Daniel Sutter: Are we getting richer or poorer?
Economists debate whether typical Americans are better off now than fifty years ago. The debate concerns the reliability of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Cost of Thriving Index (COTI) from American Compass and Oren Cass think tank contends that middle-class prosperity is becoming unaffordable for American families. Mr. Cass gained attention with the publication of The Once and Future Worker. He voices the frustration of many conservatives with free markets, particularly emphasizing how markets leave many Americans without jobs capable of supporting families. The dollar loses value with inflation, making dollar amounts not comparable over time. Economists adjust dollar values using the CPI, yielding “real” as opposed to nominal values. Between 1985 and 2022, the CPI increased 142% and men’s median earnings 145%, leaving real income basically unchanged. The term “thriving” is deliberately chosen, as the COTI measures the cost of a changing “middle-class” life. By contrast, the CPI tries to measure the cost of the same items – a typical market basket – at different times. Mr. Cass contends that being middle class in 2022 does not mean having the same things as in 1985. The cost index has five components: food, housing, health care, transportation, and education. The COTI compares the dollar value of income and costs in each year and reports the weeks of work at the median wage needed to afford the middle-class life. The COTI stood at 39.7 weeks in 1985 versus 62.1 weeks in 2022. (The cost and weekly earnings were $17,500 and $443 in 1985 against $75,700 and $1,219 in 2022.) Similar results hold for women’s earnings or earnings by education attainment. In his book Mr. Cass argues that “without access to work that can support them, families struggle to remain intact or to form in the first place, and communities cannot help but dissolve; without stable families and communities, economic opportunity vanishes.” This is an important consideration. Families transmit values in society, which is why progressives seek to undermine the family. Men with low earnings are less likely to marry, and their marriages tend not to last. Remember that these are averages, and do not deny that happy family with Mr. Mom. Competition from imports has devastated many American industrial towns. Free market economists often argue for unrestricted imports and government assistance for those losing their jobs. Mr. Cass points out, though, that a life on the dole ensures family disintegration. Mr. Cass further points to regulation in the offshoring of manufacturing. When high labor costs drive jobs overseas, this is efficient since highly valued and paid American workers can take other jobs. This is not the case when regulations increase the cost of manufacturing here. Free trade evades regulations but devastates communities. Does the COTI prove that middle-class living has become unaffordable? Economists Scott Winship and Jeremy Horpendahl challenge this claim for the American Enterprise Institute. They criticize the measurement of some costs and consider quality improvements. The healthcare component uses the full cost of employer-provided health insurance, including costs paid directly by the employer, but does not add this to earnings. Although this might seem to cancel in comparisons over time, the cost of healthcare has risen much faster than inflation, biasing the measure. Education uses in-state tuition for public universities. But very few students pay the full tuition price; net tuition, or tuition minus any institution-granted scholarships, better measures cost. Sticker price tuition has increased significantly faster than net tuition, overstating the cost increase. Winship and Horpendahl further address quality improvements, a major source of economists’ concern over CPI accuracy. Expenditures today purchase bigger houses, more reliable cars, and better medicine. They estimate that a properly measured COTI has increased by four weeks since 1985, not 22. Oren Cass rightly focuses attention on the economic requirements of strong families. The debate over whether American families are better off now than a generation ago is vital. Economists’ difficulty conclusively answering this question is telling, as I doubt there was disagreement in 1922 about whether families were doing better than in 1885! Daniel Sutter is the Charles G. Koch Professor of Economics with the Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy at Troy University and host of Econversations on TrojanVision. The opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Troy University.
