Direct wine shipment bill returns to Senate Committee, passes
Alabama could soon join 45 other states in allowing licensed wine manufacturers to ship wine directly to Alabama consumers. Currently, the Yellowhammer States bans winery-to-consumer direct shipments. But proposed legislation would, if passed, allow adult consumers in Alabama to purchase a limited amount of wine directly from wineries licensed by the state to ship directly to their homes. SB243, sponsored by Madison-Republican State Sen. Bill Holtzclaw, was scheduled to be taken up earlier this month by the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, but according to the committee’s chair, Rainbow City-Republican state Sen. Phil Williams, Holtzclaw postponed discussion of the bill to work out a few details with his Senate colleagues. As introduced, the bill would limit the amount of wine that a producer could ship to any individual at 24 cases per year, each case not exceeding nine liters of wine, and would require the purchaser be verified to be 21 years of age. SB243 returned to the committee on Wednesday where it passed 7-5, thanks in part to the pressure on lawmakers to act on behalf of their constituents created by Free the Grapes!, an advocacy and consumer outreach nonprofit that urged Alabamians to write the lawmakers ahead of the previously schedule committee hearing. According to their numbers, 669 Alabamians urged their state lawmakers to support the legislation in the first few weeks of January. It now heads to the full Senate for further consideration.
Editorial: Behind the scenes – Challenges and changes inside the governor’s press operations
Think about Anthony Scaramucci, Jay Carney, Sean Spicer, Dana Perino, Josh Earnest or even Sarah Huckabee Sanders… if you don’t think a rock solid or fumbling mess of a press shop can help or hurt an elected official — you’re wrong. After all, political communications isn’t a job for the faint of heart. The hours are long. The stress is high and the demands, internally and externally, can be taxing. Anyone can do it but few can do it well. It’s a skill set that most experts agree can’t be taught. Yes, you can teach someone to write a press release announcing a new manufacturing plant, or giving mundane jobs statistics — some, though clearly not all, can even reply to simple media inquiries with facts, figures and relevant quotes — but shaping the direction of an official message, is far more nuanced and complicated. Perhaps that’s why when Governor Kay Ivey transitioned to governor she brought in a team of political experts to supplement her internal team. Things don’t always transition well Despite what one would hope is the best efforts of Ivey’s team, sometimes things simply haven’t seemed to staff and management at Alabama Today, to transition well. At times Ivey’s office has been unable fulfill simple requests in a timely manner including some that Bentley’s team accomplished with seemingly little effort. On Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018 Alabama Today first reached out Daniel Sparkman in the Governor’s office looking for a list of Ivey’s appointments since she took office, as well as a list of top agency heads she had replaced from the Bentley administration. On January 23, we finally received the latter list. We’re still waiting on the list of appointments. Under the Bentley administration, simliar requests with his longtime spokeswoman Jennifer Ardis were answered within 24hours, as evidenced below: Why the delay? Ivey’s press secretary says that the appointments office does not keep records the way that Bentley’s did. He insists no list of their more than 400+ appointments exists. That the answer to who she has appointed to date lies within a stack (though it’s not clear if that’s digital or printed) of appointment letters. Another request for those letters was met this week with a form to fill out. That request hasn’t been the only challenge encountered recently. As described in an earlier piece today, Alabama Today was briefly on an email list receiving the governor’s schedule and then we weren’t. No explanation available. Then we received conflicting information on the intended transparency levels of details in said email. Perhaps the novice of her team is why Ivey insisted on having outside help when she took over the governor’s office. Outside Help Sometimes in the politics, when you find yourself in crises situations — say when you take over the state following the resignation of the previous governor amid a growing scandal — you need to hire outside messaging help to supplement the efforts and abilities of your own team. Which is exactly what Ivey did last April. On April 10, 2017, the day Robert Bentley resigned and she became governor, Ivey hired Brent Buchanan‘s public relations firm, Direct Response LLC, on a two-month emergency contract. At the time, Buchanan said his role was to help Ivey with the transition from lieutenant governor to governor and to help Ivey communicate her message. According to the Decatur Dailey Buchanan said, “She’s been a friend since she’s been in the treasurer’s office, and I’ve been helping her since then, so it was just natural to help her in this increased capacity.” He went on to say, “She may not need me in six months.” In June 2017, she re-upped Buchanan’s