State Senate leader files plan to check Medicaid, prison spending
Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh has introduced a plan to address what he sees as the deeper issue in the current budget dilemma: growth in state spending on Medicaid and corrections. Late last week, Marsh filed Senate Bill 476 to limit the Alabama Medicaid Agency to no more than 10 percent Alabama’s total discretionary spending and to keep funding for the Alabama Department of Corrections below 5.5 percent. According to a Yellowhammer News report, Medicaid now accounts for about 9 percent of Alabama’s appropriations and corrections makes up 5.1 percent. Marsh told Yellowhammer News that he brought the bill because of his concerns over how the two programs have expanded in recent years. Here’s a quote from that interview: “Because of the budget situation, we have been forced to take a deep dive into the issues with the General Fund and look at ways to make deliverable changes in the way we spend taxpayer money,” Marsh said. “This bill gives both Medicaid and corrections room to grow from their current allocation but caps the amount so we can begin to control spending within those two programs.” Appropriations for both programs come from the state general fund: the Alabama Medicaid Agency absorbs about 35 percent of the general fund and corrections accounts for another 20 percent. However, Alabama’s healthiest revenue streams – personal income and sales taxes – are earmarked for the Education Trust Fund, not the general fund. The governor has cited lack of revenue in the general fund as the basis for his plan to increase taxes by $541 million. So far, lawmakers have failed to come to consensus on how to address the shortfall.
Time runs short as lawmakers look for budget solution
Lawmakers are running short on time and options as they seek a solution to the projected General Fund shortfall for next year. There are eight meeting days left in the 2015 legislative session. Lawmakers agree they need to work together. They haven’t agreed on a solution. “We really just need to sit down and come up with ideas. Right now, it’s kind of been everybody coming up with their own ideas,” House Speaker Mike Hubbard said. “We’ve got to work together over the next few days.” The Alabama House of Representatives will vote Tuesday on a stripped down $1.6 billion budget that cuts about $200 million from state agencies. Gov. Robert Bentley has called the spending plan “irresponsible” and one that would “hurt people.” Legislators have so far rejected Bentley’s call for $541 million in taxes. House Republicans at one point threw their support to a much smaller $150 million revenue plan that was anchored by a 25-cent per-pack tax increase on cigarettes. House support crumbled after Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh predicted senators would not go along with the plan, Republicans said. “We’ll see what the body thinks when they actually see the budget. We’ll have to make some decisions,” Marsh said. Marsh said so far lawmakers aren’t hearing calls from people urging revenue over cuts. That could change as the budget gets closer to being finalized, he said. “But then again we might not hear anything,” Marsh said. Behind-the-scenes talks are continuing on the budget. Marsh and Hubbard have scheduled a joint press conference for Monday to discuss the budget. A Special Session on the budget this summer is looking likely, key legislators said. The 2015 Legislative Session by law must conclude by June 15. Bentley has vowed to veto any budget with deep cuts to agencies and threatened to call lawmakers back into Special Session multiple times if needed. Here’s a look at the status of some other issues before Alabama lawmakers in the final days of the legislative session. Payday loans A House committee has approved new restrictions on payday loans that short-term lenders can offer to consumers in need of quick cash, but the bill has yet to get a floor vote. A bill by Trussville Republican Rep. Danny Garrett would give borrowers more time to repay a loan, taking the window from 14 days to six months. He said that would reduce the effective annual interest rate from more than 456 percent to 36 percent. Garrett said the loans “trap borrowers in a debt cycle” as people renew the loan, or take out new ones when they can’t pay off the first. Payday store owners oppose the bill, arguing that it will drive most stores out of business. Gambling A lottery-and-casino bill has cleared a Senate committee, but faces long odds. The bill would authorize, if lawmakers and voters agree, a state lottery and casinos at four state dog tracks. Hubbard said he doesn’t think there is support in either legislative chamber for the gambling bill. However, Marsh, the bill’s sponsor, said he thinks many legislators and voters would prefer legalized gambling to taxes and budget cuts. Because a lottery and casinos would have to be approved by voters, gambling revenue would not be available when the fiscal year begins Oct. 1. Gay marriage Alabama lawmakers introduced a number of bills in anticipation that the U.S. Supreme Court later this year could legalize gay marriage nationwide. A House-passed bill would give legal protections to judges and ministers who refuse, for religious reasons, to marry certain couples. However, an amendment on the bill in Senate committee adds that the refusals can’t violate the U.S. Constitution. A House committee has approved a bill that would allow private adoption agencies to turn away gay couples on religious grounds. The bill is largely seen as an effort to protect church-affiliated children’s homes from losing their state licenses and state contracts. A Senate committee has approved another bill to do away with state-issued marriage licenses. Neither bill has gotten a floor vote. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Bill would cut Board of Education from charter school plan
