Personnel Update: Joshua Vaughn named BCA’s VP of communications and marketing
The Business Council of Alabama (BCA) recently announced that Joshua Vaughn has been named Vice President of Communications and Marketing. Vaughn began working with BCA in 2012 as Manager of Graphic Design and Public Relations. He was later given the role of Director of Visual Communications. Prior to his current role as Vice President of Communications and Marketing, he served as Director of Communications and Marketing. With a background in graphic design, Vaughn has played an integral role in all visual materials for marketing and communications at BCA. “Josh has been instrumental in developing and enhancing all aspects of BCA’s communications for 10 years,” said BCA Interim Director Robin Stone. “Effective communication creates powerful advocacy, and Josh has provided a great blend of creativity and clarity to BCA’s outreach to our members, elected officials, and business community stakeholders. He is an innovative communicator who balances clarity and style in our various print, visual and social media tools. We look forward to his future contributions to BCA and our membership as Vice President of Communications and Marketing.” Vaughn thanked BCA for the opportunity. “BCA has given me the incredible opportunity over the last ten years to use my background in design and expand my knowledge in marketing and communication,” Vaughn stated. “Communicating for this organization and serving our members has been an honor, and I am grateful to continue leading our communication efforts as Vice President of Communications and Marketing.” The Business Council of Alabama is a non-partisan, statewide business association representing the interests and concerns of nearly 1 million working Alabamians through its member companies and its partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama.
Perry Hooper’s accuser asks that sexual abuse charges be dropped
On Monday, the woman who had accused former State Rep. Perry Hooper Jr. of sexual abuse at a Montgomery restaurant in August released a statement asking that the charges against Hooper be dropped. Hooper was indicted by a Montgomery grand jury just ten days ago. The victim, Elizabeth Daly, wrote in a statement released to Alabama Today, “I have asked that any charges against Perry Hooper be dismissed. The matters relating to Mr. Hooper and me have been resolved, and going through the turmoil of a trial would provide no more justice than getting a sincere public apology from Mr. Hooper. I so respect and appreciate law enforcement and the job they have to perform. Nevertheless, I request these charges be dismissed.” Ms. Daly said in the statement through her attorney that she would make no comment to any reporter regarding this incident and not to contact her. Hooper, age 68, was indicted on a first-degree sexual abuse charge stemming from an incident at a downtown Montgomery restaurant on Commerce Street. According to an affidavit, Hooper approached a woman working at the restaurant from behind and allegedly grabbed her breasts and waist in an unsolicited embrace while shoving his pelvis against the victim’s backside and began kissing her neck before she was able to break free. Hooper has been a fixture in Alabama Republican Party politics for decades. He is a member of the Alabama Republican Party Executive Committee representing Montgomery County and a member of the Board of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Hooper was a frequently published political commentator whose columns were frequently published at 1819 News and the Montgomery Advertiser. There are unnamed sources claiming that the Montgomery district attorney proceeded with the indictment against Hooper even after the victim came forward and asked that the charges be dropped. Hooper’s next court date is scheduled for December 21. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge J.R. Gaines. Hooper served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1983 to 2002. Hooper is a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump and chaired the Trump Victory Fund in the 2016 campaign. An indictment is merely the finding by a grand jury that the prosecution has presented enough evidence for a jury trial to take place. Hooper will have an opportunity to present a defense at trial before a jury of his peers. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Personnel Update: Ex-aide Stephen Boyd joins Huntsville consulting firm Horizons Global Solution
Stephen Boyd, a former top aide to Sen. Tommy Tuberville, has joined a Huntsville-based firm Horizons Global Solution. Boyd announced earlier this month that he would be leaving the office to pursue opportunities outside of government. The boutique government relations consulting firm announced today that longtime Boyd is joining as Partner. Boyd’s consulting practice will focus on aerospace, defense, intelligence, and investigative and law enforcement matters. “Stephen is the quintessential Washington expert,” said David Lasseter, Founder and Partner at Horizons Global Solutions. “His career serving at the top echelons of both the Executive and Legislative Branches makes him elite, with few equals having this level of experience. We are ecstatic to have such a respectable and thoughtful professional joining