Doug Jones says federal workers shouldn’t “be held hostage just over politics”
Sen. Doug Jones returned to Alabama last weekend, holding a townhall in Huntsville to discuss the government shutdown. The Democrat senator held the event at the University of Alabama Huntsville in a room that according to Al.Com, at 300 attendees, was filled to capacity. With about 5,500 federal workers in the state of Alabama, nearly half of those work for the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, so that city has the largest number of furloughed workers. He spoke to them specifically, saying they should not be “hostages” in this political fight saying, according to WHNT, “Federal workers and the contractors, people that do the service to this country should not be held hostage just over politics. I firmly believe that. I’ve continued to vote to keep this government open. I hope to continue to do that. And hopefully we’ll get something on the table pretty soon to do just that.” The senator blamed both parties for failing to compromise, which may help him hold on to his seat in Alabama, one that is considered highly precarious. Jones said that the compromise offered by President Donald Trump on Friday was encouraging, saying “What I’m seeing is a hopeful sign.” He continued, “The president is demonstrating that he, in good faith, will talk about border security in a bigger issue. And the House Democrats, who have been just as entrenched – saying nothing until we reopen the government – are saying, ‘OK, we want to talk, too, in good faith.’”
2019 failing schools list: 76 Alabama schools don’t make the grade
A staggering 76 schools across the Yellowhammer State have been classified as “failing” according to a report by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) released Friday without comment or fanfare. The list is released under the state’s new Alabama Accountability Act, which requires the ALSDE to designate schools in the bottom 6 percent of standardized test scores in reading and math as failing. Last year there were 75 schools that were deemed “failing” but this year one more school has been added to the list. The new information is particularly important to parents as students in failing schools have the option to transfer to other public schools if those schools will accept them. Families are eligible for a tax credit, and taxpayer-backed scholarships, to help pay for private education as well. Families in the failing schools also have priority for the scholarships, but others may also obtain them. Below is the full list of the 2019 failing schools:
Former U.S. Rep. Artur Davis joins Montgomery’s mayoral race
Former U.S. Rep. Artur Davis is running for Mayor of Montgomery in 2019. Davis made the announcement in a Facebook video on Monday. “I’m running for Mayor because I believe in Montgomery’s future. I hope to earn your support in this election,” Davis wrote in a post accompanying the video. Davis, who previously ran for Montgomery mayor and failed in 2015, also served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Alabama’s 7th District. He left the office in 2010 to pursue a gubernatorial run. Montgomery’s mayoral election will be held Aug. 27, 2019. Watch Davis’ announcement video below:
Donald Trump’s government shutdown solution hangs in limbo
President Donald Trump’s proposal to break through the budget deadlock appeared to be gaining little traction Monday, as another missed paycheck loomed for hundreds of thousands of workers and the partial federal shutdown stretched into its fifth week. Despite the fanfare of the president’s announcement, voting in Congress was not expected to unfold until later in the week. Even then it seemed doubtful that legislation based on Trump’s plan had any chance of swiftly passing the Senate. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority but would need Democrats to reach the usual 60-vote threshold for bills to advance. Not a single Democrat publicly expressed support for the deal in the 48 hours since Trump announced it. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer’s office reiterated Monday that they are unwilling to negotiate any border security funding until Trump re-opens the government. “Nothing has changed with the latest Republican offer,” said Schumer spokesman Justin Goodman. “President Trump and Senate Republicans are still saying: ‘Support my plan or the government stays shut.’ That isn’t a compromise or a negotiation — it’s simply more hostage taking.” While the House and Senate are scheduled to be back in session Tuesday, no votes have been scheduled so far on Trump’s plan. And senators, who will be given 24-hour notice ahead of voting, have yet to be recalled to Washington. McConnell spokesman David Popp said Monday that the GOP leader “will move” to voting on consideration of the president’s proposal “this week.” Trump, who on Sunday lashed out at House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, accusing her of acting “irrationally,” continued to single her out on Twitter. “If Nancy Pelosi thinks that Walls are “immoral,” why isn’t she requesting that we take down all of the existing Walls between the U.S. and Mexico,” he wrote Monday. “Let millions of unchecked “strangers” just flow into the U.S.” House Democrats this week are pushing ahead with voting on their own legislation to re-open the government and add $1 billion for border security —including 75 more immigration judges and infrastructure improvements — but no funding for the wall. Trump later tweeted: “Democrats are kidding themselves (they don’t really believe it!) if they say you can stop Crime, Drugs, Human Trafficking and Caravans without a Wall or Steel Barrier. Stop playing games and give America the Security it deserves. A Humanitarian Crisis!” Meanwhile, the impact of the shutdown — the longest ever — continued to ripple across the nation as it stretched into its 31st day. The Transportation Security Administration said the percentage of its airport screeners missing work hit 10 percent on Sunday — up from 3.1 percent on the comparable Sunday a year ago. The screeners, who have been working without pay, have been citing financial hardship as the reason they can’t report to work. Even so, the agency said that it screened 1.78 million passengers Sunday with only 6.9 percent having to wait 15 minutes or longer to get through security. The shutdown had also threatened to disrupt plans for an annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day service at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, where the civil rights leader was co-pastor with his father from 1960 until his assassination in 1968. The site is run by the National Park Service and had been closed. But a grant from Delta Air Lines is keeping the church and associated sites, including the home where King was born, open through Feb. 3. Trump on Saturday offered to extend temporary protections for young immigrants brought to the country illegally as children and those fleeing disaster zones for three years in exchange for $5.7 billion for his border wall. Democrats said the proposal for a three-year extension didn’t go nearly far enough, and that Trump was using as leverage programs that he had targeted. Meanwhile, some on the right, including conservative commentator Ann Coulter, accused Trump of offering “amnesty.” “No, Amnesty is not a part of my offer,” Trump tweeted Sunday, in response. He noted that he’d offered temporary protections for the immigrants in question, but added: “Amnesty will be used only on a much bigger deal, whether on immigration or something else.” That statement led some to suggest that Trump might be open to including a potential pathway to citizenship for the young “Dreamer” immigrants in a future proposal to end the standoff. Asked in an interview on “Fox News Sunday” whether Trump’s Saturday proposal represented a “final offer,” Vice President Mike Pence said the White House was willing to negotiate. “Well, of course,” Pence said. “The legislative process is a negotiation.” ___ Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Rauf Bolden: Policy making in Orange Beach
