Visitation advocates have their day before JUDY Committee
Supporters of SB334, a bill that establishes procedures by which grandparents can regain visitation rights of grandchildren, were visibly angered when their speeches were cut short so that members of the House Judiciary Committee could get to the House floor for the beginning of Tuesday’s Legislative Session. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mike Jones (R-Andalusia), builds on earlier legislation which was ruled unconstitutional. The new bill uses a similar Arkansas bill as a model, expanding on that legislation by requiring grandparents to prove, by “clear and convincing” evidence, that a relationship with the grandchild exists and is worthy of retention. Concerns were raised that the bill puts the burden of proof on grandparents, who should be considered innocent until proven guilty. But, on the other side of the coin, it was argued that the bill is a “usurpation” of a parent’s right to decide whom their children are allowed to spend time with. It was further noted that a similar bill in Georgia has now spiraled into a bill allowing visitation from aunts and uncles. Kenneth Paschal, president of the Alabama Family Rights Association, gave testimony that on one hand seemed to justify the legislation but, on the other seemed to condemn it. Paschal noted that 40,000 children are “torn from their parents” each year, adding that 80,000 grandparents are thereby stripped of access to their grandchildren. But Paschal argued that those discrepancies would be best tackled by addressing the root problems. “If we care about grandparents, we would fix that problem,” Paschal said. “Let’s protect the foundation of our families. This bill is not what we need.” Though a small group spoke out against the bill, noting that the state should have no interest in family dynamics if a child is not in danger, the most emotional confessions came from two grandparents whose access to their grandchildren has been stripped from them. Dee Booker, who formed the group Grandparents ROC which swamped the committee hearing Tuesday, detailed the story of her son’s death in Iraq and the subsequent removal of access to her grandchildren by her son’s ex-wife. She noted that the last time she saw her granddaughter was at her son’s funeral – since that time, her son’s ex-wife has remarried and changed her granddaughter’s name. Julia Cooper was the last to speak in support of the bill and talked through tears for most of her monologue. “Can you imagine how a grandchild feels when he can no longer hear you read him a bedtime story?” Cooper asked. “Think about the long-term effects this will have on the child.” Cooper noted that children often feel abandoned or unloved, as they are often too young to understand the ins and outs of adult turmoil. Before Dr. Perri Jacobs, a family therapist, could speak in favor of the measure, the committee adjourned amid the outbursts of those in support of the measure. No vote was taken and the bill will be taken up again next week.
Advocates for grandparents’ rights prepare for committee hearing
A group of parents, grandparents and doctors gathered outside of the Alabama state capitol today in preparation to throw their support behind the grandparents’ visitation bill which is set to go before the House Judiciary Committee. SB334 from Rep. Mike Jones (R-Andalusia) would allow grandparents, whose visitation rights have been revoked by family members, to prove by “clear and convincing” evidence that they have a relationship with the child in question. If that relationship is proven, a procedure would be established to reconnect grandparents and grandchildren. The group is an informal organization known as “Grandparents ROC (Rights of Children),” which has advocated for the rights of grandparents and children for the past two years. Dee Booker, who founded the organization, told a woeful tale of her own experience in losing access to her grandchildren. Booker said that her son was in the military and, after his death, his ex-wife cut off all access to Booker’s granddaughter. “The day I buried my son was the last time I saw my granddaughter,” Booker said. It was then that Booker began rallying for grandparent’s and children’ rights. “Alabama pretty much has no rights at all for grandparents and children,” Booker said. “We felt like we had to do something to see our grandkids.” Booker noted that she has watched similar legislation fail over the last two years, but hopes momentum is on her side this year.
Where will Alabama candidates be Election night?