The Alabama State Board of Education, having already suffered a sapping of power this legislative session, could soon be cut from confirming the state’s new charter school commission. Republican champions of charter schools are striking back this week after the state school board on Wednesday refused to confirm a list of nominations for a new charter school commission. The state commission would be designated with hearing appeals of charter school applications rejected on the local level. Board members said they didn’t have enough time to thoroughly vet the list of candidates, saying they felt the process was a set-up. “I thought it was ridiculous,” said Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston. “Those members had the information over a week. If they had taken the time to go through it they would have been prepared for the meeting.” Marsh, who sponsored the Senate bill to create charter schools, said delaying confirmations was “irresponsible.” He threatened to take action if the board didn’t act quickly. “I have a bill on my desk that goes to an appointed school board, which I personally would like to see,” he said. “I would like to be very selective and make sure we choose people with proper backgrounds. I’m not saying that these people don’t have it, but when action takes place like what took place the other day it makes me wonder.” Republicans finally passed charter school legislation earlier this session after making it a priority for several years. The day after the board’s meeting, Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, introduced a new bill that would allow nominees to forego board confirmation. The governor, lieutenant governor, Senate president pro tem and speaker of the House each nominate charter school commission members. The bill will be up for a vote in the House Education Policy Committee on Tuesday. Members of the Board of Education said they feel they are under attack more this session than in the past. Other bills this session already have taken away major responsibilities from the state school board. Gov. Robert Bentley signed a bill removing the state’s two-year college system from BOE oversight. Another bill, which died in a Senate committee, would have created term limits for the board’s elected members but would have raised their pay. “In 15 years, we’ve never had such intrusion into the operations of the board until this legislative session,” board member Ella Bell said. “So I just have to take it as their plan to control every process.” House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, said the legislature and the governor tried including the school board in the process by allowing them to appoint members. “Some of the school board members have chosen to ignore their responsibilities under the law in an attempt block classroom innovation and keep thousands of students trapped in underperforming schools offering subpar educations,” he said. “These members are giving their personal prejudices and egos priority over the futures of a generation of public school students.” Board member Stephanie Bell said it would have been difficult to decide the best options without interviewing candidates. Bell said she’s fine with not being included in the process. “I don’t think they really cared,” she said. “Ultimately, I think the goal was to put us in a position where we could be blamed for rejecting names, and when a problem surfaces, with the approval of a charter that had been turned down at the local level, the question will be asked ‘who appointed this group?’” Betty Peters, another board member, also said she is fine with not confirming nominees. “I think that was the correct approach in the beginning,” she said. “Because how in the world would we be considered the appropriate people to just flip a coin and say, ‘I’ll take A or B. Next one. I’ll take A or B’?” Reprinted with permission from the Associated Press.
House tax plan: Not looking good for Speaker Mike Hubbard
There’s no telling what’s going to happen day to day here in Montgomery. As for passing a long list of taxes on everything from lubrication oils, business fees, car tax fees and rental car fees among other, it looks like its going to take a team of first responders to resuscitate that plan. That’s not to say it won’t happen. There’s a lot of bullying and strong arming happening from those who want everyone to fall in line. From what I’m hearing after good guys have rallied together they stopped the tax package being pushed by House leadership from coming for a vote. For now. The fact is the back room deals that benefit few and raise taxes for nearly everyone wasn’t a smart way to go about this. Members, and I’m crediting a lot of new ones, remember all too well being on the campaign trail not that long ago promising voters that they would not raise taxes. Alabama Today has heard that the only tax still in play right now on the house side is the cigarette tax. This is a pretty fluid discussion so we’ll let you know if anything changes or we get any additional information and report back.
