Wes Allen announces state’s withdrawal from ERIC system
Secretary of State-Elect Wes Allen announced on Wednesday that he has mailed a letter to the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) to inform the corporation of Alabama’s intent to withdraw from participation in their system. “I made a promise that I would withdraw Alabama from ERIC, and I am keeping that promise,” Allen said in a statement. “I have informed them, via certified letter, that upon my inauguration on January 16, 2023, Alabama will immediately and permanently cease to transmit any information regarding any citizen in the State of Alabama to their organization and that we will no longer participate in any aspect of the ERIC program.” The ERIC system is a nonprofit organization that collects information from 32 member states, including the District of Columbia. ERIC is a database with names, addresses, and partial social security numbers of hundreds of thousands of private citizens. ERIC is used to clean up the voter rolls. “I have heard repeatedly as I traveled through the state for the last year and a half that people want us out of ERIC,” Allen continued. “They don’t want their personal information or the personal information of their children to be sent to this out-of-state group. I promised I would end our participation, and that is what I am taking these steps to do.” Allen mailed identical letters to ERIC Executive Director Shane Hamlin, ERIC Chair Mandi Grandjean, and Systems Data Specialist Sarah Whitt, informing them of his intent to cease cooperation with the group. Allen informed them that he will mail another letter upon his inauguration on January 16, 2023, on official government letterhead. ERIC is costing the state of Alabama just $25,000 a year in membership fees to ERIC. Allen has expressed concerns about the frequent transfers of sensitive data to the ERIC databases. Allen’s withdrawal will put an end to those payments and data transfers. It is unclear what system the state of Alabama will put in place to maintain the integrity of its voter rolls without ERIC. Allen was elected as Secretary of State last week and has already begun the transition to a new administration in the Secretary of State’s office. Current Secretary of State John Merrill was term-limited from running again. Merrill has defended the use of the ERIC system. “It is important to note that currently, ERIC is the only organization capable of providing the necessary data for proper voter list maintenance,” Merrill stated. “In Alabama, ERIC is used to preserve a clean and accurate voter list and to contact eligible residents who are not registered voters. Each month, we provide ERIC with a voters list and driver’s license data, and we receive information from ERIC for voter list maintenance in return. Monthly, our office receives a list of voter records that potentially need to be removed or inactivated based on deceased records from the Social Security Administration, potential duplicate voter records in Alabama, or voters that have potentially moved out of the state.” Allen is a former Pike County judge, and he has served one term in the Alabama House of Representatives representing Pike and Dale Counties. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Steve Marshall announces a three-count capital murder indictment of Ibraheem Yazeed for the slaying of Aniah Blanchard
Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the indictment of Ibraheem Yazeed on three counts of capital murder for the death of Aniah Haley Blanchard. Blanchard was a college student studying at Southern Union. Aniah was reported missing in Auburn on October 24, 2019, and her body was discovered on November 25, 2019, in a wooded area in Macon County. Yazeed, age 32, of Montgomery, was served the indictment Tuesday in the Lee County jail, where he is currently being held without bond. Attorney General Marshall’s office presented evidence to a Macon County grand jury on November 4, 2022, resulting in Yazeed’s indictment on three counts of capital murder on Monday. The indictment charges Yazeed with one count of capital murder during a kidnapping in the first degree, one count of capital murder during robbery in the first degree, and one count of capital murder involving a victim in a vehicle. The indictment charges Yazeed with intentionally causing the death of Blanchard by shooting her with a gun during the course of abducting her and robbing her of a vehicle and cell phone. The indictment also charges Yazeed intentionally caused Blanchard’s death while she was inside her vehicle, a 2017 Honda CR-V. If convicted, Yazeed could face the death penalty or a sentence of life imprisonment without parole for each of the three charges of capital murder. Yazeed had already been charged with kidnapping, attempted murder, and robbery but was out on bond awaiting trial when he allegedly abducted and murdered Blanchard. Authorities allege that Blanchard was not the first person that Yazeed has murdered. Due to the horrible crime, the voters of Alabama recently ratified a constitutional amendment allowing district attorneys to request that judges deny bail for dangerous villains. Marshall campaigned hard for the ratification of Amendment One – which was named Aniah’s Law in memory of Blanchard. The Blanchard family was instrumental in the campaign to pass the Amendment to the Alabama Constitution of 1901. The case is being prosecuted by Attorney General Marshall’s Criminal Trials Division. Marshall thanked local and state law enforcement agencies, especially the Auburn Police Department, Montgomery Police Department, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Lee and Macon County Sheriff’s Offices, for their expert work in investigating this case, as well as both the Lee and Macon County District Attorneys’ Offices. Yazeed has merely been indicted. He will still have his day in court and the opportunity to present a defense. Under the American justice system, everyone is assumed to be innocent until proven guilty before a jury of their peers. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Steve Marshall announces successful defense of Trump-era Endangered Species Act reforms
