House passes right to parenting legislation
On Wednesday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed legislation to recognize that Alabama parents have a fundamental right to make decisions on how they raise their child. House Bill 6 (HB6) is sponsored by State Representative Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham). “HB6 is a commonsense bill,” Paschal said on the floor of the House, defending his legislation. “HB6 is a focus on two principles: God and Country.” “Parental rights are related to the noble duty of parents to raise their children,” Paschal said. “Parental rights are natural rights that cannot be taken away by any form of government.” Paschal was the President of the Alabama Family Rights Association (ALFRA) before being elected to the House of Representatives in a special election. “The child is not the mere creature of the state,” Paschal said. On Wednesday, the House voted to table the committee substitute version of the bill. The bill was instead amended. Paschal accepted the amendment as friendly. The amendment included the following: Removal of the references to “fit” and “custody.” “HB6 shall only be construed as applying to disputes between parents and the government or third parties and does not modify the law as to disputes between parents.” Paschal previously presented House Bill 6 on the floor a few weeks ago. Paschal, the lone African American lawmaker elected as a Republican in over 130 years, was attacked by Democratic lawmakers. One Representative, Juandalynn Givan of Birmingham, went over the line when she referenced a song by the sometimes-divisive performer Jay-Z to make a racial smear of Paschal, calling him the N-word by using the lyrics of the song – The Story of O.J. The incident was condemned by Republicans statewide. Paschal’s bill was carried over at the call of the chair at that time, but it was brought back on Wednesday late in the session while there was still time for it to be considered by the second House before the session ends. HB6, as amended, passed the House by a vote of 87 to 8. The bill now goes to the Senate for their consideration. It was assigned to the Senate Children and Youth Committee, where it was given a favorable report on Thursday. The Alabama House of Representatives will meet on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. for Day 28 of the 2023 Alabama Legislative Regular Session. The Constitution of Alabama limits the legislative session to thirty days. A previous version of this article mistakenly quoted from the tabled substitute version of HB6. That language was not included in the engrossed version that passed the House. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com .
Montgomery Republican Party calls for punishment of Rep. Juandalynn Givan over verbal attack on Rep. Kenneth Paschal
Last Tuesday, State Representative Kenneth Paschal was presenting a bill, House Bill 6, a bill on parental rights. Paschal, the lone African American lawmaker elected as a Republican in over 130 years, was attacked by Democratic lawmakers. One Representative, Juandalynn Givan of Birmingham, went over the line when she referenced a song by the sometimes divisive performer Jay-Z to make a racial smear of Paschal, calling him the N-word by using the lyrics of the song – The Story of O.J. In response to the incident on the House floor, the Montgomery Republican Party has passed a resolution urging legislators to punish Givan for her conduct. “THE RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE JUANDALYNN GIVAN BEING REMOVED FROM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS ANDFORMALLY CENSURED BY THE ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.” The “Montgomery County Republican Executive Committee hereby formally condemns and censures State Representative Juandalynn Givan of Jefferson County for public behavior which is obscene, racially charged, morally crude, inconsistent with House Rule 50, and beneath the decorum of public office.” As punishment, the Montgomery County Republican Steering Committee is calling on “The Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives and the House Membership to formally remove State Representatives Juandalynn Givan from committee assignments and formally censure State Representatives Juandalynn Givan for her unprovoked and outrageous behavior in violation of human decency and the House Rules of Decorum.” Givan, for her part, has refused to apologize. “Rep. Paschal was vulgarly referred to as a term that is beneath the dignity and respect of any human being,” said Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl. “We cannot stand by and allow this honorable gentleman who served in uniform and continue to serve as a public servant with duty and commitment to be treated and referenced so vilely in violation of House Chamber decorum.” There have been other moments of controversial behavior on the floor in Givan’s legislative career. Paschal, for his part, is still asking for a vote on his bill that was carried over by the House after Givan’s outburst. “HB6 is a common sense bill,” Paschal said on the floor of the House, defending his legislation. “HB6 is a focus on two principles: God and Country.” “Parental rights are related to the noble duty of parents to raise their children,” Paschal said. “Parental rights are natural rights that cannot be taken away by any form of government.” Paschal was the President of the Alabama Family Rights Association (ALFRA) before being elected to the House of Representatives in a special election. “The child is not the mere creature of the state,” Paschal said. The Alabama House of Representatives will meet on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. for Day 19 of the 2023 Alabama Legislative Regular Session. HB6 is not on the proposed special-order calendar. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
