Nathaniel Ledbetter to retain Mark Tuggle as Chief of Staff
Last Wednesday, State Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter announced that he will retain Mark Tuggle as his chief of staff when he is elected as the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives. Ledbetter was elected as the choice of House Republicans in their post-election Caucus meeting of the House Republicans. Since the GOP maintained its’ commanding 77 to 28 supermajority lead in the November 8 election, the choice of the Republican Caucus is going to be the Speaker of the House when the Legislature meets in an organizational session, likely in January. Tuggle is a former member of the House who has served as Chief of Staff for outgoing Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon. Tuggle is a professional forester and a retired employee of the Alabama Power Company. “Mark was an outstanding legislator during his time in the Alabama House, and he has proven himself to be an equally talented chief of staff under Speaker McCutcheon,” Ledbetter said. “I know that Mark will be a source of wise counsel and sage advice as we work to tackle the challenges that Alabama faces in the coming quadrennium, and I look forward to working alongside him if elected speaker.” Tuggle was part of the 2010 class of Republican legislators, who were elected in a wave election that gave Republicans control of the House after 135 years of Democratic control of the body. Tuggle represented House District 81 for eight years and served as Chairman of the House State Government Committee. Tuggle has served as the Speaker’s chief of staff since leaving the Legislature in 2018. “As a member of the Alabama House, Mark set himself apart as a leader and proved a valuable source of wise counsel, so I’m pleased to continue utilizing his talents as my chief of staff,” McCutcheon said in a statement when he first appointed Tuggle. “Alabama faces many challenges that the Legislature must resolve, and Mark will play a large role in developing and passing needed solutions to those important issues.” “When I decided against seeking another term in the House, I assumed my work in state government had ended, but Speaker McCutcheon convinced me to continue serving the citizens of Alabama in this new role,” Tuggle said. “As a former member, I’ll be able to advise the new House members with the perspective of someone who has once held the same responsibilities, and I will work with the returning members as someone they already know and trust.” Tuggle has a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a master’s degree from Faulkner University. He and his wife, Michelle, have one daughter. Ledbetter will be the third Republican Speaker of the House, succeeding McCutcheon, who was elected Speaker of the House in 2016 after Speaker Mike Hubbard was found guilty of felony ethics violations by a Lee County Grand Jury. Seth Hammett was the last Democratic Speaker of the House. Democratic nominee Phillip Ensler successfully unseated incumbent Rep. Charlotte Meadows in the midterm elections. However, Republican nominee Rick Rehm successfully unseated incumbent Democratic incumbent Dexter Grimsley. Thus, there was no net change in the Republican-dominated Legislature. To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Personnel note: House Speaker Mac McCutcheon hires Mark Tuggle as Chief of Staff
Monrovia-Republican, Alabama Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon on Wednesday announced former State Rep. Mark Tuggle of Alexander City will serve as his office’s chief of staff effective immediately. “As a member of the Alabama House, Mark set himself apart as a leader and proved a valuable source of wise counsel, so I’m pleased to continue utilizing his talents as my chief of staff,” McCutcheon said in a statement. “Alabama faces many challenges that the Legislature must resolve, and Mark will play a large role in developing and passing needed solutions to those important issues.” Tuggle said he appreciated the confidence that McCutcheon placed in his abilities and looks forward to continue working with the members of the Alabama House. “When I decided against seeking another term in the House, I assumed my work in state government had ended, but Speaker McCutcheon convinced me to continue serving the citizens of Alabama in this new role,” Tuggle added. “As a former member, I’ll be able to advise the new House members with the perspective of someone who has once held the same responsibilities, and I will work with the returning members as someone they already know and trust.” Out of an overabundance of caution, McCutcheon secured approval from the Alabama Ethics Commission regarding Tuggle’s appointment to his new post. Tuggle replaces McCutcheon’s outgoing chief of staff Jimmy Entrekin, who became general counsel for the Legislative Services Agency earlier this year. About Tuggle Tuggle, who was twice elected to the House District 81 seat, served as chairman of the House State Government Committee and also held a seat on the House Internal Affairs Committee. For the past eight years, he served on the prestigious House Ways and Means Education Committee, which allocates more than $6 billion in education funding to Alabama’s K-12 public schools, community colleges, and public colleges and universities. A professional forester for more than two decades, Tuggle retired from the Alabama Power Company prior to his House service and later worked as a freelance consultant on forestry and timber matters. He and his wife, Michelle, have one daughter, Dee.