Super Tuesday — or what the south is affectionately referring to as the SEC Primary — could all but solidify the 2016 presidential race as election results from 12 states, including Alabama, roll in Tuesday night. In the Yellowhammer State, incumbent U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby is hoping to win once again his Party’s nomination, over a slew of challengers, most noticeably former Marine Jonathan McConnell. Meanwhile, all of Alabama’s House Members face challengers. Here is where the candidates will wait for the results: The incumbents: U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby What: Election Night Watch Party Where: Embassy Suites Hotel, 2410 University Blvd. Tuscaloosa When: 6:30 p.m. CST U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01): What: Bradley Byrne Election Night Watch Party Where: Moe’s Original BBQ, 701 Spring Hill Ave., Mobile When: 7 p.m. CT U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02): What: Election night reception Where: The Warehouse at Alley Station; 103 Commerce St; Montgomery When: 7 p.m., CT Extra details: Roby is tentatively scheduled to speak about 30 minutes after the race is called. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03): When: Post-Election Party Where: The Green Olive; 1024 Noble St; Anniston, AL 36201 U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04): What: Tuscaloosa County Republicans Election Night Watch Party Where: Chuck’s Fish; 508 Greensboro Ave; Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 The challengers: Jonathan McConnell for U.S. Senate What: Election Night Results Watching Party Where: Cahaba Brewing Co., 4500 Fifth Ave. S., Birmingham When: 7:30 p.m. CT Becky Gerritson for AL-02 What: Election Night Watch Party Where: Coaches Corner Sports Bar and Grill, 203 Orline St., Wetumpka This story will be updated as more details from other candidates come in.
Donald Trump looks to extend dominance as GOP starts to panic
Donald Trump looks to extend his dominance as Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio scramble for delegates in presidential primary contests across 11 states on a Super Tuesday, stained by panic from Republican leaders even before the results were known. Fearing a Trump sweep, Republican officials across the nation lashed out at the billionaire businessman’s temperament and command of the issues in the hours before voting began. Having won three consecutive primary elections, Trump was poised to tighten his grasp on the GOP nomination in primary elections from Georgia to Massachusetts and Texas to Arkansas. “These are challenging times for the Republican Party,” Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who wanted to stay neutral in the GOP primary but endorsed Rubio last week. “Those that care deeply, as myself, probably should have been engaged earlier in trying to show that Donald Trump is not the right one to lead the conservative movement and to lead our party.” The comments came during a wild prelude to Super Tuesday that featured a dispute over the Klu Klux Klan, a violent clash between a photographer and a secret service agent, and extraordinary criticism from several Republican governors and senators who refused to say whether they would support their party’s front-runner should Trump win the nomination. A confident Trump brushed off his critics on Tuesday morning, suggesting that he’s helping to grow the party and even attracting Democrats to the GOP. “We’re getting people into the party that they’ve never had before,” he told ABC’s “Good Morning America.” ”I can tell you the one person Hillary Clinton doesn’t want to run against is me.” Trump was seeking to sweep a series of contests across the South, which would be a massive blow for Cruz, in particular. The Texas senator, a favorite of the region’s social conservatives and evangelical Christians, long expected the South to be his firewall, but now simply hopes to emerge with a victory in his home state. Rubio’s goal on Super Tuesday is even more modest. He’s seeking to stay competitive in the delegate count while eyeing a win in his home state of Florida on March 15. Republican officials have rallied behind Rubio over the last week, but he’s failed to win a single state so far and could very well continue the winless streak on Tuesday. Ohio Gov. John Kasich and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson remain in the race, but neither is expected to be a major factor on Super Tuesday. With some fearing Trump’s delegate lead could become insurmountable by the middle of the month, the best hope for Rubio, Cruz and Kasich could be a contested national convention in July. But even that could be optimistic should Trump continue to dominate. Republicans spent months largely letting Trump go unchallenged, wrongly assuming that his populist appeal with voters would fizzle. Now party leaders are divided between those who pledge to fall in line behind Trump if he wins their party’s nomination and others who insist they can never back him. An Associated Press survey of GOP senators and governors across the country showed just under half of respondents would not commit to backing Trump if he’s the nominee. Their reluctance foreshadowed a potentially extraordinary split in the party this fall. “Right now we are in a very dangerous place,” said former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman. “You’ve got a con man and a bully who is moving forward with great speed to grab the party’s mantle to be its standard bearer,” Coleman, who backs Rubio, said in an interview with The Associated Press. “That’s almost incomprehensible.” Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
After 39 years of public service, State Superintendent Tommy Bice announces retirement
Tommy Bice, Alabama’s State Superintendent of Education, announced his retirement Tuesday morning after over 39 years of service to public education. Bice has held his current position since January 2012. Bice, 61, is the state’s chief executive officer of the state Department of Education and exercises general control and supervision over the public schools of the state. Bice said the trajectory of public education in Alabama is moving in the right direction and he is certain teachers and administrators will continue to do what they have always done, aggressively pursue quality education for the state’s greatest commodity: students. “I retire knowing that public education in our state is moving forward at an accelerated pace due to the dedicated teachers and leaders who have embraced the policy environment created by our State Board of Education,” Bice said. Bice’s retirement is effective March 31. After a short break, he plans to join the Mike and Gillian Goodrich Foundation as its education director later this spring. “While I may be retiring from formal public education, my work on behalf of students is far from over,” Bice said. “I will return to where my greatest passion lies – working with inner city students, their teachers and leaders to transform not only the educational opportunities for students, but the communities in which they live.”