House passed legislation banning employers from requiring that employers be microchipped
On Thursday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed legislation that would prohibit employers from requiring that their employees have microchips inserted in their bodies. House Bill 4 (HB4) is sponsored by State Representative Prince Chestnut. Chestnut said that this bill’s purpose is “preventing the microchipping of employees by employers.” State Rep. Kenneth Paschal said, “I love your original bill as written, but I have a problem with an amendment in the committee substitute.” Chestnut said, “My plan is to table the committee substitute and pass the original bill.” “What are we doing?” Rep. Laura Hall (D-Huntsville) asked. “What is the intent?” “I read a lot, and one of the things that concerned me is a push in certain areas to microchip people in some places in the workplaces,” Chestnut said. “It is really catching on in Europe. It is taking place in parts of this country.” Hall asked where it was being done. “I did find where it is happening at a tech company in Wisconsin,” Chestnut said. “Wisconsin passed legislation after the fact. Nevada has passed legislation prohibiting it, and Arkansas has passed legislation.” Hall asked if it was occurring in Alabama. Chestnut said that it wasn’t happening in Alabama to his knowledge, but this legislation is being proactive rather than waiting until it does happen and legislating after the fact. “If somebody wants to voluntarily get microchipped, you still can,” Chestnut stated. Chestnut explained that the technology exists so people can access a secure building by having a microchip implanted into the body or the hand. There are even applications where people are getting a microchip installed in their body that functions as a debit or credit card; you just put your hand in front of the scanner, and the funds for your purchase are deducted from your purchase account electronically. This bill does not prevent people from voluntarily being microchipped. “What I want to do is stop it from being mandated,” Chestnut said, “That is everyone’s personal body integrity.” Chestnut explained that the committee substitute would “allow prisoners in the Department of Corrections can be microchipped. I talked with Mr. (Cam) Ward at Pardons and Paroles, and he said that the surveillance in place is sufficient. They don’t want it. I don’t want to see it on inmates because sooner or later, it will work its way up to us.” Rep. Matt Simpson said, “I am completely in support of taking off the committee amendment.” Simpson said that the whole Judiciary Committee favored tabling the committee substitute. Rep. Thomas Jackson said, “I understand microchipping a pet so that if it gets lost that it can get back to its master. How does microchipping an inmate ever make sense?” The House voted 105 to 0 to table the House Judiciary Committee substitute and consider HB4 as originally introduced. Rep. Ritchie Whorton said, “I agree with you that we should have a right to decide what goes in our bodies. My bill, HB31, the Healthcare Freedom Act, would have prevented an employer from requiring that employees take vaccines against their will.” Violating this act would be a Class D felony in Alabama. Whorton said that business interests in Alabama blocked his bill and asked where they were on Chestnut’s bill. Chestnut said, “I don’t know who is against it, but I had to work it really hard to get it to the floor.” HB4 passed the Alabama House of Representatives 104 to 0. The legislation now goes to the Alabama Senate for their consideration. It has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Tuesday will be day 16 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Ten pre-filed bills to watch
Winter is almost over. The coming of Spring means flowers, cutting grass, weekend trips to the beach, lazy days on the lake fishing, turkey hunting, and baseball. It also means the Alabama Legislature is returning for the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. The constitutional purpose of the legislative session is to pass the state budgets for 2024. However, Alabama has 105 members of the State House of Representatives and 35 members of the Alabama Senate, and all of them have their own ideas about laws that they want to change. Thirty-six bills have already been pre-filed ahead of the session. Some of these bills will be dead on arrival and won’t even get a hearing in committee. Some bills, like increasing the scope of practice for podiatrists to include procedures on the ankle, are debated almost every year. This year that bill is being carried by Sen. Greg Albritton as Senate Bill 8 (SB8). The podiatrists’ scope of practice is limited by state law. This bill would make Alabama more in line with other states regarding podiatry. In the past, this legislation has been staunchly opposed