contract for $6,500-a-month to help get her messages out, but ultimately ended his contract on July 31, 2017. Ivey formally announced she was running for Governor on September 7, 2017. On Aug. 22, 2017, her office notified Buchanan they had overpaid him, which his firm remitted back to the Governor’s office. Buchanan has since transitioned to working as the senior advisor to Ivey’s re-election campaign. Ivey contracted Buchanan’s firm, in Sept. 2017 according to the Sept. 1 – Sept. 30 campaign finance reports. He’s been working on the campaign ever since. So who does that leave in Ivey’s communications shop? Ivey’s communications and media team Josh Pendergrass | Communications Director A little over a week after Ivey took office, she appointed Josh Pendergrass, a lawyer and pastor, to be her Communications Director. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Lambuth University and a Juris Doctor degree from Thomas Goode Jones School of Law at Faulkner University. Prior to working with Ivey, he had been in private law practice since 2011 and had served as the Senior Pastor at Bethany Baptist Church in Crane Hill, Ala. since 2013. He has also worked on several legislative and statewide campaigns in both Alabama and Tennessee. Daniel Sparkman | Press Secretary – Promoted to replace original press secretary Eileen Jones who was reportedly fired. One of just a few Bentley staff holdovers in the executive office of the Governor. According to his LinkedIn profile: Daniel Sparkman began his professional career in Oct. 2003 as a Production Technician with WFSA 12. He then went on to learn many of the jobs in production and some in news, before he found the opportunity for advancement and moved to KHOG/KHBS in Fayetteville, Ark. as a Photojournalist in Dec. 2004. Sparkman worked there for seven months before taking a hiatus from television to work as a banker. He returned to the news in March 2006 where he stayed for nearly eight and a half years until he joined former Gov. Robert Bentley‘s team as the Digital Media Coordinator in June 2014. In July 2016, Bentley reappointed Sparkman to Deputy Press Secretary and Director of Digital Media, where he worked closely with the Communications Director to ensure all media inquiries receive appropriate and timely responses, and continued to be responsible for overseeing all digital aspects of the Governor’s Press Office. He was reappointed to the same
Gary Palmer: Remembering Reverend Billy Graham
Alabama 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer on Wednesday delivered a speech on the House floor to remember the legacy of Reverend Billy Graham. Reverend Graham will lie in honor in the Rotunda at the United States Capitol on Wednesday. Below is the text of Palmer’s speech: I want to thank my good friend Mr. Hultgren for arranging this opportunity to honor Billy Graham. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow we will witness something that we have never seen before – the laying in honor of the body of an American who was not a government official, didn’t lead a political movement, and wasn’t a war or social movement hero. A nation will mourn a man who was single-minded in his devotion to one thing. His life and vocation centered on one thing and one thing only: proclaiming the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ. I hope we pay close attention to this. We will most likely never see it again. In Mark, Jesus tells his disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Few people followed this instruction more faithfully than Reverend Billy Graham, and with as much success and impact. Billy Graham has been called “America’s Preacher.” But the fact of the matter is that he was for many decades the most recognized and respected evangelical in the world. Reverend Graham preached the gospel to more than 200 million people during his more than 400 Crusades and rallies in more than 185 countries and territories. The impact of those reached through TV, radio, video and the Internet is unquantifiable. Reverend Graham did this sacrificially, giving up many opportunities for other, much more lucrative opportunities that most people would have jumped at, were they given the opportunity. Reverend Graham estimated that he was gone from home for about 60% of his children’s adolescence. Despite being a pseudo-single mom, his wife Ruth understood the importance of the sacrifice. She once said, “I’d rather have a little of Bill than a lot of any other man.” In a time when Christians are so often shunned and ridiculed, particularly those who have major followings, Billy Graham was almost universally regarded as a steady and well-respected voice. He appeared on Gallup’s list of Most Admired Men in America 60 times since 1955 – that’s every year since the research firm began asking the question. “He counseled and covered in prayer every president from Truman to Trump. Former President Clinton said, “When he prays with you in the Oval Office or upstairs in the White House, you feel he is praying for you, not the president.” That’s the magnitude of this man No matter how big or small you were, he cared about you, not your position. Titles and wealth and social stats didn’t matter to Reverend Graham. The only position of a person that mattered to him was their eternal position before God. And