Bryan Taylor receives endorsements from veteran GOP district attorneys
Former State Senator Bryan Taylor (R) announced on Tuesday endorsements from three Republican prosecutors. David Barber and Brandon Falls, both former DAs for Jefferson County, as well as Randall Houston, former DA for Autauga, Elmore, and Chilton Counties, have endorsed Taylor’s campaign for Chief Justice. “I’ve known him for over a decade, and I can say without a doubt that there is no better Republican candidate for Chief Justice than Bryan Taylor,” said Barber. Barber served more than 23 years as Jefferson County’s District Attorney. “Bryan Taylor is a former prosecutor, a conservative stalwart, and a principled believer in the rule of law,” Barber added. “I’m proud to support Bryan Taylor for Chief Justice because I’m witness to his tireless work ethic, his conservative philosophy, and his devotion to upholding the law and the Constitution as written.” Brandon Falls succeeded Barber as Jefferson County DA in 2008 and served over eight years in that role. “Bryan Taylor is fearless, and that’s the kind of Chief Justice we need right now,” Falls said. “I support Bryan because Alabama deserves a Chief Justice who understands the job and the needs of prosecutors, who has been in the trenches, and who has a record of holding criminals accountable under the law.” Randall Houston served 32 years as the DA for the 19th Judicial Circuit, which covers Autauga, Elmore, and Chilton Counties. Taylor represented Houston’s community when Taylor served in the Alabama State Senate from 2010 to 2014. “I know Bryan Taylor is a stalwart supporter of law enforcement and an unrelenting advocate for crime victims,” Houston said. “Whenever we came to him with a need—for more resources or for strengthening the law—district attorneys could always count on Bryan Taylor to get it right,” Houston added. “He has a profound respect for the Separation of Powers and will faithfully apply the law as written and not legislate from the bench.” Houston recalled that as a state senator, after a series of three tragic deaths caused by drunk boaters on Alabama lakes, Taylor strengthened the law, allowing DAs to seek the same felony penalties for homicides caused by drunk boating that apply to vehicular DUI homicides. He said Taylor also advanced legislation increasing compensation for victims of violent crime. As Governor Kay Ivey’s chief legal advisor from 2017 to 2019, Taylor spearheaded the governor’s investigation and overhaul of the state’s Pardons and Paroles Board after Jimmy O’Neal Spencer committed a triple homicide in Guntersville while on parole under the Board’s supervision. Taylor is an Iraq War veteran and former military prosecutor. As a state senator, he spearheaded passage of the state’s first Uniform Code of Military Justice. Taylor also introduced legislation to crack down on the state’s illegal casinos after casino owners were federally prosecuted for bribery. That made him a lot of enemies in Montgomery. Illegal gambling bosses continue to operate at least 30 illegal gambling operations in open defiance of the Alabama Constitution and state law by making large campaign contributions to politicians from both political parties, including judges, sheriffs, and legislators. Taylor also played a major role in writing and enacting sweeping reforms to strengthen the state’s ethics laws, including a bill to make it a crime for public officials to accept lavish gifts, meals, or junkets from lobbyists. There is an ongoing effort underway to weaken those 2010 ethics laws. Taylor is a founding member of the law firm of Bachus Brom & Taylor, with a concentration in appellate and constitutional law, election law, business law, and civil litigation. Taylor lives in Shelby County with his three children, where they attend Double Oak Community Church. Current Chief Justice Tom Parker (R) is prevented from running for another term because of Alabama’s archaic age limits on judges. Associate Justice Sara Stewart (R) has also qualified to run for Chief Justice. Greg Griffin has qualified to run as a Democrat for Chief Justice. The major party primaries are on March 5. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Robert Aderholt salutes Kay Granger after announcing she will not seek reelection
On Wednesday, House Appropriations Committee Chair Kay Granger (R-Texas) announced that after thirty years of Congress, she would not seek reelection. Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL04), who has served 27 years in Congress with Granger saluted her on her retirement. “We are all sad to see the news that Kay will be leaving Congress,” said Rep. Aderholt. “Kay has not only been a dedicated advocate for her constituents back in Texas, she has also been a champion of fiscal responsibility, both as a member of the House Appropriations Committee and ultimately as its leader,” said Congressman Robert Aderholt. “Kay and I were elected the same year, and over the years she has been a fighter, a great leader on the Appropriations Committee, and she has been a friend.” Aderholt wrote on X, “I’ve have enjoyed so much serving alongside @RepKayGranger She has not only been a dedicated advocate for her constituents back in Texas, she has also been a champion of fiscal responsibility, both as a member of the House Appropriations Committee and ultimately as its leader.” Suppose the House Republican Conference continues to follow its historical preference to seniority rules. In that case, there is a strong likelihood that Aderholt would be considered to follow Granger as Chair of the Appropriations Committee – assuming Republicans can somehow hold on to their slim majority in the House of Representatives in next year’s election. “Kay’s shoes will not be easily filled,” Aderholt said. “But in borrowing directly from her retirement announcement, I’m confident that our party is ready to choose, at the appropriate time, a new appropriations leader ‘to step up and take the mantle and be a strong and fierce representative for the people.’ Of course, for right now, I look forward to working with Chair Granger over the next year as we finish this year’s appropriations process and begin work on Fiscal Year 2025.” Democrats control the U.S. Senate. Republicans control the U.S. House of Representatives. Neither have passed a 2024 budget, even though the deadline was September 30. The federal government is currently operating on a 45-day continuing resolution that expires in two weeks – and still, neither House has passed a budget. “The American people have made it clear they are tired of funding the operations of the federal government through unending continuing resolutions,” Aderholt said. “They want the 12 appropriations bills to be brought to the floor for an up or down vote. And they want those bills to reflect the fact we are more than $33 trillion dollars in debt.” “Kay has made great progress in changing that culture, and it will be up to the next leader of the House Appropriations Committee to continue those reforms,” Aderholt concluded. “As newly elected Speaker Johnson said last week, the People’s House is back in business, but I know he doesn’t want it to be business as usual. I wholeheartedly agree. When the time comes, and our Conference gives thought to who they want to take up the mantle of House Appropriations, I will be considering, and most certainly praying, about how I could use my talents and experience to advance our party’s message and goals, which is ultimately about making this nation strong again, respected again, and of course fiscally responsible again.” Robert Aderholt has served the people of Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District. He is seeking a fourteenth term next year. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Rep. Jerry Carl supports failed effort to censure Rashida Tlaib for alleged antisemitism
On Wednesday, a group of Congressional Republicans came to the aid of embattled Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan) to block an effort to censure her over alleged antisemitic comments. Congressman Jerry Carl (R-AL01) had supported the effort to censure Tlaib. “Congress must condemn antisemitism and stand with Israel,” Rep. Carl said on Twitter. “Rep. Rashida Tlaib proudly stands with Hamas terrorists over Israel. She uses her platform to spread antisemitism and pro-Hamas propaganda, which is absolutely disgraceful.” The War between Israel and Hamas has led to tension between Jewish Americans and Palestinian Americans. Tlaib has been sharply critical of Israel and has defended the Palestinian position. Her parents immigrated from Palestine. Some Republicans went so far as to suggest that she condoned the Hamas attacks on Israelis that left 1,300 dead – many of them women and children. The censure resolution was brought by Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. 23 Republicans joined the Democrats to vote in favor of a procedural motion that blocked the disciplinary resolution from even reaching the floor. The final tally was 222 to 186. 13 Democrats abstained. Greene’s censure resolution accused Tlaib of “leading an insurrection” for her participation in an anti-war protest last month at the Capitol. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) voted to table the legislation. “Rep. Rashida Tlaib has repeatedly made outrageous remarks toward Israel and the Jewish people. Her conduct is unbecoming of a member of Congress and certainly worthy of condemnation – if not censure. However, tonight’s feckless resolution to censure Tlaib was deeply flawed and made legally and factually unverified claims, including the claim of leading an ‘insurrection,’” Roy wrote on X. “I voted to table the resolution. In January 2021, the legal term insurrection was stretched and abused by many following the events at the Capitol. We should not continue to perpetuate claims of ‘insurrection’ at the Capitol and we should not abuse the term now.” Tlaib has accused Israel of war crimes in its response to the Hamas attacks. Palestinian authorities claim that Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have killed thousands of civilians. Tlaib has condemned the violence but has accused Israel of creating “apartheid” conditions in Gaza and committing genocide against Palestinians. Tlaib denounced Greene’s resolution. “Marjorie Taylor Greene’s unhinged resolution is deeply Islamophobic and attacks peaceful Jewish anti-war advocates,” Tlaib said. “I am proud to stand in solidarity with Jewish peace advocates calling for a ceasefire and an end to the violence. I will not be bullied, I will not be dehumanized, and I will not be silenced. I will continue to call for ceasefire, for the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid, for the release of hostages and those arbitrarily detained, and for every American to be brought home. I will continue to work for a just and lasting peace that upholds the human rights and dignity of all people, and ensures that no person, no child has to suffer or live in fear of violence.” That such a large number of the GOP caucus failed to support such a public measure is an indicator that much of the division and petty rivalries within the GOP Caucus that dominated the month of October are still not over. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s (R-Louisiana) lack of leadership experience in the body may have also played a factor in Wednesday’s events. Carl is serving in his second term in Congress. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com