our HGS team.” Boyd brings nearly twenty years of high-level government experience. He was a Presidentially nominated and Senate-confirmed Assistant Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice, a Chief of Staff in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, and a Communications Director for a prestigious Senate committee. Boyd has served as Senator Tuberville’s chief of staff since the Senator assumed office in 2021. The Birmingham native served as the Senate-confirmed assistant attorney general for the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Justice. He previously worked as chief of staff to former U.S. Representative Martha Roby and in various roles for former U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions. Boyd is an alumnus of the University of Alabama College of Communications and School of Law. The press release said Boyd will focus his consulting practice on aerospace, defense, intelligence, and investigative and law enforcement matters. Boyd expressed excitement about the new position and the opportunity to build relationships. “The way that Washington works has changed dramatically in the last two decades. Strong relationships will always matter, but to gain a strategic advantage today, you must truly understand the decision-making process behind the scenes — not just on Capitol Hill but also at the highest levels of the Executive Branch, inside the legal and enforcement arena and in media newsrooms,” Boyd said in the announcement. “I’m excited to join HGS because the firm has the real-world Washington experience to navigate every area of policy making and implementation and the agility to integrate with business leaders to seize strategic opportunities, build valuable relationships, and manage political risk.” Mary Blanche Hankey has been tapped to serve as Tuberville’s next chief of staff. Hankey also served as Tuberville’s chief counsel and policy advisor.
Nathaniel Ledbetter to retain Mark Tuggle as Chief of Staff
Last Wednesday, State Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter announced that he will retain Mark Tuggle as his chief of staff when he is elected as the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives. Ledbetter was elected as the choice of House Republicans in their post-election Caucus meeting of the House Republicans. Since the GOP maintained its’ commanding 77 to 28 supermajority lead in the November 8 election, the choice of the Republican Caucus is going to be the Speaker of the House when the Legislature meets in an organizational session, likely in January. Tuggle is a former member of the House who has served as Chief of Staff for outgoing Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon. Tuggle is a professional forester and a retired employee of the Alabama Power Company. “Mark was an outstanding legislator during his time in the Alabama House, and he has proven himself to be an equally talented chief of staff under Speaker McCutcheon,” Ledbetter said. “I know that Mark will be a source of wise counsel and sage advice as we work to tackle the challenges that Alabama faces in the coming quadrennium, and I look forward to working alongside him if elected speaker.” Tuggle was part of the 2010 class of Republican legislators, who were elected in a wave election that gave Republicans control of the House after 135 years of Democratic control of the body. Tuggle represented House District 81 for eight years and served as Chairman of the House State Government Committee. Tuggle has served as the Speaker’s chief of staff since leaving the Legislature in 2018. “As a member of the Alabama House, Mark set himself apart as a leader and proved a valuable source of wise counsel, so I’m pleased to continue utilizing his talents as my chief of staff,” McCutcheon said in a statement when he first appointed Tuggle. “Alabama faces many challenges that the Legislature must resolve, and Mark will play a large role in developing and passing needed solutions to those important issues.” “When I decided against seeking another term in the House, I assumed my work in state government had ended, but Speaker McCutcheon convinced me to continue serving the citizens of Alabama in this new role,” Tuggle said. “As a former member, I’ll be able to advise the new House members with the perspective of someone who has once held the same responsibilities, and I will work with the returning members as someone they already know and trust.” Tuggle has a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a master’s degree from Faulkner University. He and his wife, Michelle, have one daughter. Ledbetter will be the third Republican Speaker of the House, succeeding McCutcheon, who was elected Speaker of the House in 2016 after Speaker Mike Hubbard was found guilty of felony ethics violations by a Lee County Grand Jury. Seth Hammett was the last Democratic Speaker of the House. Democratic nominee Phillip Ensler successfully unseated incumbent Rep. Charlotte Meadows in the midterm elections. However, Republican nominee Rick Rehm successfully unseated incumbent Democratic incumbent Dexter Grimsley. Thus, there was no net change in the Republican-dominated Legislature. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Famed Alabama quarterback Clell Hobson turns 92