Promises have been made; will they be broken?
Campaign slogans are a promise to voters. How many will be broken this session? We’re coming to a critical juncture of the Session. This is the time where if we were living out a movie the tempo of the music would pick up and we’d see fast action shots of the heroes and the villains readying for battle. Will the members of the House GOP go along with the Caucus bill, which will raise taxes or will they hold out? It looks like we won’t have to wait long to find out. Prior to session starting, speaker Mike Hubbard said, “Our goal is to resolve the state’s fiscal crisis while remaining true to the conservative beliefs and principles that the majority of Alabamians share.” I don’t think you have to be a rocket scientist to know how the majority of Alabamians would feel about title fees on automobiles going up. Although you may get a mixed reactions from the general public on increased rental car fees or cigarette taxes, the vast majority of conservatives (myself included) will tell you that taxes and fees are not the best solution when other solutions are still possible and in this case they are. In a legislative body that largely ran against tax increases, what will the members do about those being floated by the House GOP? I guess we will see. The Alabama House GOP website highlights the state motto “We dare defend our rights,” with a section noting “as taxpayers.” Will the members of the House cave and increase taxes we shall soon see, or will they dare defend our rights?
Lawmakers say department shouldn’t tax digital transmission
Alabama legislative leaders are asking the Department of Revenue to cancel its plan to tax digital streaming services in the state. Lawmakers in April sent a letter to Revenue Commissioner Julie Magee asking her department to withdraw its plan to tax video and audio services such as Netflix and Pandora. The letter was signed by several members of the Legislature including Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh. The rule would require companies to pay a 4 percent rental tax on all sales. A copy of the letter obtained by The Associated Press says new taxes should be approved by the legislature. Revenue officials have said the tax is not a new tax but only an update to existing tax code. Republished with permission of The Associated Press. Photo Credit: AP file photo
Clayton Turner: Encouraging young conservatives to get involved in Young Republicans
Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, Senate leaders, and Attorney General Luther Strange are just a few of the elected officials who will be on hand to meet young conservatives at the upcoming convention in Birmingham. Why would these influential state leaders come see us? Because we are the future of the nation and the future of the party. Many involved in our organization are already contributing greatly to the state. The Young Republican Federation of Alabama (YRFA) is composed of Republicans, age 18 to 40, from across the state and we are looking for those with a passion for the Republican Party to join as members and leaders. Now is the time, as we come into what is sure to be a key presidential year and right as our state leaders begin to take on a budget crisis and tough policy decisions. We have three goals, support and grow conservative candidates and push for conservative policies. Our functions include networking opportunities and the opportunity to just enjoy time with friends who you share fundamental beliefs and a passion for politics. I encourage all young conservatives to check out our website and consider joining. Our membership is composed of individuals from 11 individual clubs, and include elected officials, political consultants, Montgomery staffers, businessmen and women, young families, college students, and excited individuals from across the state wanting to get more involved in the political process. This is an opportunity for those who are new to the field to build relationships with those who have been around for decades and for seasoned professionals to discover new talent, rediscover the passion of politics, and to develop friendships that go beyond politics. Every two years, the YRFA hosts a convention where we handle the executive business of a large organization all the while hearing from various political leaders from across Alabama. This year, the YRFA Convention will be hosted by the Greater Birmingham Young Republicans (GBYRs) in Birmingham’s new “Uptown!” district with events Friday night at a Birmingham Barons game. Among the highlights of the convention is that the YRFA will be joined by Alabama’s Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard at the Barons’ game. Hubbard will throw out the first pitch for the game, and there will be food, drinks, and seats available for attendees and, of course, a chance to speak to and hear from Hubbard while watching America’s game. On Saturday, events kick off at the Westin with a legislative update from Hubbard and a yet-to-be determined Senate leader. This will be a great opportunity for attendees to hear from the leaders of Alabama’s legislative bodies on happenings within the Legislature and how Young Republicans can be involved and make a difference