U.S. Reps. Martha Roby, Bradley Byrne step up efforts to reform Alabama VA
Amid a growing fervor over reports alleging mistreatment of military veterans in Alabama’s VA system — and a purported campaign to cover up and retaliate against whistleblowers — two Alabama members of Congress have stepped up their efforts to reform the deeply entrenched culture that they say led to a pattern of abuse. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby first spoke to whistleblower and associate director at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System Richard Tremaine in June 2014. That’s when he told her of his grave concerns observing fraud and the mishandling of records on the part of his superiors and, afterward, a culture of retaliation and exclusion. Roby helped introduce Tremaine this month when he testified before Congress. “I speak with you today, with a heavy heart,” Tremaine told the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Disgusted by continued cover-ups, a discrediting campaign through open-ended investigations, and the attempted destruction of my career, by the very VA I have always loved being part of.” Roby joined with Tremaine in expressing outrage over the VA’s failures in central Alabama. She said she is tired of asking nicely for the federal VA to get a hold on the situation The congressman from Alabama’s 1st District, U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, has been outspoken on the issue as well. On Tuesday, he called for a new VA clinic in Mobile. “Our veterans have waited far too long for a new VA clinic in Mobile, and it is past time the VA moves the process forward,” Byrne said in a prepared statement. “The current Mobile clinic is outdated and too small to adequately meet the needs of our area’s veterans. Years ago the VA committed to the construction of a new clinic in Mobile, but bureaucratic obstacles continue to hold the process up.” Byrne has also co-sponsored legislation to grant veterans improved access to private care, in the midst of so many obstacles to quality public services in central Alabama. Byrne said in a prepared statement Tuesday: “[T]he VA’s bureaucratic delays aren’t just hurting our veterans, but they are adding additional costs to the American taxpayer. I understand the unique challenges facing the VA as they undergo reforms, but they can’t lose sight of their number one responsibility: to adequately care for our veterans.” The pair faces a difficult challenge to be sure, as news circulates that Alabamian veterans continue to face far longer wait times than their counterparts elsewhere. Both pledge to continue to fight for improved local VA institutions. Said Roby to Yellowhammer News regarding the wait-time reports: “There are a lot of good people at the VA who deeply care for our veterans and work hard to give them care. But, the truth is, there are also those that aren’t doing the job and who don’t have the best interests of our veterans in mind. “That culture has festered at Central Alabama for years,” she said. “It has carried over through multiple directors, and it isn’t going to change until Secretary McDonald gets serious and puts leadership in place that will clean house. “We need a permanent system director who is empowered and willing to change the lousy culture and turn the place around. I’ll take that message back to Washington … where improving care for veterans remains my top priority.” Byrne echoed that Tuesday via a news release: “Veterans in southwest Alabama deserve better than their current facility, and I plan to do all I can ensure our veterans are treated fairly.”
Bill standardizing probate judge pay hits Senate committee delay
Lawmakers declined to vote Wednesday on legislation to increase and standardize probate judge salaries across the state. Senate Bill 369, sponsored by Sen. Tom Whatley, would base annual salaries for probate judges at a percentage of that received by state district court judges. The legislation also sets salary according to county population and the number of years the judge has been on the bench. According to a report by the Montgomery Advertiser, the bill could mean salary increases by as much as $20,000 to $40,000. Critics raised concerns the bill would pose a financial burden on smaller counties, forcing them to pay higher salaries without providing a dedicated stream of funding from the state. Crenshaw County Probate Judge Jim Purdue spoke in favor of the legislation, pushing back on the idea that the mandate is unfunded in the state budget. Purdue argued that the revenue generated by probate judges and submitted to the general fund budget would “pre-fund” the proposed salary increases. Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Cam Ward announced that the committee will meet again next week for a vote on the bill.
Former U.S. attorney Alice Martin to be Luther Strange’s chief of staff
Attorney General Luther Strange has picked a former U.S. attorney to be his new chief of staff. Strange on Tuesday announced that Alice Martin will take over as his chief of staff on May 1. Martin was U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama from 2001 to 2009. She was appointed by then-President George W. Bush. Strange’s current chief of staff, Kevin Turner, is resigning at the end of this month. Republished with permission from The Associated Press.
Roll one up (soon): Senate panel passes Medical Marijuana Act
[Editor’s Note: This updates an earlier story on AlToday.com] The debate over legalizing medical marijuana in Alabama will continue as lawmakers in the Senate Judiciary Committee issued a favorable report on SB 326, known as the Medical Marijuana Patient Safe Access Act. Wednesday afternoon’s 4-3 vote spurred applause in a hearing room packed with advocates. Sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, the act would allow patients with one of 25 “serious medical conditions” to be prescribed marijuana by a qualifying physician. “There are too many citizens in chronic pain,” Singleton said. “We’ve been demonizing marijuana for too long and we’re now starting to hear from the medical community that there are real benefits in marijuana treatment.” The legislation states that after a full medical evaluation, physicians would assign patients to one of three classes of medical marijuana recipients, based on the level of their prescription: Class One: Allows a qualified patient or designated caregiver to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of medical-grade marijuana per month or grow no more than 8 ounces (or eight plants per patient) with a medical grow license. Class Two: Allows patients or caregivers to buy up to five ounces of medical marijuana per month or grow as much as 12 ounces (12 plants per patient) with a license. Class Three: Allows a monthly purchase of up to 16 ounces medical marijuana. Patients could also grow up to 16 ounces of cannabis, or 16 plants, with a license. Patients with a prescription from a qualifying physician would then be able to purchase or grow medical-grade cannabis without prosecution. The bill requires patients to apply for a medical marijuana identification card from their county health department and pay a $100 registration fee. The health department would collect data on patient use and compliance with the medical plan. The bill also states that employers cannot discriminate against employees who have prescription cards, though employees would not be able to use medical marijuana while on the job. The legislation will still face hurdles as it continues through the Senate. Sen. Phil Williams raised concerns that the bill would encourage dependency or addiction to other illegal drugs. “I’ve worked with a lot of messed up kids,” he said. “All of those who were addicts never intended to become addicts. But in all cases, marijuana was the gateway drug that led them down that path. I’ve seen too many devastated lives to give my support to this bill.” Other lawmakers urged for greater safeguards against abuse by patients and service providers. Last year, Gov. Robert Bentley passed Carly’s Law, legalizing use of a nonintoxicating marijuana extract known as cannabidiol or CBD. If lawmakers pass this legislation, Alabama would join 23 other states that allow marijuana for medical purposes.