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that on Monday, a federal court in California denied a request by environmental groups to set aside the Trump administration’s rules and revive the Obama-era environmental enforcement of the Endangered Species Act. Marshall said that the court’s decision serves to preserve the more balanced enforcement rules of the Trump administration nationwide, including in Alabama. “In 2016, Alabama led a coalition of states to challenge unlawful environmental regulations by the Obama administration that went far beyond what the text of the Endangered Species Act allowed and imposed unfair burdens on private property rights,” said AG Marshall. “That case settled in 2018 when the federal government promised to reconsider the rules. As promised, in 2019, the Trump administration enacted new regulations that made the Endangered Species Act work better to protect both wildlife and property rights. The regulations eased burdens on landowners while providing them incentives to care for the wildlife on their property—a win-win for Alabama’s landowners and the great diversity of wildlife in our State.” “Predictably, the Trump regulations were challenged in federal court in California by a set of radical environmental groups and blue states who opposed the regulations’ cooperative approach to environmental protection,” Marshall explained. “In response, Alabama once again led another coalition of states to intervene to defend the rules. That turned out to be necessary because the Biden administration abandoned defense of the rules, and the federal court vacated them, despite never having identified any legal infirmity with them. We sought relief from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which agreed that the district court had erred.” “Yesterday, the district court again remanded the rules to the federal agencies to consider as they work on proposing a new set of regulations,” said Marshall. “But this time, the court rejected the environmental groups’ request to vacate the challenged regulations, meaning the Trump regulations will remain in place until new regulations are finalized—a process that is expected to take two years as the agencies provide time for stakeholders, including states and landowners, to provide comments on any proposed changes. Without our intervention, the rules we fought so hard for likely would have been unlawfully vacated as the Biden administration rolled over to appease the environmental groups. And stakeholders likely would have been deprived of their right to participate in the process of shaping any changes to current rules. But because we were there, the rule of law was vindicated.” Attorney General Marshall was joined by attorneys general from Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming, as well as the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, in defending the Endangered Species Act reforms. The Endangered Species Act was passed by Congress in 1973 (on the heels of a 1967 precursor law) Since the Act’s passage, 99% of the species on the list have been protected from extinction. Marshall was recently reelected to his second term as Alabama’s Attorney General. His second term begins in January. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Paul DeMarco: Republicans hope Nathaniel Ledbetter, Scott Stadthagen will bring new conservative leadership to the Alabama House of Representatives
So the Alabama general elections are behind us, and new lawmakers are being sworn in to serve in the Alabama House of Representatives and Senate. There will be 31 freshmen in the House and six in the Senate. In addition, this past week, Republicans elected new leadership that will take over when they convene in 2023. With the selection of Nathaniel Ledbetter as Speaker of the House and Scott Stadthagen as the next Majority Leader for the GOP Caucus, there is hope that after the last four years, Ledbetter and Stadthagen will lead a more conservative House of Representatives. These two men earned the confidence of their colleagues to lead. Their selection is a sign that conservative values have a better shot of moving the state forward. Alabama proved again this election cycle that it is one of the most Republican states in the country. However, legislators have been accused of not truly reflecting the conservative values of Alabama citizens. Whether it was the redistricting process undertaken behind closed doors without input from citizens, the efforts to weaken the criminal justice system, or blocking conservative bills, Republicans hope the House will do better in the next four years with new leadership. All of the newly elected first-time Republican representatives campaigned on conservative principles such as being fiscally conservative and making public safety a priority. Liberal advocacy groups are chomping at the bit to open the prison doors, legalize recreational marijuana, and spend every penny taxpayers send to Montgomery. The new leadership and legislators should say no to all of these attempts at the Statehouse. We will see if the new leadership and freshman lawmakers follow the will of the voters who elected them and change the direction of the Alabama House of Representatives. Alabama voters will be watching. Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and can be found on Twitter @Paul_DeMarco.
