State park funds secure with passage of Clay Scofield legislation
On Tuesday, the Alabama Senate passed SB260 from Sen. Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville), which is a constitutional amendment barring the legislature from using Alabama Department of Conservation funds. The legislation will ensure that all money earned through external sources, like entrance fees, merchandise sales, hunting and fishing licenses and golf course fees, will stay with the department. Over the last five years, $15 million has been transferred from state parks to the General Fund – in all, $30 million has been transferred from the department to fund other agencies. A move last year to take roughly $3 million from the department caused multiple parks to close, causing an uproar among the populace. “State parks have little incentive to provide great service to the public if the money earned is taken away each year by the Legislature,” Scofield said in a press release. “My proposal will allow the state parks to make plans for long-term improvements, since they will now have a predictable cash flow and can attract more visitors to Alabama. ” However, the bill specifies that if the State Parks Revolving Fund reaches more than $50 million in a fiscal year, the sales and use and cigarette tax money reserved for the system will be reduced in the following year. The money saved from doing so would be directed to the state’s General Fund. “Currently, state parks in Alabama are mostly self-funded through the services they provide to the public. Unfortunately, over the past five years the Legislature has raided the Department of Conservation and transferred money to the General Fund for other purposes,” Scofield said in the release. “State parks are important to Alabamians and the parks should be able to keep the money they earn.” After its passage in the Senate, the bill will be taken up by a Senate committee before it’s considered by the full House.
Grandparents visitation bill clears the Alabama House
The Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday passed HB334 from Rep. Mike Jones (R-Andalusia), which would provide the criteria by which grandparents may petition for visitation with their grandchildren. Jones noted that Alabama is one of only a handful of states that don’t already have such a law on the books. The bill faced difficulties last year after it was ruled unconstitutional and the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision earlier this year not to take up the bill seemed to stop it in its tracks. But significant work has been done since then by the Alabama Law Institute and others to ensure that the bill can withstand scrutiny. The bill went before committee in early March and drew the support of a wide array of Alabama parents and grandparents, though just as many showed up to oppose the measure. In today’s vote, which garnered an affirmative from 97 Representatives, only Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) rose to voice concern over the legislation. Givan noted that she had opposed the legislation previously and wanted to ensure that the bill would not hamper Alabama parents from making decisions regarding the welfare of their children. Jones noted that changes were made to ensure the bill would be deemed constitutional, adding that the legislation was based off of a similar law passed in Arkansas. “We’re not reinventing the wheel,” Jones said. “We’re trying to learn from other states.” Jones noted that his bill creates a “narrow door” through which grandparents will have to pass to regain access to their grandchildren and said that Alabama’s law would be one of the most conservative in the country. He added that any decisions regarding reinstated visitation rights will start with the presumption that fit parents have made a decision in the best interest of their children – it will be up to grandparents to prove the opposite. With its passage in the House, the bill will go before a Senate committee before making it to the full Senate in the coming weeks.
Alabama House approves resolution celebrating Harper Lee
On Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives unanimously approved SJR62 from Sen. Hank Sanders (D-Selma), and co-sponsored by all other Senators, “mourning the death and celebrating the life and legacy of Nelle Harper Lee.” Lee was born in Monroeville and attended Huntingdon College and the University of Alabama before moving to New York City where she worked as an airline reservation agent while writing on the side. Lee composed her classic novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” only three years before the movie adaptation hit the silver screen in 1960, winning multiple Academy Awards. Despite the success of the book and film, Lee preferred to “surround herself in quiet solitude rather than notoriety.” The resolution further notes Lee’s 1961 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, her 1999 award for Best Novel of the Century and her 2007 Presidential Medal of Freedom, among others. Not mentioned in the resolution is Lee’s invaluable contribution to the American masterpiece “In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote. Lee and Capote were childhood friends and, together, took thousands of notes and interviewed countless sources in researching the book. Lee published her second novel “Go Set A Watchman” in 2015. Though proclaimed a sequel to her first novel, the second was based off of her first draft from “To Kill A Mockingbird.” The resolution goes on to call Lee “a native Alabamian loved by many throughout the world” and her memory “deeply cherished in the hearts and minds of all those who were fortunate enough to know her, as well as her many fans.”
