Robert Bentley to announce creation of Alabama Council on Opioid Misuse and Addiction
As the opioid crisis continues to grow in Alabama, Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday will sign an executive order creating the Alabama Council on Opioid Misuse and Addiction. According to Bentley’s office, the Council will study the state’s current opioid crisis and identify a set of strategies to reduce opioid-related deaths in Alabama. In Alabama, 723 people died in 2014 of drug overdoses, up from 598 in 2013. The use of opioid pain relievers such as OxyContin, Percocet, and Lortab has been especially prevalent in the Yellowhammer State. Throughout 2016 Bentley has been hard a work signing several bill into law to fight drug abuse and in particular, opioid abuse. Most recently, in September, the Governor announced the state joined a National Governors Association learning lab to help combat the ongoing epidemic. Through the learning lab, Alabama will build on existing efforts by developing and implementing strategic action plans for reducing overdoses and deaths related to heroin and fentanyl.
Steve Flowers: Alabama political stories that flew under the radar in 2016
While the presidential race played out this year, several things happened in Alabama politics that went under the radar. First, a federal appeals court upheld the legislature’s banning PAC to PAC transfers. The new Republican legislative majority that marched into the Statehouse in 2011 set out to destroy and bury the last bastion of Democratic power in the state – the once omnipotent Alabama Education Association. They succeeded. One of the legs they sawed off was the PAC to PAC money laundering scheme that AEA so adroitly used to funnel and hide their campaign contributions. The primary beneficiary of the AEA transfer was to Joe Reed’s Alabama Democratic Conference. The three-judge panel’s ruling does not limit the amount of money that the ADC can raise, it just disallows the AEA from transferring money to their sister organization. The AEA/ADC coalition was not the only group using this PAC to PAC shell game of hiding campaign contributions. The practice was pervasive. However, the ADC was the one that sued to say that the PAC to PAC prohibition was unconstitutional because it banned free speech and due process. Attorney General Luther Strange praised the ruling saying “the PAC to PAC transfer ban has been instrumental in limiting campaign corruption while adding greater transparency to the election process.” This federal court ruling has hammered an additional final nail in the coffin of the once vaunted AEA. In early October, the U.S. Justice Department launched a statewide investigation into the safety and sanitary conditions of Alabama’s men’s prisons. It has been common knowledge that Alabama’s prisons are overcrowded. It is probably a foregone conclusion that there is a very real possibility that the federal courts may intervene and take over control of our prisons. The state already settled a suit with the Department of Justice over problems with the Julia Tutwiler women’s prison in Wetumpka arising out of allegations of physical and sexual violence. This settlement occurred about a year ago. The Justice Department is now saying that the same problems exist in the men’s prisons. The DOJ investigation may very well be the precursor to federal intervention. The prison problem will have to be front and center when the legislature convenes in February. State Senator Cam Ward of Shelby County, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and has been at the forefront of the prison issue, says, “At the end of the day you have to change the facilities to some degree not just for the safety of inmates but for the safety of those who work there.” Alabama’s prisons were at 178 percent capacity in July. This severe overcrowding is the primary contributing factor to violence in prisons. There have been six homicides at the St. Clair Correctional facility between 2011 and 2014. There have been riots at Holman prison in Atmore. The Bibb and Bessemer correctional facilities have seen numerous allegations of physical and sexual abuse. All three U.S. Attorneys in the State have tacitly agreed with the Justice Department investigation. The Governor’s Advisory Council on gambling is meeting and will formulate a plan of action to propose to the legislature when they convene in February. This seven-member advisory panel will examine the entire gambling gambit. Hopefully, this council will promulgate a plan of action for gambling in Alabama. This issue of gambling has plagued the state for decades. In fact, it has existed since the state’s founding. Gambling revenue is probably the state’s largest potential revenue source. Our state is losing millions of dollars to our surrounding states. Hopefully, this council will look at all aspects of gambling including the lottery, how to extract some money from the Poarch Creek Indian casino monopoly, and also allowing the locally sanctioned facilities in Greene, Macon and Lowndes counties to exist and pay some state taxes. The council should have a recommendation to give the legislature by Jan. 31, 2017, in time for the legislative session in February. The race for our open U.S. Senate seat is beginning to percolate. Candidates will be wise to avoid the interim appointment to the seat by Gov. Robert Bentley. The early favorites to win election to the seat are Attorney General Luther Strange and Congressman Robert Aderholt. A host of viable candidates will enter the fray. See you next week. ••• Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state Legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Robert Bentley sets special election for District 58 House seat
