Despite risks, Ben Carson not backing off Nazi, slavery examples
The Republican candidates for president will gather Wednesday for their third debate amid fresh volatility in an already chaotic race, with Ben Carson surging past Donald Trump in Iowa and one-time front-runner Jeb Bush under pressure to prove he’s still a viable candidate for the GOP nomination. The soft-spoken Carson has been a low-key presence in the first two GOP debates, but the retired neurosurgeon is likely to get more attention from moderators — as well as his fellow candidates — after a series of preference polls show him atop the field in Iowa. Trump has already shown he’s eager to take on Carson, jabbing him for his speaking style and raising questions about his Seventh Day Adventist faith. “We’ll see how Ben holds up to the scrutiny,” Trump said Tuesday on MSNBC. Meanwhile, Bush will be grasping for momentum after one of the most trying stretches of his White House campaign. Slower-than-expected fundraising has led Bush to slash spending and overhaul his campaign structure, and he’s voiced frustration with the way the unusual race has progressed. If the election is going to be about fighting to get nothing done, he says, “I don’t want any part of it.” There will be 10 candidates on stage in the prime-time debate in Boulder, Colorado, all seeking a share of a smaller spotlight: This debate on CNBC will run for only two hours after the last affair went on for more than three. Among the participants are two senators: Florida’s Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz of Texas. Rubio has sought to capitalize on Bush’s stumbles, but faces his own financial concerns. Cruz is positioning himself to inherit Trump’s supporters if the real estate mogul’s campaign collapses. Taken together, it’s a Republican field that remains crowded and unwieldy three months before the lead-off Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary. The political rookies appealing to voter anger with Washington have ceded no ground and establishment politicians are still waiting for the race to turn their way — and increasingly wondering if it ever will. Trump remains the dominant force, commanding media attention, drawing large crowds and leading in most early voting states. But his dip in Iowa has prompted some speculation among Republicans that the tide could be turning against the bombastic billionaire. “His only hope of staying competitive is to entertain voters with his provocateur-in-chief routine right up until Election Day,” said Josh Holmes, a former adviser to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. “He’s the one candidate where ‘acting presidential’ actually has a detrimental effect on his campaign.” While Carson is unknown to many Americans, he’s built a loyal following with Tea Party-aligned voters and religious conservatives. His campaign has started running new television advertisements in early voting states that center on his experience as a doctor and highlight his status as a political outsider. Carson has raised eyebrows with his incendiary comments about Muslims and references to Nazis and slavery on the campaign trail, rhetoric he’s made no apologies for. His standing in early states has only appeared to strengthen with each controversial comment. Carson’s biggest weakness may be his glaring lack of specific policy proposals. The issues listed on his campaign website are vague, including a tax plan that calls for a “fairer, simpler, and more equitable” system. On foreign policy, he’s said, “all options should remain on the table when dealing with international bullies,” such as Russian President Vladimir Putin. Carson could be pushed Wednesday on domestic policy, with debate host CNBC promising to focus on economic issues, including taxes and job growth. Policy discussions are usually a welcome refuge for Bush, the wonky former Florida governor. But his challenge Wednesday is less about highlighting his mastery of the issues and more about showing his supporters he has the temperament to fight through a long and grueling primary. “You’ve got a guy here speaking from experience, speaking with knowledge about issues, speaking with a reasonable approach to matters,” said Pat Hickey, a Bush supporter from Nevada. “The problem, though, is: Do those things seem to matter to the electorate?” With a well-funded super PAC standing by, Bush doesn’t appear to be on the brink of a campaign collapse, even if he performs poorly in the debate. But a stronger performance could help soothe supporter anxiety. Also on stage event Wednesday will be Ohio Gov. John Kasich, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and former technology executive Carly Fiorina. Each will be eager for the kind of standout moment that Fiorina had in the second debate to jumpstart their campaigns. The four lowest-polling candidates will participate in an earlier undercard event: South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former New York Gov. George Pataki. None has gotten close to breaking into the upper tier of candidates.
