Jim Zeigler will testify against bill to grant Governor power to appoint key Cabinet posts
State Auditor Jim Zeigler says his office is under attack by the administration of Gov. Robert Bentley, and Zeigler intends to fight back in the Capitol. Bentley and some allies in the Legislature want lawmakers want to pass a bill granting the Governor authority to appoint two key positions on the 7-member Cabinet: Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, and you guessed it, State Auditor. Currently the positions are elected statewide by voters. The bill — HB 432, sponsored by Rep. Paul Beckman, a Republican from Prattville — would authorize a proposed amendment the Alabama constitution to change that. The legislation will be heard Wednesday, April 20 in the House Constitution, Campaigns, and Elections Committee. Beckman serves as Vice Chair of the panel. Zeigler will testify in person against the bill when the meeting convenes at 9 a.m. Zeigler, an outspoken critic of the Bentley administration, called the bill a “power grab” by the governor after Beckman introduced the bill in March. He says moreover the inclusion of the Ag Commissioner as part of the Cabinet shakeup is simply window dressing, “a strategy to make it look like they are not targeting me.” “I believe that I am the main target of this legislation,” said Zeigler of the proposal. Zeigler has also criticized the merits of the bill, which he says would eliminate a value check against executive power in state government. “Having the Governor appoint the State Auditor would be the fox guarding the hen house,” Zeigler said.
Robert Bentley signs bill to help protect vulnerable adults from financial exploitation into law
Gov. Robert Bentley has signed a bill to help protect vulnerable adults from financial exploitation into law Monday. Drafted by the Alabama Securities Commission (ASC), SB 220, entitled Protection of Vulnerable Adults from Financial Exploitation Act, will provide an important added layer of legal protection for Alabama adults who may be susceptible to financial abuse and exploitation. Under the new law, both the Alabama Securities Commission and the Alabama Department of Human Resources would be promptly notified by broker-dealers, investment advisers, agents and other qualified individuals who service the financial needs of adults when those financial professionals have a reasonable belief that financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult may have occurred, has been attempted or is being attempted. “We should do everything we can to thwart any efforts of those who would seek to prey upon the elderly and steal their hard earned savings,” said State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) one of the bill’s co-sponsors. I thank the Alabama Securities Commission for its vigilance to protect all Alabamians from theft and squander from nefarious actors.” SB 220 passed the Alabama Senate on April 12, 2016 and was then forwarded to the Alabama House, where it’s companion bill HB 211 passed upon presentation on the floor of the House by State Representative Paul Beckman (R-Prattville) “This is a very important tool to protect the life savings and assets of our senior Alabamians; especially those seniors who may eventually suffer from a diminished capacity to make wise and informed financial decisions,” House co-sponsor Beckman weighed-in. “A special thanks to the Alabama Securities Commission for its continued and successful efforts to protect our valued senior citizens.” ASC Director Joseph Borg cheered on the legislation. “This significant legislation will be a powerful mechanism to help ensure that the investment community of stockbrokers, investment advisors and financial professionals will report suspicious financial activity involving any vulnerable Alabama adult who is exposed to dishonest or illegal actions that could jeopardize their long-term financial well-being,” said Borg.
Jim Zeigler files report on Robert Bentley with state Ethics Commission
Alabama State Auditor Jim Zeigler has submitted an official report with the Alabama Ethics Commission, requesting the body investigate allegations Gov. Robert Bentley participated in an affair with senior advisor Rebekah Caldwell Mason, a former staffer who is no longer a state employee. Former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency director Spencer Collier disclosed knowledge Wednesday of a recording of the governor making comments of an intimate nature to who was presumed to be Mason, as well as an incident of viewing an explicit text message. The governor has denied a “sexual” affair occurred. Zeigler said he submitted the report as a request for the commission to investigate whether any state resources were unlawfully used in the alleged relationship. “The governor continues to disgrace the state of Alabama, and in my official capacity as state auditor, I am required to report these suspected violations,” said Zeigler said in a prepared statement released Friday afternoon. “It is clear that he is misleading the people of the state about the nature of his relationship, but it is also clear that Ms. Mason is required to either be classified as a public official, or file as a lobbyist, in her capacity as an advisor who is paid by an outside source.” Zeigler told Alabama Today the report stemmed from his discovering a seldom-used provision in the law, 36-25-17, requiring any agency head, which includes the auditor, who receives information of a violation of the ethics law shall report it to the Ethics Commission. “I am expecting next week, to get honest state employees, which is the majority, come into my office or call in with more information,” Zeigler said. “The information I get about any issue or problem is not self-generated, it comes from citizens or state employees contacting me with information.” Zeigler identified Collier as one of the sources for his information, but noted there were other sources. The auditor also said he expects to file two or three supplemental reports within the next month. Though Bentley’s former chief of staff, Seth Hammett also worked for the governor’s office while being paid by an outside group, the governor received permission from the Ethics Commission. No such permission was sought in the case of Mason’s arrangement with 501(c)4 group Alabama Council for Excellent Government (ACEGOV), whose website states the group “supports Governor Bentley’s bold vision to lead Alabama with greater economic opportunities and by tackling our state’s challenges with real solutions.” Zeigler has been a frequent critic of the governor’s since his own election in 2014, but in recent months he and Bentley have sparred over the very nature of the State Auditor’s office. A bill sponsored by Rep. Paul Beckman, would make the offices of State Auditor and Agriculture Commissioner appointed, rather than elected, positions. Zeigler said the move would be like “the fox guarding the hen house.” Stopping short of asking the governor to step down himself, Zeigler said he believes the only way Bentley will leave his office is if the Alabama Legislature removes him, or he’s convicted of ethics violations.