Gov. Kay Ivey announces special election dates for Senate District 9
On Wednesday, Governor Kay Ivey signed a proclamation setting special election dates for Alabama Senate District 9. This seat was previously held for the last 13 years by Sen Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville), who resigned Monday to take a position as the Vice President of the powerful Business Council of Alabama (BCA). Governor Ivey set the special primary election for Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and the special primary runoff, if necessary, for Tuesday, February 6, 2024. The special general election is set for Tuesday, April 23, 2024. “Majority Leader Scofield has been a strong voice for the people of Senate District 9 for more than 13 years, and I have no doubt that he will continue to serve our state well in his next chapter,” said Gov. Ivey. “Clay and I have worked together both while I served as lieutenant governor and now as governor. Certainly, I can attest for all he has done for the people in North Alabama and Alabamians all across our state. I encourage everyone in this district to get out and vote during this special election and send another strong voice to Montgomery.” Gov. Ivey set a very short qualifying period of just seven days for this special election. The deadline for qualifying with major political parties will be Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. The deadline for all independent candidates and minor parties to submit their paperwork, including ballot access petitions, is Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Senate District 9 represents portions of Blount, Madison, and Marshall Counties. State Representative Brock Colvin (R-Guntersville) has already announced his intention to run for this position, as has State Representative Wes Kitchens (R-Boaz). At least three other candidates are reportedly strongly considering running for this open state Senate seat. On Monday, the GOP state senators elected Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) to replace Scofield as Senate Majority Leader. The Alabama Senate pays $53,913 a year and is a part-time position. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Paul DeMarco: Next year’s elections in 2024 should see an increase in Alabama voter turnout
This past week, there were two special elections in Alabama to elect new members of the Alabama House of Representatives. Considering that there are only 105 state representatives in our state, these were important elections for the state as well as for these two districts and their constituents. Thus, it was disappointing that the turnout rate for voters in these two elections was under 10 percent. Unfortunately, it is not surprising to see the lack of turnout for elections outside of the presidential primaries and general elections, as we will see in 2024. Yet, potential voters should appreciate that in a low-turnout election, their vote becomes even more important. In addition, Alabama State Representatives hold a powerful role in our state, and thus, who holds these seats are important to them. Hopefully, we will see a more engaged electorate in the future to ensure we elect the best and brightest to hold public office in Alabama. With 2024 being a presidential year, Alabama voters will likely show up in higher proportions than in other years, as past elections have shown. There is a difference in this year’s election in that the Alabama GOP changed its rules, and presidential delegates will no longer be selected by the Alabama voters. Rather, the state party executive committee will choose the delegates who will attend the Republican Party Convention next summer. Alabama voters will still go to the polls to select their nominee for each party. With all of the turmoil in Washington, D.C., you can bet there will be an even larger turnout next year than normal. In addition, there will be plenty of candidates on the ballot for voters to consider, including those running for the Alabama Public Service Commission, State Board of Education, state judges, and circuit clerks. Plus, all of the United States Congressional seats in Alabama are open, and there will be a number of contested elections, including a newly created district. Qualifying ends on Friday, November 10th. Thus, there will be a lot to watch for the next couple of weeks as candidates start their campaigns in earnest for the upcoming elections. So get ready for the marathon run-up to the spring party primaries and general elections in the fall of 2024. Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and can be found on X (formerly Twitter) at @Paul_DeMarco.