Terri Sewell to commemorate 10th anniversary of landmark Shelby County versus Holder ruling
Congresswoman Terri Sewell will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the landmark Shelby County vs. Holder Supreme Court decision with two events on Tuesday and Wednesday. On June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that the controversial preclearance section 5 of the Voting Rights Act was archaic and no longer legally enforceable, upsetting many in the civil rights community, including Rep. Sewell. “Exactly 10 years ago, the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in its disastrous Shelby County vs. Holder decision, unleashing a wave of voting restrictions across the nation,” Rep. Sewell said Sunday on Facebook. Sewell is the author and lead sponsor of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. If passed, the bill would restore the requirement that southern states receive preclearance from the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division before legislatures can pass changes to their voting rules or decennial redistricting. The federal courts have recently found Alabama in violation of the remaining intact provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with its congressional redistricting in the Allen vs. Milligan decision. Congresswoman Sewell will be joined by retired federal Judge U.W. Clemon, State Senator Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham), State Senator Merika Coleman (D-Birmingham), Miles College President Bobbie Knight, Fairfield Mayor Eddie Penny, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, and Birmingham Times Executive Editor Barnett Wright for a panel discussion on the Supreme Court’s Allen v. Milligan Decision on Tuesday at Miles College. Sewell will be joined on Wednesday by President & CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Maya Wiley, former U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-Alabama), the President & General Counsel of MALDEF Thomas A. Saenz, the Associate Director-Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) Tona Boyd, Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund (NARF) Jacqueline De Leon, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute President & CEO DeJuana Thompson, the executive director of Alabama Forward Evan Milligan, the Co-Founder & Executive Director of Black Voters Matter Cliff Albright, the Vice President of Census & Voting Programs for Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) Terry A. Minnis, the Co-Director of the Voting Rights Project for Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Marcia Johnson, and the Alabama Policy Director for the Southern Poverty Law Center Jerome Dees. The group will hold a symposium, “Shelby County a Decade Later: The Path Forward in Our Ongoing Fight for the Right to Vote,” at the historic 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham on Wednesday. Sewell is the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Administration Subcommittee on Elections. Sewell is in her seventh term representing Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Gary Palmer introduces bill to allow states to require proof of citizenship for voter registration
On Friday, Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL06) reintroduced the Citizen Ballot Protection Act to promote election security. The legislation would allow states to require proof of citizenship for voters by amending the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). “Restoring faith in the ability to conduct free and fair elections in this country begins with cleaning up voter rolls and requiring proof of citizenship to prevent illegally cast ballots from swaying elections,” said Rep. Palmer. “I introduced the Citizen Ballot Protection Act because Americans deserve to know their elections are secure. It is common sense that states should be able to require proof of citizenship to ensure only citizens are voting in their elections. Unfortunately, a 2013 Supreme Court ruling prevents states from requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. This bill will fix the problem by amending the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to give states the ability to verify the citizenship status of their voters when they register.” Cosponsors of the Citizen Ballot Protection Act include Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-North Carolina), Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Georgia), Rep. Randy K. Weber (R-Texas), Rep. Clay Higgins (R-Louisiana), Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-South Carolina), Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Rep. Mike Bost (R-Illinois), and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Arizona). Palmer previously introduced this legislation in 2022. Palmer is concerned about the growing push to let non-citizens vote, especially in some liberal states where non-citizens are allowed to register. New York City even approved legislation allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections. That legislation was ruled unconstitutional by the New York Supreme Court. Many states are adding proof of citizenship requirements to strengthen voter roll integrity before someone can register to vote. However, this protection does not extend to voters that register through the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) federal mail voter registration application form. This federal form is used to register to vote in federal elections, and the information collected by the form is listed in the NVRA. Because proof of citizenship is not listed as an option to add to the form, in Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, the Supreme Court held a state requirement to show proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections violates the NVRA. Without the proof of citizenship requirement, individuals must only attest under penalty of perjury that they are citizens. The Citizen Ballot Protection Act would amend the National Voter Registration Act to clarify that a state may impose a proof of citizenship requirement to register to vote in a federal election. The bill does not force states to require proof of citizenship but instead respects and upholds the role of states in administering federal elections. It merely gives states the option to add more security to their voter registration process. It helps states with proof of citizenship requirements streamline their registration process so that both their version of the federal mail voter registration form and the state’s regular voter registration form can have the same review process. State modifications to the federal mail voter registration form are reviewed by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The EAC and courts have begun interpreting the prohibition of notarized or other formal authentications as justification for denying states the ability to require documentary proof of citizenship with the federal mail voter registration form. In 2021, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that a previous 2016 EAC approval for Alabama, Georgia, and Kansas to include proof of citizenship violated the Administrative Procedures Act. The 10th Circuit issued a ruling in 2014 upholding EAC’s original rejection of Arizona and Kansas’ request that the federal form include documentary proof of citizenship. Gary Palmer is serving in his fifth term representing Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Birmingham producer/director Jonathan Barbee receives four Telly awards