Alabama Ethics Commission says legislator can work for House Speaker
The Alabama Ethics Commission says a retiring member of the House of Representatives can work as House Speaker Mac McCutcheon’s chief of staff without violating the “revolving door” provision of state ethics law. Commissioners issued the advisory opinion Wednesday for Republican Rep. Mark Tuggle of Alexander City. The opinion said Tuggle can do administrative duties but cannot lobby his former colleagues on behalf of outside groups. In a separate matter, the commission will not reconsider an advisory opinion that said a candidate can use campaign funds for child care expenses. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill’s office asked for the reconsideration, concerned that the wording would open the door to candidates trying to claim all sorts of expenses as campaign related. Commissioners said the opinion was for a specific case. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Push for greater equality: Adline Clarke proposes ‘gender pay gap’ bill
It’s a fact: women earn less than men. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women who worked full-time, year-round in 2014 earned on average, 79% of men’s median annual earnings. That’s not sitting well with one Alabama lawmaker who’s hoping her gender pay gap legislation makes it across the finish line as the 2018 legislative session nears its close. HB368, sponsored by Mobile-Democrat State Rep. Adline Clarke, would prohibit employers from paying their employees less than the wage they would pay a member of the opposite sex for a similar job or responsibilities when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility, as specified. Alabama is one of only two states, along with Mississippi, without an equal pay law. “Nearly every state has a law prohibiting employers differently based solely on gender. I’m disappointed. I would have thought we would have passed a long long before now,” Clarke told AL.com “Timing is everything.” However, HB368, also known as the “Gender Pay Gap,” would not just make wage inequality illegal, but would also add several provisions to the law including: Requires an employer to affirmatively demonstrate that a wage differential is based upon one or more specified factors Prohibits an employer from discharging, or in any manner discriminating against. or retaliating against an employee for the enforcement of these provisions Provides for enforcement of the bill Provides that an employer may not prohibit an employee from disclosing the employee’s own wages, discussing the wages of others, inquiring about another employee’s wages, or aiding or encouraging any other employee to exercise his or her rights under these provisions And requires an employer to maintain a record of wages paid to his 15 or her employee for a certain amount of time. The proposal, filed on Feb. 1, is scheduled to appear before the Alabama House State Government Committee on March 21. Alexander City-Republican State Rep. Mark Tuggle, the committee’s chairman, hopes to have Clarke’s proposal on the committee agenda next week. The bill currently has 26 co-sponsors, both Republicans and Democrats: Autauga County-Democrat Kelvin Lawrence Mobile County-Democrat Barbara Drummond Barbour County-Democrat Barry Forte Perry County-Democrat Prince Chestnut Jefferson County-Democrat Rolanda Hollis Madison County-Democrat Anthony Daniels Jefferson County-Democrat Rod Scott Tallapoosa County-Democrat Pebblin Warren Choctaw County-Democrat Elaine Beech Madison County-Democrat Laura Hall Jefferson County-Democrat Merika Coleman Jefferson County-Democrat Mary Moore Mobile County-Democrat Napolean Bracy Blount County-Republican Connie Rowe Shelby County-Republican April Weaver Talladega County-Democrat Barbara Boyd Jefferson County-Democrat Juandalynn Givan Etowah County-Republican Becky Nordgren Morgan County-Republican Terri Collins Montgomery County-Democrat John F. Knight Montgomery County-Democrat Thad McClammy Tuscaloosa County-Democrat Artis McCampbell Mobile County-Democrat James Buskey Bibb County-Democrat Ralph Howard Lauderdale County-Democrat Marcel Black Houston County-Democrat Dexter Grimsley
Heated discussion and racial accusations fly over bill to change Taxpayer Advocate position
The first item up for discussion in the Alabama House of Representatives today was HB38, a bill from Rep. Mark Tuggle (R-Alexander City). The bill gives the power of selecting a Taxpayer Advocate to the governor, the candidates of which will be vetted by a newly created Selection Committee, removing said powers from the Revenue Commissioner. Immediately, the House Black Caucus began voicing concerns over the bill concerning the added cost, as well as the possibility for corruption, in that those involved could seek favors for friend looking for ways around paying taxes. Rumors had abounded that the caucus was filibustering motion on the bill due to a racial issue, specifically the fact that the current Taxpayer Advocate, Brenda Russ, is black, but that sentiment wasn’t clarified until Rep. Alvin Holmes (D-Montgomery) approached the microphone. Holmes began his statements by asking if Tuggle knew the race of the current advocate, to which Tuggle replied he did not. “Man, you know she’s black,” Holmes said. “That’s why you brought forth this bill, so you could get rid of her. You introduced it to get rid of the black lady.” “This bill is not about her,” Tuggle said. “It’s about race,” Holmes responded. Holmes went on to allege that the new system would allow the committee to select “five white names” to bring before the governor for selection. Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D.Birmingham) and Rep. John Knight (D-Montgomery) also brought forth concerns regarding the bill, Givan again reinforcing the perceived racial undertones to the proposed legislation, as well as the lack of need for a change in the Revenue Department. Knight petitioned Tuggle to delay a vote on the bill in order to craft a more agreeable piece of legislation, noting that there was limited time to look over the bill, but Tuggle declined. “It’s a bad bill,” Knight added. “It’s just as political as anything I’ve ever seen. I don’t see how a political appointee, that serves at the pleasure of the governor, can give any solace to taxpayers.” A vote for final passage on the bill was called for and the legislation passed, 70 to 33.
