Federal appeals court upholds Alabama law banning public payroll deductions for political activity
A federal appeals court upheld an Alabama law that makes it difficult for public employee unions to raise funds for political activities by automatic payroll deductions. In an announcement Wednesday, Attorney General Luther Strange praised a decision by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Alabama Education Association v. Robert Bentley, which upheld the law banning payroll deductions from public employees to groups using the money for political activity. The 2010 law was one of the “paycheck protection” proposals passed in several states since the 1990s. According to the Economic Policy Institute, supporters of the movement believe the bills will fight corruption and “save taxpayers money [by removing] the government from the role of collecting money used for political purposes, and will increase workers’ control over how their wages are spent.” Opponents believe the movement was designed to make it difficult for unions to raise money; saying it represents a violation of First Amendment rights of free speech. “For the second time in two days, the federal appeals court has upheld the constitutionality of Alabama’s political corruption laws and delivered a significant victory for the people of Alabama in their ongoing fight against political corruption,” Strange said. “This law, in particular, will stop special interest groups from exploiting state resources to further their own, private political agendas.” On Sept. 28, the 11th Circuit Court ruled the law did not violate the First Amendment rights of politically active groups looking to finance activities with automatic payroll donations from public employees. The decision was the final step in a five-year legal battle, which produced five separate appellate opinions. “Today’s ruling also marks the end of major litigation seeking to reverse a series of laws passed by the Legislature during its 2010 Special Session. These laws shared a common theme: to enhance ethics and integrity in our state government,” Strange said. “Challenges to a majority of those laws have been brought and pursued at length. But every one of these challenges to reach final resolution has failed.” In his statement, Strange also commended his Constitutional Defense Section, notably Deputy Attorney General Jim Davis and Assistant Attorney General Will Parker, for its work in this case.
After testy VP debate, Donald Trump rebuffs claim he ‘loves’ Putin
Donald Trump pushed back Wednesday on Hillary Clinton‘s accusation that he’s cozying up to Russian President Vladimir Putin after Mike Pence found himself on the defensive over the issue in the vice presidential debate against Tim Kaine. Trump offered effusive praise for his running mate but also claimed credit for Pence’s strong performance even as both campaigns acknowledged that the sole vice presidential debate was unlikely to alter the race’s trajectory. Picking up where Pence left off, he said his relationship with Russia’s leader would be determined by how Moscow responds to strong U.S. leadership under a Trump administration. “They say Donald Trump loves Putin. I don’t love, I don’t hate. We’ll see how it works,” Trump told a rally outside Las Vegas. The billionaire candidate sought to take away an argument that Clinton and her running mate, Tim Kaine, have ramped up in the final weeks of the campaign as they work to portray Trump as dangerous for American interests overseas. While U.S.-Russia relations nosedive over failed diplomacy in Syria, Trump has complimented Putin, calling him a strong leader and even encouraging him to track down Clinton’s missing emails, though Trump later said he was being sarcastic. “You guys love Russia,” Kaine said in Tuesday’s debate. “You both have said Vladimir Putin is a better leader than the president.” In a forceful rebuke, Pence described Putin as a “small and bullying leader,” but blamed Clinton and President Barack Obama for a “weak and feckless” foreign policy that had awakened Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine and meddling in the Middle East. The U.S. and Russia back opposing sides in Syria’s civil war but both are fighting the Islamic State group there. The U.S. cut off talks with Russia about Syria this week after the latest cease-fire collapsed, blaming Russia for failing to fulfill its commitments under the deal. “I can say this: If we get along and Russia went out with us and knocked the hell out of ISIS, that’s OK with me folks,” Trump said, using an acronym for the extremist group. Since last week’s debate, Trump has faced a barrage of questions over a leaked tax return showing he lost more than $900 billion in 1995. In turn, he’s sought to reframe his life story as a comeback tale he hopes to recreate on behalf of a faltering nation. “America needs a turnaround. American needs a comeback. America needs a change. And that’s why I’m running,” Trump said. Taking the stage in Nevada, Trump took his own victory lap for Pence’s performance, which he called “phenomenal.” So phenomenal, in fact, that Trump said it was “the single most decisive victory in the history of VP debates.” Pence’s cool demeanor contrasted with Trump’s bluster during his own, top-of-the-ticket showdown against Clinton. However strong Pence’s performance, Trump made