Email Insights: Donald Trump says Hillary Clinton has failed America’s vets
With no holds barred and in one of his lengthiest campaign emails to date, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump goes for the jugular on his opponent Hillary Clinton’s history with veterans, saying under her “failed leadership, too many of our nation’s finest died waiting to receive medical help from injuries suffered protecting our country.” Lumping Clinton and the Barack Obama administration together, Trump cites several examples of how he believes veterans have been mistreated and ignored the past eight years. Pointing out Clinton’s “refusal to acknowledge the ‘widespread’ and ‘systemic failures’ that exist in our VA is only intensifying the problems.” Read Trump’s entire email below: The Clinton/Obama era has been disastrous for our nation’s veterans. Under their failed leadership, too many of our nation’s finest died waiting to receive medical help from injuries suffered protecting our country. Clinton’s refusal to acknowledge the “widespread” and “systemic failures” that exist in our VA is only intensifying the problems. As Americans we need to demand more from our public officials to serve our heroes as they served us. The Clinton/Obama way of enriching bureaucrats who fail our veterans is wrong. THE VETERANS AFFAIRS SENATE REPORT SHOWS “SYSTEMATIC FAILURES” AT VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTERS In May, A Senate Investigation Revealed Widespread “Systemic Failures” By The Veteran Affairs Inspector General’s Review of the Veteran Affairs Medical Center In Tomah, Wis…” “A Senate investigation of poor health care at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tomah, Wis., found systemic failures in a VA inspector general’s review of the facility that raise questions about the internal watchdog’s ability to ensure adequate health care for veterans nationwide … One of the biggest failures identified by Senate investigators was the inspector general’s decision not to release its investigation report, which concluded two providers at the facility had been prescribing alarming levels of narcotics.” (Donovan Slack, “Senate Investigation finds ‘Systemic’ Failures at VA Watchdog,” USA TODAY , 05/31/16) The Probe Found The VA’s Inspector General “Discounted Key Evidence and Witness Testimony, Needlessly Narrowed Its Inquiry and Has No Standard For Determining Wrongdoing.” “The probe by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee found the inspector general’s office, which is charged with independently investigating VA complaints, discounted key evidence and witness testimony, needlessly narrowed its inquiry and has no standard for determining wrongdoing.” (Donovan Slack, “Senate Investigation finds ‘Systemic’ Failures at VA Watchdog,” USA TODAY , 05/31/16) “One of The Biggest Failures” Was That The VA IG Failed to Release an Investigative Report That Would Have Forced VA Officials to Publicly Address the Excessive Prescription of Narcotics at The Facility. One of the biggest failures identified by Senate investigators was the inspector general’s decision not to release its investigation report, which concluded two providers at the facility had been prescribing alarming levels of narcotics. The facility’s chief of staff at the time was David Houlihan, a physician veterans had nick-named ‘candy man’ because he doled out so many pills. Releasing the report would have forced VA officials to publicly address the issue and ensured follow up by the inspector general to make sure the VA took action. Instead, the inspector general’s office briefed local VA officials and closed the case.” (Donovan Slack, “Senate Investigation finds ‘Systemic’ Failures At VA Watchdog,” USA TODAY , 05/31/16) The Chief of Staff at A VA Facility Was Nick-Named “Candy Man” For Prescribing So Many Pills. “The facility’s chief of staff at the time was David Houlihan, a physician veterans had nick-named ‘candy man’ because he doled out so many pills. Releasing the report would have forced VA officials to publicly address the issue and ensured follow up by the inspector general to make sure the VA took action. Instead, the inspector general’s office briefed local VA officials and closed the case.” (Donovan Slack, “Senate Investigation finds ‘Systemic’ Failures at VA Watchdog,” USA TODAY , 05/31/16) The Investigation Raised Concerns That The VA’s Watchdog Is Able to Ensure “Adequate Health Care For Veterans Nationwide.” “A Senate investigation of poor health care at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tomah, Wis., found systemic failures in a VA inspector general’s review of the facility that raise questions about the internal watchdog’s ability to ensure adequate health care for veterans nationwide.” (Donovan Slack, “Senate Investigation finds ‘Systemic’ Failures at VA Watchdog,” USA TODAY , 05/31/16) According to The Report, In Three Months “The VA Investigated And Substantiated A Majority Of The Allegations That The VA OIG Could Not Substantiate After Several Years.” “‘In just three months, the VA investigated and substantiated a majority of the allegations that the VA OIG could not substantiate after several years,’ the committee report notes.” (Donovan Slack, “Senate Investigation finds ‘Systemic’ Failures at VA Watchdog,” USA TODAY , 05/31/16) AN INTERNAL VA INVESTIGATION ALSO FOUND WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS An Internal Department of Veterans Affairs Investigation Found That Schedulers Routinely Misreported When Patients Actually Wanted to See a doctor or Receive Care, Making It Impossible to Track Delays. “An internal Department of Veterans Affairs investigation found that schedulers in Texas routinely misreported when patients actually wanted to see a doctor or get some other type of care, making it impossible to track delays in the care they received.” (Will Weissert, “Internal VA Report Finds Misleading