Roy Moore’s charity management calls his “fiscal responsibility” into question
Roy Moore is pitching himself as the fiscally conservative candidate in the special senate election, but the public facts and figures of his charity paints a different picture. Moore, the former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice, has been associated with the Foundation for Moral Law (FML) for years, and anyone who has taken a gander at the charity’s ledger would be justified in questioning him when he touts his “fiscal responsibility.” FML has run a deficit for six of the past seven years, which peaked at over $400,000 in 2011, one of the many years Moore served as its president. While charities aren’t supposed to be in the business of making money, Alabama voters have reason to pause over the the fact Moore ran FML into the red while simultaneously pulling out a million bucks in donated money to pay his and his wife’s salaries for working only 20 hours a week. Surely Moore could have taken a pay cut to keep the charity’s finances in order, but his exorbitant pay on the backs of hardworking people who thought they were funding a Christian organization is just one of many examples of his money foibles. Take the charity’s office building in downtown Montgomery, for instance. That cost FML $445,130, not to mention the hundreds of thousands in renovations. Seriously, these renovation receipts are about as un-Alabama as it can get. Among the questionable expenditures that are raising eyebrows $16,000 for drapes, $1,812 on credenzas, and a clock for two grand. These are while the charity was running a deficit. The voters will have a say in a few weeks and they need to make it with hard and fast facts not slogans. Roy Moore may be saying he’s a real fiscal conservative but his drapes and debt says otherwise.
Paul Ryan aiming for mid- to low-20 percent corporate tax rate
House Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday the Republican tax plan will aim to reduce the corporate tax rate to mid- to low-20 percent – a smaller cut than what President Donald Trump wants. Ryan is providing some specifics as the GOP starts to write legislation overhauling the tax system, with help for the middle class a main goal. Trump, who made overhauling taxes a pillar of his push for economic growth, has called for a 15 percent tax rate for corporations. The rate now ranges from 15 percent to 35 percent. Some experts say a 15 percent rate isn’t possible without blowing a hole in the deficit. Ryan recognized that as he discussed a higher range during an appearance at a New York Times forum. “Numbers are hard to make that work,” he said. Ryan expects tax legislation to pass Congress this year. “This is our No. 1 priority this fall,” he said at a Capitol Hill news conference later Thursday. “It’s about growth. It’s about fairness. It’s about finally giving American families a tax break.” Revising the nation’s tax system for the first time in three decades is a GOP priority in the wake of the collapse of efforts to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama‘s health care law. But Hurricane Harvey and Trump’s decision to rescind a program protecting some 800,000 immigrants from deportation have saddled Congress with new challenges. When Trump blocked the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, created by Obama through administrative action in 2012, he gave Congress six months to act. To ensure money for hurricane relief, Trump overruled congressional Republicans and his own treasury secretary Wednesday to cut a deal with Democrats to keep the government operating and raise the U.S. debt limit. The already compressed timetable for coming up with an overhaul of the tax system came under further pressure with Congress’ additional and urgent workload. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday he thinks “it’s still very viable to get it done this year.” “We’ve made a lot of progress” in talks with GOP congressional leaders, Mnuchin said in an interview on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria.” ”Our objective is to get this done.” Asked whether he was worried about a revolt by Republicans in Congress if a tax overhaul isn’t achieved, Mnuchin said, “I’m not worried about any GOP revolt at all. You know we’ve been meeting with them on the tax plan. We have an understanding on this tax plan.” Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Kay Ivey announces she’s seeking a full term in office, joins crowded GOP field
Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday announced her decision to seek election as Governor in 2018, and will officially kickoff the campaign some time in the fall. “Four months ago, I was sworn in as the fifty governor of the state of Alabama,” Ivey said in a statement. “There hasn’t been a more humbling moment in my life. That so many of you have supported and prayed for me and my team means the world — and it’s our highest honor to serve you.” Ivey, the former lieutenant governor, became Alabama’s second female governor in April following form Gov. Robert Bentley‘s resignation amid growing scandal. She is currently completing the remainder of his term, which ends in 2018. “I took over at one of that darkest times in our state’s memory. I’m proud to say we’ve steadied the ship,” Ivey explained. “I’m proud of the fact that over $1 billion in investment have been pledged to the state since I took office and thousands of new jobs have been created – those are families’ lives who have been forever changed.” She continued, “Unemployment in Alabama has dropped to 4.5 percent – over a full percentage lower than at this time last year. More people in Alabama are working today than in a decade. Folks know that Alabama is now open for business. We’re going to keep the foot on the gas and get more jobs and more investment for our state.” In recent months Ivey has been quietly preparing her candidacy. According to campaign finance reports, she’s raised over $1 million for her gubernatorial run. She joins a crowded field of Republican challengers that include Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington, evangelist Scott Dawson, Sen. Bill Hightower, Birmingham businessmanJosh Jones and former Morgan County Commissioner Stacy Lee George. “I welcome Governor Ivey to the discussions we have been having over the last few months — conversations about jobs, infrastructure and education,” Battle said in a statement following Ivey’s announcement. The gubernatorial election is scheduled for Nov. 6, 2018 with both party’s primaries scheduled for June 5, 2018.
