Planned Parenthood sues Alabama over end to Medicaid funds
Planned Parenthood has filed a federal lawsuit over Gov. Robert Bentley‘s effort to cut off Medicaid payments to the organization’s Alabama clinics. Planned Parenthood Southeast said Friday that the move penalizes low-income women who seek contraceptive and preventative health care services at the clinics. The lawsuit was filed in Montgomery federal court. Bentley earlier this month announced he was terminating provider agreements with Planned Parenthood. The governor said he was disturbed by hidden-camera videos that accuse the organization of selling fetal organs after abortions. Planned Parenthood has denied the allegations and says the videos, shot by abortion opponents, are edited to be misleading. Bentley’s press office did not have an immediate response to the lawsuit. Planned Parenthood has a similar lawsuit against Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Weekend Confederate flag, secession rally set for Alabama Capitol
Saturday, a “Secession Rally” planned by the Alabama Flaggers, a pro-Confederate battle flag group, is set to take place at the Alabama State Capitol. “We are rallying for the secession from the United States of America brings (sic) your flags bring your secession flags bring your secession signs,” states the event sponsor, Alabama Flaggers’ Facebook page. The event is scheduled in response to Gov. Robert Bentley removal the Confederate flags from a memorial on the grounds of the state Capitol after the mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, a black church in Charleston S.C., in June. “What we do is we fight to preserve our heritage, our monuments, our cemeteries and anything having to do with our heritage that is being destroyed,” Alabama Flaggers co-director Freda Mincey-Burton told AL.com. “We are trying to get the point across that we are tired of being walked on. We are tired of having our monuments defaced and destroyed. We do have constitutional rights.” Despite being banned from many Confederate flag rallies in the past months for their extreme views, the Southern Poverty Law Center has learned that the Alabama Flaggers extended an invitation to the hate-group the League of the South, and that several members of the League are scheduled to speak at the secession rally. “The LOS has become increasingly radical in recent years, and even more notably in recent months, as they have eagerly taken on a mantle of victimhood as the Confederate flag has come under fire and begun preparing themselves for an inevitable race war,” says the SPLC Hatewatch staff. As of Thursday, more than 300 people have indicated that they will attend Saturday’s 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. event.
Martha Roby: Strides taken at VA, but long road remains
This past week marked one year since the director of the Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHCS) was removed from his post when a pattern of gross mismanagement and systemic malfeasance was exposed. Weeks later he would become the first VA official in the country fired under our new VA accountability law. Deputy VA Secretary Sloan Gibson visited CAVHCS at my request for an update on progress made over the past year to improve what have been some of the worst VA medical centers in the country. I wanted him to see that, while some strides have been made to fix this broken system, major issues still remain. We had a productive meeting, and I appreciate how responsive Mr. Gibson and Southeast Regional Director Tom Smith have been to my concerns. One of the biggest contributors to the long wait times at CAVHCS has been the serious shortage of medical staff. There wasn’t a funding issue, but rather a management and human resources breakdown. Recently, steps have been taken to hire more doctors, nurses and medical support staff, which is certainly promising. But, as I told Mr. Gibson, we need that to start translating into better access to care. The fact is we still have more than 4,000 veteran patients who have waited longer than 90 days without an appointment. That’s unacceptable, and I’m going to keep pushing VA leaders to improve until we make this right. One issue we discussed at length was repairing CAVHCS’ relationships with local hospitals and other health providers. Why is that important? Well, the vast majority of that 4,000 number I mentioned comes from those who have been referred to outside physicians but are awaiting appointments. I believe the future of veterans health care will rely less on actual VA facilities and more on partnerships with outside medical providers for services. We have amazing doctors, hospitals and other providers in Alabama that are eager to play a larger role in caring for vets, and the money is there to do it. The problem is CAVHCS has had trouble in the past keeping up with payments on contracts, so many local providers are naturally hesitant. Mr. Gibson and Mr. Smith expressed great interest in working with me to bridge that gap and build a network within Alabama’s medical community that will improve access and enhance care for veterans. Above all, we badly need a permanent director at the Central Alabama VA who is both empowered and driven to make the necessary changes. After a year, it looks like we are close to having that person. I will keep you updated on these developments as we move forward. Martha Roby represents Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District. She is currently serving her third term.