by orthopedic surgeons and the Alabama Medical Association. One bill on a fast track toward passage increases the criminal penalties for drug traffickers who sell and distribute fentanyl. House Bill 1 is sponsored by State Representative Matt Simpson. This bill “would provide for mandatory terms of imprisonment for a person who engages in the unlawful sale, manufacture, delivery, or possession of one or more grams of fentanyl as a single component. This bill would also impose additional criminal penalties for subsequent violations.” As introduced, HB1 would make the sale, manufacture, or possession of one gram or more of fentanyl “trafficking” under Alabama Law. The penalty for one to less than two grams of fentanyl would be a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison and a minimum fine of $50,000. If two grams, but less than four grams, the mandatory minimum sentence would be ten years and a fine of $100,000. For four grams or more but less than eight grams, the sentence would be at least 25 years and a fine of $500,000. If eight grams or more life and $750,000. 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2021 – most of them from fentanyl. In Alabama, high schools dealing with overdoses during the school day is becoming a real problem for teachers and administrators. New Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter told reporters during the organizational session in January that Simpson’s legislation will be a top priority for the House Republican Caucus this session. Expect early movement on this bill. Senate Bill 12 (SB12) would make Law Enforcement Memorial Day, which is celebrated on the first Friday in May of each year, a state holiday. The bill was sponsored by State Sen. Will Barfoot. State Rep. Russell Bedsole has introduced similar legislation in the House as HB5. House Bill 4 (HB4) would make it a felony for employers to have their employees microchipped. HB4 “would prohibit employers and certain other individuals from requiring another individual to be implanted with a microchip. This bill would also make a violation of this act a Class D felony.” HB4 is sponsored by State Rep. Prince Chestnut. House Bill 24 (HB24) would ban persons “from loitering on a public roadway or in the right-of-way of a public roadway.” HB24 is sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram. The legislation would also ban fishing from bridges. House Bill 6 (HB6) is a parental rights bill sponsored by Rep. Kenneth Paschal. HB6 would “provide that the government may not burden certain fundamental rights of parents unless the burden is narrowly tailored to a compelling state interest.” The bill affirms that fit parents have a fundamental right “to direct the education, upbringing, care, custody, and control of their children.” State Rep. Ed Oliver has introduced a bill to ban the teaching of divisive concepts. That legislation is House Bill 7. “This bill would prohibit certain public entities, including state agencies, local boards of education, and public institutions of higher education, from promoting or endorsing, or requiring affirmation of, certain divisive concepts relating to race, sex, or religion.” Banned concepts would include: a. That any race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior. b. That individuals should be discriminated against or adversely treated solely because of their race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. c. That the individual moral character of an individual is solely determined by his or her race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. d. That solely by virtue of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, the individual is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously. e. That individuals, by virtue of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. f. That fault, blame, or bias should be assigned to a race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, or to members of a race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, solely on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. g. That any individual should be asked to accept, acknowledge, affirm, or assent to a sense of guilt, complicity, or a need to apologize solely on the basis of his or her race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. House Bill 14 (HB14) by Rep. Chris England would require that a death penalty sentence can only be applied when there is a unanimous vote of the jurors to impose the death penalty. Presently all it takes is a majority of the jurors. House Bill 12 (HB12), also sponsored by England, would make it a class A misdemeanor if a person carrying a concealed firearm fails to inform law enforcement upon request that he or she is in possession of a concealed pistol or firearm. This
John Wahl says ALGOP won’t be sitting on the sideline taking supermajority for granted
Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl spent the weekend in Washington D.C. planning and strategy sessions for the upcoming midterm elections on November 8. The trip was part of finalizing the Republican Party’s 2022 election priorities. During the four-day trip, he attended multiple high-level meetings with different political organizations. “The Alabama Republican Party is ready to help our candidates at home, as well as around the country,” Wahl said in a statement. “We won’t be sitting on the sidelines taking our state’s supermajority for granted. We’ve been working hard for the people of Alabama and doing our part to help partners in other states so we can take back the U.S. House and Senate. Too much is at stake, and we must do all we can to restore America and reign in the out-of-control liberal policies of the Biden Administration.” Chairman Wahl said he has finalized plans with the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). The Alabama Republican Party has been involved in a joint fundraising committee with the NRSC geared at helping U.S. Senate nominees from around the country. The Senate is currently divided 50:50, and Republicans are hoping that they can pick up seats and regain control of the U.S. Senate, which the party lost in 2020. “The ALGOP has been working hard to make sure our candidates have the resources they need. Republicans have the opportunity to flip several seats this year, and I hope our joint fundraising committee will play an important role in gaining a majority in the U.S. Senate,” Wahl stated. The Chairman also spent time with the Republican National Committee (RNC). Wahl said that the RNC’s involvement is crucial in the ALGOP’s Restore America campaigns in Georgia and other states, helping Republican efforts stay on the same page. There could be as many as 100 volunteers from the Mighty Alabama Strike Force traveling to Georgia to help Herschel Walker’s campaign for U.S. Senate. The first round of volunteers will leave Alabama for Georgia on Sunday. “It’s exciting to have so many volunteers from across the state of Alabama joining in the fight to take back the Senate in 2022,” Wahl commented. “This election cycle is going to be critical if we have any chance to save our economy and restore the America we know and love. Herschel Walker is a special candidate who understands the American dream and the struggles facing the middle class because of bad government decisions. He has energized people across the country with his common sense conservative message, and we look forward to helping him win this November.” Wahl said that this trip finalized much of the work started at the RNC Winter and Summer Meetings in Salt Lake City and Chicago. “We had the opportunity to review election forecast data and really look at how we can best help our candidates,” Wahl said. “It’s so important that we know where to best spend our resources – both financial and boots on the ground.” The Alabama Republican Party cited several preparations that they have made for the midterm election and are in the middle of implementing in an attempt to make 2022 one of the Party’s strongest general election campaigns ever. • Set a one-day political fundraiser record of $1.1 million at the Party’s Cullman Trump Rally. • Elected the State’s first African-American Republican, Kenneth Paschal, to the State House • Launched an Outreach Coalition to minority voters • Started the Restore America campaign to help Republican candidates win across the country • Target over 40 candidates across the state of Alabama in one of the largest financial commitments in the history of the ALGOP. The Alabama Republican Party won the governorship for the first time since the 1870s in 1986 when probate Judge Guy Hunt defeated Lt. Gov. Bill Baxley. Since then, the ALGOP has been gaining strength and momentum. In the Red wave 2010 election, the ALGOP won supermajorities in both Houses of the Alabama Legislature as well as every statewide elected office on the ballot. The elections that have followed have only increased the GOP’s status as the dominant political party in Alabama. The general election will be on November 8. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
ALGOP Outreach Coalition to host Meet & Greet in Montgomery
The Alabama Republican Party Outreach Coalition will host a Meet & Greet event at the Montgomery Area Association of Realtors auditorium in Montgomery, on Thursday, September 8th, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The ALGOP Outreach Coalition is a diverse network of conservative voters working to forge partnerships within communities across Alabama and proclaim the ALGOP is open to people of all backgrounds. The Coalition is looking to connect with all voters – especially those of African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American, and multi-racial descent – in order to start a dialogue on the issues. The Director of the Outreach Coalition team is State Rep. Kenneth Paschal. Paschal became the first Republican African-American elected to the Alabama Legislature since Reconstruction and will also be a guest speaker. Co-Director Belinda Thomas will also speak at the event. Thomas is the first female African-American City Councilwoman of Newton, AL. State Rep. Charlotte Meadows and Alabama Republican Party Chairmen John Wahl and Greg Poole will also speak at the event. “I am here to tell you that the Alabama Republican Party is proud to support and encourage minorities. The Democrat Party wants you to believe that all minorities share their liberal views, but we are here today to challenge that false stereotype. There are thousands of conservative people in minority groups across this state, and they deserve to be recognized,” stated Wahl. Cedric Coley is the Central Alabama Regional Director for the ALGOP Outreach Coalition and the moderator for the event.