GE Aviation announces $200 million investment, 300 new Alabama jobs
GE Aviation announced Tuesday its plans to invest $200 million in the Yellowhammer State to create adjacent factories on 100 acres in Huntsville. The plan will create up to 300 jobs when the factories are operational later this decade. The announcement was made at the Alabama State Capital in Montgomery by GE Aviation’s Vice President of the CMC Programs, Sanjay Correa. He was was joined by Gov. Robert Bentley and members of the Alabama delegation. One plant will be the first of its kind in the United States and will produce silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic fiber. The other factory will use the SiC ceramic fiber to produce the unidirectional ceramic matrix composite component (CMC) tape necessary to fabricate CMC components for jet engines and land-based gas turbines. It represents GE Aviation’s second significant factory investment in Alabama in recent years. Since 2013, GE Aviation has invested more than $100 million in a 300,000-square-foot factory in Auburn, where the company is engaged in jet engine component manufacturing as well as establishing the world’s highest-volume additive manufacturing center. Here’s what the Alabama government officials have to say about the announcement: Gov. Robert Bentley: We are honored that GE Aviation has chosen Huntsville for an advanced technology manufacturing operation to produce silicon carbide materials for commercial and military engines. Today’s announcement is important because Alabama is expanding our partnership with a global aviation leader. We have prioritized advanced manufacturing in aerospace and aviation, and I appreciate the investment by GE Aviation in this new Huntsville operation. U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby: GE Aviation’s decision to open two adjacent factories in Huntsville is great news for the region and our state. This announcement is a testament to the exceptional workforce in Huntsville and highlights that Alabama is open for business. I look forward to the jobs and economic growth that this investment will bring to Huntsville. U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions: GE Aviation’s decision to build two new world-class factories in North Alabama is a vote of confidence in the strength and talent of Alabama and its workers. It continues Huntsville’s strong tradition of supporting our men and women in uniform. This $200 million investment will expand the footprint and impact of GE Aviation in the area while providing new opportunities for hundreds of workers. The cutting-edge technology employed in Huntsville demonstrates GE Aviation’s continued leadership in this industry. A strong manufacturing base is essential for a robust economy, and I am pleased that Alabama and GE Aviation have been leaders by investing in high-paying manufacturing jobs. U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05): North Alabama prides itself on manufacturing excellence, and its high-technology workforce, making it a perfect match for global aviation leaders like GE Aviation. This investment will bolster Alabama’s pivotal role in the development of GE Aviation’s world-class engines and the future of aerospace engineering. We are grateful for this commitment to Huntsville and the additional growth it will inspire across the state. U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04): This is wonderful news for North Alabama. GE has been committed to this area for decades, and I’m glad to know that dedication continues with even more well paying jobs for 300 people. Job creation continues to be the number one priority for Alabama. As Ronald Reagan once said, ‘the best social program is a job.’ This investment from GE is a clear sign that Alabama is open for business. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle: GE is an innovation company. Huntsville is an innovation city. This announcement by GE is the latest chapter in that history of innovation. The products that will be manufactured here represent the future of aerospace. We are proud that Huntsville will help GE change the way we travel through the skies.
Gary Palmer joins resolution to impeach IRS Commissioner John Koskinen
Alabama Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06) and 18 other Republican members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee introduced a resolution Tuesday to start impeachment proceedings against IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Mr. Koskinen has repeatedly provided misleading testimony to Congress and has failed to comply with a Congressional subpoena,” said Rep. Palmer. “This behavior is unacceptable, particularly for someone in such a powerful position.” In introducing the resolution, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) said, “Commissioner Koskinen violated the public trust. He failed to comply with a congressionally issued subpoena, documents were destroyed on his watch, and the public was consistently misled. Impeachment is the appropriate tool to restore public confidence in the IRS and to protect the institutional interests of Congress. This action will demonstrate to the American people that the IRS is under repair, and signal that Executive Branch officials who violate the public trust will be held accountable.” According to the Committee’s press release, Commissioner Koskinen violated the public trust in the following ways: Failed to comply with a subpoena resulting in destruction of key evidence. Commissioner Koskinen failed to locate and preserve IRS records in accordance with a congressional subpoena and an internal preservation order. The IRS erased 422 backup tapes containing as many as 24,000 of Lois Lerner’s emails – key pieces of evidence that were destroyed on Koskinen’s watch. Failed to testify truthfully and provided false and misleading information. Commissioner Koskinen testified the IRS turned over all emails relevant to the congressional investigation, including all of Ms. Lerner’s emails. When the agency determined Ms. Lerner’s emails were missing, Commissioner Koskinen testified the emails were unrecoverable. These statements were false. Failed to notify Congress that key evidence was missing. The IRS knew Lois Lerner’s emails were missing in February 2014. In fact, they were not missing; the IRS destroyed the emails on March 4, 2014. The IRS did not notify Congress the emails were missing until June 2014 – four months later, and well after the White House and the Treasury Department were notified. Before going the impeachment route, Palmer along with 51 members of Congress, called on President Barack Obama to remove Commissioner Koskinen back in July. The White House failed to respond to their request.