Presidential TV ad roundup: August 28 edition
Here’s a roundup of all the Presidential TV ads from this past week: Jeb Bush Title: Fighting for Conservative Education Reform Published: August 20, 2015 Tone: Confident Title: Catastropic Published: August 24, 2015 Tone: Cynical and doubtful Title: Hurricane response Published: August 25, 2015 Tone: Straightforward Title: Transparency vs Secrecy Published: August 27, 2015 Tone: Honest Title: For our veterans Published: August 28, 2015 Tone: Respectful and optimistic Ted Cruz Tone: Stand for religious liberty Published: August 25, 2015 Tone: Disappointed but hopeful Scott Walker Title: Talk vs. Action: On Planned Parenthood Published: August 16, 2015 Tone: Accomplished Martin O’Malley Title: Join Us to Rebuild the American Dream Published: August 25, 2015 Tone: Self-assured
This is where we’re drawing the line
With the recent leak of Ashley Madison data and now the breaking news of the First Lady filing for divorce this is a good time to draw line on what Alabama Today will be covering. Yes, we did a story about the state government emails included in the leak. No, we have not named names. Yes, we realize their are people involved in Alabama politics on the list but we have chosen not to publish them. We frequently, maybe a little too frequently are told of personal troubles in the private lives and marriages of elected official officials, lobbyists and political aides. This is not news worthy for the purposes of this site unless or until it affects their ability to do their job or calls into question abuse of their job. Why? Because of respect for privacy of those involved. These cases aren’t a daytime drama or evening TV series like “Scandal” or “House of Cards.” Those in politics and business have families with challenges as do all of us and they make mistakes as do all of us. While the Governor Robert Bentley‘s divorce is news worthy the further reasons should remain personal. He and his wife have children and grandchildren and their privacy should be respected. The results of the Ashley Madison leak have been and will be real hurt, anger, humiliation and betrayal and splashing names online for a sideline view of tragedy is wrong. Celebrating personal failures or speculating about details is wrong. No one knows what’s happening inside the homes of their neighbor and it’s no ones business. We will monitor the breaking news with the first lady’s filing and will report on the news aspects as deemed appropriate.
First lady Dianne Bentley seeking divorce from Gov. Robert Bentley
After months of speculation and rumors throughout the halls of Montgomery and across the state The Associated Press has confirmed that Alabama first lady Dianne Bentley has filed for divorce from Gov. Robert Bentley. Dianne Bentley, in the Friday morning filing in Tuscaloosa, says the couple’s 50-year marriage has suffered an irretrievable breakdown and that attempts at reconciliation are futile. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last month and were seen together at the state Capitol shortly after the documents were filed. God has blessed us with 50 years of marriage. I thank him for health, family, faith, and most of all His love and grace. – FLDB Posted by first lady Dianne Bentley on Friday, July 24, 2015 Today Dianne and I are celebrating another wonderful year of marriage and hoping for many more. Happy Anniversary Dianne! Posted by Gov. Robert Bentley on Friday, July 24, 2015 The filing, linked below, says they have been separated since January. Bentley_DivorceFiling The first lady ask for: Plaintiff further prays that the Court will make an equitable and fair division of all personal property acquired by the parties during the marriage. Plaintiff further prays that the Court order the Defendant to pay to Plaintiff a fair amount for alimony in gross and also pay to her periodic alimony. Plaintiff further prays that the Court will award to her sole title to the real property acquired by the parties during the marriage. Plaintiff further prays that the Court order the Defendant to pay the debts incurred by the parties during the marriage. Plaintiff further prays that the Court order the Defendant to pay to her a reasonable sum with which to pay her attorney of record. Plaintiff prays for such other, further, different or more general relief to which she may be entitled.