Wait Time Data in Texas,” The Associated Press , 3/10/16) The Report Tracked Problems in Clinics and Medical Facilities in Central and South Texas. “The report released Tuesday by the VA’s Office of Inspector General tracks problems in clinics and medical facilities in central and South Texas.” (Will Weissert, “Internal VA Report Finds Misleading Wait Time Data in Texas,” The Associated Press , 3/10/16) According to The Report, Schedulers Listed the First Available Date That a Patient Could Be Seen as The Date That a Patient Had Wanted to Be Seen. “According to the report, schedulers often listed the first available date that a patient could be seen as the date that a patient had wanted to be seen. This meant there was no way to track how much longer those seeking care waited to get it.” (Will Weissert, “Internal VA Report Finds Misleading Wait Time Data in Texas,” The Associated Press , 3/10/16) VA Employees Reported That They Sometimes Engaged in Misleading Scheduling at The Behest of
Email Insights: South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott to speak in Birmingham
Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the first African American elected to the U.S. Senate from the South since Reconstruction, will be speaking at an event hosted by Birmingham’s Briarwood Presbyterian Church on July 3. Join us as we welcome guest speaker Tim Scott, U.S. Senator from South Carolina. We’ll also hear and sing songs of faith and freedom, salute the Armed Forces of our country, and honor our active duty military as well as our veterans. Senator Scott is an outspoken Christian who served in the House of Representatives prior to the Senate. His story is an outstanding example of the American Dream realized through hard work and dedication to principles. Senator Scott is an unbridled optimist, and believes that despite our current challenges, our nation’s brightest days are ahead of us. You won’t want to miss his inspirational message. There is no admission charge to this service, and all are invited.
Email insights: Robert Bentley announces Alabama regional job fairs are putting Alabamians back to work
Gov. Robert Bentley issued a statement Monday on the success of Regional Jobs Fairs after having recently received a presentation from Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) Commissioner Fitzgerald Washington on the successful outcome of the fairs that are being hosted by ADOL across the Yellowhammer state. The job fairs initiative began nearly one year ago when ADOL launched an effort to bring down unemployment rates in counties with traditionally high rates. Accordingly to Bentley, as of May 2016, four of the five underserved counties have experienced significant drops in their unemployment rates. Read Bentley’s full statement here: Governor Robert Bentley received a presentation from Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald Washington on the successful outcome of the Regional Job Fairs that are being hosted by the Department of Labor throughout the state. Approximately one year ago, the Department launched an effort aimed at bringing down unemployment rates in counties with traditionally high rates. By working with local government and education officials, ADOL was able to bring employers to these mostly rural areas and connect job seekers with jobs. Over the course of 2015, five job fairs were held in Dallas, Greene, Lowndes, Perry, and Wilcox counties. “Putting Alabamians back to work is a key part of my Great State 2019 plan,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “Anytime we have an opportunity to connect hundreds of employers with thousands of job seekers, everyone benefits. For an example, in Wilcox County the pre-job fair unemployment rate was 16.5%, now the post-job fair unemployment rate is 13.5%.” As of May 2016, four of the five underserved counties have experienced significant drops in their unemployment rates. In 2016, laid-off coal miners and steel workers dominated the headlines. ADOL took a more targeted approach and conducted two job fairs in the West Alabama area, aimed at helping these workers get back on their feet. More than 1,500 job seekers turned out to meet with over 100 employers. Additionally, a plan was put into place to bring the job fairs to the general public. So far, regional job fairs have been held in Tuscaloosa, Montgomery and Birmingham, with attendance nearing 10,000. Hundreds of unemployed Alabamians have found work through these efforts, and more regional job fairs are scheduled throughout the year. Following the Montgomery job fair in February, Todd Butler landed a management position at Home Depot. “I was out of a job, been looking for a couple of months,” Butler said. “I couldn’t believe the amount of people at the job fair.” Butler was one of 3,300 people who attended the job fair back in February. He spoke to 30 companies that day, with Home Depot being his top choice. He says the new job has brought a new challenge and new focus to his life. “It’s limitless,” Butler said. “Home Depot is the largest home improvement company in the world. So, there’s only upward to go from here.” “With each job fair we host, we are finding more and more interest, both from employers and job seekers,” said Washington. “People are eager to put their best foot forward and find meaningful employment, and employers are constantly looking for great employees. We are pleased to be able to offer these services free of charge and are always looking for new and innovative ways to help Alabamians go back to work.” Four additional job fairs are scheduled for 2016 in the following areas: in August a Maritime Job Fair will be held in Mobile, in September a job fair will be held in the Wiregrass Area, in October the Governor’s Disability Summit will be held in Birmingham, and in November a second job fair will be held in Montgomery. For more information on seeking a job visit Alabama job link.