for our state. The YRFA business portion of the meeting will then commence with the election of new officers, the discussion and adoption of bylaws, platform, and resolutions. Whether members of the YRFA or not, attendees will have a great chance to see the values of the YRFA members solidified into a platform and the discussion about the next two years’ activities and plans. By joining us at this, the ground level, you can shape the direction of our party in the upcoming elections and make a role and a name for yourself. Candidates for Young Republican National Federation (YRNF) positions will also be afforded an opportunity to speak to the membership and discuss their vision for the YRNF. Fellow YRFA member and former officer Darius Foster, the choice of the YR Unite team for political director, will be on hand and will speak to his fellow YRFA members as well. During the luncheon, Attorney General Strange will address attendees on his ongoing work for Alabamians. Strange has repeatedly joined with attorneys general from across the country to fight the Obama overreach into our states so we are excited to welcome him as well. Convention is a great time for new or prospective members to join in for fellowship and an opportunity to meet members from across the state and learn more about individual clubs and the YRFA. Those interested in attending should RSVP on Facebook and contact YRFA Chairman Clayton Turner for more information. Clayton Turner is chairman of the Young Republican Federation of Alabama, a member of the Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee, a Jefferson County Republican Party district chairman and the assistant secretary for the Young Republican National Federation.
Fight over legislative districts returns to district court
The fight over Alabama’s legislative districts is shifting back to Montgomery after a divided U.S. Supreme Court said a lower court must take another look at whether GOP lawmakers relied too heavily on race when they drew new district lines. James U. Blacksher, a lawyer for the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus, which filed the lawsuit against the plan, said they will fight to have the legislative districts redrawn after the case officially gets back to federal court next week. The caucus this past week presented a map of proposed new lines, which Blacksher said should be a starting point for negotiations. “Ultimately we are going to have to have another election,” Democratic Sen. Rodger Smitherman of Birmingham said. “It’s going to be difficult, if not impossible, to do what the court said without having new elections.” The Alabama Democratic Conference and the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus had challenged the lines that were the drawn in 2012 under the newly elected GOP legislative majority. The U.S. Supreme Court last month reversed a lower court ruling that upheld the plan, saying the court did not properly consider complaints that state officials illegally packed black voters into too few voting districts. Justices said the lower court should have looked at claims of racial gerrymandering on a district-by-district level, not just statewide. The Supreme Court majority also said Alabama took a position of prioritizing racial targets when drawing districts. Instead of asking how it could maintain the minority percentages in districts, justices said, the court should have asked what percentages the minority should have to elect their candidate of choice. “The issue now will be whether the plaintiffs proved any of these districts were drawn predominantly on race,” Alabama Solicitor General Andrew Brasher, who handles appellate litigation for the state. Brasher predicted that the map would ultimately be upheld. “The district court said there are a lot of other reasons to draw the lines that way.” Republicans said their plans complied with the voting rights law by preserving all the districts in which blacks were a majority and adjusting populations so that districts contained about the same number of people. The new plan allowed only a 2 percent population difference between districts, a much lower variance than previous plans. Black lawmakers said the new lines resulted in the “stacking and packing” of black voters into designated minority districts, limiting minority voters’ ability to influence elections elsewhere. Justices put a spotlight on Senate District 26, a district that includes most of the majority-black neighborhoods in Montgomery. “Of the 15,785 individuals that the new redistricting laws added to the population of District 26, just 36 were white — a remarkable feat given the local demographics,” justices wrote. The Supreme Court majority, in its opinion, said, “There is strong, perhaps overwhelming, evidence that race did predominate as a factor when the legislature drew the boundaries of Senate District 26.” “It was so obvious and so blatant what happened,” said Quinton Ross, the senator from Senate District 26. Plaintiffs said the doubt raised by justices over that specific district is a strong indicator that they will prevail on remand. “There will be a big ripple effect,” Blacksher said. “The problems they identified in Senate District 26 are identical to those in the other districts.” GOP legislative leaders said they think their map will ultimately be upheld. “I’m confident at the end of the day, district lines are going to stay like they are,” said Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, an Auburn Republican. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Tea Party group calls on Speaker Mike Hubbard to resign