Robert Bentley highlights need for faster internet in rural Alabama
Gov. Robert Bentley is meeting with rural educators to highlight his plan to expand high-speed internet service across Alabama. Bentley visited the southwest Alabama town of Monroeville on Monday, saying an area can’t have a top educational system without a fast connection to the digital world. Bentley hopes to use Education Trust Fund money to match a federal grant program called E-rate to expand connectivity in rural parts of the state. A 2015 Federal Communications Commission report found almost 35 percent of Alabamians don’t have high-speed internet service. Some rural schools, like Monroeville Elementary, have updated technology like personal laptops but are still hobbled by expensive and spotty internet service. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Robert Bentley creates implementation committee for Every Student Succeeds Act
Last week, Governor Robert Bentley announced the establishment of a state implementation committee for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which was signed into law last year by President Barack Obama to replace the No Child Left Behind Act. According to a press release from the governor’s office, the new law “shifts the power of education from the federal government and returns power and control to the states.” Under ESSA, states will be able to decide for themselves what it best for their students in regard to the “implementation of academic standards, testing, accountability, school improvement and teacher quality.” As part of the law, each state is required to develop a comprehensive plan for implementing the new legislation. “Every state, school and classroom needs the certainty and fairness of a flexible education law,” Governor Bentley said in the statement. “I support the Every Student Succeeds Act because it provides governors a central role in implementation and governance and gives us the flexibility to shape our schools and prepare our students from early childhood into the workforce. This legislation is the greatest devolution of federal powers to the state in 25 years. I challenge Alabama’s implementation committee to create a plan that will continue to move Alabama’s education system forward while keeping in mind the needs of the students being taught.” The Alabama ESSA Committee will consist of the following members or a designated representative: Two vice chairs, appointed by the Superintendent, Alabama State Department of Education Two appointments by each Alabama State Board of Education member, excluding the Governor The Secretary, Department of Early Childhood Education The Education Policy Advisor, Office of the Governor Director, Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs Three representatives in workforce development programs or related entities, appointed by the Governor A representative of the Alabama Public Charter School Commission, appointed by the Governor One member from the Alabama Senate, appointed by the Senate President Pro Tem One member from the Alabama House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Additional members as needed, appointed by the Governor The committee will have to submit a plan for the full implementation of ESSA no later than December 1, 2016.
It’s neglectful for gun owners to leave weapons unsecured, period
As a mother and gun owner, I’m saddened and outraged at accidental shootings involving children. I insist it’s time that every parent prepares themselves for a rational conversation about firearm safety in their daily lives. Contrary to what we hear every time there’s an accidental shooting, we don’t need more regulations. We need more common sense, and we need to consistently enforce the existing laws. Let’s stop acting as though gun ownership is a taboo subject. The cost of avoiding the topic is too high. Even parents that hate guns need to be able to have a responsible conversation whenever your children are left under the supervision of someone who may possess a firearm. Likewise, if you are a parent and gun owner, you need to assess your behavior and make sure it is consistent with responsible gun ownership. Just as we wouldn’t allow our children to run into traffic, we shouldn’t allow them into situations where their lives are at risk from accidental shootings. I’m an adamant Second Amendment supporter. Not only did I learn gun safety and how to shoot as a teen, I target shot recreationally in college. I spent two campaign seasons working for the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action. I’ve held a concealed carry license for years. And I firmly believe it’s the gun owner’s responsibility to keep firearms out of the reach of children. When they don’t, they should be held responsible. Media accounts of accidental shooting deaths have become commonplace, prompting calls for additional regulations intended to prevent accidents like the one in Irondale in February. In that case, a 3-year-old shot and killed his 9-year old sister with a firearm found in their grandfathers nightstand. In another recent, well-publicized case out of Florida, a 4-year-old picked up his mother’s loaded firearm and shot her in the back while she drove. She remains hospitalized. So what can we do as parents? You should know if homes your child visits have firearms. Period. You should know where they’re stored and how they’re secured, and if the owner won’t tell you, your child shouldn’t be there. This shouldn’t be a divisive thing. You should not need to argue the merits of gun ownership with everyone you know, but you have a responsibility to protect and, when age appropriate, prepare your child. Before other children come to my home, I have an honest conversation about my firearms with their parents. I hope this encourages others to do the same. The American Academy of Pediatrics upset many, including me, when it issued guidelines encouraging families with children not to own guns. AAP then went further by suggesting if you own a gun, it should be stored in a way that would render it essentially useless. The intention was noble, but the recommendation was unrealistic. I wish they had encouraged more parents to talk to one another and to their children about gun ownership and safety. The NRA has developed the Eddie Eagle program, aimed at teaching kids about the dangers of firearms and what to do if they come across one. Regardless of how you address it with your children, gun safety is an issue that should not be ignored. As a parent, it is my responsibility to protect my children. As a gun owner, it is my responsibility to maintain control of my firearms and to realize the deadly consequences of not doing so. We need to make sure that this sense of responsibility is widespread for all parents and all gun owners. • • • This article originally appeared on AL.com on March 22, 2016.