Email insights: National ‘moral revival’ service to be held in Birmingham
“The Revival: Time for a Moral Revolution of Values” sent an email Friday announcing a national “moral revival” service at New Pilgrim Baptist Church in Birmingham to kick off a 19-city tour across the eastern United States on Monday, June 6. Created by a group of religious leaders frustrated with the tone taken by many people of faith in American politics, the tour seeks to “redefine morality in American politics and challenge leaders of faith and moral courage to be more vocally opposed to harmful policies that disproportionately impact the poor, people who are ill, children, immigrants, communities of color, and religious minorities.” Read the full email announcement below: On Monday, June 6 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. CST at New Pilgrim Baptist Church, 708 Goldwire Pl SW., “The Revival: Time for a Moral Revolution of Values” will host a “moral revival” service to hear testimony from Alabamians who have been hurt and impacted by immoral political and economic policies. The program will also feature national faith leaders including tour co-founders the Rev. Dr. James A Forbes Jr., senior minister emeritus of The Riverside Church, president of Healing of the Nations Ministries, and national minister for the Drum Major Institute; and the Rev. Dr. William Barber II, president and senior lecturer of Repairers of the Breach and architect of the Moral Monday Movement in North Carolina. “The Revival” is a national “moral revival” tour to redefine morality in American politics and challenges leaders of faith and moral courage to be more vocally opposed to harmful policies that disproportionately impact the poor, people who are ill, children, immigrants, communities of color, and religious minorities. The first part of the national revival tour has 19 stops from April 2016 to January 2017, including New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Missouri, Washington DC, Tennessee, Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, Kentucky, and Virginia. Event Information Who: Callie Colley, mother of Venus Greer, a young woman who died from breast and brain cancer, and didn’t have access to healthcare, which could have helped her access doctors and care Martha Shearer, a PhD candidate, mother, and formerly incarcerated Alabamian who was fired from her job after two years because she “checked a box” on employment forms about being formerly incarcerated, which was reviewed two years after employment Antoin Adams, a minimum wage worker who is struggling to cover healthcare, transportation, and other living expenses, and is advocating for a living hourly wage of $15 per/hour Ollie Parham, a victim of predatory loans who found a way out of the “debt trap” created by lenders Felicia Aldana, a student activists who joined the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice after fearing her father could be deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Rev. Dr. James A Forbes Jr., co-founder of “The Revival,” senior minister emeritus of The Riverside Church, president of Healing of the Nations Ministries, and national minister for the Drum Major Institute Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, co-founder of “The Revival,” president and senior lecturer of Repairers of the Breach and architect of the Moral Monday Movement in North Carolina Where: New Pilgrim Baptist Church, 708 Goldwire Pl SW When: Monday, June 6, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m CST To learn more about the tour, visit: www.moralrevival.org. To read “The Higher Ground Moral Declaration,” visit: www.moralrevival.org/moraldeclaration To watch the intro video, visit: vimeo.com/161301237
Email insights: ALGOP Chair urges Republicans to unite behind Trump
Alabama GOP Chairman Terry Lathan urged her fellow Republicans to “unite” behind Trump, who she called the “presumptive nominee” in an email Thursday morning. Find the text of the email below. Fellow Republican, I would like to begin by acknowledging and thanking all the Republican candidates who ran for the presidency this primary cycle. I want to specifically recognize Senator Ted Cruz and Governor John Kasich for their outstanding commitment to the Party’s cause throughout their campaigns. Tuesday’s decisive victory in Indiana’s GOP Primary, made it clear that business leader Mr. Donald J. Trump will be the presumptive Republican Presidential Nominee. Mr. Trump’s current delegate count stands at 1,047, placing him well within the finish line of winning the 1,237 delegates needed for our Party’s nomination. Donald Trump is no stranger to Alabama. Shortly after announcing his candidacy last summer, one of Mr. Trump’s earliest campaign stops was in August 2015 to Mobile. The rally drew an estimated 30,000 people to Ladd-Peebles Stadium after relocating from the civic center to accommodate the crowd! He again visited the Birmingham area in November 2015, where over 2,000 supporters gathered in the BJCC Arena. The third visit by the Trump campaign was in Madison this past February. The rally drew an estimated crowd of 10,000 people to the Madison City Stadium. In our state’s March 1 GOP Primary Election, Alabama voters selected Donald Trump as their presidential preference which earned him 43% of the total vote. Our focus must now be unifying our Party to take back the White House. To quote RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, “Unity makes the impossible possible.” Our unity will be seen worldwide this summer in Cleveland at our National Convention, but more importantly on November 8, 2016, as we defeat Hillary Clinton. Contribute now to support the Alabama Republican Party in our efforts to Take. It. Back. Terry Lathan Chairman, Alabama Republican Party