Kay Ivey signs six bills, ensuring Alabama as pro-military state
Today, Gov. Kay Ivey signed six bills aimed at making Alabama even more military-friendly. Those bills include Senate Bills 28, 99, 116, 119, 141, and 167. These bills were recommended by the Alabama Military Stability Commission, which is chaired by Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth. “Alabama is the most pro-military state in the nation, and I am proud to put my signature on a series of legislation aimed at ensuring that we are even more military-friendly,” stated Ivey. “I commend the work by the Military Stability Commission, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Ainsworth, as well as the members of the Alabama Legislature for passing these important bills.” SB116, sponsored by Sen. Tom Whatley and Rep. Debbie Wood, will help ease the burden of military families moving to Alabama. It allows children of active military members moving to Alabama to enroll in local public schools remotely without being physically present in the state. Three bills, SB99 by Sen. Andrew Jones and Rep. Kenneth Paschal, SB167 by Sen. Shay Shelnutt and Rep. Dickie Drake, and SB141 by Sen. Tom Butler and Rep. Parker Moore, are all aimed at making it easier for military families to find work when relocating to Alabama. Each of the bills allows for greater flexibility in occupational licensing for military spouses. SB28, sponsored by Sen. Tom Butler and Rep. Andy Whitt, would create the Space National Guard within the Alabama National Guard if the federal government creates the Space National Guard. Finally, SB119, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot and Rep. Dickie Drake, will expand scholarships provided under the Alabama G.I. and Dependents’ Educational Benefit Act to include in-state and private two-and four-year colleges. “The men and women from across Alabama who serve on the Military Stability Commission understand the important role that our bases and other infrastructure play in keeping the state’s economy strong and jobs growing,” commented Ainsworth. “The bills that the Legislature passed and Governor Ivey signed into law will assist our mission of making Alabama the nation’s friendliest and most welcoming state for active service members, military veterans and their families.”
Kenneth Paschal announces run for full term in State House
State Rep. Kenneth Paschal announced on Tuesday that he is seeking to serve a full term in the Alabama House of Representatives for House District 73, Yellowhammer News reported. Paschal is currently serving the remainder of Matt Fridy’s term. Fridy was elected to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals in 2020. He became the first black Republican elected to the legislature since Reconstruction. Paschal stated, “I want to again thank the voters of Shelby County for the trust they placed in me during the three special elections. I’ve only represented District 73 for the past three months, but I’ve met so many great people, and it has only reinforced my commitment to public service.” “Today, I’m officially announcing that I will be running for a full term in 2022. As I’ve said all along, I’m running for God and country. That hasn’t changed,” he continued. “We need strong conservatives in Montgomery who will stand up for what we believe.” Paschal, a U.S. Army Veteran, has served on the Constitution, Campaigns, and Elections Committee and the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Alabama Republican Party chairman John Wahl recently appointed him to serve as the state GOP minority outreach coordinator. House District 73 includes portions of Alabaster, Calera, Chelsea, Helena, Montevallo, Pelham, and unincorporated Brantleyville. The primary election is set to take place on May 24, 2022.