NASA’s Artemis mission is underway
Early on Wednesday morning, the Space Launch System (SLS) launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Onboard was the Orion spacecraft which the SLS launched into space on its way to the Moon. The Artemis I mission is unmanned, but is an essential precursor to man’s return to the Moon after almost a fifty-year absence. The Artemis I mission is the first integrated flight test of the agency’s deep space exploration systems. The SLS is the most powerful rocket in the world and has been engineered and tested at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. The launch into space is just the first leg of the mission. Orion is planned to travel approximately 40,000 miles beyond the Moon and return to Earth over the course of 25.5 days. The mission is a critical part of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration approach. “What an incredible sight to see NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft launch together for the first time,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in a statement. “This uncrewed flight test will push Orion to the limits in the rigors of deep space, helping us prepare for human exploration on the Moon and, ultimately, Mars.” After reaching its initial orbit, Orion deployed its solar arrays, and engineers began performing checkouts of the spacecraft’s systems. After one and a half hours of flight, the rocket’s upper stage engine successfully fired for approximately 18 minutes, launching Orion out of Earth orbit and on to its flight to the Moon. Orion has successfully separated from its upper stage and is now powered by its service module, which was provided by the European Space Agency (ESA). “It’s taken a lot to get here, but Orion is now on its way to the Moon,” said Jim Free, NASA deputy associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. “This successful launch means NASA and our partners are on a path to explore farther in space than ever before for the benefit of humanity.” Artemis is more than just a test of the spacecraft; it is also performing science missions of its own. Onboard is a series of 10 small science investigations and technology demonstrations called CubeSats. The CubeSats will deploy from a ring that connected the upper stage to the spacecraft. Each CubeSat has its own mission that has the potential to fill gaps in our knowledge of the solar system or demonstrate technologies that may benefit the design of future missions to explore the Moon and beyond. Orion’s service module will need to perform the first of a series of burns to keep Orion on course toward the Moon. In the coming days, mission controllers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston will conduct additional checkouts and course corrections as needed. Orion is expected to fly by the Moon on November 21, performing a close approach of the lunar surface on its way to a distant retrograde orbit, a highly stable orbit thousands of miles beyond the Moon. “The Space Launch System rocket delivered the power and performance to send Orion on its way to the Moon,” said Mike Sarafin, Artemis I mission manager. “With the accomplishment of the first major milestone of the mission, Orion will now embark on the next phase to test its systems and prepare for future missions with astronauts.” The Artemis I mission was delayed by a fuel line leak in the SLS, a faulty temperature sensor, and then by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Following Hurricane Nicole, NASA teams conducted thorough assessments of the rocket, spacecraft, and associated ground systems and confirmed there were no significant impacts from the severe weather. Engineers repaired the leak and demonstrated updated tanking procedures. Teams also performed standard maintenance to repair minor damage to the foam and cork on the thermal protection system and recharged or replaced batteries throughout the system. If all goes well, the manned Artemis mission is planned for 2024. NASA intends to create a permanently manned presence on the moon, tentatively scheduled for 2028. The Artemis I is supported by thousands of people around the world, including many in Alabama. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Conecuh County sheriff’s race ends in tie, goes to a recount
The race for sheriff in southern Alabama’s Conecuh County has ended in a tie and is heading to a recount. Republican Mike Blackmon and Democrat Randy Brock each received 2,225 votes, according to certified election results posted Tuesday. Blackmon had been losing the race by one vote until provisional ballots were counted, Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl said. The race will go to an automatic recount on Friday, Wahl said. State law requires a recount when the margin of victory is less than half of a percentage point. If the race remains a tie, state law requires the winner to be picked by drawing lots. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Donald Trump seeks White House again amid GOP losses, legal probes
Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday launched his third campaign for the White House just one week after a disappointing midterm showing for Republicans, forcing the party to again decide whether to embrace a candidate whose refusal to accept defeat in 2020 sparked an insurrection and pushed American democracy to the brink. “In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States,” Trump said before an audience of several hundred supporters in a chandeliered ballroom at his Mar-a-Lago club, where he stood flanked by American flags and banners bearing his “Make America Great Again” slogan. “America’s comeback starts right now,” he said, formally beginning the 2024 Republican primary. Another campaign is a remarkable turn for any former president, much less one who made history as the first to be impeached twice and whose term ended with his supporters violently storming the Capitol in a deadly bid to halt the peaceful transition of power on January 6, 2021. Trump also enters the race in a moment of deep political vulnerability. He hoped to launch his campaign in the wake of resounding GOP midterm victories, fueled by candidates he elevated during this year’s primaries. Instead, many of those candidates lost, allowing Democrats to keep the Senate and leaving the GOP with a path to only a bare majority in the House. Trump has been blamed for the losses by many in his party, including a growing number who say the results make clear it’s time for the GOP to move past him and look to the future, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis emerging from last week’s elections as an early favorite. In addition to trying to blunt his potential rivals’ rise, Trump’s decision to launch his candidacy before the 2022 election had been fully decided also comes as he faces a series of escalating criminal investigations, including several that could lead to indictments. They include the probe into hundreds of documents with classified markings that were seized by the FBI from Mar-a-Lago and ongoing state and federal inquiries into his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. As Trump has spent the last months teasing his return, aides have been sketching out the contours of a campaign that is being modeled on his 2016 operation, when Trump and a small clutch of aides defied the odds and defeated far better-funded and more experienced rivals by tapping into deep political fault lines and using shocking statements to drive relentless media attention. Trump returned to that dark rhetoric in his speech Tuesday, painting the country under President Joe Biden in apocalyptic terms, describing “blood-soaked streets” in “cesspool cities” and an “invasion” at the border and earning cheers as he vowed to execute those convicted of selling drugs. “We are a nation in decline,” he said. “We are here tonight to declare that it does not have to be this way.” Trump notably avoided much talk of the 2020 election, eschewing the extreme conspiracy theories that often dominate his rallies. Still, the speech included numerous exaggerations and deflections as he cast himself as “a victim” of wayward prosecutors and the “festering, rot and corruption of Washington.” While Trump spoke before a crowd of several hundred, notably missing were many longtime supporters, including previous campaign managers, aides, and his daughter Ivanka, who released a statement saying that she does not plan to be involved in his campaign. “While I will always love and support my father, going forward, I will do so outside the political arena,” she said in a statement. Even after the GOP’s midterm losses, Trump remains the most powerful force in his party thanks to the loyalty of his base. For years he has consistently topped his fellow Republican contenders by wide margins in hypothetical head-to-head matchups. And even out of office, he consistently attracts thousands to his rallies and remains his party’s most prolific fundraiser, raising hundreds of millions of dollars. But Trump is also a deeply polarizing figure. Fifty-four percent of voters in last week’s midterm elections viewed him very or somewhat unfavorably, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 94,000 voters nationwide. And an October AP-NORC poll found even Republicans have their reservations about him remaining the party’s standard-bearer, with 43% saying they don’t want to see him run for president in 2024. Trump’s candidacy poses profound questions about America’s democratic future. The final days of his presidency were consumed by a desperate effort to stay in power, undermining the centuries-old tradition of a peaceful transfer. And in the two years since he lost, Trump’s persistent — and baseless — lies about widespread election fraud have eroded confidence in the nation’s political process. By late January 2021, about two-thirds of Republicans said they did not believe Biden was legitimately elected in 2020, an AP-NORC poll found. VoteCast showed roughly as many Republican voters in the midterm elections continued to hold that belief. Federal and state election officials and Trump’s own attorney general have said there is no credible evidence the 2020 election was tainted. The former president’s allegations of fraud were also roundly rejected by numerous courts, including by judges Trump appointed. While some Republicans with presidential ambitions have long ruled out running against Trump, others, including Vice President Mike Pence, have been taking increasingly public steps toward campaigns of their own, raising the prospect of a crowded GOP primary. That could ultimately play to Trump’s advantage, as it did in 2016, when he prevailed over more than a dozen other candidates who splintered the anti-Trump vote. Trump’s decision also paves the way for a potential rematch with Biden, who has said he intends to run for reelection despite concerns from some in his party over his age and low approval ratings. The two men were already the oldest presidential nominees ever when they ran in 2020. Trump, who is 76, would be 82 at the end of a second term in 2029. Biden, who is about to turn 80, would
Documentary on Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians to premiere APT