race did not matter either. Reverend Graham was courageous. When other church leaders remained silent, he was an outspoken advocate for racial equality, consistently stating, “Christ belongs to all people.” In 1951, he called for the Southern Baptist Convention to accept black students at their colleges. At a 1953 crusade in Tennessee he personally took down ropes segregating the audience. In 1957, during his crusade in New York, he invited Martin Luther King, Jr. to open one night with prayer. Despite his actions, he said he wished he would have done more to help Dr. King. In 1964, just months after the bombing at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, Reverend Graham brought his crusade to Birmingham. Before he agreed to come, Reverend Graham insisted that the audience be integrated. Over 30,000 people attended, making it, at the time, the largest integrated audience in the history of Birmingham. The next year, he spoke to an integrated audience in Tuscaloosa, Alabama with the University of Alabama president Frank Rose and head football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant with him on the stage. Mr. Speaker, I don’t believe there is or will be anyone else in our lifetime that so clearly and effectively called people out of spiritual darkness into the light than Billy Graham. Untold millions were exposed to the saving message of the gospel through his ministry. I mourn the void in moral and spiritual authority that, with his death, has been left in this world, but I rejoice in knowing that he is finally at home and at rest with God. As it is written about David in Acts 13:36, so it can be said of Billy Graham: “He served God’s purpose for his generation. Thank you, and I yield back.
Women of Influence: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Birmingham CEO Sue Johnson
For over a quarter of a century Sue Johnson‘s hands have been working in service to the state of Alabama. Johnson has spent her life in Alabama. Born in Birmingham, she remembers her childhood days spent climbing in the dirt on the first turn of Talladega Speedway, which her grandfather, John P. Moss of Moss Thornton Construction, helped designed and build. In 3rd grade her family relocated to Selma, and Johnson finished high school there before going on to attend Judson College, a women’s college in Marion, Ala., where she discovered her love for Social Work. She graduated in 1984 and after holding a few different jobs within the field, she ultimately found her calling in 1991 at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Birmingham, a non-profit organization whose mission is to “provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.” Throughout the years, Johnson has worked in many areas within Big Brothers Big Sisters; starting as a Program Director, and rising to board member. She became Executive Director in 1999, and is the current CEO. Thanks to her efforts, Big Brothers Big Sisters was named Non-Profit of the Year in 2011 and 2013 by the Birmingham Business Alliance. The organization has won various other awards including the Gold Standard Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Parent’s Choice Award, and the Children’s Advocate Award. Johnson herself was named Non-Profit CEO of the Year by the Birmingham Business Journal in 2017. But Johnson’s reach stretches far beyond the Magic City — she has invested deeply in lives all across the state. Alabama Governors’ Bob Riley, Robert Bentley and Kay Ivey all appointed her to serve on the Serve Alabama Commission as a State Commissioner — an honor Johnson says has taught her much about how state level services coordinate, and helped her bridge the gap between state serves and non-profit services. She is the current Board President for CAP (City Action Partnership), and previously served as President of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alabama State Association, where she now serves as Treasurer. Johnson is a current member of The Women’s Network, the Birmingham Children’s Policy Council, and the National Professional Association of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. She also previously served as a Board member for Legal AID and Mentor Alabama. In September of 2010 Johnson added “small business owner” to her already impressive resume when she and her husband became owners and operators of Dog Days of Birmingham, a business located in downtown. “Being a small business owner whose business model includes giving back to the community makes my life whole. As my father says; ‘the world is round,’ and I firmly believe that we ‘reap what we sow,’” said Johnson. “My husband and I try to live this way. We have created a good life that provides us with what we need and gives us what we need to help others too. We are so blessed to have jobs that we love and that are successful.” Johnson is a wise woman, with many years of experience in the professional world, and was kind enough to answer some of Alabama Today’s questions about her life, work and influences: How have other women influenced your success? I try to always honor other strong women as it has taken us, as women, a long time to be taken seriously by many people, including ourselves. I have been so lucky to have been guided by strong and supportive women. From my mother and aunt, to women