1st elected Alabama Black Republican: GOP ‘open to everyone’
The first Black Republican elected to the Alabama Legislature since Reconstruction said Wednesday that his election to represent a heavily white suburban district shows that the GOP “is open to everyone.” Retired Army Sgt. Kenneth Paschal was elected Tuesday to fill a legislative seat in suburban Shelby County, becoming the only Black Republican in the Alabama Legislature. Paschal invoked Martin Luther King Jr.’s words about people being judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin, as he participated in a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony to celebrate his win. “I truly believe that the Lord has called me to serve,” Paschal said, adding that “God and country” are his two guiding principles. Standing by a bank of U.S. flags, Paschal was sworn in with his hand upon a Bible held by his mom. A mostly white crowd of about 150 cheered and gave a standing ovation when he was introduced as the first Black Republican elected to the House since Reconstruction. Mother Betty Paschal of the rural central Alabama town of Eclectic said she never thought she’d see the day her son was elected to the Legislature. “I am just amazed,” she said. “I am so proud of Kenneth.” Paschal, 54, won the special general election to fill House District 73. The Shelby County district stretches through the suburbs south of Birmingham. He won the GOP nomination for the seat earlier this year by just a few dozen votes but easily defeated the Democratic nominee in the heavily Republican district. The special election had only a few thousand votes cast, a fraction of the number that would be cast in a regular election year. Even though Paschal is the first Black Republican elected since Reconstruction, he will not be the first Black lawmaker to align with the Republican Party in modern times. Former Rep. Johnny Ford, the longtime mayor of Tuskegee, in 2003 announced he was switching to the GOP, becoming the first Black Republican in the Alabama Statehouse since Reconstruction. Ford resigned to return to his old office of mayor and later rejoined the Democratic Party. Paschal served nearly 21 years in the U.S. Army. He now lives in Shelby County and is a member of the First Baptist Church of Pelham. He has worked with the Alabama Family Rights Association, a group that has urged changes to child custody laws in an effort to ensure time and decision-making would be split more evenly among parents, provided both parents are fit. The Alabama Republican Party for years has been attempting to recruit more Black candidates and voters, although success has been limited. Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl said Paschal is “a man of exceptional character” whose message resonated with Shelby County residents. “It is something we’ve been working on for a long time, breaking that stereotype that liberals have put out there that there are no conservative minorities. That is not true. We are super excited about Kenneth’s election and believe it is just the beginning,” Wahl said. The political parties in the Alabama Legislature are almost entirely divided along racial lines. Paschal will be the only Black Republican. The Alabama Senate and House each have one white Democratic member. The GOP-controlled Legislature in 2017 had to redraw legislative maps under court order to fix racial gerrymandering in 12 districts. The ruling came after Black lawmakers filed a lawsuit challenging the maps as “stacking and packing” Black voters into designated districts to make neighboring districts whiter and more likely to elect conservative Republicans. Paschal told The Associated Press that after leaving the military, he thought about where he fit politically and said that is with the Republican Party because he is conservative. On the campaign trail, he said some people wrongly presumed he was a Democrat. “We have put people in the box based on your skin color. … Hopefully, we can change that,” he said. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Steve Flowers: Politics never ends in Alabama
We are all looking forward to next year’s gigantic political cavalcade. The 2022 elections in Alabama will be momentous. We will have an open U.S. Senate seat along with seven congressional seats, all running under new district lines. We have a Governor’s race along with all the other Constitutional offices. All 105 state representatives and 35 state senators will be running for reelection under new district lines. All 67 sheriffs in the state will be on the ballot, as well as all 68 probate judges. All these races are on the cusp of beginning or have already begun. However, we will have a mayor’s race in Birmingham this summer. The August 24 mayoral race in the magic city is shaping up as a Donnybrook. It is shaping up to be a rematch from four years ago between former mayor William Bell and current mayor Randall Woodfin. Four years ago, young Randall Woodfin defeated then mayor William Bell, the old fashion way. He outworked him. Woodfin went door-to-door in one-on-one campaigning in every precinct in Birmingham. He appears to have done a good job as mayor. He will be tough to