October 2014 Group Watch: Incentives Aid Plant Expansion

The State of Alabama has pledged an incentive package worth more than $5.1 million for expansion at the Baxter International plant in Opelika. According to company officials, the $300 million project will add 200 jobs when complete. The expansion will increase the plant’s output of dialyzers, a key component of therapy for people with end-stage renal disease. The plant currently employs 170 people. The incentive package is structured to assist with screening and training of workers, industrial development considerations and performance incentives for increasing employment.

October 2014 Group Watch: Governor Joins 60 Plus Association

On Tuesday October 7, Governor Robert Bentley and leaders of The 60 Plus Association stood on the Alabama State Capitol steps to reveal a new study showing that new EPA regulations could negatively affect Alabama senior citizens. President Obama and the EPA’s Clean Power Plan goals are to reduce America’s carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent. But, as 60 Plus Alabama State Director, Apryl Marie Fogel, stated, “The EPA is pursuing sweeping new standards that do little to improve the environment and will disproportionately cost Alabama’s seniors more money.”

According to the poll by 60 Plus, “72 percent of seniors say they are living on fixed incomes with 73 percent concerned about the costs associated with new power plant regulations. Additionally, an average of 61 percent want Congress to focus on reducing energy prices rather than new regulations.”  The 60 Plus study found that the envisioned EPA regulations will likely raise power bills by more than 20 percent, which would add $25 or more to a monthly power bill! Alabama alone houses more than 447,000 seniors living on a $50,000 or less annual income. The proposed EPA rules would take money, essential to Alabama senior citizens, out of their hands by adding to the cost of producing electricity all in the name of “fighting climate change.” The 60 Plus study also discovered that the new Clean Power Plan could restrict the assortment of fuel supply in Alabama, causing energy prices to rise and possibly reducing disposable income by $2,000.

October 2014 Group Watch: Speaker Hubbard Indicted

Alabama Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard has been indicted on corruption charges by a Lee County Grand Jury. He maintains his innocence and claims the charges are politically motivated. Read Attorney General Luther Strange’s response to these claims here. Learn more about the specific charges here and here.

September 2014 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House

More and more election news is rolling in as we near November.

• Governor Endorses Gary Palmer: Governor Robert Bentley has endorsed fellow Republican Gary Palmer in the race for the state’s 6^thCongressional seat, which is being vacated by longtime Congressman Spencer Bachus. Bentley says he has known Palmer for years, both during his time in the Legislature and as Governor. Bentley noted his appointment of Palmer to the Alabama Commission on Improving State Government, which helped to identify over $1 billion dollars in annual savings for taxpayers by reducing the cost of state government and increasing efficiency. The governor said this is the type of leadership needed in Washington and expressed pleasure endorsing Palmer for Congress. Palmer defeated State Representative Paul DeMarco in the July Republican run-off and will face Democrat Marl Lester in the November general election.
• Republican State Leadership Committee “Races to Watch” List: The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) included two African-American Alabama legislative candidates on “races to watch” lists it released as part of an effort to elect more minority and women candidates on the GOP side. Darius Foster, Republican nominee in House District 56 in Birmingham will face Democrat Louise Alexander and independent Ricky Leavins in the November general election. Tijuanna Adetunji, Republican nominee in House District 78 in Montgomery, will face longtime Representative Alvin Holmes. Holmes has served in the Legislature since 1974. The RSLC announced 14 minority candidates and 14 women candidates on “races to watch” lists for the 2014 legislative campaigns.

September 2014 Group Watch: Gov. Creates Small Business Commission

Governor Bentley has created The Alabama Small Business Commission with Executive Order 47 in recognition of the fact that there are approximately 400,000 small businesses in our state. According to the press release, the Commission will act as an advisory body to help come up with policies and discuss issues, “critical to the economic growth of small businesses.”  The Commission will also encourage innovation and promote policies to assist new business start-ups and the expansion of existing businesses. “Small businesses are the engines of job growth and an integral part of the framework that makes up the American economic system,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “Alabama’s continued economic progress depends on the prosperity of our small businesses.” Read more here.

September 2014 Group Watch: Cap Raise for Accountability Act?