Email insights: Rebekah Mason’s resignation statement
Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Robert Bentley‘s office released this statement from Rebekah Mason: “I have resigned as Senior Political Advisor to Governor Bentley and will no longer be paid from his campaign fund. I have also ended my work with the Alabama Council For Excellent Government. My only plans are to focus my full attention on my precious children and my husband who I love dearly. They are the most important people in my life. Thank you for your prayers for our family.” Alabama Today will continue to cover this breaking news.
Email insights: Conservative group, Take Back Our Republic announces new regional coordinators
In an email, Take Back Our Republic (TBOR), a right-leaning campaign finance reform group that’s building conservative support for reducing the influence of private wealth in politics, announced a slew of regional coordinators Tuesday. Launched in January by conservative political consultant John Pudner, who’s best known for for helping Tea-Party-backed candidate Dave Brat unseat then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), TBOR’s mission is to conduct research, analysis and public education on conservative ideas for improving the financing of campaigns. The new coordinators will help fulfill said mission. Here’s the full email and the list of regional coordinators: Take Back Our Republic (TBOR), an organization advocating individual participation in the American political system is the best way to preserve and strengthen liberty, today announced ten new regional coordinators. After more than a year of touring the country establishing state chapters to educate the public on conservative solutions to campaign finance reform, these new TBOR Regional Coordinators are providing a grassroots forum to convey the price we all pay for transactional donations used to elect or defeat politicians. Executive Director John Pudner, Southeast Director Joe Comerford and Florida Coordinator Wayne Rossiter will be in Miami through the GOP Debate March 10, and will be organizing in Orlando March 11-12 and Jacksonville through the March 15 Primary. Each regional coordinator worked with members of the existing Take Back team to build their State efforts during 2015 or in past political campaigns that led them to believe in the need for conservative solutions to campaign finance reform: Bryan Posthumus: IL, IN, MI, WI – After generous grants and policy ideas from the Stuart Family Foundation in Lake Forest, IL, other potential donors in all four of these states have stepped forward to discuss our efforts. Bryan’s family experienced big money attacks and support first hand in his father’s successful Lt. Governor’s race. Joe Zane will become Michigan Coordinator with Bryan’s promotion to Regional. Cameron Price: CO, NM, OK, TX (except Houston) – Building on great turnout at State Chapter meetings in Oklahoma and New Mexico and for a video conference in Colorado, Cameron will work with Advisory Board Member Lanell Morold in Dallas. Cameron is a veteran of political campaigns both as a campaign manager and in his mother’s successful elections, and travels this region as an Independent landman, and livestock consultant. Chris Beatty: DC, DE, MD, NC, VA, WV – After recruiting people from several states, as far away as Florida, for a White House rally, Chris found several potential donors and community leaders spokespeople throughout this region. He will work with Diane Cullo, Steve Thomas and Chuck Cunningham on DC efforts including passage of HR 4177. Cole Muzio: KY, OH, PA, TN – Cole’s successful work with our Executive Director on Dave Brat’s upset of Eric Cantor is documented in Taxation Only With Representation. Cole has run numerous successful referenda, zoning efforts, and campaigns throughout this region. Francis Johnson: AK, AZ, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA – Francis is focusing on an Arizona campaign finance reform referendum and meeting with organizations throughout California, as well as a large state chapter being built in Oregon. Francis has been featured in Black Enterprise, and Ebony Magazine as one of the top five Black Republicans in the country for his ability to raise money, organize grassroots. Francis runs a public affairs/public relations firm. Heidi Linford: ID, MT, ND, SD, WY – Heidi is focusing on an Idaho campaign finance referendum. She will also work with Ogden Driskoll, the Wyoming State Coordinator and rancher from next to Devil’s Tower, to build a large organization there. Heidi ran a hugely successful convention effort in the western part of the state when Take Back’s ED was a campaign manager for a statewide effort there in 2008 and where her brother is now State Party Chair. Jacob Scott: IA, KS, MN, MO, NE – Jacob organized one of the most successful fundraisers in 2015, organizing conservative reformers in Kansas City prior to a World Series game. He introduced John to a number of Missouri legislators and legislative assistants, one of whom (Dave