CPI study: There are six lobbying entities to every Alabama lawmaker
A recent study by The Center for Public Integrity (CPI) has detailed the reach that national lobbying groups enjoy across the country. According to the study, 20 lobbying entities have access to all 50 states, including Aflac, the National Rifle Association (NRA), Pfizer, Wal-Mart and Anheuser-Busch. While all of these agencies and more are licensed to lobby in all 50 states, and a laundry list of others are allowed to lobby in fewer, the biggest lobbying presence in Alabama comes from the Alabama Education Association, Southern Company, AT&T, the Business Council of Alabama and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama. A lot of work has obviously been done on the part of these lobbying groups, as Alabama lawmakers have made great strides in expanding technology, providing tax breaks to small businesses and providing robust increases to the state’s education budget. But other entities are seemingly at work influencing other Alabama legislation as well. Among the bills on this week’s Senate calendar is SB296 from Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence), which would allow epinephrine auto-injectors to be administered by “non-medical persons” at “summer camps, day care centers, restaurants, places of employment, and other entities.” The CPI study lists Mylan, Inc. among the entities which has significantly expanded operations over recent years. Mylan lobbies for EpiPens to be available in schools and restaurants and has expanded its lobbying efforts into 36 states since 2010 – one of which is Alabama. Another group which has expanded its lobbying efforts across the country is Uber Technologies, Inc., which has expanded into 35 states since 2010 and has recently seen its operations approved in Huntsville, Birmingham and Montgomery. Other groups include Excellence in Education National, which pushes for the establishment of charter schools and expanded technology access for students, and Xerox Corporation, which has pushed its state government services like speed cameras and state health insurance exchange software. Still other entities have decreased their presence across the country but remain active in Alabama. Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC has reduced its reach by four states due to a decision to allow competitors to make generic versions of its opioid-addiction drug Suboxone. SB280 from Sen. Priscilla Dunn (D-Bessemer), which also appears on this week’s calendar, would allow drug prescribers to indicate that a “generic equivalent drug” should not be used for participants in the Public Education Employees Health Insurance Program (PEEHIP). Currently, PEEHIP enrollees must receive a generic drug when available, assumedly for cost-saving purposes. While it is unclear that lobbying efforts have had any impact on the aforementioned legislation, the CPI study notes that there are six lobbying entities to every Alabama lawmaker.
Airbus conducts first U.S. test flight in Mobile
On Monday, the European aircraft-maker Airbus conducted its first test flight of the American-made A321 from the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. The plane was built at Airbus’s U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, which is slated to build between 40 and 50 aircrafts a year by 2018. The flight took off around 9:30 a.m. and returned safely to the ground just after 1 p.m. During the more than three hour flight, test pilots Mark McCullins and Bruce Macdonald conducted a series of exams on the jet’s “systems, engines and structure performance,” according to a press release from Airbus. “We’ve come to an exciting milestone in the production of any aircraft, but this one is particularly special,” Daryl Taylor, Vice President and General Manager of the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility, said in the release. “The Mobile team has worked hard, and I’m proud that their skill and talent have brought us to this moment. Together we are fulfilling the promise we made to the city of Mobile, the state of Alabama, and the Gulf Coast region—we’re creating a new center of commercial aircraft production in the U.S. This is just the first of many aircraft to come.” After its initial test flight, the aircraft will spend a few more weeks in final production before being delivered to JetBlue. “It is a major milestone in the history of aviation manufacturing in Alabama to see the first Airbus aircraft produced in Mobile to schedule its first test flight,” Gov. Robert Bentley said in a statement released Monday. “This test flight is standard procedure before delivering an aircraft to a customer. Aerospace and aviation industries are extremely important to Alabama, and it is exciting to know soon JetBlue will receive its first A321 proudly Made In Alabama.” The plane is the largest in Airbus’s A320 family and will provide passengers with a “state-of-the-art cabin design, wider seats and superior comfort whilst airlines benefit from the unique operational flexibility of Airbus’ single-aisle aircraft.”
