America.”

About Generation America  Out of frustration over out of control spending and the health care takeover, businessman Michael Young founded Generation America to offer benefits, discounts, insurance and conservative advocacy for America’s senior citizens.  www.generationamerica.org


To learn more about the National Advocacy Program, please access page 14-15 of the current Generation America magazine.  http://generationamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/March-2013-Generation-America-eMagazine.pdf