Carly Fiorina needs 3rd debate to help regain momentum
Carly Fiorina‘s standout performance in the first undercard GOP primary debate made her a contender. Her strong showing in the second prime-time debate bumped her to a leading candidate. Now, with slowing poll numbers, Fiorina is again looking to the debate stage for a burst of energy. The former technology executive joins nine other 2016 Republican presidential candidates in Colorado on Wednesday. After the most recent debate, Fiorina saw her poll numbers and fundraising soar, though she has struggled to maintain the momentum. The third debate presents an opportunity to pick up speed, which may not be easy. GOP consultant Katie Packer said Fiorina had few expectations of her in the first two debates. “She had a real opportunity to shine,” Packer said. “Now, it’s a little bit of a different challenge. The challenge is going to be to perform at the same level as at the last one.” Fiorina’s polling numbers have dipped recently, though she remains comfortably in the top tier. Since the last debate, she has dropped somewhat from view and has not gotten the media attention that Donald Trump and Ben Carson have enjoyed at the front of the pack. Her campaign says she has been hard at work in the first four voting states and is prepared to go the distance. Fiorina’s Iowa campaign chairman Christopher Rants said Fiorina would continue introducing herself to voters Wednesday. He said: “She just needs to be Carly. She just needs to be who she is. Give substantive answers to tough questions.” Given that Fiorina has risen in the ranks and has displayed strong debate skills, she may have to deal with tough questioning from moderators or fellow candidates, particularly about her business record as former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, where she led a major merger, laid off 30,000 workers and was ousted by the board. If she has a good night, experts said, Fiorina must seek to keep building the enthusiasm, which can be challenging with a smaller campaign. Compared with other Republican candidates, Fiorina has a small operation. In Iowa, for example, she has two paid staffers, compared with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who has 10. “It’s like catching lightning in a bottle,” said Republican pollster Greg Strimple. “When it strikes you have to be ready for it.” Fiorina saw contributions to her campaign leap immediately after both GOP debates, according to an Associated Press analysis of individual donors who gave at least $200 in the latest election cycle. Smaller donors aren’t required to be identified. Recent campaign finance reports show that Fiorina raised about $3.5 million in donations of $200 or more between July 1 and Sept. 30. About 14 percent of those contributions came in on the two days after the debates. Fiorina got a next-day bump each time bigger than anyone else in the field. “To be able to win an election you have to be able to come across on television,” said Stanley Hubbard, a billionaire media mogul from Minneapolis who had previously supported Scott Walker‘s campaign. “She does very well on television.” He said he contributed to Fiorina’s campaign after seeing her in the second debate and has also given to Bush, Carson, Marco Rubio and Chris Christie. Fiorina commanded the first half of that debate, serving as one of the strongest foils to Trump. She won the night’s first big ovation when she addressed his insulting comments about her personal appearance days earlier, saying “I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr. Trump said.” But she made provocative comments of her own, misrepresenting the content of secretly recorded videos about Planned Parenthood fetal-tissue practices and refusing since to own up to the error. During the latest fundraising quarter, Fiorina raised a total of $6.8 million. That’s quadruple what she collected in the previous period. Fiorina is already trying to encourage support around the next debate. A message to supporters on the campaign’s Facebook page reads: “Wednesday’s debate is going to be another huge moment for this campaign.” It continues: “Chip in $3 to make sure Carly’s message continues to resonate in the days and weeks after the next debate.” Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Mo Brooks secures commitment from Paul Ryan: No amnesty bills
Rep. Paul Ryan (WI-01) has formally agreed to a letter committing to members of the House Freedom Caucus (HFC) he won’t bring amnesty or immigration-reform legislation to the House floor while President Barack Obama is still in office unless it is supported by a majority of Republican House Members. This past Thursday Brooks and other members of the HFC met with Ryan regarding his candidacy for Speaker where they discussed border security. According to a statement released by Brooks, he and other House Freedom Caucus members had concerns Ryan may use the role of Speaker to push through immigration policies that will suppress the wages of and take even more jobs from struggling American families. After the meeting, Brooks hand-delivered a formal letter to Ryan on the House floor detailing what he believed were his immigration representations. “I