Governor Robert Bentley announced on Monday there will be a special election to fill the vacant District 58 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives. According to the special election timeline finalized Monday, if a primary election is needed for Jefferson County’s House District 58 seat, party members will cast their votes Tuesday,Feb. 28, 2017 and the General Election will follow on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, according to a news release from the governor’s office. If a primary runoff is needed, it will take place May 16, 2017 and the special general election will be Aug. 1, 2017. “This timeline gives candidates time to qualify, allows voters time to learn about candidates, and allows time for those who are unable to vote in-person to arrange to vote by absentee ballot,” Bentley said. “Representative Robinson is to be commended for his 18 years of dedication and service to the people of District 58.” Major party candidates will have to qualify with their respective parties byDec. 27, 2016 by 5:00 p.m.The two major political parties are to certify their qualified candidates to the Secretary of State by no later than 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016. Third-party and independent candidates have to file the necessary paperwork with the Alabama Secretary of State by February 28, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. The seat was previously held by Oliver Robinson, who served in House District 58 in Birmingham for the past 18 years. Last Wednesday, Robinson announced his immediate retirement in order to allow his daughter to take a position in the Governor’s office and avoid a conflict of interest.
Robert Bentley fast-tracks $37.2M to assist low-income families with energy costs
Governor Robert Bentley on Friday announced he will fast-track $37.2 million in grants to help low-income families cover home energy bills. The Governor has moved the grants forward for immediate distribution due to the recent storms across the state. The grants will enable 22 community action agencies throughout the Yellowhammer State to provide temporary emergency assistance with electric and gas bills and priority assistance will be given to the elderly, people with disabilities and families with young children. “High home heating bills during the winter can be very challenging for low-income families or elderly residents living on very limited budgets,” Bentley said. “These grants will continue to provide needed assistance to residents with the greatest need.” The community action agencies, counties served and grant amounts are listed below: Community Action Partnership of Huntsville/Madison and Limestone Counties Inc. (Madison and Limestone) – $2,313,683 Community Service Programs of West Alabama Inc. (Bibb, Choctaw, Fayette, Greene, Lamar, Tuscaloosa and Sumter) – $3,331,190 Walker County Community Action Agency Inc. (Walker) – $629,320 Pickens County Community Action Committee and Community Development Corp. Inc. (Pickens) – $287,068 Organized Community Action Program Inc. (Bullock, Butler, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Lowndes and Pike) – $2,331,889 Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama Inc. (Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale) – $1,100,014 Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama Inc. (Blount, Cherokee, DeKalb, Jackson, Marshall and St. Clair) – $3,048,685 Community Action Partnership of North Alabama Inc. (Cullman, Lawrence and Morgan) – $1,799,536 Montgomery Community Action Agency (Montgomery) – $2,019,137 Mobile Community Action Inc. (Mobile and Washington) – $3,836,929 Marion-Winston Counties Community Action Committee Inc. (Marion and Winston) – $588,062 Macon-Russell Community Action Agency Inc. (Macon and Russell) – $858,631 Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity (Jefferson) – $3,337,594 Southeast Alabama Community Action Partnership, Inc. (Barbour, Coffee, Geneva, Henry and Houston) – $1,900,283 Hale Empowerment and Revitalization Organization Inc. (Hale) – $361,343 Community Action of Etowah County Inc. (Etowah) – $864,701 Community Action Agency of Central Alabama (Autauga, Dallas, Elmore and Perry) – $1,713,112 Eleventh Area of Alabama Opportunity Action Committee Inc. (Chilton and Shelby) – $950,616 Community Action Committee Inc. of Chambers-Tallapoosa-Coosa (Chambers, Coosa and Tallapoosa) – $862,929 Community Action Agency of South Alabama (Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Marengo, Monroe and Wilcox) – $2,416,195 Alabama Council on Human Relations Inc. (Lee) – $1,137,444 Community Action Agency of Talladega, Clay, Randolph, Calhoun, and Cleburne Counties (Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Randolph and Talladega) – $1,499,982 Interested families should apply through their local action agency, who will have more information on who is eligible for this assistance. Eligibility is based on income, family size and available resources. If applications are approved, payments are made directly to the utility companies on behalf of residents.