Jim Zeigler calls Cabinet re-org bill “power grab” by governor
The elected status of the Alabama State Auditor is threatened by a plan now circulating in Montgomery, and current auditor Jim Zeigler does not take kindly to it. The bill — HB 432 by Rep. Paul Beckman, a Pratville Republican and sometimes ally of Gov. Robert Bentley — would alter the offices of State Auditor and Agriculture Commissioner, making them appointed by the governor’s office rather than elected statewide as state law currently provides. Zeigler, a Republican, has been a harsh critic of the Bentley administration in his tenure as State Auditor since taking office in 2015. He contends the move is retribution for his criticism on issues like taxes, state parks, and a move to spend some $1.5 million on renovating the abandoned governor’s residence in Gulf Shores for what Zeigler has characterized as personal reasons. Zeigler said the inclusion of the Ag Commissioner as part of the Cabinet shakeup is simply window dressing, “a strategy to make it look like they are not targeting me.” “I believe that I am the main target of this legislation,” said Zeigler of the proposal, taken up for the first time last week by the Constitution, Campaign and Elections Committee. He added that the move was bad policy because it would remove the independent oversight his office – a unique, ombudsman-like position – by making the office subject to the governor’s approval. “Having the Governor appoint the State Auditor would be the fox guarding the hen house,” Zeigler said. Zeigler also issued an appeal to supporters via Facebook and a news release, asking opponents of the bill to seek out members of the CCE committee and voice their concerns. “Simply ask the Committee member to vote ‘No’ on HB432, and keep the State Auditor an elected office that represents the people of Alabama instead of the interests of the Governor,” Zeigler urged over the weekend.
Robert Bentley signs ‘Winston’s Law’
In a signing ceremony Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Robert Bentley signed his name to “Winston’s Law” as the bill’s namesake looked on. SB23, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville) and carried in the House by Rep. Paul Beckman (R-Prattville), makes aggravated child abuse a Class A felony for children under six. The crime now carries a potential punishment of life in prison and a $60,000 fine. The bill’s name comes from an Elmore County boy whose mother was indicted for charges of chemical endangerment of a child and aggravated child abuse. During committee hearings on the bill, testimony was given that the boys injuries were so severe that pictures could not be shared with the press or the public. During the signing ceremony, Bentley joked and teased the boy and presented him with one of the pens used in signing the legislation. Further, Bentley noted that he was signing the actual bill – a departure from other ceremonies where bill copies have been used. On hand for the ceremony were Chambliss, Beckman and a host of child activists and family members. “This is a good bill,” Bentley said, thanking lawmakers for drafting the legislation. “This is an important issue dealing with the protection of our children.” Before the signing of “Winston’s Law,” prosecutors were only able to charge child abusers with lesser crimes, often resulting in a punishment not strict enough for the crime. With this legislation, prosecutors will be able to seek maximum penalties for the most vicious abusers. A second bill dealing with child abuse penalties, “Ava’s Law,” which strengthens penalties for offenders whose abuse results in the death of a child, was passed by the legislature last week.
