President Pro Tem Rodger Smitherman of Birmingham today issued a press release stating that he would pursue to withdraw Senate Bill 264. This bill would recognize the contributions of Dr. Joe L. Reed to Alabama State University; it would rename the ASU Academic and Physical Education complex the Joe L. Reed Acadome.
This bill has caused quite a stir because the Alabama State University acadome previously held the name of the Dr. Joe L. Reed but in 2008 the ASU Board of Trustees voted to remove Dr. Reed's name due to negative publicity cast upon the University by Dr. Reed along with a number of other issues.
Senator Smitherman released the following press release:
When I took the oath of leadership as the president pro tem of the Senate, I pledged to help bring this body together in a new spirit of cooperation. I am deeply committed to the goal of making our Senate more responsive to the needs of our citizens and more productive. I did not realize when I offered Senate Bill 264 that it had the potential to be as divisive as it apparently is. Regardless of the merits of this bill, I believe it is in the best interested of the Senate, and the common good we must pursue, to withdraw Senate Bill 264 from consideration.
Rodger M. Smitherman
President Pro Tem
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Day 5 Brings About Discussions of Gambling in the Alabama Senate
The Alabama Senate convened at 2:00 pm CST this afternoon. No more than five minutes upon beginning the fifth day of the 2009 Alabama Legislative Session Senator Bobby Singleton's (D) Senate Bill 135 pertaining to the Greene County Bingo Act, which provides bingo for education and charitable purposes, brought about much debate.
When SB135 was brought up for a budget isolation resolution (BIR) Senator Hank Erwin (R) of Calera immediately appeared at the podium to show his disgust for this bill arising so early in the Session. Senator Erwin expressed that this bill should not receive a BIR, rather the Senate's main purpose should be to focus on the General Fund (budget) and Education Trust Fund. Senator French took to the microphone asking for a vote on the BIR stating that discussions were underway and that both sides would like to continue with a friendly session and accomplish much before stalling the Senate over controversial bills such as gambling and alcohol.
SB135 did not receive its BIR with a vote of 14 yeas, 10 nays, and 1 abstention. Senator Singleton said he would bring this bill back up for a BIR on Thursday, 6th legislative day. Senator Del Marsh (R) said he is working with Senator Singleton, the Governor's office, and other Senator republicans to help Senator Singleton receive his BIR on SB135 Thursday.
When SB135 was brought up for a budget isolation resolution (BIR) Senator Hank Erwin (R) of Calera immediately appeared at the podium to show his disgust for this bill arising so early in the Session. Senator Erwin expressed that this bill should not receive a BIR, rather the Senate's main purpose should be to focus on the General Fund (budget) and Education Trust Fund. Senator French took to the microphone asking for a vote on the BIR stating that discussions were underway and that both sides would like to continue with a friendly session and accomplish much before stalling the Senate over controversial bills such as gambling and alcohol.
SB135 did not receive its BIR with a vote of 14 yeas, 10 nays, and 1 abstention. Senator Singleton said he would bring this bill back up for a BIR on Thursday, 6th legislative day. Senator Del Marsh (R) said he is working with Senator Singleton, the Governor's office, and other Senator republicans to help Senator Singleton receive his BIR on SB135 Thursday.
The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill that would provide incentives to the Entertainment Industry
The Alabama House of Representatives convened this afternoon at 1:00 pm CST. The first bill for discussion was House Bill 69 introduced by Representative Lindsey relating to the development in Alabama of the entertainment industry. This bill targeted to attract investment for qualified productions and qualified production companies; to help encourage increased employment opportunities within the state for the entertainment industry and increased global competition with other states in fully developing economic development options in Alabama within the industry
HB69 would provide rebates for qualified production projects and exemptions for sales, use, and lodging taxes for production companies working in Alabama. Additionally it authorizes a rebate (income tax credit) equal to 25% of production expenditure (excluding payroll and benefits paid to Alabama residents) plus a 35% rebate of all payrolls, including benefits paid to Alabama residents working on the production.
