Senate procedural vote sets up debate over Donald Trump travel ban
A procedural vote in the Senate on Donald Trump‘s secretary of state nominee sets up an extended debate over the president’s executive order barring refugees for at least four months and the direction of U.S. policy toward Russia. Rex Tillerson needs the backing of 51 senators Monday evening to put his nomination on track for confirmation later this week in the Republican-led chamber. Although many Democrats oppose Tillerson, they’ll need at least several Republicans to join them to derail the nomination. That appears unlikely even after two of the Senate’s leading GOP voices on national security criticized Trump for failing to consult with key federal agencies before issuing the travel ban. Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina have tepidly endorsed Tillerson, Exxon Mobil’s former CEO. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Condoleezza Rice: 10 things you need to know about the Birmingham-native
Twelve years ago Thursday, Birmingham-native Condoleezza Rice became one of the most influential women in the world of global politics, making history as the first African American woman to serve as Secretary of State. Nominated by former President George W. Bush, Rice first served as his national security advisor beginning in 2000. Her role became extremely important after the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York City and the Pentagon. She went on to become Secretary of State in 2005 for Bush’s second term. Throughout her tenure in the position, she played a crucial part in shaping the most aggressive U.S. foreign policy in modern history, with wars launched against both Afghanistan and Iraq. Here are ten things you may not have known about Rice: Rice was born on Nov. 14, 1954, in then-segregated Birmingham, Ala. as the only child of Angelena and John Wesley Rice, Jr. Her mother was a high school teacher while her father was a high school guidance counselor and Presbyterian minister. Her name is derived from the Italian con dolcezza, a musical term meaning to play “with sweetness.” As a child she wanted to be a concert pianist and thus, was the first black student to attend classes at the Birmingham Southern Conservatory of Music. A child prodigy, Rice skipped the first and seventh grades, graduating from high school at age 15. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in political science at only 19 years old from the University of Denver, where she studied international relations with Josef Korbel, father of the first woman to become Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright. Rice received seven honorary doctorates between 1991 and 2004 from Morehouse College, the University of Alabama, and the University of Notre Dame to name a few, in addition to the Ph.D. she earned from the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver. She’s currently the Denning Professor in Global Business and the Economy at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Her dream job is to be commissioner of the National Football League. She’s currently the lone woman on the 12 member College Football Playoff selection committee. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an honorary society that recognizes achievement in the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Rice she helped Bush craft race-based preferences in university admission policies.
Ala. Secretary of State John Merrill releases video encouraging voter registration
With summer quickly coming to an end, Alabama election officials are encouraging residents to prepare for the upcoming election season. On Wednesday, the Office of the Secretary of State released a video aimed at encouraging eligible U.S. citizens who are residents of Alabama to register to vote, as well as update their voter registration. “We are excited to introduce this video to encourage as many people as possible to become registered to vote and to remind others to update their voter record before the municipal elections in August, as well as the general election in November,” said Secretary John Merrill. “Please like or share this video often on social media or refer people to our YouTube Channel. We want every eligible U.S. citizen that is a resident of Alabama to exercise their right to vote.” Watch the video below:
Robert Bentley calls for Special Election to replace the late Lesley Vance
Gov. Robert Bentley released one of his most solemn orders in recent memory Monday night, calling for a special election in House District 80 to replace the late Rep. Lesley Vance. Vance passed away last Tuesday at the age of 76, after a long struggle with what news reports have called “an extended illness.” The timeline for the special election, set for April 12, is as follows according to an announcement from the governor’s office: A Special Primary Election for the District 80 House seat will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2016. Or, in the event that a Special Primary Election is not necessary because the major parties have only one candidate, the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. If necessary because of one candidate not receiving a majority of the votes in the Special Primary Election, a Special Primary Runoff Election will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. If a Special Primary Runoff Election is not necessary because one candidate receives a majority of the votes in the Special Primary Election, the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2013. If a Special Primary Runoff Election is required, the Special General Election will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2013. Major-party candidates have until Tuesday, November 17 at 5:00 p.m. to file to run for the seat. The state parties must certify their qualified candidates to the Secretary of State within 48 hours in order to appear on the ballot. “This timeline gives candidates time to qualify, allows voters time to learn about candidates, and allows time for those who are unable to vote in-person to arrange to vote by absentee ballot,” Bentley said in a release. “Representative Vance was a great man and a dedicated public servant. I know the next representative for District 80 will be a strong advocate for people in the district, just like Rep. Vance was during his time in the Alabama House of Representatives,” said Bentley. HD 80 covers parts of Lee and Russell counties, in the state’s eastern central region. “Today, the citizens of Russell and Lee Counties and the entire state of Alabama lost a great leader in the passing of Representative Lesley Vance,” Hubbard said last week. “Chairman Vance was a fine man and an effective legislator who nobly fought for his constituents for more than 20 years.” Vance was first elected to the Legislature in 1994, switching his party affiliation to Republican in 2010, giving the GOP a supermajority in the Alabama House.