beat. However, if anyone would do it, William Bell would be the one. He looks very distinguished and mayoral. In fact, I have often thought that if Hollywood were scripting a movie of a mayor of a city like the movie “Boss” with Kelsey Grammar, who played a Chicago mayor, that Bell would be the perfect actor. There are at least two other significant candidates vying to be Birmingham’s mayor, LaShunda Scales and Chris Wood, which may place Bell and Woodfin into a runoff. We have already had several special legislative elections throughout the state this year. Former Alabama House Member, April Weaver, won the Republican State Senate Primary for Senate District 14 on March 30. This senate seat was vacated when Cam Ward departed the Senate to become Director of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles. The district encompasses a good portion of Shelby County and all of Bibb and Chilton. It is a very Republican district. Therefore, Ms. Weaver’s victory is tantamount to election. She will face a token Democrat in the July 13 general election. Her triumph was extremely impressive. She garnered 82% of the vote against two opponents. She will be an effective senator for Central Alabama. In an open state House seat in Shelby County, U.S. Army Veteran Kenneth Paschal won the GOP Primary for House District 73, winning the Republican primary for a State Legislative district in a special election in Shelby County. Paschal won a close race over Leigh Hulsey, 51% to 49%. There is a special election for state House District 78 in Montgomery to fill the seat being left vacant with Kirk Hatcher moved up from the House to the Senate. There are several low-profile constitutional offices beginning to percolate for 2022. State Representative, Wes Allen, has announced and is running hard for Secretary of State. He is perfectly suited and qualified for that office. He is in his first term as a State Representative from Pike and Dale Counties. However, prior to that, he served 10 years as Probate Judge of Pike County, where he successfully oversaw elections. Wes is a native of Tuscaloosa, where his daddy serves as a State Senator. A successful Birmingham businesswoman, Laura Johnston Clark, is eyeing the State Auditor’s race. She was born and raised in Dothan and began her business there. She has deep and extensive family roots in the Wiregrass. Her father and mother and older brother are legendary and revered. She has been extensively involved civically in Birmingham for close to two decades. She is an integral part of next year’s World Games, which will be held in Birmingham. The current occupants of the Secretary of State and State Auditor’s offices, John Merrill and Jim Ziegler, are term-limited. So, these two offices are wide open. 2022 is going to be an exciting election year. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His column appears in over 60 Alabama Newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislative. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Email insight: Activist father continues to push for fairer custody laws
Activist, father and Alabama Family Rights Association (ALFRA) President, Kenneth Paschal emailed supporters Wednesday urging them to contact their state legislators and ask them to vote no on House Bill 333, a child custody bill. Sponsored by Andalusia-Republican, State Rep. Mike Jones the bill suggests that children should have “frequent and continuing” contact with their parents; the bill fails to define frequent and continued, and preserves the status quo of standard visitation, which unduly restricts a child to 4-6 days a month with one parent. According to Paschal, “Experts in family systems, psychology, sociology, and the like have presented 40 studies, and 112 social scientists around the world have reached a consensus on shared parenting which states ‘…equal or approximately equal time-sharing with a minor child by both fit parents is in the best interest of the child.’” Read the full email below: Unfortunately, House Bill (HB) 333, a child custody bill, passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee April 20, 2016. The Judiciary Committee ignored evidence based research supporting shared parenting, and the Alabama Law Institute has refused to acknowledge this research. Alabama legislators are being told by the Family Law Committee of the Alabama Law Institute and divorce attorneys like Representative Mike Jones that HB 333 is a “starting point bill,” and future change(s) will follow. The problem with this is that HB 333 is based on opinion NOT legal or evidence-based research. (listen to a 3-minute excerpt of the research here) HB 333 will not equally protect a child’s relationship with both fit parents. Neither will HB 333 act in the best interest of the child as the bill fails to consider scientific research which states “… equal or approximately equal time-sharing with a minor child by both fit parents is in the best interest of the child.” HB 333 has been placed on the calendar and could be up for a floor vote in the Senate today, Wednesday, April 27, 2016. We need EVERYONE to TAKE ACTION this morning and all day today: call and email your elected official in the