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh of Anniston said he might propose raising the $25 million cap on the Alabama Accountability if the results show that it is warranted. The Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund, the largest scholarship granting organization created under the Accountability Act, reported it will put about 2,200 children on a waiting list because its funds will run out. It expects to award about 2,900 scholarships for this school year. The state can award up to $25 million each year in donor tax credits. It is that cap that Marsh said he might propose raising. The average household income of those receiving scholarships was $20,687. A Montgomery County Circuit judge ruled in May that the Accountability Act violated the state Constitution because of the way it passed. The state has appealed the ruling and the law remains in effect while the appeal is pending.

August 2014 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House

This month brings budget forecasts and unemployment numbers.

• Gov Asks for Long-term Budget Plans: The Alabama Legislature is expected to face yet another shortfall in the General Fund when they return next year, and Governor Bentley is asking for long-term solutions. Senate Pro Tem Del Marsh said that bold changes are needed but does not know at this time what those changes should be. Marsh went on to say that combining the two budgets adds flexibility to the budgeting process since education revenues are growing. Other leaders say a review of the state tax code in needed to determine if exemptions approved years ago are still needed today. It appears that no new taxes are being considered.
• New Unemployment Numbers: Alabama’s unemployment rate rose to 7 percent for the reporting period ending July 30. The rate increased from 6.9 percent at the end of June. State labor officials say it is not uncommon in the summer months to see the unemployment rate rise because school employees aren’t working during these months. During July the wage and salary employment increased by 19,400 over the year. Governor Bentley said that he is proud of the nearly 20,000 jobs created since last June, pointing to the increase in manufacturing jobs, which tend to be higher paying jobs.

August 2014 Group Watch: School Superintendent Extension & Raise

The state school board recently extended the contract of Superintendent Tommy Bice through 2017 and granted a 25 percent salary increase. School board vice-president Ella Bell said the system is headed in the right direction, and Bice has done a good job. She added that the salary increase brings Bice in line with the postsecondary chancellor’s salary. Governor Bentley’s office said the governor supports the contract extension and the pay raise, adding that Bice and the chancellor for postsecondary schools are working with him to ensure students are prepared for the next step in life. Rumors surfaced during the summer that Bice was being pursued for lucrative positions in the education arena in the state. Bice expressed appreciation to the board for their action but added that he will not accept the offer if it divides the board.

August 2104 Group Watch: Wetumpka’s New City Clerk

The Wetumpka City Council recently approved the hiring of a new city clerk. Mayor Jerry Willis announced earlier that longtime clerk Janice Whorton is retiring September 1 after 20 years. She has been appointed by Governor Bentley to complete the term of Anne Robinson as chair of the Elmore County Board of Registrars. Whorton announced the hiring of Candy Masters to replace her. Ms. Masters has undergraduate and graduate degrees in regional and urban planning and public administration. She also worked for the Alabama Department of Transportation in planning and transportation roles.

July 2014 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House

In keeping with the summer heat, some hotly contested runoff elections are decided. Plus, two new important appointments.

• Runoff Results: In the spirited campaign for the open congressional seat in District 6 Gary Palmer received 64% of the vote to Paul DeMarco’s 36%. Gary receives the Republican nomination, which is likely tantamount to a victory in November. In the Republican runoff for Secretary of State John Merrill captured 53% of the vote to Reese McKinney’s 47%. In the GOP runoff for State Auditor Jim Zeigler received 65% to Dale Peterson’s 35%. Chip Beeker out-distanced his opponent Terry Dunn by a 59%-41% tally to win the GOP runoff for Place #2 on the Public Service Commission.
• New Leader at Public Safety: John Richardson, a former enforcement official with the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, was recently named acting Director of Public Safety, replacing Colonel Hugh McCall who retired after 34 years with the agency. Richardson has worked as an undercover narcotics officer and served in the U.S. Marines. Although Richardson has the title as “acting”, a spokesperson for Governor Robert Bentley says he is not considering anyone else for the position and once the consolidation of state law enforcement agencies id complete, the acting will be dropped.
• New State School Board VP: The Alabama State Board of Education has selected Ella Bell as vice president. By statute, Governor Robert Bentley is president of the board and the vice president serves as the presiding officer in the governor’s absence. State School Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice said he believes Bell will be an effective leader for the board. He went on to say, she believes in students and will stand up for students who are underrepresented. Bell said that she looks forward to working with the board to advance Plan 2020, a master plan for improving state schools.