Hillary Clinton targeted in ad from group tied to Koch brothers
Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday makes her first appearance in a negative advertisement funded by the wealthy Republican donors tied to billionaires Charles and David Koch. A 30-second ad aimed at Internet users in South Carolina and Florida shows headlines about the number of veterans who have died while awaiting health care. Then it shows a recent MSNBC interview with Clinton, who said of problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs, “It’s not been widespread as it has been made out to be.” “Not widespread?” text in the ad says. “Our veterans deserve better.” The digital ad, backed by at least $100,000 from Concerned Veterans for America, a nonprofit group that does not identify its donors, is timed to run as Clinton participates in a Democratic candidate forum in South Carolina. Clinton is “completely out of touch” with VA issues, which are “inarguably widespread,” Dan Caldwell, a spokesman for Concerned Veterans for America, told The Associated Press on Thursday. After Republicans criticized her remarks in the MSNBC interview, Clinton’s campaign said she was “outraged” by VA delays in providing care. Concerned Veterans for America is one of a half-dozen political and policy groups funded by the Kochs and hundreds of like-minded donors. That network is poised to spend a generous portion of at least $750 million over this year and next on issues relevant to the presidential race. The ad marks the first major paid media effort by a Koch group to ding Clinton’s 2016 candidacy. As she gains steam in a three-candidate Democratic primary, while the Republican nominating process is far from settled, GOP groups are beginning their Clinton attack efforts. The veterans ad follows a television commercial a week ago by a political group called Future 45. That ad focused on Clinton’s work as secretary of state, particularly in Libya, concluding with a narrator saying: “Responsible for a disaster. More threats. More war.” Although the group spent only about $65,000 airing the spot a few times, according to Kantar Media’s CMAG ad tracker, there are signs that more Clinton attacks are on the way. On Monday at a New York fundraiser for Republican opposition group America Rising, headlined by 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, donors were encouraged to support Future 45, an attendee told the AP. The attendee was not authorized to share details from the private event and requested anonymity. Republican hedge-fund billionaires Paul Singer of New York and Kenneth Griffin of Chicago are among those who have already written six-figure checks to Future 45, a fundraising report filed in July shows. The group’s name references the 45th president, who will be elected next November. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Alabama congressional delegation largely supportive of Benghazi Select Committee
In the wake of recent news that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has agreed to testify before a U.S. House Select Committee investigating the 2012 attacks on an American compound in Benghazi, some Republican members of Congress are licking their chops at the prospect of getting a good crack at the 2016 Democratic presidential frontrunner over an issue that remains on the front burner for conservatives. Among them is U.S. Rep. Martha Roby of Alabama’s Wiregrass and Montgomery-based 2nd Congressional District. Roby is one of seven Republican members chosen for the committee. “It doesn’t surprise me that the Clinton lawyers want to limit her testimony,” Roby told Alabama Today on Tuesday, responding to corollary news that Clinton has refused to testify twice as requested by the committee, conceding to only one hotly anticipated appearance. “But, remember, it was her decision, not ours, to set up a secret email system in a calculated attempt to flout government transparency requirements. And there are many legitimate questions that remain unanswered.” She expressed her enthusiasm that South Carolina U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy — who has been vocal in his criticisms of Clinton over Benghazi — may get to oversee a panel devoted to extracting answers from the former New York senator in light of her use of a private email address while serving on President Barack Obama‘s Cabinet. “I know that Chairman Gowdy is taking this offer into consideration and we will see what happens going forward. Chairman Gowdy has been a deliberate, effective leader of this Select Committee and we are behind him 100 percent,” Roby said. U.S. Reps. Bradley Byrne, Mike Rogers, Robert Aderholt and Mo Brooks — Republicans all — each voted “yea” and co-sponsored the federal legislation that created the committee. Democrat Terri Sewell, for her part, voted against it. Rep. Gary Palmer wasn’t yet elected when the House created the Select Committee. He did tell Birmingham talk radio host Matt Murphy in March he thinks “we should subpoena the server and see what’s on it.” Palmer also told the Birmingham Morning News, “I have zero confidence that this Justice Department will do anything under Obama [concerning Clinton’s emails].”