need your assurance that you will not use the Speaker’s position to advance your immigration policies … because there is a huge gap between your immigration position and the wishes of the American citizens I represent,” Brooks wrote in the letter. “Your words yesterday constitute the needed assurance.” “If my portrayal of your words errs in any respect, please deliver to me… a written communication correcting my errors,” Brooks continued. Less than two hours later, Ryan called Brooks confirming the accuracy of his letter, giving his word to keep his commitments. Tuesday morning Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05) addressed the U.S. House of Representatives telling of them of Ryan’s agreed-upon commitment and submitted the letter for Congressional Record. You can watch the video of Brooks floor speech here:
3 dozen Alabama mayors endorse Martha Roby for re-election
Three dozen of Alabama mayor’s have endorsed U.S. Rep. Martha Roby‘s re-election bid. Roby’s campaign announced Tuesday morning that the Montgomery Republican secured endorsements from mayors representing 25 municipalities in all of the 15 counties in the 2nd Congressional District. “I’m grateful for such an inspiring show of support from across the district,” Roby said in a written statement. “I’ve always believed my first job is to listen to those I represent and work on their behalf in Congress. I’m proud to partner with mayors and local leaders throughout the district in helping to promote their communities.” Among those endorsing Roby were: Jim Giganti, Mayor of Abbeville (Henry County) Earl Johnson, Mayor of Andalusia (Covington County) Chris Caldwell, Mayor of Babbie, (Covington County) Bernie Sullivan, Mayor of Brantley (Crenshaw County) Jimmy Ramage, Mayor of Brundidge (Pike County) Jimmy Garner, Mayor of Carolina (Covington County) Rebecca Beasley, Mayor of Clayton (Barbour County) David Grice, Mayor of Clio (Barbour County) Mike Schmitz, Mayor of Dothan (Houston County) Mickey Murdock, Mayor of Elba (Coffee County) Jack Tibbs, Mayor of Eufaula (Barbour County) Margaret White, Mayor of Elmore (Elmore County) Robert Williamson, Mayor of Florala (Covington County) Philip Carter, Mayor of Geneva (Geneva County) Jerome Antone, Mayor of Georgiana (Butler County) Dan Jackson, Mayor of Glenwood (Crenshaw County) Dexter McClendon, Mayor of Greenville (Butler County) Jeff Sorrells, Mayor of Hartford (Geneva County) Ray Marler, Mayor of Headland (Henry County) Judy Baker, Mayor of Heath (Covington County) Eugene Birge, Mayor of Lockhart, (Covington County) Jimmy Grant, Mayor of Louisville, (Barbour County) Joe Sport, Mayor of Luverne (Crenshaw County) John Bartholomew, Mayor of Opp (Covington County) Billy Blackwell, Mayor of Ozark (Dale County) Lester Odom, Mayor of McKenzie (Butler and Conechuh Counties) Mildred Whittington, Mayor of Midway (Bullock County) Todd Strange, Mayor of Montgomery (Montgomery County) Bill Gillespie, Mayor of Prattville (Autauga and Elmore Counties) Terri Carter, Mayor of Repton (Conechuh County) Willie Hendrix, Mayor of Red Level (Barbour County) Patricia Gunter, Mayor of River Falls (Covington County) Chris Thomasson, Mayor of Sanford (Covington County) Rob Hinson, Mayor of Slocomb (Geneva County) Bobby Payne, Mayor of Tallassee (Elmore County) Jason Reeves, Mayor of Troy (Pike County) Citing her support of their local communities and close by military installations like Fort Rucker and Maxwell Air Force Base, the mayors offered their “support, encouragement, and full endorsement” for Rep. Roby’s reelection campaign. Roby faces Wetumpka Tea Party Founder Becky Gerritson in the Republican primary on March 1, 2016. The winner of the primary faces goes on to the General Election in November. No Democratic candidates have formally declared that they are running yet. If elected, this would be Roby’s fourth term in office. Below is the full letter of their support: Dear Representative Roby: As mayors of 25 municipalities throughout Alabama’s Second Congressional District, we are pleased to offer our support, encouragement, and full endorsement of your 2016 primary reelection campaign. We appreciate your deep commitment to our local communities. Since your first election to Congress, you have demonstrated a willingness to effectively engage with federal agencies on our behalf to promote our local interests and advance our constituents’ best interests. Your steadfast advocacy for the critical military installations in our area, and of our many constituents who serve in uniform at home and abroad, promotes our district’s proud role in the nation’s defense. Additionally, we value federal, state, and local partnerships, and we appreciate your support of infrastructure improvement and economic development efforts across Central and Southeast Alabama. Most importantly, we know that you and your team are available to hear our concerns and eager to help your constituents. We recognize that working in the halls of Congress is not easy, but we are proud of your positive representation of our area, your responsible leadership, and your continued fight for traditional Alabama values. We offer our full endorsement of your campaign and we wish you the best.