State incumbents face uphill battle in primary contest
As Alabamians gear up to go to the polls to select their presidential nominee of choice, several other important races will likely get the attention of voters on Tuesday. Sen. Richard Shelby is facing his stiffest competition in years. At the forefront of the onslaught is former-Marine Jonathan McConnell, who has taken Shelby to task over a myriad of issues. But McConnell isn’t the only Republican vying for Shelby’s seat – Shadrack McGill, John Martin and Marcus Bowman are also hoping to unseat the 30-year incumbent. Further, Shelby is facing opposition from the other side of the aisle in political activist Ron Crumpton and West Africa native Charles Nana. But Shelby isn’t the only longtime Alabama politician facing opposition. U.S. Reps. Martha Roby and Bradley Byrne are embroiled in high-caliber primary contests, while Reps. Mike Rogers and Robert Aderholt also face opposition. Though Roby is being contested by two Republican candidates, Wetumpka Tea Party founder Becky Gerritson seems to have the best shot of unseating her. However, Roby’s preliminary polling and fundraising numbers are dwarfing even her toughest competitor. The winner will face Nathan Mathis, whose most recent political experience was a failed bid for state Senate in 2010, in the November General Election. Similarly, Byrne seems to be winning the fundraising and name recognition battle against Dean Young, an Orange Beach developer who failed to unseat Byrne when he first challenged him in 2013. The primary winner will take all in this race, as there is no Democratic opposition. Rogers is going toe-to-toe with former Phenix City school superintendent Larry DiChiara, who is mounting his opposition on the assertion that Rogers has been in Congress for too long. The winner in this race with face Democratic opposition from Army veteran Jesse Smith in November. Aderholt is going up against Republican Navy veteran Phil Norris, whose website seems to hinge on his opposition to the policies of President Barack Obama. Reps. Mo Brooks and Gary Palmer are facing no Republican opposition in the primary election but will face Democrats Will Boyd Jr. and David Putman in the general. Democratic Rep. Terri Sewell is running unopposed.