I have worked for, women I have served with on Boards and Commissions, and women I have gone to school with. I have always been told by my mother, “if it were easy anyone could do it.” What shaped your desire to help and mentor children? I live under the belief that children can only become what they can see. I grew up wanting to become a school teacher but when I entered college and took some social work classes I quickly realized that is the area I wanted to work in. It allowed me to work with the entire family and connect resources within the community, bringing them all together to solve problems; I found my niche. I worked several different social work jobs; a nursing home, a battered women’s shelter, a hospital and finally Big Brothers Big Sisters. I realized being in a preventative agency that served children through mentoring was where I wanted to be and have remained here for 23 years. I have seen the impact that something as simple as a long lasting friendship has on a child who may be friendless, lacking confidence, scared or being bullied. I have seen that same child walk across the stage and receive his diploma and go on to gain successful employment, stay away from drugs, become a doting father, and a contributing member of our community, hundreds of times. What advice would you give to young women seeking jobs in the non-profit sector? You may not get rich but your soul will flourish. My favorite thing about the non-profit sector is that it allows you to be creative in your decision making. You may not have the financial resources to solve your problems so you have to be patient sometimes or you have to find other people who can use their resources to help you. My other piece of advice is always think big, look at what other successful non-profits are doing and don’t let anyone tell you something can’t be done if you really believe it will help the human condition or make a difference in lives around you. Keep your perspective and always know why you are doing what you are doing. Keep close to your mission, stay humble, and take breaks. In Johnson’s rare spare time she likes to work in her garden, travel with her husband, and play with her three dogs and her grandchildren. For her service to the children
Senate committee narrowly approves Alabama lottery bill
A Senate committee narrowly approved a state lottery bill on Wednesday. The Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee okayed SB326, sponsored by Huntsville-Republican state Sen. Paul Sanford, by a 3-2 vote. The legislation proposes a constitutional amendment, which the voters would have to approve, that would allow Alabama to join multi-state lottery games only such as Powerball and Mega Millions. The legislative fiscal office estimates the lottery would generate $45 million annually. Alabama is one of only six states — Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, and Utah — without a state lottery.
Alabama elementary students explain Black History Month
Today is the last day of February and, therefore, the last day of Black History Month for 2018. We thought we would ask students at Birmingham’s Hemphill Elementary School to explain the significance of this month. Their responses are a great way to cap this month.
State Senate approves cost-of-living raises for state employees
State employees would receive their first cost-of-living raise in ten years under a bill approved by the state Senate on Tuesday. Lawmakers approved a three percent pay raise 28-1. Sponsored by Prattville-Republican state Sen. Clyde Chambliss, SB185 would provide the cost-of-living increase for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2018. Gov. Kay Ivey applauded the approval of the bill. “We depend on state employees every day – after a decade without a pay increase, it is time we honor their hard work and commitment with a sensible raise,” Ivey said in a statement. “State employees are vital to good government, and I appreciate the work they do for the people of Alabama each and every day. I commend sponsor Senator Clyde Chambliss, General Fund budget chairman Senator Tripp Pittman and the members of the Senate for adopting the full three percent raise I proposed. I urge the House to move quickly and follow the Senate’s lead.” The bill now goes to the Alabama House of Representatives for consideration.
State Senate approves Ten Commandments bill
A bill that would amend the state constitution to allow the Ten Commandments to be displayed on public property and public schools was approved by the Alabama Senate on Tuesday. Sponsored by Lineville-Republican Sen. Gerald Dial, SB181 was approved 23-3, after Dial rationalized that displaying the Ten Commandments might help prevent another school shooting. In order to stand up to constitutional muster, Dial’s bill requires the Ten Commandments to “be displayed in a manner that complies with constitutional requirements, including, but not limited to, being intermingled with historical or educational items, or both, in a larger display.” This marks the 14th time Dial has introduced the Ten Commandments legislation. The Senate has approved it several times, but it has always failed in the House. It now moves to the Alabama House of Representatives for approval. If measure passes the House, it would then go before voters for referendum.
