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.

July 2014 Group Watch: Congrats!

The Bloom Group would like to congratulate our friend Blake Hardwich on her new position as Deputy Chief of Staff, Administration to Governor Robert Bentley, where she will handle the governor’s internal affairs and work under Chief of Staff Seth Hammett. Blake joins the governor’s team after serving seven years as the Director of External Affairs for Manufacture Alabama.

July 2014 Group Watch: Rep. Jack Williams Honored by ALEC

Rep. Jack Williams (HD47) was recently named National Legislator of the Year by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), an organization that works to advance limited government, free markets and federalism at the state level through a nonpartisan public-private partnership of America’s state legislators, members of the private sector and the general public. A Vestavia resident, Williams was was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in a 2004 special election. Prior to being elected to the House Williams served for over eight years as Jefferson County Tax Collector and has long been active in the Alabama Republican Party, chairing the Greater Birmingham Young Republicans in the past and serving as president of the National Conference of Republican County Officials. He serves on the advisory board of GOPAC, and he is currently chairman of the House Commerce and Small Business Committee and also chairs the ADECA Oversight Committee and Co-Chairs the Alabama Sports Agents Commission. He also serves his community and was past Chairman of the Board for the Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity. Williams will be presented the ALEC award at the organization’s annual meeting at the end of July.

July 2014 Group Watch: Manufacturing Slows Across Southeast

Manufacturing continues to grow across the Southeast, but the rate of growth has slowed to the national average. Manufacturing in the region fell in June for the second consecutive month dropping 4.5 points to 55.3. Activity across the nation fell at a slower rate in June, dropping one-tenth of a point to 55.3. A rating over 50 indicates growth. The Southeast PMI reading is a composite of five variables – new orders, production, employment, supply deliveries and finished inventory.

July 2014 Group Watch: Buttram’s Loss a Loss for All

In this week’s elections, Mac Buttram (HD12) was defeated in his bid to return to the Alabama House of Representatives by Corey Harbison. Harbison was heavily supported by the AEA, and with no opponent facing him in the general election, he’ll be representing the Cullman area. Buttram’s professionalism and integrity will be missed by his colleagues, and his loss is truly a loss for all; as one of the House’s most conservative members, he helped protect and uphold Alabama’s conservative values for four years.