Robert Bentley tours deadly tornado damage in north Alabama
Storm crews began surveying damage from tornadoes that ripped through the state early Tuesday, killing three people and destroying homes, churches and businesses. Gov. Robert Bentley toured damage in north Alabama on Thursday morning. Bentley said he was thankful the death toll wasn’t higher as he toured obliterated homes and a daycare center. The National Weather Service said at least four tornados hit the state early Wednesday morning. Three people were killed and one person critically injured in an Alabama mobile home after an apparent EF-3 twister hit the tiny town of Rosalie in Jackson County. Jackson County Emergency Management Director Mike Ashburn said 20 homes, businesses and churches were destroyed in that county and another 46 were damaged. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Robert Bentley awards $2.4 million grants to help fight homelessness
Gov. Robert Bentley on Thursday awarded $2.4 million in federal grants to 12 local governments and community agencies across the state to help homeless Alabamians find immediate housing and to assist others who are in danger of becoming homeless. The grants are awarded through the Emergency Solutions Grant program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will support programs that provide shelter, legal and health services and money-management education for families and individuals who are without a residence. The National Alliance Against Homelessness says the vast majority of homeless individuals and families fall into homelessness after a housing or personal crisis. These grants aim to provide services necessary to help these persons at-risk of homelessness or homeless quickly regain stability in permanent housing. They can also help families with costs associated with moving to a new apartment or home including utility deposits and rental deposits. “Nearly everyone encounters hard times at some point in their lives, some more severe than others,” Bentley empathized. “This program helps prevent homelessness by giving a helping hand at a time of critical need.” The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grants to the selected recipients state-wide. “Through this program, many who find themselves homeless or on the verge of becoming homeless can take important first steps back toward independent living,” ADECA Director Jim Byard Jr. said. “This federal-state-local partnership provides essential aid to help Alabama families find housing and get back on their feet.” Grant recipients will administer the funds at the local level and assess the needs of individuals who wish to be considered for assistance. Local case managers screen applicants for program eligibility. An individual or family requesting assistance can contact their local agency directly or may receive a referral to the program by a local shelter. Below is a list of each amount awarded, the name of the grant recipient and the areas served: $300,000 to YWCA of Central Alabama (domestic violence victims in Blount, Jefferson and St. Clair counties) $300,000 to Montgomery Area Coalition for the Homeless (Autauga, Bullock, Elmore, Lowndes and Montgomery counties) $300,000 to Housing First Inc. (Baldwin and Mobile counties) $204,150 to the city of Florence (Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion and Winston counties) $204,150 to Alabama Rural Coalition for the Homeless (Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Clay, Cleburne, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Cullman, Dale, Dallas, Escambia, Fayette, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Lamar, Lee, Macon, Marengo, Marshall, Monroe, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Walker, Washington and Wilcox counties) $200,000 to the city of Birmingham (Birmingham) $200,000 to the city of Tuscaloosa (Tuscaloosa County) $200,000 to the city of Huntsville (Huntsville) $200,000 to Penelope House (city of Mobile) $200,000 to the Shelby County Commission (Shelby County) $60,000 to Mobile Area Interfaith Conference (inmates being released from Mobile County Metro Jail) $18,500 to the Marshall County Commission (Marshall County)
Online effort: Draft Perry O. Hooper Jr. for US Senate
With Sen. Jeff Sessions‘s appointment to U.S. Attorney General by President-elect Donald Trump, Alabamians are scrambling to make a case for themselves, and others, to fill the impending vacant seat in the U.S. Senate. One of the more compelling names making the rounds is Montgomery-native Perry O. Hooper Jr. Son of Hooper. Sr — who was the first Republican Chief Justice elected to the Alabama Supreme Court — Perry O., as he’s affectionately called, has deep roots in the Republican Party and conservatives across the state have taken notice. A petition is circulating the internet urging Gov. Robert Bentley to appoint Perry O. to the U.S. Senate should Sessions be confirmed. “The people of the great state of Alabama need a powerful voice to fight for us in Washington. Perry ‘O’ Hooper Jr. is that voice,” the petition reads. “He will be consistent with the Trump agenda and uphold the Constitution while serving the people of Alabama. Perry O. is also THE only one with the relationship with President-elect Trump necessary to bring jobs, infrastructure, and prosperity back to Alabama.” A former member of the Alabama House of Representatives, Perry O. served for 19 years and was twice nominated as the “Most Outstanding Member of the House of Representatives.” Most recently, he served as the Alabama Co-chairman for the Trump campaign and the Alabama Chairman of the Trump Victory fund. Whether or not Perry O. will make Bentley’s list remains to be seen.
Jim Zeigler: Follow-up questions to Gov. Robert Bentley
A reporter for WSFA-TV news asked Gov. Robert Bentley a simple, straight-forward question. Bentley’s reply was a Vesuvian eruption. Newsman Michael Doudna asked if Bentley were going to re-hire Rebekah Mason, former senior policy adviser and alleged girlfriend of Bentley. That simple question set off Bentley with his tirade about why the reporter was interested in that topic and Bentley’s allegation (incorrect) that the public is not interested in it “as long as I am serving them.” Who says Bentley is serving the public? Later, the governor’s press office put out a written statement that Bentley will not be re-hiring Rebekah Mason. Here are some follow-up questions that I hope the media will ask Bentley. These are just some of the questions I would have asked him myself if he had shown up at an interrogation I called. In April, I attempted to use a never-before-used section of Alabama law to summon Gov. Bentley to the State Auditor’s office to answer questions under oath. I had several series of questions prepared. He did not show up. Here is part of what I would have asked him – under oath – if he had shown up: Gov. Bentley, is Mrs. Rebekah Mason still advising you? When is the last time she came to the governor’s office in the state capitol? How many times and when has Mrs. Mason come to the governor’s office since she resigned as your senior policy adviser? What were the topics of each meeting? Is it true Mrs. Mason is using the “Wallace Tunnel” to enter and leave the governor’s office? (This is the entrance which Gov. George Wallace used as governor when he was confined to a wheelchair, variously called “Wallace entrance” or “Wallace elevator.”) Is it true that Mrs. Mason is communicating with you by phone? List the number of phone calls between you and Mrs. Mason since her resignation and the topics of each? Is it true that Mrs. Mason is communicating with you by e-mail, text message and other electronic medium? List the number of communications between you and Mrs. Mason since her resignation and the topics of each. Is it true that you have been meeting with Mrs. Mason at Wynfield, the former Red Blount mansion (now an additional governor’s mansion)? List the date and time of each such meeting at the Blount mansion and the topics of each. Is it true that Mrs. Mason is advising you on your $800 million prison proposal that almost passed the legislature and that you are preparing to bring back to the legislature? (Follow-up questions here.) Who are the individuals or businesses that Mrs. Mason knows who could be involved in the contracts for the construction of the four mega-prisons? (Numerous follow-up questions here.) How much was Mrs. Mason paid by ACEGOV (the dark money organization)? (Follow-up questions here.) Who were the donors to ACEGOV, how much did they contribute, and when? (Follow-up questions here.) This series of questions to Gov. Bentley is important to the taxpaying public and to the integrity of state government. While the questions and answers would be a fascinating addition to what is already known about the misconduct of the Bentley administration, there is an important and purely substantive need to know. Example: We are about to see a second attempt by Bentley to legislate the largest single contract ever by the state of Alabama – an $800 million essentially no-bid contract for four mega-prisons at sites picked out by Bentley and Mason. Contractors picked out by Bentley and Mason. With the track record of the Bentley administration, we do not need to trust them with this gigantic contract that would indebt the taxpayers of this state for the next 30 years. Follow-up questions about the continuing role of Rebekah Mason are not just tabloid fodder. The answers are vital to the biggest financial issue ever to face Alabama – the $800 million Bentley prison boondoggle. ••• Jim Zeigler has been Alabama’s elected State Auditor since January, 2015. He is a former Public Service Commissioner, attorney for military veterans and senior citizens, and investigative reporter.
Robert Bentley encourages support of Alabama small businesses on Saturday
Tis the season for holiday shopping. From Black Friday to Cyber Monday, retailers across the country are geared up for the busiest shopping weekend of the year. And this year, Governor Robert Bentley is encouraging Alabamians to shop local to support Small Business Saturday. On Monday, Bentley signed a proclamation formally declaring November 26th as Small Business Saturday in Alabama. Already a national initiative, Small Business Saturday is designed to celebrate and support the often-overlooked sector of the economy, encouraging consumers to patronize small, local, brick-and-mortar stores. “Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity for Alabamians to support local businesses on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving,” Bentley said. “Small businesses are the engines of job growth and a vital part of a stimulated economy. By recognizing Small Business Saturday, we can choose to support the small businesses that contribute to our economy and our communities. As we begin the holiday shopping season, I encourage Alabamians to shop at local small businesses throughout Alabama.” According to the latest state profile from the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 382,524 small businesses in Alabama, accounting for 96.7% of Alabama businesses. Small businesses employ 47.7% of the state’s private sector workforce. “Small business represents 99.7 percent of all U.S. employers, and they provide jobs for 58 million Americans,” Rosemary Elebash, State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business chairs theAlabama Small Business Commission and Advisory Committee said. “For many local retail businesses, the holiday shopping season is a make-or-break time, and Americans who want to support their communities and the economy should remember to shop small.”
Robert Bentley asks GOP Committee for Senate appointee names
Gov. Robert Bentley is asking the Alabama Republican Executive Committee to suggest who should replace U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions. The governor sent a request to the 400-plus committee members seeking their input on who he should appoint to fill Sessions’ seat. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Sessions to be his U.S. attorney general. Republican Party Chairwoman Terry Lathan said she is glad the governor is seeking input from Republicans who have helped build the party. She said the decision is ultimately the governor’s. The governor asked committee members to submit names by Dec. 1. A spokeswoman for Bentley said last week the governor’s legal office is researching if an appointed senator would have to run in a quickly called special election or run in 2018. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Jeff Sessions replacement — who will Robert Bentley choose?
Pending acceptance of the position and a Senate confirmation hearing, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions is poised become the United States’ next Attorney General in President-Elect Donald Trump‘s administration. Should that happen, Sessions will leave behind a coveted U.S. Senate seat in the Yellowhammer State. According to Alabama law Gov. Robert Bentley would be tasked with appointing his replacement in the short term and setting a date for a statewide election to fill the vacant Senate seat. Already, names of potential replacements are being thrown around. From Alabama U.S. Rep. Martha Roby and Robert Aderholt, to Ala. Attorney General Luther Strange, to state senators Trip Pittman, Dick Brewbaker and Cam Ward. For a state as red as Alabama, there’s no shortage of conservative names for the Governor to choose from. Leaving only one question — who will he actually select? Bentley gave some insight into what criteria he’s using to make his decision in a Friday-morning statement following Sessions’ job offer. “[Sessions] has served our state and our people with dignity and has been a bright example for conservative values,” said Bentley. “I will choose an appointee who shares those values and will work to further the agenda of President-elect Trump, all while keeping Alabama first in his or her mind. This person must uphold the Constitution, value the rights of the Second Amendment, the rights of the states, support pro-life issues, implement a strong national security policy, and support domestic job creation.” Tell us, who would you like to see Bentley choose? Loading…
Robert Bentley confirms Rebekah Mason not returning to his administration
The Robert Bentley administration has “no plans” to re-hire former top aide Rebekah Caldwell Mason. Bentley spokeswoman Yasamie August made the clarification Thursday following a question from a reporter as to whether or not Mason was returning to the Bentley administration. “She [Mason] has not been rehired by the Bentley Administration since her resignation, and there are no plans to hire her,” August told AL.com via email. Mason resigned following a scandal that stemmed from a recording of sexually charged conversations between Bentley and Mason going public earlier this year.