Alabama legacy moment: Jo Ann Robinson
Alabama Public Television is producing a series of videos titled “Alabama Legacy Moments” that offer a quick history of the people, places and stories that have defined Alabama. Done in conjunction with the ongoing bicentennial celebration of the state that concludes in 2019, the short pieces should inspire you to learn more about the rich history of Alabama. “Alabama Legacy Moments” are sponsored by the Alabama Bicentennial Commission and the Alabama Broadcasters Association. This “Legacy Moment” is Jo Ann Robinson.
Steve Flowers: the many possibilities of an election year
The Alabama Legislature usually gets very little done during an election year session except passage of the budgets. However, the Legislature may have to address issues pertaining to prison health care. A Federal judge has ruled that our prison mental health care is “horrendously inadequate.” This year the solution will probably be to simply add $30 to 50 million to the prison budget and kick the can down the road to the next quadrennium. Our Medicaid agency funding is always a key issue. Medicaid now consumes more than a third of the General Fund budget. Using part of the BP Oil spill money will allow legislators to wait until next year to tackle this money eating monster. Mental health or drug addiction issues will probably be pushed back until next year after elections, as will the gasoline tax issue. The gas tax was not been raised since 1992. The state’s gas tax is earmarked for roads and bridges. Business groups, county governments and legislative leaders, especially Speaker Mac McCutcheon and Legislators from Huntsville and other growth areas, are emphasizing the need for adequate transportation infrastructure. The Trump administration is advocating for a national infrastructure initiative. If this comes to fruition in Washington, the state will have to act in order to match federal dollars. The two budgets will not be difficult since both the General Fund and Education budgets are in better shape than normal, especially the Special Education Trust Fund budget. It is dependent on sales and income growth taxes and the economy is growing. Teachers and state employees may receive a cost of living raise. Alabama state employees have not received a cost of living raise since 2009. Speaking of the economy, Alabama has been blessed with two gigantic coups in the past few months. The landing of the new Toyota-Mazda plant near Huntsville was huge. In addition, the decision by the U.S. Defense Department to locate the F-35 lightning aircraft deployment to Maxwell/Gunter in Montgomery will translate into a significant boom to the River Region for years to come. The January announcement that Alabama won the coveted Toyota-Mazda plant was tremendous. We beat out North Carolina for the $1.6 billion facility, which will be located at a Limestone County mega site adjacent to Huntsville. Alabama currently has 57,000 residents employed in the automotive industry. Exports of Alabama made vehicles and parts total over $9 billion. We are now the number two state in America for automotive production. Community College Chancellor Jimmy Baker is moving in the right direction to prepare our young people for these opportunities in the state’s industrial expansion. Huntsville mayor, Tommy Battle, battled mightily for the new automotive facility. He deserves kudos for the victory as does Montgomery mayor, Todd Strange, for landing the F-35 to Maxwell/Gunter. Our senior senator, Richard Shelby, was instrumental in both of these bonanzas behind the scenes. Speaking of the legislature and their adjourning early for an election year, there will be 10 open Senate seats and 22 House seats with no incumbents. One of the most hotly contested state senate races will be in the Huntsville area. It will be an intra-party battle between Sam Givhan and Mary Scott Hunter. It is for the seat currently held by State Senator Bill Holtzclaw, who is not seeking reelection. Ms. Hunter is a State School Board member, who is close to the BCA. Givhan is a lawyer and heads the Huntsville/Madison GOP. He has been endorsed by ALFA. It is fitting and proper that the Alabama Farmers Federation is backing young Sam Givhan. His grandfather was the legendary State Senator, Walter Givhan, who was a Black Belt planter and stalwart ally of the farmers. State Representative, Mack Butler, is favored to win the Republican Gadsden area seat of retiring Senator Phil Williams. The Wiregrass will see a battle royale between State Representative Donnie Chesteen and incumbent State Senator Harri Anne Smith. The open Republican Senate seat of retiring State Senator Dick Brewbaker in Montgomery and Pike Road may be the best senate race in the state. There are numerous powerful and popular incumbents, who will coast to reelection most with no opposition. That list includes Jabo Waggoner, Jimmy Holley, Jim McClendon, Cam Ward, Greg Reed, Steve Livingston, Clay Scofield, Shay Shelnutt, Clyde Chambliss, Billy Beasley, Bobby Singleton, Gerald Allen, Tom Whatley and Senate President, Del Marsh. The leadership of the State Senate will return. See you next week. ••• Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