Senate. Ask them to vote NO on HB 333 or implement a friendly amendment that states: “there is a presumption that children have equal or approximately equal time-shared parenting time with their fit parents”. (view the bill here) Be sure to include a reason why the members should vote against House Bill 333. Feel free to use any of the following reasons to explain why committee members should vote “NO” on HB 333: HB 333 fails to align outdated child custody law with current research, which states “equal or approximately equal time-sharing with a minor child by both fit parents is in the best interest of the child.” HB 333 fails to protect the child’s fundamental right to freely associate with both of their parents. HB 333 maintains the status quo, which promotes parental conflict and deprives a child of a quality relationship with both fit parents. HB 333 fails to define “frequent and continuing” contact, which leads to irregularities in child custody rulings. Meaning, without definition, 5 different judges with same facts = 5 different rulings. Ala Code § 30-3-150. Policy of state: “It is the policy of this state to assure that minor children have frequent and continuing contact with parents”. “Frequent and continuing” contact is not defined. Courts consider “frequent and continuing contact” to include only 1 hour per week, 48 hours twice a month, or could be equal custody. HB 333 does suggest the use of parenting plans, which is good, but when based on outdated, flawed public policy, parenting plans are likely minimally effective, at best. HB 333 does consolidate years of case law into one central location, which may benefit both judges and pro se litigants, as a quick reference, but the bill is rooted in flawed case law that perpetuates the same negative impact of the current status quo. HB 333 does not take into account that there is no statutory requirement for judges or family law attorneys to be trained in family law and attend annual Continuing Legal Education training related to family law. HB 333 fails to provide evidence based guidelines to empower the Courts to meet the needs of each unique case, which leads to a “one size fits all” standard visitation schedule. Representative Office Phone Email Bussman, Paul 334-242-7855 p_bussman@bellsouth.net Holtzclaw, William 334-242-7854 bill.holtzclaw@alsenate.gov Orr, Arthur 334-242-7891 arthur.orr@alsenate.gov Reed, Greg 334-242-7894 greg.reed@alsenate.gov Sanford, Paul 334-242-7867 paul.sanford@alsenate.gov Shelnutt, Shay 334-242-7794 shay.sd17@gmail.com Stutts, Larry 334-242-7862 larry.stutts@alsenate.gov Together we can make our voices heard to protect children from being placed at risk. Thank you for your time and for standing up for all children of Alabama.
Kenneth Paschal: Should the church community encourage their members to register to vote?
It is our civic duty to register to vote and participate in elections, but many religious leaders hesitate to offer their opinion on the position of the candidates; many won’t allow the church to become involved. Considering pastors preach about gambling, abortion, homosexuality, and other societal issues, it seems necessary that they speak about the direction some candidates wish to take our state and country. As a concerned Christian and single dad wishing to help move our nation towards love and forgiveness in divorce situations, I have done the research and found nothing that would restrict a church from registering voters or supporting legislation that safeguard parental rights from government intrusion. As Paul wrote to the Romans: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established” (Romans 13:1). We can also look back upon Paul’s letter, and other portions of Scripture, such as; Mark 12:17, I Timothy 2:1-3, Acts 5:29 to determine our own relationship to government. God offers Biblical provision for our modern situation, and I have applied the principles He has given in Hosea 8:4, Exodus 18:21, Proverbs 29:7, Proverbs 21:1, 1 Samuel 16:7, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Matthew 7:15, Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 18:6, and 1 John 4:7 in an effort to protect our children from governmental laws that would preclude them from sharing love with both their biological parents. Every day I fight ‘the good fight,’ I bring God’s values to a system that only holds law as valuable. How can love survive, let alone thrive through that without Him? During the Founding Era, the pulpits were one of the primary sources for voting information. Churches were at the center of the political community, not on the periphery. It would make sense to believe the Church is the only way to bring Christian beliefs into focus… going back to an old method so we can step forward into our future with goodness and love. Let’s help each congregation member be a contributor in 2016! Church can make the difference. For more information about registering to vote you can visit the Secretary of State website at alabamavotes.gov and click on “Register to Vote” or contact me at kenneth.paschal@alfra.org. Kenneth Paschal is a child activist, a fit parent, and an advocate for protecting parents’ fundamental rights.