A new documentary about Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians will premiere on Alabama Public Television (APT) on Thursday, November 17, at 8:30 p.m. Produced by Jacksonville State University’s Longleaf Studios, “The Forgotten Creeks” can also be streamed from APT’s website and the PBS video app starting November 17. “We are honored that our Tribe was selected to be the subject of this documentary produced by Jacksonville State University and Alabama Public Television,” said Stephanie Bryan, Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Chair. “We feel incredibly blessed to have this recounting of both our history and our lives today.” “The Forgotten Creeks” recalls the history of Alabama’s Mvskoke Creek Indians from Spanish contact in the 1500s through the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The documentary explores what happened to those Mvskoke Creeks who remained in Alabama following the Trail of Tears and documents those ensuing years of poverty, assimilation, and discrimination that nearly destroyed their indigenous identity. It also traces how finally, in 1984, after more than 40 years of unwavering advocacy by Tribal Leaders, the federal government recognized the Tribe as a sovereign, or independent, Indian nation with ancestral lands in Atmore, Alabama, and elsewhere in the state. Federal recognition was the beginning of a new chapter in the Tribe’s history. Economic development brought self-sufficiency, and the Tribe’s focus on educational opportunities, family values, and faith guided its transition to prosperity. “As an APT commissioner, JSU employee, and friend of the Poarch people for nearly 30 years, it was a real honor to connect these organizations and work together to produce such an important documentary,” said Pete Conroy, director of strategic partnerships and special projects at JSU. “I particularly thank Tribal Leadership for their trust and also JSU producer and director Seth Johnson for his mastery in telling this powerful story.” Seth Johnson, who serves as distinguished professor of graphic design and assistant dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at JSU, stated, “Producing this film was a rewarding experience. Our students were able to work alongside an accomplished film studio in the production of the film and gained valuable industry experience in doing so. We owe a significant thank you to the Poarch Creek Tribal Members that gave us their trust, welcomed us into their homes, and allowed us to tell their story.” The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama.
$2.9 billion headed to Alabama from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Today, the White House released updated state and territory fact sheets that highlight the nationwide impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This law is one of the largest long-term investments in U.S. infrastructure and competitiveness in nearly a century. To date, almost $2.9 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced and is headed to Alabama with over 90 specific projects identified for funding. Since the Law passed, Alabama is set to receive more than $2.5 billion for transportation to invest in roads, bridges, public transit, ports, and airports and over $137 million for clean water. And, as of today, more than 280,000 households across the state are receiving affordable internet due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In Alabama, there are 620 bridges and over 2,961 miles of highway in poor condition. Based on formula funding alone, Alabama is expected to receive approximately $5.8 billion over five years in federal funding for highways and bridges. Nearly 32% of Alabamians do not have an internet subscription. Alabama will receive a minimum allocation of at least $100 million to help ensure high-speed internet coverage across the state. Additionally, experts estimate that as many as 860,000 households in Alabama are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which cuts internet bills by up to $30 per month, or $75 for households on Tribal lands, and provides a one-time $100 discount off a connected device. To date, over 280,000 households in Alabama are enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program, with more signing up every day. $137 million is available in the fiscal year 2022 to provide clean and safe water across the state through the Environmental Protection Agency. Of this funding, $61.1 million is dedicated to lead pipe and service line replacement, with another $38.8 million for safe drinking water investments that can also support lead pipe replacement in fiscal year 2022. The Infrastructure Law has made the largest investment in public transit in U.S. history. Based on formula funding, Alabama would expect to receive more than $400 million over five years under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve public transit across the state. This funding will expand healthy, sustainable transportation options in Alabama, where non-white households are 4.5 times more likely to commute via public transportation, and 27% of transit vehicles in the state are currently past useful life. To date, Alabama has been allocated $76.4 million to improve public transportation options across the state in fiscal year 2022. Additionally, Alabama has been awarded $20.5 million for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program and $28.6 million in 2022 and 2023 to build out a network of EV chargers across the state. Approximately $61.7 million has been allocated to Alabama for clean energy, energy efficiency, and power in 2022. This includes:$47.5 million for weatherization, $7.4 million through the State Energy Program, and $6.8 million to prevent outages and make the power grid more resilient. Alabama has received more than $39.5 million in 2022 for airports and $78.7 million in 2022 for ports and waterways.