Alabama animal rights groups ready for Senate decision on dog chaining
Animal welfare activists are preparing for a critical decision from the Senate this week in the push for stronger animal rights legislation in Alabama. In a Facebook message this week, Alabama Voters for Responsible Animal Legislation (AVRAL) called on its 7,000 members to reach out to lawmakers in support of Senate Bill 468, also known as the Alabama Dog Tethering and Outdoor Shelter Act. The bill would make it illegal for dog owners to tie their pets to stationary objects and says that any pet kept outside must have adequate food, water, and shelter. An owner who violates the statute could be charged with a Class B misdemeanor and face up to six months in jail, according to the Alabama criminal code. The Senate Judiciary committee is scheduled to vote on Senate Bill 468 this Wednesday. With the 2015 legislative session drawing to a close, the dog chaining bill could be the last of four closely-watched protections against animal cruelty before lawmakers this year: Earlier this month, a measure to set care, confinement, and breeding restrictions on Alabama puppy mills failed in the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee when chairman Rep. David Sessions refused to put the bill on the agenda. Rep. Paul Beckman sponsored House Bill 548 and told AL.com that the chairman thought it was a “’bad bill’ that makes criminals out of dog breeders.” Legislation filed by Rep. Patricia Todd and Rep. Howard Sanderford would ensure that only veterinarians can make surgical or medical decisions for animal treatment and allow veterinarians to work at nonprofit spay/neuter facilities. House Bill 563 is Rep. Todd’s third attempt at strengthening regulations on Alabama spay and neuter clinics. A House committee gave the bill a favorable report last week, but with so few days left in the session, Rep. Todd told AL.com the bill may not get much further. She indicated that she may try the legislation again next year. President of Animal Advocates of Alabama Joey Kennedy said, however, that another bill may not be necessary. In a statement on the organization’s website, Kennedy said: “The nonprofit spay/neuter clinics are operating now and can provide more services than would be allowed even under Todd’s bill. Plus, there is more scrutiny of the state Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, which has spent years and hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to shut down the clinics.” That scrutiny, Kennedy said, might be enough to protect the clinics. The fourth bill, Senate Bill 51, would force shelter operators to publish monthly census reports, detailing how animals enter the facility, the number of adoptions or transfers, and reasons the animals were euthanized. The companion bill was voted down in the House in March. AL.com reported concerns from members that the bill would encourage lawsuits from animal activists and that moving from yearly to monthly reports would add to shelter workloads. Senate Bill 51 has passed the Senate and is now pending in the House committee on public safety and homeland security. The bill is not on the committee’s agenda for the coming week.
Pulitzer winner Joey Kennedy, wife launch animal advocacy website
A new website focusing on animal rights launched this week, though the man behind will be familiar to most Alabama advocates and lawmakers. Pulitzer Prize winner Joey Kennedy and his wife Veronica, a freelance editor and former social media marketer, have launched ALAnimals.com to spotlight animal welfare and protection issues across the state. Kennedy spent more than 33 years as at the Birmingham News and was on its editorial board from 1989 until early this year. In a conversation with ALToday.com, Kennedy said the site will be a clearinghouse of information for animal owners and advocates. “Right now there are dozens of great resources out there, but you’ve got to go to each one,” Kennedy said. “We want to bring that all together so a person can go to our site and get what they need.” One of the site’s major functions will be to spotlight state laws and municipal ordinances concerning treatment of animals and to advocate for stronger protections. “In Alabama, we don’t have a lot of laws that govern animal abuse,” he said. “We finally got a pretty strong abuse law, though it isn’t aggressively enforced.” Among the legislation the group will watch at the state level are Rep. Paul Beckman’s House Bill 548 to place restrictions on puppy mills and Rep. Patricia Todd’s House Bill 563 to treat spay and neuter clinics as veterinary facilities. Kennedy said both proposals sound promising, but may have come too late in the season to be passed this year. “It sounds like it’s on the right track. It’s a baby step, but it’s a good thing. Sometimes you have to go (through the legislative process) three or four times before it finally clicks. What you have to do is introduce it and start walking it through.” In his first post for ALAnimals.com, he called the website a continuation of the animal issues journalism he and his wife have both done over the years. “We have so far to go as a state, on many issues,” Joey Kennedy said. “Animal welfare and protection is among those issues. While we do not have felony laws against animal abuse, many law enforcement officers and prosecutors are slow to make cases, even when the evidence is clear.” While still writing for the Birmingham News and AL.Com Joey Kennedy frequently used his voice and platform as a strong advocate for animals. He was a constant voice in support of legislation to protect nonprofit spay/neuter clinics. Photo credit: By Pugman at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