Former Commissioner Terry Dunn drops out of PSC presidential race
Former Public Service Commissioner Terry Dunn has decided to drop out of the race for PSC president. In a statement Monday, Dunn cited one reason he would not seek the post is that he feared Alabama Power Co. will spend “a lot of money” to oppose him. Alabama Power spokesman Michael Sznajderman has repeatedly said the company isn’t, and has never been, involved with Public Service Commission campaigns and elections. “With the Republican Party now being the dominant party in the state,” Dunn’s statement says, “the Republican establishment needs to realize their obligations are not just to big businesses, but also the welfare of all individuals.” As previously reported by Alabama Today, Dunn launched his latest effort to return to office Aug. 1, challenging incumbent PSC President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh for the Republican Party nomination. Last year, Dunn lost his re-election bid to remain on the commission, defeated by Greene County Commission Chairman Chip Beeker 59 to 41 percent. During his time on the commission, Dunn received political pushback for advocating formal rate hearings for Alabama Power, something opposed by fellow commissioners Cavanaugh and Jeremy Oden. The PSC handles setting rates for Alabama Power not through formal hearings, but by a process known as stabilization and equalization. Dunn argued the process gives an advantage to Alabama Power, allowing the utility to charge higher rates than those in other states. In 2013, the commission held a series of public hearings before approving changes to Alabama Power’s rate formula. At the time, Cavanaugh and Oden insisted it helped keep rates lower. Dunn disagreed. Alabama Power is raising rates 5 percent starting in 2015, a move equivalent to an increase of $6.78 a month for consumers using an average 1,000-kilowatt hours. AL.com reports that under the old formula, rates would have increased by an additional $1 a month. An Alabama Power representative also noted the most recent increase was the first since October 2011 and was necessary to recover rising energy costs.
Workers at Birmingham’s U.S. Steel face uncertainty after layoffs
Cancer forced Isaiah Henderson to stop working in December. An employee of U.S. Steel for eight years, Henderson found out in August there would be no job to come back to because of layoffs after to the shutdown of the Fairfield blast furnace. About 1,100 of U.S. Steel’s Fairfield employees are joining the 42-year-old McCalla man in unemployment as the company, once Birmingham’s largest employer, cuts jobs nationwide. Henderson isn’t bitter. But like hundreds of others affected by the cuts, he faces uncertainty. “When times were good, it was an excellent place to work. Great pay, great benefits,” Henderson said. “The last couple of years, it’s just gone down. With the economy being the way it’s been, there was nothing that could be done.” “The current trade situation has made the situation much worse,” David Clark, president of United Steel Workers Local 1013, said in a recent interview. “We have global over-capacity. We cut our output across the U.S., but China is running above capacity or at capacity. “And the recent trade agreements offer very little to no protection to workers. It’s all just made the situation worse.” Volunteers met Friday at the union hall to unload pallets of donated food to stock a pantry set up to help the workers. More than an hour before it was set to open, a line formed on the sidewalk and people took numbers to get a turn. Derek Smith, a 34-year-old McCalla resident, was there to help out even though he himself was laid off from his position as a business planner for the company about a month ago. Smith, a husband and father to a 2-year-old and 5-year-old, said he was there to pitch in because he knows many who have been laid off longer than him are struggling. “It’s tough on people. It’s tougher on others,” Smith said. “Lord knows, I’d appreciate it when it comes my turn. “This affects so many people. There are a whole lot of people hurting.” For Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens, the situation is sadly familiar. Stephens can still remember the early 1980s layoffs at Pullman-Standard, one of the nation’s largest rail-car makers, and Birmingham-area steel mills. By 