Steve Flowers: Jo Bonner inaugurated as president of University of South Alabama
Jo Bonner was officially sworn in as the fourth president of the University of South Alabama on September 23, 2022. The University of South Alabama is the crown jewel and flagship of the Alabama Gulf Coast. It is a sprawling, manicured, beautiful, and functional modern campus. It is currently the third-largest university in the state. Under the leadership of President Jo Bonner, it will grow and prosper to where within the next decade, it will be thought of as one of our premier “Big Three” major flagship universities along with the University of Alabama and Auburn University. Its location as the only major university in the populous metropolitan Mobile/Baldwin growth area of our state, coupled with having the University of South Alabama Medical School and Center on the campus, portends for exponential growth and prosperity for the University of South Alabama. The prosperity of USA is assured by the selection of Josiah R. Bonner, Jr. as President. Over the next decade, he will be thought of in the same terms and same breath as the legendary founding President of USA, Frederick Whiddon, who oversaw the first 35 years of USA. There has never been a more perfect selection to be the leader of a major university in our state than the appointment of Jo Bonner as President of USA. His knowledge of the business, civic, and social community of the Mobile/Baldwin area is unique. Through his decade of service as their congressman, he is an integral part of the Mobile community. He left Congress with the highest regard and admiration. He was so well respected by his congressional colleagues that he was Chairman of the U.S. House Ethics Committee. You can be assured that there is no university president, lobbyist, or board of trustee member who can walk the halls of Congress and bring home the bacon from the limitless federal trough than Josiah Bonner, Jr. You can also rest assured that there is no university president in the state that has the clout and reverence on Goat Hill in Montgomery than Josiah Bonner, Jr. This is a very unique and perfect blend for prosperity and growth for USA. It is well known in political circles that Jo Bonner is Governor Kay Ivey’s closest confidante. He served as her Chief of Staff for four years. Their families go back as friends and relatives in Wilcox County for generations. Jo Bonner’s father, the first Josiah Bonner, was Probate Judge of Wilcox County. Jo is the baby of the family, a good 15 years younger than his brother, Jim, who grew up as friends and in school together with Governor Kay Ivey. Jo’s sister, Judy, and Senator Jeff Sessions were in school together in grades K-12, then Jo came much later. The aforementioned sister, Judy Bonner, was President of the University of Alabama. Never before in Alabama’s history has there been two siblings being presidents of major universities in Alabama. Jo Bonner actually became President of USA in January. The official inaugural event was on September 23. It was a magnificent program. Governor Ivey gave the keynote address. She beamed with pride as she talked about her “little brother” from Wilcox County. Dr. Jack Hawkins, the 30-year Chancellor of the Troy University System, gave a brilliant address. He spoke for all of the university presidents in the state as the Dean of University Presidents. Jo Bonner’s family was recognized, beginning with his sister, President Judy Bonner. His wife, Janee, along with his two outstanding children, son Robin, and daughter Lee, were in attendance. The Inaugural Event was held in the magnificent Mitchell Center. The Mitchell family has been a major benefactor to USA. Mrs. Arlene Mitchell is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Another Board of Trustees member is Dr. Steve Stokes, a radiology oncologist from Dothan. He and his wife Angela have been generous donors to USA, also. Stokes Hall is the newest dorm on campus. It was truly fitting that Jo Bonner had a throng of political dignitaries attend his Inaugural Event. It was like a political gathering of Who’s Who in Alabama politics visiting on the floor of the Mitchell Center prior to Jo’s inauguration. The list of attendees is too long to enumerate. However, in addition to Governor Ivey was Mac McCutchen, John McMillan, John Merrill, Bobby Singleton, Vivian Figures, Young Boozer, Bill Poole, Twinkle Cavanaugh, Sandy Stimpson, Will and Liz Filmore, Cathy Randall, Gordon and Ellen Stone, Jim Purcell, Victor Gaston, Chip Brown, Margie Wilcox, Alan Baker, and Judge Sarah Stewart, just to name a few. They were all there to honor a man who is revered and respected in Alabama – Josiah “Jo” Bonner. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column is read in over 60 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Alabama House Democrats re-elect Anthony Daniels as House Minority Leader
On Monday, the 28 members comprising the Alabama House Democrats elected their caucus leadership for the upcoming 2023-2024 legislative sessions. The caucus elected Rep. Anthony Daniels as Alabama House Minority Leader, Rep. Barbara Drummond as Caucus Chair, Rep. Mary Moore as Caucus Vice Chair, and Rep. Kelvin Lawrence as Caucus Secretary/Treasurer. After the election, Daniels stated, “I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to work again with such a talented and dedicated group of leaders who remain dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Alabamians. We will continue to promote practical and meaningful legislation and policies that highlight our pro-growth, pro-innovation platform. Right now, we are already working hard to prepare our 2023 legislative agenda to continue our focus on strengthening economic growth, access to quality health care, education innovation, mental health care, affordable housing, and justice for all.” Last week, Republicans selected State Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter of Rainsville to be the next speaker of the House of Representatives. He will replace House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, who did not run for re-election. Ledbetter was elected to the Alabama Legislature in 2014. He served as GOP majority leader. He is the former mayor of Rainsville. The Legislature will start its regular session in March.