Mike Rogers: A snapshot of the August District Work Period in East Alabama
As Congress gears back up after a very busy August District Work Period, I wanted to share some of my experiences while I was back home in Alabama. I made my way across almost all of the Third Congressional District and am coming back to Washington excited about the future of our great state. As most of you know, the Agriculture industry drives the economy in Alabama. I was able to attend ALFA meetings in several counties and even had the chance to visit with the 2017 ALFA Young Farm Family of the Year in Cleburne County. As a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, I have always made it a priority to encourage our young folks to get involved in farming and the ag industry. In Talladega County, I was impressed with my tour of Alabama Childhood Solutions. They are working to break the cycle of government dependency while providing nutritious food to kids in the area. USDA programs that support their mission are authorized by the Farm Bill. In Calhoun County, I toured the Anniston Fire Department Regional Training Center, the Public Safety Complex in Jacksonville and visited with the Acting Superintendent of the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP). As a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee, these facilities are so important in keeping our communities safe, and the CDP’s mission is critical in training first responders to protect us from those who wish us harm. I was also able to visit with soldiers at the Army National Guard Training Center and thank them for their service to our country. I visited Trinity Christian Academy students on their first day of school and joined Brother Grinstead on his Christian radio station. In Tallapoosa County, I was proud to attend the grand opening of Our Town/Willow Point Volunteer Fire Department and present them a U.S. flag to fly at their new building. In Chambers County, I met with the Industrial Development Authority board to get an update on what’s going on and also toured the 911 Center in Lanett. I visited Auburn University to see the exciting things going on there including their new Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)facility. I stopped by and had lunch with old and new friends in Cherokee County and made my way to Clay County to visit Wellborn Cabinet. It was a busy few weeks, but my biggest takeaway from my time home was seeing the outpouring of prayers, support and donations for our brothers and sisters affected by Hurricane Harvey. We should continue to keep all those families who lost everything in our prayers as they start to rebuild their lives. I want to hear from you on this or any issue. Please sign up for my e-Newsletter by visiting mikerogers.house.gov. To stay up to date, you can also like me on Facebook at Congressman Mike D. Rogers, follow me on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram at RepMikeRogersAL, on Tumblr at repmikerogersal.tumblr.com and you can also subscribe to my YouTube page at MikeRogersAL03. ••• Mike Rogers is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District.
Talladega Superspeedway offers free campground space for Irma evacuees
Hurricane Irma, a massive Category 5 storm, is barreling towards Florida and already Florida Gov. Rick Scott has already declared a state of emergency for those in its path. As Floridians prepare for what could be one of the largest mass evacuations in U.S. history, Alabama’s own Talladega Superspeedway is doing what it can to help. Beginning Thurs. Sep. 7 at 9 a.m., the NASCAR’s largest track property will offer a portion of its campgrounds — which will include hot shower and restroom facilities, as well as water hookups on gravel and grassy areas — free to evacuees seeking temporary refuge “Our track is committed to helping our friends in Florida and the surrounding states during this time of need,” Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch stated of the venue, which is located just off I-20 between Atlanta (GA) and Birmingham, AL. “We hope to provide a sense of relief by offering a place to stay for no charge for evacuees during this time of adversity. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in the path of the storm.” Like our friends at @amsupdates, Talladega Superspeedway is welcoming anyone seeking refuge from #HurricaneIrma. https://t.co/ZTuXGKVMlQ — TalladegaSuperspdwy (@TalladegaSuperS) September 6, 2017 On Wednesday, Atlanta Motor Speedway announced it would open up its camping facilities free of charge to any Hurricane Irma evacuees as well. The Talladega Superspeedway is located less than 10 minutes from the Talladega Municipal Airport. Evacuees with questions may reach the superspeedway’s guest services department at (256) 761-4709.