Man arrested for punching anti-Donald Trump protester is an Air Force member
A man captured on video kicking and punching an anti-Donald Trump protester at the presidential candidate’s rally in Tucson on Saturday is a member of the Air Force. Staff Sgt. Tony Pettway, a response force leader, is assigned to the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson and was arrested on Saturday on a misdemeanor charge of assault with injury. He works in security forces. The event in Tucson turned ugly when two protesters displayed offensive imagery in an attempt to make a statement against the divisiveness of the Trump campaign. Pettway was one of several people arrested at two Trump rallies in Arizona this weekend. The anti-Trump protester carried a sign with a Confederate flag over an image of Trump and was being escorted out of the building when Pettway punched and kicked him. The incident was caught on video. People can be heard cheering as Trump denounces another protester who was wearing a KKK-style sheet. “There’s a disgusting guy. Puts a Ku Klux Klan hat on. Thinks he’s cute. He’s a disgusting guy,” Trump said. “I’m going to tell you folks, that’s a disgrace. They are taking away our First Amendment rights.” Davis-Monthan is reviewing the situation and will take appropriate action, said 2nd Lt. Sydney Smith of the 355th Fighter Wing public affairs office. Airmen are allowed to participate in political events on their own time, Smith said. “We believe wholeheartedly in our fellow Americans’ rights to express their views on political issues, and we strongly condemn any attempt to silence those views through force or violence,” Smith said. Pettway was released without being booked into jail. It is unclear if he has an attorney. Pettway, 32, began active duty in the Air Force in August 2002 and completed his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Air Force Personnel Center spokesman Mike Dickerson said. He was stationed in South Korea twice and in New Mexico before moving to Davis-Monthan in December 2012. Dickerson said Pettway has received a commendation medal on three occasions but didn’t know what they were for. Tucson police also arrested 67-year-old Linda Rothman on a misdemeanor count of assault without injury. They haven’t said why she was arrested. Authorities in Phoenix, where Trump held a rally earlier in the day, also arrested several protesters. Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies identified three protesters who were arrested while helping block the only major highway leading to a Trump rally in metropolitan Phoenix. Steffany Laughlin, Jacinta Gonzalez and Michael Cassidy were all booked on one count of obstructing a public thoroughfare, deputies said. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Alabama reacts to terror attacks in Brussels
Across the globe, people mourned with the Brussels after the Belgian capital was attacked by three suspected terror attacks on Tuesday. Attackers detonated twin blasts at the Zaventem airport and one at the Maelbeek subway train beneath the the European Union’s capital — killing at least 34 people, leaving more than 170 wounded. Alabama politics leaders have expressed their shock at the attacks in Brussels Tuesday. Here are some of the reactions: U.S. Senator Richard Shelby via Facebook: My thoughts are with those impacted by the horrific acts of terrorism in Belgium this morning. Join me in praying for the families and victims. U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01) via Facebook: Devastating reports out of Belgium this morning as we are reminded of the continued threats and constant need for vigilance. Please join Rebecca and me in praying for all of those impacted by these heinous acts of terror. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02) via Facebook: Terrible news from Belgum this morning and a stark reminder about the dangerous threat terrorism continues to pose worldwide. Belgium is our NATO ally. The United States stands in solidarity with the Belgian people and we offer prayers for the victims and their families. U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04) via Facebook: My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Belgium this morning. They are our allies and friends and we must do everything possible to stop the spread of radical Islam and the fruit it bears.
In Cuba, Barack Obama briefed on Brussels terrorist attack
President Barack Obama, traveling in Cuba, was briefed Tuesday morning on the Brussels attacks that killed dozens of people. The White House said the U.S. was in contact with Belgian officials about the explosions at the Brussels airport and subway system. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement that the U.S. was working “to determine the status of all American citizens in Brussels.” The embassy there issued a statement telling Americans to stay where they are and “take the appropriate steps to bolster your personal security.” At least one of the attacks was believed to be caused by a suicide bomber, and Belgium raised its terror alert to its highest level. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the ranking member of the House intelligence committee, said the attacks “bear all the hallmarks” of an Islamic State group coordinated or inspired attack. His staff said he received a preliminary briefing Tuesday from U.S. officials. Schiff says it’s unclear if encrypted communications played a role in the attacks but noted that the Brussels attacks occurred despite the city being under constant vigilance. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it was closely monitoring the unfolding events and “would not hesitate to adjust our security posture, as appropriate, to protect the American people.” DHS reiterated that members of the public should report any suspicious activity in their communities to law enforcement authorities. Attorney General Loretta Lynch was also briefed on the attacks, Justice Department officials in Washington said. They said the Justice Department and the FBI was coordinating with other U.S. government agencies, as well as with Belgian counterparts. Last week U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Homeland Security officials constantly monitor world events and evaluate whether there is a need to either publicly raise the nation’s security posture or issue another bulletin via the government’s National Terror Advisory System. Such a bulletin was issued in December advising the public that federal law enforcement was concerned about the possibility of homegrown violent extremists and terrorist-inspired individuals. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