Birmingham-based producer/director Jonathan Barbee announced that he and the Barbee Media Group had been awarded two silver Telly awards and two bronze Telly awards for their work on behalf of two Republican political campaigns during the 2022 elections in Alabama. Barbee received these awards for political commercials and a biography he produced during the 2022 election cycle for State Auditor candidate Andrew Sorell and Gubernatorial candidate Lindy Blanchard. The categories were: Best Craft – Directing, Best Craft – Cinematography, Best Biography, and Best regional commercial. “The Telly Awards are a symbol of excellence in production, and I am deeply honored to have received these awards,” said Barbee. “I want to thank my parents, friends, and my wife, Joanne, for their support and encouragement throughout the years. I also have a great team at Barbee Media Group and couldn’t do great things without them.” Barbee posted on Facebook, “4 Telly Awards! I’m so thankful and blessed. I have wonderful parents, family, friends, and amazing support from my loving wife, Joanne. 💕God is Good!” Barbee made his comments Thursday evening at a reception at The Club in Birmingham. Barbee is the CEO of Barbee Media Group. He has 25 years of experience in the film, television, and marketing industries. The Sorrell ads helped Sorrell, who had served just one term as a state representative representing the northwest, to win the highly competitive Republican primary and then steamroll his Libertarian opponent in the 2022 general election. Blanchard was a complete political newcomer in 2022, but her ads helped vault her into statewide name recognition and a second-place finish despite a crowded field. Blanchard ultimately fell short to incumbent Governor Kay Ivey, but no incumbent Alabama governor has lost their party’s primary since 1970 when then Governor Albert Brewer narrowly was defeated in the Democratic primary by former Governor George Wallace. “We currently have a national TV show in production, a statewide weekly show, various video projects, Livestream productions, and videography for the Miss Alabama program,” said Barbee. “Our clients believe in us, and we deliver amazing results for them. The proof is in the Telly, so to speak.” Barbee is a former elected Jefferson County Constable and a former Republican candidate for the Alabama Public Service Commission. Since 1979 the Telly Awards have recognized excellence in video and television across all screens. They are judged by esteemed leaders from renowned organizations such as Adobe, BBC World Service, Netflix, and National Geographic Society. With a record-breaking number of entries—nearly 13,000—from around the globe, the 44th Annual Telly Awards was highly competitive, featuring submissions from top content producers such as Disney, Netflix, and Paramount. The Tellys are judged by the Telly Awards Judging Council, an esteemed panel of over 200 leading experts representing advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks. The competition celebrates the diverse and dynamic nature of the multiscreen industry. This year’s winners include some of the most prominent global brands and companies alongside smaller and independent production houses, including Cut+Run, Netflix, Disney Parks, Media.Monks, Paramount, National Geographic Society, and the dynastic NBA team, the Golden State Warriors. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
CJ Pearson: Poison Pill PBM Amendment shouldn’t be added to Insulin Cap Bill
The Senate’s long-awaited movement on the critical issue of insulin affordability marks a pivotal step forward for patients. However, lawmakers must thoroughly scrutinize the additional healthcare measures that may be included in the bill. Specifically, the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act, currently under consideration, has the potential to exacerbate the very problem the insulin measure seeks to solve by driving up drug prices across the board. Proposed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, this provision, if enacted, would burden Alabama families with skyrocketing drug costs, undermining the bill’s objective of making essential medications more affordable. Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville are rightly working to address insulin prices, given that the state has the fifth-highest percentage of adults with diabetes, with roughly half a million patients in the state ready to benefit from a cap on insulin prices. But adding the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act to the overall package will do more harm than good, and I urge our senators to firmly oppose the inclusion of this act. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) serve as a crucial pillar of our healthcare system, saving Americans an average of over $1,000 per year on prescription drug costs. Operating as private sector negotiators, they hold pharmaceutical companies accountable and effectively drive down prices through strategic measures such as rebates, specialty pharmacies, and mail-order services, among others. By leveraging their extensive networks, PBMs negotiate to provide employers and insurers with a variety of coverage choices and flexibility, which translates into more affordable and quality prescription coverage for patients. This means that individuals can enjoy the benefits of affordable medications while health plans can allocate their resources more efficiently, creating a win-win situation for all. Without the negotiating power of PBMs, Americans will be left at the mercy of Big Pharma’s relentless mission to increase profits. Alabamians cannot afford to jeopardize the hard-won cost savings and consumer choice that PBMs provide. Equally concerning, this legislation would reduce employer flexibilities, which would have dire consequences. The Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act will not only lead to skyrocketing pharmaceutical prices but also pave the way for increased government interference in healthcare – a long-time goal of Sen. Sanders. Such proposals further regulating PBMs will give the government increased control over the healthcare system. This heavy-handed approach jeopardizes individual liberty, free market competition, and choice, undermining the foundations of our healthcare system. While the Senate’s focus on insulin affordability is crucial—an issue Sens. Britt and Tuberville made a priority in the upper chamber—they must also assess the negative impact of the addition of the PBM legislation. This amendment could prove to be a poison pill. By avoiding hasty decisions and taking a thoughtful and measured approach, we can achieve meaningful and sustainable healthcare reform that benefits all Americans. It is crucial for Congress to recognize the invaluable role that PBMs play in driving down prices, preserving consumer choice, and ensuring affordable healthcare for all. Otherwise, Alabama patients will find themselves paying more for life-saving medication. CJ Pearson is a conservative activist and University of Alabama graduate.