1983, Bessemer’s unemployment rate was more than 30 percent and the damage was felt for decades. “(Bessemer) just now has a diverse enough economy to come back, and you still see lingering effects,” Stephens said. Stephens worries now about those laid off from U.S. Steel, and the hundreds of miners laid off from Walter Energy, and what those job losses will do to west Jefferson County. “We are being hit twice and it’s going to be devastating,” Stephens said. “We’re trying to place some of these workers. It’s imperative we bring other businesses to the western part of the county to help these workers.” Stephens said he is working with Lawson State Community College and mayors of west Jefferson cities to try and develop a plan to recruit businesses and create a list of available industrial locations to recruit new companies. “We’ve never done that before. It’s more imperative now than ever before that we do that.” John Purifoy said he knows his time is coming. U.S. Steel has told him he’s being laid off but has not said when. “It’s hard when you have worked somewhere as long as I have and it feels like it’s been stable,” said Purifoy, an 18-year veteran of the company. “Then people who have never seen you or know your situation decide you’re no longer needed.” The 43-year-old Calera man said the uncertainty takes a toll. “It used to be the ‘what if this happens’ that was overwhelming. Now, it’s the ‘when’ that’s overwhelming,” Purifoy said. “Where do you go next?” Smith said he has résumés out and applications filed after losing his job of more than 13 years. “It’s a punch in the gut,” Smith said. “Something that has been steady for years isn’t there anymore.” Smith said he just hopes to find a job that pays as well as U.S. Steel did. “More than likely, that’s not going to happen. You just have to adjust. That’s life,” Smith said. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
3 Alabama U.S. House members sign on to rare procedure to revive Ex-Im Bank
Monday night in a rare procedural move, with the support of three Alabama members the U.S. House of Representatives made a play to sidestep Republican leadership in hopes of reviving the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im), whose charter expired in June. The procedure, known as a “discharge petition,” was last executed 13 years ago and only five times in the past eight decades. It allows lawmakers to bypass committees and House leadership to bring up legislation signed by a majority of the House for a vote on the floor. In order to for the petition to be successful 218 Members, a simple majority, must sign-on. Monday night, 246 members voted in favor of the discharge of H.R. 597: the Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act — 62 Republicans and 184 Democrats — nearly 30 more than the necessary 218. Among those Members who signed-on to revive the Ex-Im bank were Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03), Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04), and Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07). A final vote to extend the bank’s charter through 2019 will likely come to the House floor Tuesday. The bill itself reauthorizes Ex-Im Bank for four more years; sets new, lower, lending caps; aims to increase accountability and transparency at the bank; and directs the president to initiate negotiations to reduce and eventually eliminate government export subsidies worldwide. Beyond the House, the future of the bill lies in the hands of the Senate where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has said he doesn’t plan to bring the bill to the floor for the vote. That could spell trouble for companies across the country, according to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). NAM contendss the expiration of the bank’s charter left several thousand small and medium-size exporters without adequate access to capital, and without its renewal more than 500 U.S. companies will lose credit insurance from September through December. That could translate to lost jobs. According to the Business Roundtable, in fiscal 2014, the Ex-Im Bank provided financing for exports valued at $27.5 billion that supported about 164,000 US jobs. The Business Council of Alabama says in Alabama Ex-Im Bank has supported 58 companies, more than 3,900 jobs, and $622 million in exports over the last seven years.