“I am the CEO,” said Mayor Tony Kennon in the council chambers. It is true the mayor has vast power, setting the agenda for taxation, budgets and employee benefits. Orange Beach does not have the three separations of powers we learned about in civics class. The executive branch controls legislation and policy in Orange Beach, voting on ordinances and resolutions brought to the floor. This is defined as a strong mayor and weak council system, having been the city’s form of government since founding in 1984, surviving intact through hurricanes and oil spills. It is a system local constituents understand. You have a problem; just call Mayor Kennon, because he is the only one allowed to make any ad hoc policy decisions. Some residents feel the power versus accountability equation is balanced in favor of Mayor Kennon. Others feel there are expenditures on the table that are so large constituents need to be included in the decision making process. For example the $60 million Wolf Bay Bridge, being paid for exclusively with taxpayer dollars, but no Referendum is offered. Understandably people care about this decision. “We are very concerned about the economic risk involved in building of this 1.2 mile bridge [Wolf Bay Bridge]. In addition to the astronomical expense for the taxpayers, there is the safety and liability risk of toxic spills [benzene] from barge accidents on extremely busy interstate waterway. The intention to build up the north shore to bring more traffic to Orange Beach seems irrational at this point,” said Lucy Hazebrook, a 28-year resident of Orange Beach in an email. Taxes are the life’s blood of a city, paying wages, financing projects, and servicing debt. According to documents on the city’s web site Orange Beach is a wealthy community, taking in more revenue than expenses. This surplus is multiplied year in and year out, providing an enviable reserve against disasters both natural and man-made. Creating a financial return for residents, as if they were stakeholders in the municipal business, is something Mayor Kennon has overlooked. He will not lead the council in eliminating the four-mil property tax in Orange Beach, providing a dividend for his constituents. The property tax generates less than $4 million per year, and the city has ten times that amount in reserves. Perhaps offsetting this tax cut with sin taxes on tobacco products, alcohol and sugary drinks is an equitable solution. Republican orthodoxy is tagged to tax cuts, paying for them is the key, but our Republican Council prefers lodging tax increases on tourists to tax cuts for property owners. The 2020 candidates for mayor and council should use property tax cuts as a conservative battle cry, growing his or her base. Budgets are the planners goal-setting tool, controlling capital, investments and debt. Even though the city council tried twice to found their own school system with property tax increases in 2007 and 2014, producing failed referendums both times, Mayor Kennon is still pushing ahead, allocating city funds, subsidizing the newly conceived Orange Beach Middle School/High School on Canal Road. “Kennon said the city of Orange Beach is invested in the new school [built and run by the Baldwin County Board of Education], estimating the value of a land donation to the school system costs around $6 million to $7 million. Another $8 million for a performing arts center and $4 million to $5 million for new athletic facilities rounds out the city’s expenses for the new school [approx. $18 million],” according to a report on al.com . Going against residents’ wishes is dangerous for an elected official, unless they are not going to run again, assuming Tony will wish to have the school named after him as a legacy, but naming grants are traditionally carried out with private donations, not taxpayer funds. An example comes to mind where Antonin Scalia left $20 million to a Virginia law school in a naming grant, changing George Mason to the Antonin Scalia Law School . Employee benefits are a key issue, getting more expensive for employees every year. The deductibles and co-pays reflect the management style of the executive. Mayor Kennon is the fifth person to hold the office since the city was founded in 1984, having initiated draconian increases to family insurance premiums, compared to his predecessors. I understand Mayor Kennon wants to run the city like a business, but municipal businesses are tax-free. Perhaps considering this fact when revising insurance premium increases, deductibles and co-pays will help improve employee morale. The difference in employee insurance benefits now versus earlier administrations is enormous. Other mayors offered their employees health insurance that was fully funded by the city, because wages are lower in the public sector, previously making the City of Orange Beach the most desirable place to work for people with families. Our mayor is intelligent, god fearing, and passionate about his vision for the city. He enacts what he perceives are the best policies for employees, residents and school children. At this juncture his vision is at odds with several factions, opposing the flyover bridge west of the Foley Beach Express, opposing the Wolf Bay Bridge by Doc’s, and those seeking a better benefits package for employees. Kennon does not like to lose or be challenged; fighting all comers, charging up the hill even if no one else is behind him. These are admirable traits, battling for your beliefs, but local government in a small town needs more consensus than conflict, more compassion than autocracy, more dialogue than fear of reprisals. Mayor Kennon voices his policies publicly with persuasive vigor, trying to get you to buy into his side of the argument, possibly offending some people with his oratorical style; consequently $192 million in BP funds (Deep-water Horizon oil spill) was dispersed by the US Treasury and the State of Alabama, but Orange Beach did not have one project directly approved. It must be pointed out that funds were granted to Orange Beach indirectly through the State’s request. According to John Mullen