clear he considers it a reflection of himself. “I’m getting a lot of credit, because that’s really my first so-called choice, that was my first hire,” Trump said of Pence. Even Clinton’s team wasn’t claiming that Kaine had come out on top, despite the chest-puffing that usually follows a political debate. Perhaps former President Bill Clinton most concisely summed up Democrats’ takeaway when he said underwhelming that his wife’s running mate “did just fine.” The big moment for their running mates behind them, both Clinton and Trump were shifting focus back to each other – and to Sunday’s debate, the second of three showdowns between the nominees. Clinton was deep in debate prep Wednesday at her Washington home. She was huddling with campaign chairman John Podesta, top policy aid Jake Sullivan and her debate advisers. Though Trump was on the campaign trail, campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said he was preparing “constantly.” Trump planned his own town hall in New Hampshire on Thursday, in an apparent dress rehearsal for the big event. Each campaign argued that Sunday’s format – a town hall debate where voters ask questions – benefits their candidate. Conway cited Trump’s experience engaging throngs of supporters at rallies, while Podesta pointed to Clinton’s long history of holding her own town hall events. With fewer than 5 weeks until Election Day, Sunday’s debate marks one of Trump’s final chances to show the race isn’t slipping out of his grasp. Widely viewed as the loser of the first debate last week, Trump went into a multi-day tailspin over a decades-old tiff with a beauty queen. New public opinion polls show Clinton’s standing on the rise in nearly all battleground states. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Gregory G. Fitch, director of Alabama Commission on Higher Education, announces retirement
Gregory G. Fitch announced his retirement as executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) Wednesday, ending a 45-year career in education. Fitch, who has been at the helm of the state’s coordinating board for higher education since July 2006, will end his career with ACHE Dec. 31. “As I begin this next chapter of my life, I will miss working with the excellent ACHE staff members and the outstanding higher education institutions in Alabama,” said Fitch. “I want to thank all of the commissioners that I have been privileged to work with since I came to Alabama and for the many opportunities that I have been given.” ACHE Vice Chairman Randy McKinney of Gulf Shores has been appointed to lead the search committee to find a replacement. Other members are Ed Sanders (Jasper), Charles Buntin (Dothan), Miranda Frost (Huntsville), and Bill Jones (Alexander City). Prior to his arrival in Alabama, Fitch was the State Higher Education Executive Officer (SHEEO) in both Missouri and Idaho. He was founding president of the Utah College of Applied Technology and president of three other community colleges in Nebraska, Washington, and Oklahoma. Commission Chairman Charles Ball praised Fitch for the work he has done while at ACHE. “Dr. Fitch has brought a high level of experience to the agency during times of budget cuts and challenging educational issues,” Ball said. “He always has had the best interests of students at heart.”
Mike Pence taking heat for ‘that Mexican thing’ comment during VP debate
Some Mexican-Americans are taking issue with Republican Mike Pence brushing off GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump‘s comments on Mexican immigrants as “that Mexican thing.” Pence chided Democrat Tim Kaine‘s repeated mention of Trump’s comments on immigrants during Tuesday night’s vice presidential debate, telling him at one point: “Senator, you’ve whipped out that Mexican thing again.” The Indiana governor’s remark has quickly become one of the most talked about moments from the forum, trending online under #ThatMexicanThing . Twitter ranks it as the third-most tweeted about moment of the debate. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton‘s campaign has apparently taken note of the online attention. Visitors to ThatMexicanThing.com are being redirected to Clinton’s campaign website. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Joe Henderson: Tim Kaine, Mike Pence clash in downcard, ‘diluted’ debate
About halfway through the vice presidential debate Tuesday, I wonder how many Republicans were secretly (or maybe not so secretly) wishing Indiana Gov. Mike Pence was at the top of their presidential ticket. On my scorecard, Pence was the clear winner over Democrat Tim Kaine – not on policy so much, as I doubt the debate changed many minds on the major issues that divide us all. But Pence was polished, poised and focused most of the time and, dare I say it, looked presidential. Kaine? Not so much. He was so loud, rude and frenetic that I almost wondered he hadn’t looked at Howard Dean’s epic meltdown after he was routed in the 2004 Iowa caucuses and thought, “Hey, that looks like a good plan.” Yo Tim? One word: decaf. But let’s be honest: I doubt any of this will really matter much for this election. I can’t imagine any undecided voter looked at Pence or Kaine and made up their mind based on that 90-minute exchange. Let’s put it another way: Last week’s Clinton-Trump debate drew comparisons to the Super Bowl. By that