Today, Clell “Butch” Hobson Sr. is celebrating his 92nd birthday. The Tuscaloosa native is one of the oldest living former University of Alabama quarterbacks. Tot Fikes, who quarterbacked the two-hand touch women’s football team from the 1940s, is technically the oldest living quarterback for the University of Alabama. The University of Alabama discontinued women’s football after one of the players was seriously injured. Alabama Today spoke on Sunday with his son, Clell “Butch” Hobson Jr., about his father’s career. Hobson played for Coach Harold Drew, who was head coach of the University of Alabama from 1947 to 1954. Drew succeeded legendary Coach Frank Thomas. Hobson lettered for Alabama in 1950, 1951, and 1952. Alabama finished 9-2, 5-6, and 10-2 during Hobson’s career. Freshmen were not allowed to play during that era. Hobson will be one of this year’s Grand Marshalls at the West Alabama Christmas Parade on December 5 in Tuscaloosa. The University of Alabama was 10 and 2 in Hobson’s senior year in 1952. That season was capped off with an Orange Bowl victory over Syracuse. Even though most teams in those days preferred to run the ball, Hobson threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Bobby Luna for Alabama’s first score of the game. Syracuse tightened the game to 7 to 6 in the first quarter, but Alabama blew the game open in the second quarter. Hobson’s 50-yard pass to Thomas Tharp made it a 21 to 6 game. Eventually, Hobson’s backup quarterback, Bart Starr, would come into the game. He also threw a touchdown as Alabama routed the Syracuse Orangemen 61 to 6. The game is still the largest margin of victory for a Tide team in a bowl in program history and was the largest margin of victory in any bowl game until 2008. Hobson had 107 completions for 1,299 yards and 11 touchdowns in his career at Alabama. He also rushed 164 times for 453 yards. Following his career at the University, he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians organization as well as by the Cleveland Browns. Hobson chose to make baseball his career. He spent several years in the minor league but never was called up to the majors. Once his playing career was over, he returned to the University of Alabama as a graduate assistant under legendary football Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Hobson spent many years coaching high school football in Alabama before moving into administration, where he became a vice principal. His son, Butch, followed in his father’s footsteps playing both football and baseball as his father had done. “I learned a lot from my father and Coach Bryant,” the younger Hobson, now age 71, said. The younger Hobson also played quarterback for the University of Alabama and also went on to play minor-league baseball. Butch gave up football in his senior season to focus on baseball. Butch would play in the Boston Red Sox farm system, though, unlike his father, Butch was eventually called up to the major leagues, where he played for eight seasons, six of them for the Red Sox. Butch followed his father into coaching, going on to manage numerous minor league baseball teams. From 1992 to 1994, he managed the MLB Red Sox. Now 71, he is still in baseball as the manager of the Chicago Dogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball. The elder Hobson is still not a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Butch said that he has forwarded information on his father to the Hall and hopes that he will be in the next class. “I would like to get this done for my dad before he dies,” Hobson told Alabama Today. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Tommy Tuberville and colleagues introduce legislation to strengthen military readiness
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville continued his drive to strengthen the armed forces and prevent COVID-19 vaccination requirements from impeding military readiness by adding his support to two pieces of legislation, the Preserving the Readiness of Our Armed Forces Act and the Stop Firing Our Servicemembers Act. “America’s military recruitment is at an all-time low, putting us further behind adversaries like China,” said Sen. Tuberville. “We should not be jeopardizing our national security by putting more restrictions on members of our military who wish to serve. I am proud to support legislation to bolster military readiness and support our men and women in uniform.” The Preserving the Readiness of Our Armed Forces Act would prohibit the involuntary dismissal of a service member for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine until each military service achieves its authorized end strength. The legislation would also require that members of the National Guard and reserves have access to pay and benefits while requests for religious or health accommodation are pending. Sen. Tuberville was joined in introducing this legislation by U.S. Sens Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina). “Every year, we come into this chamber and fight as hard as we can to make our military the most lethal fighting force in the world,” Blackburn said. “We authorize billions of dollars for aircraft and equipment and advanced weaponry. The NDAA represents an incredible investment in the future of this country. But it also represents the trust the American people put in this Congress to keep them safe and