Paul Ryan: GOP nominee must reject bigotry
House Speaker Paul Ryan said Tuesday anyone who wants to be the Republican presidential nominee must reject any racist group or individual. Ryan made the tacit swipe at GOP front runner Donald Trump as voters in 11 states holding Republican contests headed to the polls on Super Tuesday. Ryan told reporters Tuesday that the GOP is the party of President Abraham Lincoln and “this party does not prey on people’s prejudices.” Ryan was apparently referring to Trump’s appearance Sunday on CNN when he declined to disavow the support of former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke and other white supremacists. “When I see something that runs counter to who we are as a party and a country I will speak up. So today I want to be very clear about something: If a person wants to be the nominee of the Republican Party there can be no evasion and no games. They must reject any group or cause that is built on bigotry,” Ryan said. Trump subsequently disavowed Duke, blaming his interview performance Sunday on a bad earpiece. Ryan again said he plans to support whomever emerges as the GOP nominee but bemoaned the current discourse in the party and said it was time to get back to focusing on how Republicans would solve the nation’s problems. “We are the party of Lincoln,” Ryan added. “We believe all people are created equal in the eyes of God and our government. This is fundamental. And if someone wants to be our nominee they must understand this.” Ryan was the GOP vice presidential nominee in 2012. He said he has tried to avoid commenting on the presidential race but felt a need to speak up. “I try to stay out of the day-to-day ups and downs of the primary,” Ryan said. “But I’ve said when I see something that runs counter to who we are as a party and a country I will speak up.” Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Martha Roby overwhelmingly wins in key re-election bid
Voters across Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District overwhelmingly supported U.S. Rep. Martha Roby in her re-election bid on Tuesday over her opponent, Wetumpka Tea Party founder, Becky Gerriston by nearly 40 percent. Official results Tuesday night indicated Roby won slightly more than 66 percent of the vote in the 2nd District, which represents Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Pike, and parts of Montgomery counties. Gerritson took home only 27 percent of the vote, and Bob Rogers just over 5 percent. Following her victory, Roby thanked the voters for their trust and support, saying the strong win showed voters were choosing “solutions over sanctimony, progress over pessimism, and results over rage.” “Today, Alabama voters have honored me – not just with their vote – but with their blessing and with a mandate to fight for conservative solutions,” Roby said to a crowded room of supporters Tuesday night. “This win matters because it sends a message about who we are going to be as a party in Alabama and what being a conservative means here today. I’m a conservative who wants to solve problems, not cause problems for conservatives.”
Report: Black students removed from Donald Trump rally in South Georgia
Another day for GOP Presidential frontrunner Donald Trump brings another race-related scandal. This latest race-related incident involves 30 black students being kicked out of a Trump rally at Valdosta State University in South Georgia, according to multiple reports. Even though there were 7,500 at the rally, there wasn’t room for 30 black students, according to USA Today: About 30 black students who were standing silently at the top of the bleachers at Donald Trump’s rally here Monday night were escorted out by Secret Service agents who said the presidential candidate had requested their removal before he began speaking. The sight of the students, who were visibly upset, being led outside by law enforcement officials created a stir at a university that was a whites-only campus until 1963. “We didn’t plan to do anything,” said a tearful Tahjila Davis, a 19-year-old mass media major, who was among the Valdosta State University students who was removed. “They said, ‘This is Trump’s property; it’s a private event.’ But I paid my tuition to be here.” “We are going to win at every single level. We are going to win with health, with education, at the borders, with our military. We’re going to win, win, win, win,” he told the crowd. Trump, who has been under fire in recent days for a seeming inability or unwillingness to forthrightly repudiate the endorsement of David Duke, will undoubtedly face further scrutiny for his team’s latest questionable move.
Report: Paul Singer may join Marco Rubio campaign as national finance chair
Marco Rubio could be getting a little help from a billionaire backer. The New York Post on Monday reported Paul Singer could be tapped as the national finance chair of Rubio’s presidential bid. In October, Singer announced he planned to back Rubio in the 2016 presidential election. At the time, Singer told dozens of other donors that Rubio was the only candidate who can “navigate this complex primary process, and still be in the position to defeat” Hillary Clinton in the fall, according to a letter obtained by the New York Times. Singer has helped raise money for both Rubio’s official campaign and his super PAC. The New York Post reported that Singer has not been involved with the political operation since super PACs can’t coordinate with the campaign. The New York Post reported that a source close to Singer said his move to the campaign was “not accurate.”
Donald Trump leads GOP field with 40 percent support in new poll
More than 70 percent of Republicans said they believe Donald Trump will be their party’s nominee. According to an NBC News|SurveyMonkey Weekly Election Tracking Poll, 71 percent of registered Republicans said Trump will win the Republican nomination. That’s up 15 percent from just one week earlier. Trump leads the GOP pack with 40 percent support, followed by Marco Rubio at 21 percent. Ted Cruz is in third with 18 percent. According to the survey, 47 percent of Republicans said they are absolutely certain they will vote for their top choice; while 16 percent said was a 50-50 chance they would vote for their top choice. In a two-man race, Trump defeats Rubio 52-percent to 46 percent. The survey found Trump beats Cruz, 55-percent to 42-percent. On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton leads Bernie Sanders, 51 percent to 41 percent. The NBC News|SurveyMonkey online tracking poll was conducted from Feb. 22 through February 28.