Myers of Springfield) will become the Missouri coordinator with Jacob’s promotion to regional coordinator. Joe Comerford: AL, FL, GA, SC – Joey first marched with TBOR’s press secretary Jared Thomas in a campaign event in 2003 for now Congressman Tom Price. It was one of several successful Georgia campaigns, though he also coordinating several huge events in Auburn, Alabama when he was a student there, and he has family connections throughout the region. Joey plans to meet with ED John Pudner and new Florida coordinator Wayne Rossiter in Coral Gables next week to focus on a Miami-Dade campaign finance referendum. Paul Lichstein: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT – Paul was the first and only Regional Coordinator for Take Back in 2015. He worked State Capitol’s throughout the region for years, and said in an HBO interview that the multi-million dollar company he runs pays more in taxes than multi-billion dollar corporations as an example of the price we all pay. He successfully connected Take Back’s ED with potential donors in NJ and NY, and worked NH events with him prior to the Primary there. York Forsyth: AR, LA, MS, TX (Houston) – York is focused on an Arkansas campaign finance referendum. As Louisiana State Coordinator, he battled with Jacob Scott’s Missouri chapter for top Take Back chapter. He has posted blogs and collected members, and helped spread the word through the University of New Orleans, where he teaches. Brandt Lewis will take over the Louisiana chapter with York’s promotion to Regional. The Regional coordinators will each help to advance some combination of the five facets of the TBOR mission; 1) compliance (never using Take Back resources or forums to advance or defeat any party or candidate, 2) development (finding and cultivating like-minded donors), 3) media (educating the public on the price we all pay through traditional and social media), 4) members and lists (building lists of like-minded activists and community
Email insights: Richard Shelby’s new ad highlights strong opposition to rules, regulations
Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby is running for re-election this year against a bevy of challengers hoping to unseat him in the March 1 primary. In an effort to ward off his opponents, the Shelby campaign sent out an email showcasing his latest campaign ad Tuesday morning. Titled “Agriculture,” the ad highlights his history of fighting to overturn bureaucratic regulations that hurt Alabama farmers. “Barack Obama didn’t learn too much about farming in Chicago,” says Wallace Drury, a farmer from Greensboro, Alabama, in the ad. “His bureaucrats can regulate us out of business. They want us to ask permission to deal with the water in a pond in our fields.” Here’s the full text of the email and the new ad: Shelby Ad Highlights Strong Opposition to Burdensome Rules & Regulations BIRMINGHAM, AL – Tuesday, February 16, 2016 – Senator Richard Shelby, candidate for the United States Senate, today released a new ad featuring Wallace Drury, a farmer from Greensboro, Alabama, highlighting the Senator’s strong opposition to the Obama Administration’s burdensome rules and regulations on farmers. “The Obama Administration’s assault on farmers and businesses through his EPA is unprecedented and out-of-control,” said Senator Shelby. “One example of their egregious overreach is the rule redefining ‘waters of the United States.’ The WOTUS rule is yet another land grab by this Administration, which would place control of waterways across the country in the hands of Washington bureaucrats instead of Alabama’s farmers. I will keep fighting to put an end to the EPA’s broad, unchecked regulatory power that stifles economic growth.” Watch Senator Shelby’s new ad below:
Email insights: Rick Burgess weighs in on an Alabama Lottery
Last week the Alabama Legislature began its 2016 legislative session and once again lawmakers in Montgomery are scrambling for creative fixes to the state’s ongoing budget shortfall. A solution brought up repeatedly? A state lottery to help generate revenue. Nearly 17 years after then-Gov. Don Siegelman‘s lottery for education was narrowly rejected by voters, lawmakers are calling for a lottery referendum in hopes of getting a lottery initiative on the ballots this November. Which is why Wednesday, the Alabama Policy Institute (API) — a non-partisan, non-profit research and education organization dedicated to influencing public policy in the interest of the preservation of free markets — released their first installment in a video series featuring Alabamians speaking out against gambling. The first video features Rick Burgess, the bestselling author and cohost of the nationally syndicated “Rick and Bubba Show.” Check out the full email from API and their first video: The Alabama Policy Institute is proud to announce the release of the first installment of a video series featuring Alabamians speaking out against gambling. Gambling is perennially proposed as an easy and benign “fix” for the Alabama budget. It is nothing of the sort, however, whether in the form of casino gaming or a state-run lottery. Rick Burgess, the bestselling author and cohost of the nationally syndicated “Rick and Bubba Show,” is featured in this first installment. Burgess explains why a state-run lottery is a “lazy plan” for legislators to take up. Future installments have already been filmed and will appear in the weeks ahead.