to keep the enemy at bay. So it is beyond me that Joe Biden and the Democrats would undermine their own military by gutting the ranks—just to make a point.” The Stop Firing Our Servicemembers Act would prohibit federal funds from being used to require a member of the National Guard to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and prohibit the Department of Defense from taking any adverse action against the member for refusing vaccination. Tuberville was joined in introducing this legislation by Sens. Blackburn, Crapo, Braun, and Cotton, as well as James Risch (R-Idaho), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), and Steve Daines (R-Montana). “While servicemembers now have to wonder if they’ll be able to continue serving our country, America’s adversaries are looking to exploit this new vulnerability of fewer troops able to deploy and fight,” Blackburn said. Tuberville has staunchly opposed the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for service members and defense contractors, repeatedly warning that COVID-19 vaccine mandates pose a risk to military readiness. Tuberville spoke about the unconstitutional mandates on the floor of the U.S. Senate and in letters to top administration officials. Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees. He is in his first term as a U.S. Senator. Tuberville defeated incumbent Sen. Doug Jones (D-Alabama) in the 2020 general election. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
U.S. Senate to vote on Respect for Marriage Act; several groups say it’s unconstitutional
Several groups argue the Respect for Marriage Act (ROMA) currently before the U.S. Senate is unconstitutional and, if enacted, will eventually be struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill, HR 8404, was introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-NY, on July 18 and passed by a vote of 267-157 the next day. The U.S. Senate took it up on Nov. 14. It would provide “statutory authority for same-sex and interracial marriages” and repeal several provisions of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The 1996 law received bipartisan support, including from then U.S. Sen. Joe Biden and U.S. Rep. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, and from Democratic President Bill Clinton, who signed it. When a constitutional amendment was proposed to ban same-sex marriage in 2006, Sen. Biden told Meet the Press’s Tim Russert, “I can’t believe the American people can’t see through this. We already have a law, the Defense of Marriage Act … where I voted and others … that marriage is between a man and a woman, and states must respect that. … Why do we need a constitutional amendment? Marriage is between a man and a woman.” Sixteen years later, President Biden now supports replacing DOMA provisions, which “define, for purposes of federal law, marriage as between a man and a woman and spouse as a person of the opposite sex,” with ROMA provisions “that recognize any marriage that is valid under state law,” according to the bill summary. The summary also notes that the Supreme Court ruled three marriage-related laws as unconstitutional: DOMA (U.S. v. Windsor, 2013) and state laws banning same-sex marriage (Obergefell v. Hodges, 2015), and interracial marriage (Loving v. Virginia 1967). The bill would also allow “the Department of Justice to bring a civil action and establishes a private right of action for violations,” its summary states. When filing a cloture motion on a substitute amendment on Nov. 17, now Senate Majority Leader Schumer said the Senate would vote on ROMA when it returned on Monday after Thanksgiving. He said, “Let me be clear,” passing it “is not a matter of if but only when.” He also thanked his colleagues from both sides of the aisle “who led this bill.” Twelve Republicans voted with Democrats to allow it to move forward, eliminating a filibuster threat: Sens. Roy Blunt, Richard Burr, Shelley Capito, Susan Collins, Cynthia Lummis, Rob Portman, Mitt Romney, Dan Sullivan, Thom Tillis, Joni Ernst, Lisa Murkowski, and Todd Young. After their vote, Biden said, “Love is love, and Americans should have the right to marry the person they love,” adding their vote made “the United States one step closer to protecting that right in law.” Schumer also said he had “zero doubt” the bill “will soon be law of the land.” But multiple groups disagree, arguing it’s unconstitutional for the same reasons the Supreme Court struck down DOMA. Because the court already ruled Congress doesn’t have the constitutional authority to define marriage under Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution, and because ROMA is nearly identical to DOMA, they argue it will also likely be struck down. In a letter to Congress, the nonprofit religious freedom organization Liberty Counsel argues the court ruled in Windsor, “DOMA, because of its reach and extent, departs from this history and tradition of reliance on state law to define marriage.” It also ruled, “[b]y history and tradition the definition and regulation of marriage . . . has been treated as being within the authority and realm of the separate States.” Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver, said, “The Constitution cannot be said to prohibit the exercise of power to define marriage in one manner yet authorize the opposite definition of that same unconstitutional exercise of power. If Windsor noted that Congress lacked authority in this realm, then it necessarily lacks the power here.” While a bipartisan amendment was introduced claiming to protect religious liberty, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, argues it really doesn’t. “Religious Americans will be subject to potentially ruinous litigation, while the tax-exempt status of certain charitable organizations, educational institutions, and non-profits will be threatened. My amendment would have shored up these vulnerabilities,” he said. Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts said, “Conservatives are deeply disappointed by the betrayal of Senate Republicans to protect Americans’ religious freedom and won’t soon forget the votes of the 12 Republican senators who cast aside an essential right in a bill that will weaponize the federal government against believers of nearly every major religion.” Gregory Baylor, senior counsel with Alliance for Defending Freedom, also said the law is “unnecessary and could have a disastrous effect on religious freedom. While proponents of the bill claim that it simply codifies the 2015 Obergefell decision, in reality, it is an intentional attack on the religious freedom of millions of Americans with sincerely held beliefs about marriage.” It also “threatens religious freedom and the institution of marriage” by codifying a “false definition of marriage in the American legal fabric,” ADF argues. It also “opens the door to federal recognition of polygamous relationships, jeopardizes the tax-exempt status of nonprofits that exercise their belief that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, and endangers faith-based social-service organizations by threatening litigation and liability risk if they follow their views on marriage when working with the government.” Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Report: Alabama public charter school enrollment is on the rise
Charter school enrollment in Alabama is on the rise, a new report shows. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released its report, “Changing Course: Public School Enrollment Shifts During the Pandemic,” which details the shift in enrollment to charter schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report shows enrollment shifts to charter schools was slow at first in Alabama but sped up during the pandemic. Alabama enacted a charter school law in 2015, and the first schools didn’t open until 2017. While enrollment was slow as new schools opened, the state saw a significant uptick in enrollment through the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight public charter schools opened in 2021 and 2022, the report shows, and have the ability to educate 4,100 students when full enrollment is reached. A message to the state’s Department of Education seeking information on the number of charter schools currently in operation and student enrollment was not returned. The report shows that charter schools are predominantly serving the Black community as a great number of the schools were providing in-person instruction where traditional public schools were not. The Magic City Acceptance Academy provides a “culturally affirming educational environment” where students are urged to embrace education, attain individual success, and take ownership in their future. Despite having a smaller charter school sector, the release said, Alabama has a higher number of innovative school models, featuring one school with a focus on aviation and aerospace. Another charter school provides a service-oriented model, and another features project-based learning. An earlier report from the organization showed that across the nation, there was an increase of 240,000 students enrolled in charter schools during the pandemic. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Hyundai announces new Georgia plant’s $1B parts supplier
South Korean automaker Hyundai has announced a second large supplier for its new electric car plant on the Georgia coast. Hyundai Mobis plans to invest nearly $1 billion in a new facility in Bryan County that could employ around 1,500 workers, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a news release. The plant in Richmond Hill will make powertrains for Hyundai’s electric vehicles manufactured at its new plant scheduled to open in 2025 about 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of Savannah, as well as components for a Kia plant in West Point and another Hyundai plant in Montgomery, Alabama, officials said. Earlier this month, the governor announced that Joon Georgia would invest $317 million and hire 630 workers for a Hyundai parts plant in Statesboro. “When we celebrated the groundbreaking of Hyundai’s new electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facility in Bryan County, we knew it would unleash transformational job creation and investment in that entire region of our state,” Kemp said in a statement this week. In October, Kemp was in Bryan County for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hyundai plant, which the company projects will make up to 300,000 vehicles a year. Georgia officials say it’s the largest economic development project the state has ever seen. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