Brock Colvin announces campaign for State Senate, District 9
Republican Representative Brock Colvin announced today that he is seeking election to represent District 9 in the Alabama Senate. District 9 Senator Clay Scofield resigned from the Senate on Monday to accept a role with the Business Council of Alabama (BCA). Covin wrote on X, “Friends, after much prayer and overwhelming encouragement and support from our community, I am announcing my candidacy for Senate District 9 in the upcoming special election.” The 5th generation Marshall Countian is a graduate of Albertville High School, attended Snead Community College in Boaz where he played baseball, and is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a double major in Finance and Economics. He has worked in the insurance industry and is currently working for Ameriprise Financial as a financial planner. “Senator Clay Scofield has been an excellent public servant for District 9 and specifically Marshall County,” Colvin said. “I believe I am qualified to continue building upon the conservative groundwork he has laid and will always work hard for the people of Northeast Alabama.” “I have proudly stood with our farmers to protect property rights and our small businesses to ensure Alabama is a great place to work and raise a family,” Colvin added. “I have supported the expansion of rural broadband, and I have stood up against needless taxes and unnecessary government expansion. I am a pro-life, pro-second amendment conservative, and I am grateful to the people of House District 26 for entrusting me to represent them in Montgomery.” Colvin was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2022 and has quickly been recognized as one of its most conservative and independent members. “I will always protect the rights of the voters,” Colvin stated. “I believe parents should have a say in what is being taught in our schools. I will always stand up to the woke liberal left as they try to force biological born males into female bathrooms. This is Alabama. We will never stand for that type of ideology.” Colvin is a member of the Rotary Club of Albertville and a member of the Albertville and Boaz Chambers of Commerce. Senate District 9 currently includes Marshall County and portions of Blount and Madison Counties.
Alabama Department of Education wants to boost literacy in later grades
Jemma Stephenson, Alabama Reflector Having spent years focusing on reading skills for early elementary school students, the Alabama State Board of Education is seeking funds to boost literacy after third grade. The State Board of Education on Oct. 12 approved a budget request for “struggling readers beyond grade 3” for $22 million. Last year, the Board had requested $3 million but did not receive any funding for the program. State Superintendent Eric Mackey said during the September work session that the earlier program had been a small one for a small number of students. The rest of the board members wanted to see something larger. The $22 million would go to professional training for teachers. Mackey said in a phone interview they’ve heard from superintendents that they want an equivalent professional development for teaching literacy for teachers from fourth to sixth grade, like kindergarten through third grade under the Literacy Act. “Some of them are already doing it but this would give us a chance to really expand that,” he said. The Alabama Literacy Act, passed In 2019, aimed to get all students reading on grade level by the end of third grade and boost overall literacy scores in the state. The bill provides funding for teaching training and reading coaches to ensure students master reading. Students that are not reading at grade level by the end of third grade could be held back a year. At the September work session, Mackey said that the department need funding for readers beyond third grade because the law states that Alabama Reading Initiative funds cannot be used beyond that point. But students don’t stop struggling with reading after third grade. Vicky Askew, a reading specialist with Tallapoosa County Schools, said that continuing reading instruction past the third grade is important. She said that some students in her system are getting reading intervention in fourth and fifth grade, if they have enough instructors who work with at-risk students in learning literacy. “I feel like they need it because we can’t just say, ‘Oh, they’re in fourth grade: Good luck,’” she said. House Ways and Means Education chair Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, said he was not familiar with the specific request in the board’s budget, but he supports literacy. “Reading is a priority for the Department of Education and also for the Legislature,” he said. Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, the chair of the House Education Policy committee and the sponsor of the Literacy Act, said Tuesday she has not looked into what exactly the board is asking for, but she said she was happy to hear about the request. “I think that we will see a large group in summer school this year which is one of the ways to go ahead and move towards promotion, which is what we want for all of the students but we want to make sure that they’re reading,” she said. Collins said that having teachers know how to teach the science of reading, a body of research about learning literacy, is a good thing. In the National Assessment of Education Progress, or the “nation’s report card,” scores released in 2022, Alabama improved relative to many other states due to learning loss in other states. Alabama’s own scores were relatively stagnant and remained below average. NAEP proficiency is not equivalent to Alabama grade level. Mackey told the Montgomery Advertiser in 2022 that the department had been focused on elementary grade level scores for a while, and middle school had not received as much attention. Mackey said this funding is part of a focus on the middle school years. He said the Numeracy Act, which focuses on math improvement, looks at grades kindergarten through eighth grade. The Literacy Act, he said, also discusses intermediate years. “It’s just that it’s not funded, so we’re asking for some funding,” he said. The education budget is first reviewed by the governor, who will make a funding request to the Legislature when the Legislature returns for its regular session in February. Mackey said he doesn’t know what the grand total for the Education Trust Fund will be. He said that their roughly $6.2 billion request, which is just for kindergarten through twelfth grade, is probably more than will be allotted. Higher education funding also comes from the Education Trust Fund but is not included in the department’s request. Later, he said, the department will work with executive offices on a real budget number to identify priorities and how funding is allocated. Mackey said their role is identifying needs in schools, not balancing the budget. “So we’ve identified needs, and we’ve asked for a lot,” he said. Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Follow Alabama Reflector on Facebook and Twitter.