A conservative political activist group called the Rainy Day Patriots are calling on House Speaker Mike Hubbard to resign his office, citing concerns about the Republican lawmaker’s ability to operate independently of influence stemming from his business interests and influential friends. Among other challenges to his ethics record, Hubbard was indicted back in October 14 on 23 counts of using his public office for personal gain. So far, no charges have been filed. But that fact was clearly cold comfort to the Tea Party-oriented organization, who called for Hubbard to step down “effective immediately.” “…It is obvious that Speaker Hubbard has shown a long-term pattern of operating the Alabama House of Representatives for his own benefit. It is clear by his own admissions that he used or attempted to use, his speakership for the benefit of hisprivate business interests, the Business Council of Alabama and other associates,” an announcement issued on March 2 reads. The announcement referred to charges brought against Hubbard by prosecuting attorneys W. Van Morris and Matt Hart – appointed by the state attorney’s office to investigate the matter – who point to email conversations between Hubbard’s office and political allies seeking to do office business with the State of Alabama. “With the legislative session only days away it is imperative that the residents of Alabama have confidence in the leadership of the House of Representatives,” the release continued. “It would be impossible for any reasonable person to read the exhibits presented as supporting evidence in the indictments and to conclude that Speaker Hubbard should continue to hold his leadership position.” An article in the Montgomery Advertiser also mentions that during his time as chair of the Alabama GOP Hubbard wielded his influence in order to secure printing contracts for an Auburn-based firm called Craftmasters, in which Hubbard has a direct financial stake.
A rundown of state legislative races to watch on Election Day
Election Day is almost upon us, with a number of Alabama Senate and House races hanging in the balance. Several incumbents are in threatened seats, but precisely which ones in trouble are open to debate. Republican leaders have their theories, while Democrats are a little less forthcoming on their opinions. After talking with both GOP and Democratic state leaders, Jim Stinson of AL.com began to see a pattern emerge of which races both parties will carefully watch as results come in on Tuesday. It’s not as if the GOP majority in the House and Senate is in any danger. Republican House Speaker Mike Hubbard tells Stinson that the “supermajority” of GOP lawmakers since 2010 will remain. Nevertheless, Alabama Democrats, with the powerful Alabama Education Association, is looking to chip away at the GOP supermajority. Alabama Democratic chair Nancy Worley, believes there are some “very close races” on the Party radar. Turnout will certainly help Democrats in those races. One issue for Democrats is Hubbard’s Oct. 20 indictment, which he calls a “political witch hunt.” In a statement on Friday, Hubbard said the GOP will be aggressively pursuing the supermajorities on Tuesday, connecting the Alabama Democrats to the policies of President Barack Obama. Some groups are starting to run ads against the GOP, with hidden connections to liberal third-party groups. Races to watch on Tuesday include: Democratic targets: House District 7, where Republican state Rep. Ken Johnson faces Democratic former state Rep. Jody Letson, in the district that covers Lawrence and Winston counties. House District 89, where Republican state Rep. Alan C. Boothe once again faces Democrat Joel Williams, for the region covering parts of Dale and Pike counties. Boothe, a Democrat at the time, beat Williams in the 1998 primary. GOP targets: House District 16, where Democratic state Rep. Daniel Boman faces Republican Kyle South in the seat covering parts of Fayette, Lamar and Tuscaloosa counties. In 2011, Boman switched parties. House District 23, withState Rep. John Robinson facing Republican James Hanes Jr. in the district covering Jackson County. Senate District 1, covering parts of Colbert and Lauderdale counties currently held by the retiring Democratic state Tammy Irons. Democrat Mike Curtis and Republican Tim Melson are facing off. Senate District 22, covering parts of Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, and Washington counties, held by Democratic state Sen. Mark Keahey, who is retiring. Facing off there are Democrat Susan Smith and Republican Greg Albritton. Hubbard acknowledged TV ads and mailers are out in Lee County District 79 blasting his opponent, Democrat Shirley Scott-Harris. Democrats are focusing on Senate president pro tempore Del Marsh in District 12, which covers Calhoun, Clay and Talladega Counties. Democrat Taylor Stewart is on the ballot there.