Women of Influence: Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh
In the next installment of Alabama Women of Influence is Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh. A graduate of Auburn University, Cavanaugh was first elected to the PSC in November 2010; she won re-election in 2012 and 2014. Talk about a woman who has constantly stood up for Alabama and its families and small businesses! “I am committed to doing what’s best for the hard-working taxpayers in this state,” Cavanaugh said on Facebook in July – and that couldn’t be more true. Committing herself to the fights within Washington, D.C., and at home in Alabama, she’s done everything from help push President George W. Bush‘s tax cuts through Congress to help cities and towns across the Yellowhammer state stop tax increases and fought for tougher tort reform laws. Suffice to say, Twinkle has a great resume — one a lot of us can only dream of — Republican National Committee, Alabaman Republican Party, Citizens for a Sound Economy, Gov. Riley’s cabinet as senior adviser. As the first female Chair of the Alabama Republican Party, she led the way to building a strong and inclusive state party. She also hasn’t shied away from encouraging other women to pursue their goals as well. According to AL.Com in 2003, she spoke to a group of Huntsville business leaders sharing her five tidbits of success, “Build relationships, have goals, think outside the box, face adversity positively and make a difference”, said Cavanaugh to a gathering of about 40 women. As the president of the PSC she has been a strong advocate against the EPA’s over-reaching regulations, which would kill Alabama’s coal industry and raise utility prices. She supports an “all of the above” energy portfolio. In early September, she and the commission passed regulations that allowed an Alabama Power renewable energy project to secure up to 500 megawatts of renewable generation over the next six years. A project lauded by people on both sides of the political aisle. An Alabama News story quoted that using solar power the project will “serve up to 100,000 homes during an hour of peak sun intensity on cloudless days.” Cavanaugh is also doing what she can to help tackle the state’s ongoing budget crisis. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, the Alabama Senate’s General Fund budget chairman, said that since 2010 the PSC “has done a lot of significant restructuring that saves taxpayers millions of dollars of costs and expenses.” Cavanuagh intends to reduce costs even more this year. By cutting back wherever possible at the PSC, she will be sending a record amount to the state’s destitute General Fund next year — $12.5 million. “I think we’ve right-sized our commission,” Cavanaugh told AL.com. She and her husband have three children. They are active members of First Baptist Church in Montgomery, and they are involved in numerous community organizations. It is without a doubt we can say Cavanaugh has been a tremendous asset for the state of Alabama and as a trailblazer for generations of women to follow.
Former deputy AG testifies for Mike Hubbard defense
A former deputy attorney general testified Monday that a prosecutor bragged he would ruin indicted House Speaker Mike Hubbard politically. Former Deputy Attorney General Sonny Reagan‘s testimony in Lee County Circuit Court was the start of a multi-day pretrial hearing as Hubbard looks to have the corruption case against him dropped. Hubbard faces 23 felony ethics charges accusing him of using his public positions to benefit his businesses. Hubbard has denied any wrongdoing. The Auburn Republican has alleged prejudicial prosecution and has said a 2010 ethics law that he supported is unconstitutional and being incorrectly applied in this case. Reagan spent nearly four hours testifying about the ways in which he found both prosecutor Matt Hart‘s remarks and his handling of grand jury proceedings prejudicial. During the defense’s questioning, Reagan told a judge that Hart was out to ruin Hubbard and made several threats against him during private discussions. “He said he would put a gun in his mouth with his hand on the trigger, show him the indictment and maybe he would plead guilty and resign,” Reagan said. Solicitor General Andrew Brasher suggested that Hart using gruff or suggestive language about the case with Reagan in private wasn’t necessarily an indication of bias since the two both have military backgrounds. Reagan resigned in December after he was accused of trying to undermine the investigation. Attorney General Luther Strange said Reagan communicated with people interested in stopping the probe and used as his personal attorneys two lawyers who were representing defendants. Reagan has denied those allegations. Prosecutors on Monday also presented court documents saying Reagan’s attorney sought to have the grand jury reviewing Hubbard’s case disbanded and advised him to use his Fifth Amendment right during portions of his own grand jury testimony. One of Hubbard’s defense attorneys, Mark White, said he was pleased with the first day of the hearing but declined to elaborate, citing pending testimony from additional witnesses. State prosecutors also are expected to continue questioning Reagan when the hearing resumes Tuesday. White said he also expects to call former Ethics Commission Executive Director Jim Sumner, and former Attorney General’s investigator Gene Sisson. Strange said Sisson helped Reagan secretly tape a conversation with the acting attorney general who was overseeing Hubbard’s case and later lied about losing the recorder. A state board recently upheld Sisson’s firing. The prosecutor, Hart, is also among 40 witnesses on Hubbard’s list. Judge Jacob Walker has said he will determine later whether the defense can take testimony from current Attorney General’s office employees. If so, he said that will be done via deposition. Hubbard’s case is scheduled to go to trial March 28. Prosecutors are objecting to defense efforts to delay the trial, which has already been postponed once. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
$20M federal grant to upgrade public transit in Birmingham
A $20 million federal grant will help improve public transportation in Alabama’s largest city, Birmingham. The money will fund a 15-mile-long bus project that will connect 25 communities on the city’s eastern and western side to the city center. Officials announced the grant on Monday. Mayor William Bell says the grant is part of a long-term plan to improve Birmingham’s public transportation ahead of the World Games, an athletics competition the city will host in 2021. Congresswoman Terri Sewell helped secure the funding through the U.S. Transportation Department. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