Email insights: Defined benefit plans explained
The Alabama Policy Institute (API) sent out an email Thursday endeavoring to explain the complicated world of public pensions with a helpful infographic. Considering the fact that Alabama’s public pensions are underfunded by at least $15.2 billion – meaning every household in Alabama would need to contribute $8,274 to fully fund the system – this should be of particular interest to all working Alabamians. Read the full text of API’s email, which accompanied the infographic below: Public pensions systems across the country are struggling with lower than expected investment returns. Just this morning, AL.com reported that investments supporting Alabama’s Teachers’ Retirement System earned a 1.04% rate of return. As currently structured, the expected annual cost of the system’s defined benefit pension plans assumes an 8% rate of return. State retirees are guaranteed their predetermined benefit, regardless of investment returns. When the returns fall short, Alabama taxpayers are the safety net. Many state pension systems are facing the same challenges as we are in Alabama. The common denominator is the structure of the defined benefit plan. Defined benefit plans are inherently risky for the employer because it is the employer who makes up the difference when investment returns don’t meet projections. Other variables–like employee growth, life expectancy, and hiring trends–also add to the difficulty of estimating the amount needed to cover future pension liabilities. Because of the risks associated with defined benefit plans, the private sector has largely moved away from this benefit structure. Out of 85 public pension plans that the Alabama Policy Institute analyzed, 27 of them now offer an alternative to the traditional defined benefit plan. These alternatives are typically in the form of either a defined contribution plan, similar to a 401(k), or a risk-managed defined benefit plan (also known as a cash balance plan) in which a specific benefit is promised, but plan funding is more predictable for the employer.
Email insights: Counting out Jeb Bush is a big mistake
For anyone who appreciates presidential politics, it would be a fool’s errand to write off Jeb Bush’s presidential campaign. In a new email update from Right to Rise PAC — providing exclusive information from the campaign trail – the former Florida governor is far from finished, despite “lagging national polls” and receiving less airtime than any other candidate during the “much-maligned” CNBC debate. According to Right to Rise chair Mike Murphy, Bush will ultimately prevail, particularly over last week’s “noise and chatter.” History bears this out, he adds. “We’ve cautioned before on national polls and we’ll repeat it: at this time four years ago the national polls had anointed Herman Cain the frontrunner.” As focus groups have indicated, the race is anyone’s to win, with Bush making respondents “maybe list” 90 percent of the time. And Bush – who is in the midst of a campaign renaissance – was “on fire” at a New Hampshire rally this week. The same holds true at other events in Florida, Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Murphy’s email provides clips of a few of the events, showing Bush is much more on his game than what is portrayed in recent reports. As for the other Floridian in the race, Marco Rubio may be enjoying somewhat of a surge in popularity, but that only means that the national media will be “finally taking a serious look” at his record. And that’s not good for the freshman Senator, Murphy says. “It is important that every GOP candidate get fully vetted by the voters before we put that candidate up against Hillary Clinton and the Democrat machine,” he writes. Most important in this race – as should be in any political contest – are issues. Right to Rise promises to provide a series of fair, issue-centered contrasts between Bush, other serious candidates and Democrats. Taking in account the support of dedicated professionals like Murphy and Right to Rise, counting out Bush (at any point) would certainly be a big mistake.