Personnel Update: Daniel Urquhart to serve as the new Secretary of OIT for the state of Alabama
On Friday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) announced that she has appointed Daniel Urquhart as the new Secretary of the Alabama Office of Information Technology (OIT). Urquhart replaces Secretary Marty Redden, who is set to retire after 16 years of dedicated service to the state of Alabama. “The state of Alabama is fortunate to have someone as uniquely qualified as Daniel Urquhart step up to lead OIT,” said Gov. Ivey. “Daniel brings a wealth of high-level experience that I have no doubt will lead to even greater technological advancements and protections for the state of Alabama. He has big shoes to fill, but I have no doubt that he will hit the ground running and be an excellent addition to Team Ivey.” Secretary Urquhart has served the state of Alabama for more than two decades. Prior to his appointment, Secretary Urquhart served as OIT’s deputy secretary, where he was responsible for managing the state network and telephone systems, cybersecurity operations, and administration of the email environment used by Executive Branch agencies, boards, and commissions. Secretary Urquhart also spent 18 years with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency in various management roles. “I am deeply honored that Governor Ivey has offered me the opportunity to serve on her cabinet and lead the Office of Information Technology,” said Secretary Urquhart.” Secretary Redden has done a tremendous job with the agency during his tenure, and I plan to build on the success and vision of his leadership. OIT is anchored by a highly-skilled, technical workforce, and I am humbled to work with such dedicated people who provide services to state agencies, commissions, boards, and the citizens of Alabama.” Ivey thanked Redden for his many years of service to our state. “For the last 16 years, Secretary Redden has played an integral role in implementing technology advancements and protecting the systems state government relies on to serve our people,” said Gov. Ivey. “During his time in the Ivey Administration, he has been someone I can always rely on to get the job done. I appreciate his service to our great state and wish him nothing but the best in his well-earned retirement.” Redden assumed the duties of OIT Secretary after being appointed by Governor Ivey in July 2019. Before his appointment, Redden spent three decades in various information technology positions in the public and private sectors, 20 of which were in management. “It has been a great honor to be part of Governor Ivey’s cabinet,” said Sec. Redden. “The four years I have been secretary, Governor Ivey has consistently worked to make state government more efficient and accountable to the taxpayers. My goal from day one was to leave the agency in better condition than when I arrived, and I’m proud to have positioned the Office of Information Technology to continue to meet the technology challenges of the future.” Urquhart’s appointment is effective July 1, 2023. Ivey has served over six years as Governor of the State of Alabama. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Ex-Alabama basketball player Darius Miles seeks dismissal of capital murder charges
An Alabama judge has granted a former Alabama basketball player accused of capital murder a hearing to decide whether charges in the case will be dismissed. Attorneys for Darius Miles on Wednesday filed a motion for immunity, asking Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge Daniel Pruet to dismiss capital murder charges on the grounds of self-defense, news outlets reported. Miles is accused in the January 15 shooting death of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris, of Birmingham. Miles “respectfully requests that the Court, upon hearing the evidence, find (him) immune from prosecution” and the case against him dismissed, according to a filing from his attorney, Mary Turner, on Wednesday. Pruet granted Miles’ request for an immunity hearing, which is set for August 21. Miles, 21, and Michael Davis are both charged in connection to Harris’ death. Davis, 20, has sought youthful offender status, and since then, court files for Davis have been sealed. The outcome of that request was not clear as of Friday morning, al.com reported. Pruet denied bond for Miles in May, saying the issue will be revisited at a later date. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Alabama’s tax revenues are up slightly over last May
Alabama’s tax revenues, both for May and the year to date, are up more than 2.5% over the same period last year according to data from the state Department of Revenue. The report for May showed $1.54 billion in tax revenues, up 2.63% from May 2022 ($1.5 billion). Year-to-date collections added up to $11.27 billion, or a 2.68% increase from 2022 ($10.98 billion). Sales tax revenues dipped slightly in May compared to the same time last year ($267.5 million from $273.6 million, a drop of 2.23%), but are up for the year to date ($2.14 billion compared to $2.05 billion in 2022, an increase of 4.3%). Corporate income taxes were a big gainer compared to May 2022. Collections are $48.3 million compared to $41.4 million, an increase of 16.65%. For the year to date, the state collected $829.4 million compared to $719.7 million (15.4% gain). Individual income taxes were up in May compared to the same time last year, as the state collected $882 million compared to $854.9 million last year, an increase of 3.21%. Income tax collections for the year to date are down 1.63%, going from $4.81 billion in 2022 to $4.73 billion. Gasoline tax collections for May were largely static compared to the same period last year. This May, the Department of Revenue took in $58.4 million in gas tax revenue compared to nearly $58 million in May 2022, an increase of 0.71%. Gas tax revenue for the year to date totaled $454.9 million, compared to $453.7 million in 2022, a gain of 0.26%. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