Family Financial Protection Act draws debate in Senate Banking panel
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee hosted a public hearing Wednesday on a measure to expand consumer protection in reporting and collecting debt. The Family Financial Protection Act (SB29), introduced by Democratic Sen. Linda Coleman, strengthens a host of regulations guiding communication about debt, how bills are reported to credit bureaus, and consumer ability to challenge debt. In her opening statement to the committee, Coleman said, “We know that people in Alabama are hurting following job loss and a down economy and dealing with a number of finance issues that come from that. This bill is an attempt to help families before they’re pushed off the financial cliff. Inability to pay consumer debt leads to a vicious cycle that pushes people further to the edge and threatens their ability to keep jobs or pay for housing and basic necessities.” The act includes several new consumer protections and collector obligations: The act calls for a uniform statute of limitations for consumer debts. After a period of time, debt would be automatically extinguished and neither the original collector nor any third-party buyer of debt would be able to take action against the consumer. Consumers could record telephone calls by debt collectors that they perceive as threatening or abusive. Creditors would no longer be able to pursue personal property, such as bank accounts, in an attempt to collect a debt. Consumers would be protected from arrest or imprisonment for failure to pay a creditor. Rick Brown, president of the Alabama Retail Association raised concerns that the bill would make it too difficult for creditors to verify income and provide necessary credit options for consumers. “I think it’s admirable with Senator Coleman is trying to do,” Brown said. “Our industry feels this bill goes way too far and would restrict credit for consumers. We’re willing to work with Senator Coleman to see if there are things in this bill we can agree on.” The committee agreed to form a subcommittee following the legislative session to work with Coleman and advocates on both sides of the issue.
Parks director, Governor volley back and forth on park closings
It has been a busy week for Alabama State Parks Director Greg Lein with all eyes on the parks department’s reaction to proposed budget cuts. The division announced plans to close several parks and golf courses May 1 because of budget shortages, but has since backed off that deadline. Al.Com quoted Lein talking about what has happened since announcing the May 1 closing dates. “Since that time, we have received a tremendous amount of support from the public. In addition, the governor’s office and the Legislature have received an outcry for our parks to stay open and for them to receive full funding,” Lein said. “Given these recent developments and discussions that are taking place in Montgomery, Gov. (Robert) Bentley has instructed the state parks division to delay these closings slated for May 1 until further notice.” Bentley announced that the parks would remain open until further notice. The Alabama State Parks system operates 22 parks across the state and welcomes an estimated 4 million to 5 million visitors annually.
Senate committee to hear medical marijuana bill
Wednesday afternoon, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear debate on Alabama joining 23 other states to allow medical marijuana. Medical Marijuana Patient Safe Access Act, Senate Bill 326, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton would allow patients with what the bill defines as “serious medical conditions” to be prescribed marijuana. Qualifying conditions include: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS – Lou Gehrig’s Anorexia. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)/ deficit disorder (ADD). Autism. Bipolar disorder. Cachexia. Cancer. Cerebral palsy. Chronic depression. Chronic pain. Dystonia. Fibromyalgia. Gastrointestinal disorders, including, but not limited to, colitis, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Glaucoma. Lupus Migraine. Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Parkinson’s disease. Persistent muscle spasms, including, but not limited to, spasms associated with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS-Lou Gehrig’s disease), multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. Post-traumatic stress disorder. Rheumatoid arthritis. Seizures, including, associated with epilepsy. Severe nausea. Tourette’s syndrome. Any other chronic or but not limited to, seizures persistent medical symptom that either: Substantially limits the ability of the person to conduct one or more major life activities as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336). If not alleviated, may cause serious harm to the patient’s safety or physical or mental health. The hearing is scheduled for the Senate Judiciary Committee at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Room 325 of the Alabama Statehouse.
Governor says at least 1,000 state workers could lose jobs
Gov. Robert Bentley is giving lawmakers what he called an “unvarnished” view of the cuts to state government that will occur without new revenue. The governor on Tuesday evening sent a memo to each member of the Alabama Legislature. The memo describes the emergency operation plans state agencies produced in response to a draft budget before lawmakers. The reductions include the layoff of more than 1,000 state employees, including 600 court employees and 132 law enforcement officers. State troopers will close 13 trooper posts. The prison system would close two facilities. The Department of Mental Health will reduce or end service for 24,000 people with mental illnesses. Fifteen of 22 state parks would close. Bentley has proposed a $541 million tax increase, but legislators have not acted on the proposal. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