reckoning, Pence-Kaine would be along the lines of a late-season Bucs and Cleveland Browns game. I doubt it had any impact in Florida, especially since I wouldn’t be surprised if folks all along the east coast of the state were more focused on hurricane preparations than a faceoff between the No. 2 people on the presidential ticket. It’s likely the audience was further diluted by the baseball playoff game between Baltimore and Toronto. Full disclosure: During one of the many times Kaine was going full-Dean and interrupting Pence (who didn’t get flustered; respect for that), I switched over briefly to catch a score on the game. Being dutiful, though, I quickly switched back. Kaine was still yelling. The person I felt sorriest for, besides the viewers, of course, was moderator Elaine Quijano, a CBS News correspondent. She lost control of the debate shortly after the introductions and never got it back. The candidates ignored her most of the night and just kept on talking over each other. One of the more humorous twists came when the Republican National Committee released a prepared statement declaring Pence the clear winner. What’s the big deal? Someone took “rapid response” to warp speed by sending the statement out 90 minutes before the debate started, even declaring Pence’s top moments included comments about the economy and Hillary Clinton’s scandals. Oh well. The night needed a little levity anyway as we wait for Sunday and Round II of Clinton-Trump. ___ Joe Henderson has had a 45-year career in newspapers, including the last nearly 42 years at The Tampa Tribune. He covered a large variety of things, primarily in sports but also including hard news. The two intertwined in the decade-long search to bring Major League Baseball to the area. Henderson was also City Hall reporter for two years and covered all sides of the sales tax issue that ultimately led to the construction of Raymond James Stadium. He served as a full-time sports columnist for about 10 years before moving to the metro news columnist for the last 4 ½ years. Henderson has numerous local, state and national writing awards. He has been married to his wife, Elaine, for nearly 35 years and has two grown sons – Ben and Patrick.
Johnny Hammock wins big in runoff to become next Tallassee Mayor
Voters returned to the polls Tuesday in Tallassee and elected a new mayor. Johnny Hammock took home a decisive victory over opponent George McCain with 781 votes compared to McCain’s 261. Hammock won the support of voters with five main platform areas he will address as mayor: economic development, public Safety, education, beautification and youth sports. He’s eager to begin his new post. “I just want to tell everyone in Tallassee that I will get up and go to work every day and do the best I can do,” Hammock told AlabamaNews. “I will never rest. I will be the hardest working mayor you’ve seen in a long time. So I can’t wait to get in there. I’m just overexcited right now.” Hammock will be sworn in on Nov 7.
U.S. traffic deaths jump by 10.4 percent in first half of 2016
U.S. traffic fatalities rose by an estimated 10.4 percent in the first half of this year, federal officials said Wednesday, and continued an upward trend that started in late 2014 as the economic recovery accelerated. The Transportation Department released the preliminary estimate at a conference where government agencies, the National Safety Council and other safety groups announced an ambitious goal of eliminating traffic deaths and injuries in the United States within the next 30 years. “We have an immediate crisis on our hands, and we also have a long-term challenge,” said Mark Rosekind, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The sharp increase in deaths this year follows a 7.2 percent jump in 2015, when there were 35,092 traffic fatalities. For the first half of 2016, 17,775 people died on the road, compared with 16,100 over the same period a year earlier. The improving economy means people are doing more driving on U.S. roads than ever before. U.S. drivers put in a record 1.58 trillion miles on the road in the first half of this year, 3.3 percent more than during the same period in 2015, the Federal Highway Administration said this week. The Transportation Department said it is committing $1 million a year for the next three years for grants for the zero deaths campaign. The rapid introduction of self-driving cars and other advanced technologies may make it possible to achieve the elimination of traffic deaths, the department said in a statement. Fully autonomous vehicles hold the potential to eliminate human error, which is a factor in 94 percent of crashes, according to the department. The zero deaths idea was first adopted in Sweden in 1997 as a plan called Vision Zero. It has since been adopted elsewhere, including several U.S. cities. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
State Rep. Darrio Melton elected Selma’s next mayor
Six-year Alabama State Rep. Darrio Melton will be leaving the Alabama Legislature behind to take the helm in the city of Selma. Melton defeated former Selma mayor James Perkins Jr., the city’s first black mayor, in the city’s mayoral runoff election Tuesday. Melton received 4,054 votes to 2,558 for Perkins, will take office as mayor Nov. 1. A special election will be held to fill his House seat. Watch Melton’s victory speech below:
