Gary Palmer backs EPA ‘overreach’ bill delaying new emissions rules
On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer took part in a dual effort in Congress to stop what he called “overregulation” aimed at delaying the implementation of new rules under the federal Clean Air Act of 1963. Palmer said the regulatory changes were coercive in nature and constitute a de facto regressive tax increase as he argued in favor of the “Ratepayer Protection Act,” which passed the House 287-180 yesterday and now goes before the Senate for a vote. Palmer, who represents Alabama’s 6th congressional district based in the suburbs of Birmingham, offered a scathing critique of the Environmental Protection Agency, whose power to tighten restrictions on energy production as part of new so-called Clean Power Plant requirements is authorized under the Clean Air Act. “The EPA makes a habit out of claiming more authority than it rightfully has, particularly under this Administration,” said Palmer in a news release Wednesday. “The EPA’s proposed ‘Clean Power Plant’ rule is an example of this. This rule would require power plants to reduce emissions by 30% in the next 15 years in order to achieve little to no environmental benefit. According to the NERA, an economic consulting and analysis firm, this proposal would cost between $41 and $73 billion per year. There is a strong possibility this rule will be struck down in court. In the meantime, it could do significant economic damage. “This rule amounts to a massive tax increase on those Americans least able to pay it. The Ratepayer Protection Act would shield states from being forced or coerced into complying with this unwise and possibly illegal rule. I am glad to support this first step toward rolling back EPA’s overregulation.” Palmer is a member of the Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on the Environment. In a meeting of the panel yesterday on Capitol Hill, the first-term Republican inveighed against the EPA’s alleged incursions into the legislative branch and vowed to oppose any measure that would raise the price of domestic energy production. Alabama’s 6th congressional district is tied with Texas’ 13th district as the most Republican-leaning in the nation. Cook Political Report rates it “R +28.”
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to visit Birmingham
Attorney General Loretta Lynch is scheduled to visit Birmingham to discuss strengthening relationships between law enforcement and citizens. The Department of Justice says Lynch will travel to Birmingham on Wednesday and meet new cadets at the city’s police academy, local law enforcement officials and others. Lynch is also scheduled to visit the 16th Street Baptist Church and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Officials say the visit is part of a tour centered on national community policing initiatives and President Barack Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper program. Lynch began the tour in Cincinnati, Ohio and is expected to visit East Haven, Conn., next. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Alabama rough on quality of family life, new study suggests
Of the all the major cities in America in which to raise a family, some of the most populous in the state of Alabama barely crack the top 150 according to a newly released study. And those both ranked near the bottom of the list, with Montgomery ranked 132nd, Mobile No. 145 and Birmingham — often thought to be a paragon of modern Southern livability — coming in at 149. That’s according new survey conducted by WalletHub, an Internet-based financial services company. The study took into account some 30 metrics using both self-reported responses and publicly available data to create a matrix of attributes such as unemployment, local air and water quality, childcare costs, and rates of divorce and separation meant to form a composite view of each city in brief. Huntsville put up a relatively strong showing, registering a No. 107 ranking in the survey, bolstered by high marks in affordability and “socioeconomic environment,” which takes into account things like income inequality and segregation among neighborhoods. Montgomery, for instance, did well according the survey’s health and safety criteria (No. 22), but not as well in education and childcare (No. 141). Huntsville cracked the top 50 in affordability (No. 44) but was dragged by middling scores in the other life quality aspects. Topping the list were a list of locales that might surprise you — Kansas’ Overland Park took top overall honors, followed by Plano, TX; Virginia Beach, VA; Lincoln, NE; Sioux Falls, SD; Madison, WI; and Fremont, CA. Chesapeake, VA, Colorado Springs and Grand Prairie, TX rounded out the top ten. See the full rankings here. The humble rankings come just weeks after voluntary pre-Kindergarten programs in the Yellowhammer State were ranked the nation’s very best, despite nagging issues related to access. As we wrote about last month, national best/worst rankings have largely been hit or miss affairs for Alabama of late.
Memorial Day weekend events happening across Alabama
On Memorial Day, May 25, Americans will honor and remember all of those who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces. In recognition of the holiday’s rich history, Alabama Today put together a list of Memorial Day weekend events occurring across the state: Auburn Bluegrass On The Plains Monday, May 25 6 p.m. Price: tickets start $15 online, $20 at the gate Featuring a long list of performers, arts and crafts, horse-and-carriage rides, along with food and music vendors. For information visit: www.bluegrassontheplains.com. Birmingham Honoring Those Who Have Served Our Country Sunday, May 24 3 p.m. Price: Free The Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation in partnership with the Vulcan District Boy Scouts will honor veterans in the annual Remembrance Ceremony. The Foundation will dedicate StepStones to more than 30 veterans, living and deceased and from many states. Come early to view the Blue Star Salute Foundation’s Memorial Exhibit, “Faces of the Price of Freedom” which shows the faces of Alabama’s fallen heroes since the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. For information visit: www.alabamaveterans.org. Decatur Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Festival Saturday, May 23 through Sunday, May 24 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Price: Free One of the largest free balloon gatherings in the Southeast, featuring more than 60 balloons, balloon races, kite flying, musical entertainment, a car show, food and a children’s area. For information visit: www.alabamajubilee.net. Gulf Shores Memorial Day Tribute Saturday, May 23 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Price: Adults $7.00, Seniors (65 and older) $5.00, Child (ages 6-12) $4.00 Historical interpreters dressed in U.S. Army uniforms from different eras of the forts’ occupation will conduct special guided tours throughout the day. For more information visit: www.fort-morgan.org. Huntsville North Alabama “Down Home” Soul & Blues Festival Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, May 24 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Price: Tickets start at $75 For information visit: here. Montevallo Alabama National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony Monday, May 25 9 a.m. Price: Free Memorial Day observance will include a wreath-laying presentation and cannon salute. For more information visit: www.scalnc.org. A Salute to Our Veterans Monday, May 25 10 a.m. opening; special ceremony from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Price: Free A full day of activities planned, including historical vignettes, musical salutes, re-enactments, games, ceremonies, a Gold Star Salute to the Fallen, and a wreath laying at the Veterans Shrine. For more information visit: here. Montgomery Montgomery Symphony Orchestra’s Jubilee Pops Concert Friday, May 22 7 p.m. Price: Free Pack your picnic basket and cooler and get ready to kick-off Memorial Day weekend on the lawn of the Alabama Department of Archives and History. For information visit: www.montgomerysymphony.org. Tuscaloosa Memorial Day Ceremony Monday, May 25 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Price: Free Presented by the Veterans Memorial Park Association at the Veterans Memorial Park. For information visit www.tuscaloosaveteranspark.org. Have an event you’d like included? Email us here.
Committee to hold public hearing on Del Marsh’s gaming proposal
For those with strong opinions on the proposal to expand gaming and create a state lottery you will not have to wait long to weigh in. The Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee has scheduled a public hearing for 1 p.m. Tuesday to hear the bill, Senate Bill 453. The bills sponsor, Sen. Del Marsh chairs that committee. This bill has received bipartisan support as an effort to bring increase revenue coming into the state without increasing taxes. Birmingham Mayor William Bell joined Marsh at a recent news conference in support of the bill highlighting economic impact. The other gaming proposal on the table is to grant exclusive rights to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The Poarch have reportedly offered the state a one-time payment of $250 million to allow them to keep their monopoly rather than pursue the Marsh plan, which focuses on job creation and increased tax revenues. According to an AP report, Marsh has said he “will ask the committee to vote the same day as the hearing”.
Birmingham Mayor William Bell says gaming would bring thousands of per-hour jobs to city
Birmingham Mayor William Bell traveled to Montgomery today to show his support for Senate leader Del Marsh’s legislation to expand gaming options in Alabama. In a press conference today, Mayor Bell echoed Marsh’s call for a referendum on his gaming proposal. He added that at least half of the 11,000 jobs estimated in an economic impact study on the gaming proposal would go to Birmingham. “That means more wage-an-hour jobs, more earning power and more spending power for a lot of people in that area,” he said. “You would have those dollars turning over into the community, increasing the level of revenue we have at the municipal level to do a lot of the things that we currently do have revenue for.” Mayor Bell told ALToday.com that Marsh’s proposal would mean new construction, revenue, and jobs at Birmingham Race Course, specifically. He also said that added entertainment would make the city – and the state overall – an attractive option for larger conferences and conventions. “It would increase our economic footprint tremendously,” he said. The mayor dismissed concerns that a state lottery and more casino games could have a disparate impact on low-income residents, saying that a strong gaming commission could oversee how the facilities operate. “People are going to gamble,” he said. “I look at the various parking lots where people leave their vehicles to get on buses to go to Mississippi. That is money leaving our state to go to other areas, and we need to find a way to capture those dollars and keep them right here in the state of Alabama.” On Tuesday, Sen. Marsh introduced Senate Bill 453 a bill to establish an Alabama Lottery and authorize Vegas-style gaming in the state’s four existing racetracks. Gov. Robert Bentley has rejected the gambling proposal outright, saying that it would not address current budget concerns. “My legislation doesn’t deal with the immediate problems, but I think it solves the longer term problems,” added Marsh. “None of the other models bring jobs. This is as much about economic development as it is about solving our budget issues.” Marsh said he expected to hold a committee meeting in his legislation sometime next week.