Alabama business roundup: Headlines from across the state
Can you guess how many AL counties have more registered voters than adult residents? Find out more about a possible new electricity-natural gas utility coming to the Yellowhammer state. What’s happening to AL’s first charter school? And more inside today’s business roundup of headlines from across the state: Alabama Newscenter: Southern Company/AGL Resources deal would create leading U.S. joint electricity-natural gas utility Southern Company and AGL Resources have agreed to a $12 billion deal that would make the natural gas giant a new Southern operating company and puts the electricity company into the growing natural gas business. Alabama Power is a Southern Company subsidiary with 1.4 million customers, 78,000 miles of power lines and 13,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity. Southern Company also owns Southern Power, which owns 3,175 megawatts of natural gas generating capacity in Alabama.The boards of directors of both companies said today they have a definitive merger agreement to create America’s leading U.S. electric and gas utility company. If finalized, AGL Resources will become a new wholly-owned subsidiary of Southern Company. In Alabama, AGL Resources owns a liquefied natural gas facility in Trussville that delivers about 60,000 gallons per day, its first such facility dedicated solely to the merchant market. Southern Company with AGL Resources under its umbrella would create a new electric and natural gas utility with approximately 9 million utility customers in nine states. It is Southern Company’s largest deal to diversify its utility holdings. “As America’s leader in developing the full portfolio of energy resources, we believe the addition of AGL Resources to our business will better position Southern Company to play offense in supporting America’s energy future through additional natural gas infrastructure,” Southern Company CEO Thomas A. Fanning said. “For some time, we have expressed our desire to explore opportunities to participate in natural gas infrastructure development.” Under the terms of the agreement, AGL Resources’ shareholders would receive $66 in cash for each share of common stock, a 36.3 percent increase in this month’s average trading price. Southern Company expects an increase in earnings the first year after the acquisition closes. The new company would become the second-largest utility company in the U.S. with: 11 regulated electric and natural gas distribution companies; 9 million customers with a projected regulated rate base of about $50 billion; Nearly 200,000 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines and more than 80,000 miles of gas pipelines; Generating capacity of about 46,000 megawatts. “With AGL Resources’ experienced team operating premier natural gas utilities and their investments in several major infrastructure projects, this is a natural fit for both companies,” Fanning said. “Moreover, this transaction is expected to position Southern Company to enhance earnings growth while maintaining a strong balance sheet and improving cost-effectiveness.” The Southern Company system is known for regularly outperforming industry peers in reliability, with prices below the national average and the highest customer satisfaction among peer utilities as measured by the Customer Value Benchmark survey. Alabama Power regularly tops such rankings along with other Southern Company operating companies Georgia Power, Mississippi Power and Gulf Power. “AGL Resources’ management team and board of directors wholeheartedly support this transaction, and we believe it will provide new opportunities and enhanced value for our shareholders, customers and employees,” AGL Resources CEO John W. Somerhalder II said. “Importantly, both companies are committed to safely delivering clean, reliable, affordable energy while providing customers with world-class service. The respective models of Southern Company and AGL Resources focus on the fundamental values of safety, operational excellence and environmental stewardship.” Fanning said Southern Company and AGL Resources share a focus on community involvement. “We believe this combination will also advance our customer-focused business model,” he said. “AGL Resources and Southern Company have long been leading corporate citizens and the combined company will further our support of all of the communities we serve.” Somerhalder agreed. “We’ve found a strong partner in Southern Company with its complementary businesses, excellent reputation and shared values,” he said. “They have committed to continuing our tradition of community and philanthropic support and exceptional service to customers. We look forward to working with Southern Company to complete the transaction as expeditiously as possible and ensure a smooth transition.” Birmingham Business Journal: Registered voters outnumber eligible adults in 10 Alabama counties The Public Interest Legal Foundation – a nonpartisan, nonprofit, public-interest law firm that specializes in civil litigation affecting elections, voting and other political processes – recently notified 10 Alabama counties that they have more registered voters than people in the voting age population. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill confirmed the numbers listed by the group and said that all 10 had more registered voters than people over 18 years of age, according to a report from AL.com. The counties are Lowndes, Perry, Greene, Macon, Wilcox, Marengo, Hale, Washington, Conecuh and Choctaw. Merrill said all 10 counties have seen population decreases since 2010 and some people that previously left the counties still remain registered to vote in their districts. Former Alabama Secretary of State Jim Bennett’s office last year released numbers showing that four Alabama counties had more registered voters than voting age population. The 10 Alabama counties listed by the foundation are among 141 nationwide, according to data from the foundation. Only four other states had more counties on the foundation’s list than Alabama – Michigan (24), Kentucky (18), Illinois (17) and Indiana (11). Here are the continues by number of registered voters and those over the age of 18. Choctaw County, 10,765 registered voters, 10,582 adults Conecuh County, 10,102 registered voters, 9,957 adults Greene County, 7,230 registered voters, 6,561 adults Hale County, 12,042 registered voters, 11,641 adults Lowndes County, 10,230 registered voters, 8,135 adults Macon County, 17,700 registered voters, 15,865 adults Marengo County, 16,108 registered voters, 15,485 adults Perry County, 8,521 registered voters, 7,621 adults Washington County, 13,382 registered voters, 13,048 adults Wilcox County, 9,059 registered voters, 8,341 adults Birmingham Business Journal: Alabama delays first charter school opening until 2017 The first meeting of the Alabama Charter School Commission on Thursday resulted in