With much praise to the sponsors and excitement for the bill, HB69 was voted favorably out of the House with a vote of 102 yeas and 0 nays.
HB69 would provide rebates for qualified production projects and exemptions for sales, use, and lodging taxes for production companies working in Alabama. Additionally it authorizes a rebate (income tax credit) equal to 25% of production expenditure (excluding payroll and benefits paid to Alabama residents) plus a 35% rebate of all payrolls, including benefits paid to Alabama residents working on the production.
With much praise to the sponsors and excitement for the bill, HB69 was voted favorably out of the House with a vote of 102 yeas and 0 nays.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Registering as a Write-In Candidate?
The Alabama House spent much time morning discussing House Bill 39 introduced by Representative Charles Newton of Greenville. This bill relates to write-in votes; it would require that a write-in candidate be registered with the Secretary of State or the judge of probate as an official candidate and comply with the provisions of the Fair Campaign Practices Act and the State Ethics Law in order for his or her vote to be counted. It was clear that there was some Republican opposition with Representatives J. Williams and P. Demarco both approaching the podium to seek for clarification. After spending nearly half an hour discussing the bill, House Bill 39 passed the full body with a vote of 91-3.
Inside the Alabama House of Representatives
The Alabama House of Representatives convened at 10:00 am CST this morning.
Begining the fourth legislative day the House passed a number of joint resolutions before making way on passing some controversial bills.
The first bill that caused some controversy was House Bill 165 which would establish the Alabama Transportation Commission and provide for the members, the manner of selection or members, terms, qualifications, duties, responsibilities, compensation, and expenses of the commission. After offering 4 amendments on the floor HR 165 passed the full house with a vote of 91-3.
Moving on to House Bill 154 (PAC to PAC) which would prohibit transfers between political action committees. This bill passed the full House last year but later died in the Senate. This bill, HB154 is the exact same bill that passed the House during the 2008 Legislative Session. With a vote of 98-0 HB154 passed the full House.
After passing a bill to ban PAC to PAC transfers HB140 introduced by Representative Hinshaw relating to paid electioneering communications and political advertising, to provide that electioneering communications and paid political advertisements paid for by an organization or entity shall disclose the names of the source of the funding of the organization or entity. Passge of this bill came at 100 yeas and 0 nays.
Currently the House is discussing HB39 pertaining to Write-In candidates introduced by Rep. C. Newton. Stay tuned for more updates.
Begining the fourth legislative day the House passed a number of joint resolutions before making way on passing some controversial bills.
The first bill that caused some controversy was House Bill 165 which would establish the Alabama Transportation Commission and provide for the members, the manner of selection or members, terms, qualifications, duties, responsibilities, compensation, and expenses of the commission. After offering 4 amendments on the floor HR 165 passed the full house with a vote of 91-3.
Moving on to House Bill 154 (PAC to PAC) which would prohibit transfers between political action committees. This bill passed the full House last year but later died in the Senate. This bill, HB154 is the exact same bill that passed the House during the 2008 Legislative Session. With a vote of 98-0 HB154 passed the full House.
After passing a bill to ban PAC to PAC transfers HB140 introduced by Representative Hinshaw relating to paid electioneering communications and political advertising, to provide that electioneering communications and paid political advertisements paid for by an organization or entity shall disclose the names of the source of the funding of the organization or entity. Passge of this bill came at 100 yeas and 0 nays.
Currently the House is discussing HB39 pertaining to Write-In candidates introduced by Rep. C. Newton. Stay tuned for more updates.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Looking toward Day 4
The Alabama House and Senate both convene at 10:00 am CST on Thursday for day 4 of the 2009 Regular Session. Look for live blogs from the Alabama State House all morning and afternoon long.
Alabama may "Free the Hops" soon
Wednesday is committee day at the Alabama State House and today the Alabama Senate Tourism and Marketing committee passed a bill that would allow the sale of beer with an alcohol content of up to 13.9 percent. This legislation will of course have to pass the full Senate before going to the Governor's office. Just last year this legislation made it out of committee but never came up for a vote on the floor.
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