State of the State: Gov. Bentley asks Alabama lawmakers to help him approve tax increase
Gov. Robert Bentley says Alabama can no longer ignore a budget crisis and asked lawmakers to help him to approve a major tax increase. The second-term Republican used his State of the State address Tuesday night to make his case to legislators for a $541 million tax increase this legislative session. Bentley says as a conservative Republican, taxes are not his top choice, but he said the state cannot cut its way out of a budget crisis. The governor said the “conservative” thing to do is for the state to address its budget problem. The governor is also calling for an expansion of the state’s prekindergarten program, the passage of new industrial recruitment incentives and scholarships for children in Alabama’s foster care system. Full text of Gov. Bentley’s State of the State address, Tuesday, March 3, 2015: Gov. Robert Bentley’s 2015 State of the State address given Tuesday. Remarks as prepared. Lieutenant Governor Ivey, Speaker Hubbard, President Marsh, distinguished guests, members of the Alabama Legislature, Chief Justice Moore, members of the Alabama Supreme Court and My Fellow Alabamians. Twenty-two years ago Alabama stunned the world when one of the most advanced auto manufacturers in the world chose our state for its first U.S. assembly plant. The men and women elected to lead Alabama, so determined to change our state for the better, made a bold move, and never looked back. They knew they would be questioned and criticized about the unprecedented incentives they offered Mercedes. And they were. Undeterred by critics, our state’s leaders knew that if Alabama was to ever earn the reputation of a great place to do business, they had to make a move. They knew that if the four million Alabamians who elected them would ever have the opportunity for greater economic prosperity they must act. They knew what needed to be done to change our state and help our people for generations to come. That pivotal moment in 1993 launched Alabama’s growing and prosperous automobile industry. And our state has never been the same since. In just two decades Alabama would become home not only to Mercedes, but Honda, Hyundai and Toyota and numerous suppliers. Billions of dollars would be invested in our state’s economy. Tens of thousands of hardworking men and women would find well-paying jobs transforming their lives and those of their families. And the nation would come to see Alabama as a premier model for advanced manufacturing recruitment. One bold move had a lasting impact on our state. Last year nearly one million automobiles were made by the skilled hands of hardworking Alabamians. Our great state produced nearly $6 billion worth of vehicles last year alone. Since that first Alabama-made SUV rolled off the assembly line 17 years ago, vehicles have remained our state’s number one export. Ninety-nine countries today have cars on their roads that are “Made in Alabama.” Our state is now home to a fast-growing aerospace industry. Today nearly 400 aerospace companies employ Alabamians. And next year in Mobile, where we created thousands of jobs, the first Alabama-made Airbus airliner will take off. We have recruited over 63,000 new, future jobs to this state since 2011. Alabama’s unemployment rate is at a level this state has not experienced in more than six years. And our economy supported more jobs than it has since 2008. Companies worldwide know Alabama is a state willing, ready and very able to work hard to make our state a great place to live and work. I’ve met these people. I’ve been to their homes. I’ve been to their workplace. I’ve been to their churches, their schools, their Main Streets and their backyards. And they, like me, want so badly to see Alabama grow and prosper. In Vernon, Alabama almost the entire town turned out on a sunny day last October to celebrate the opening of K & S Lumber. With some state resources the town of 2,000 people cleared a field for a future Industrial Park, the Lumber company was the first business to open there. How many people were getting new jobs at K & S Lumber? Eleven. It may not be the largest economic development project in the state, but it is an example of the optimism of our communities and the ability of our State to do whatever it takes to create jobs. Whether it’s 4,000 jobs at Mercedes, or 11 at K & S Lumber. Since Alabama won the battle for Mercedes all southeastern states have become much more aggressive in their efforts to compete for jobs. This year we must pass new legislation that will make sure Alabama remains a leader in recruiting new industry and in helping our existing businesses – both large and small. And by encouraging investments that lead to greater, future economic opportunities. To do this we have worked with local economic developers and national experts to help us update and improve the incentives we use to recruit new industries. This Session we will introduce the Made in Alabama Accelerate Alabama Jobs Incentive Package. Our current incentives are 15 years old, out of date and 100 percent dependent on borrowing money. This new incentives package will no longer be based solely on debt. It will increase incentives for new projects that locate in rural areas, like Vernon, Alabama. It will offer incentives for those who invest in Small Businesses and Start-Ups. It will provide research and development credits for work done with Alabama-based research centers. And it will provide additional incentives for new wages paid to our Veterans. The Alabama Legislature has always played a critical role in helping to make sure our state is a leader in economic development, and passing the Accelerate Alabama Economic Incentive Package will ensure Alabama remains a leader. Passing the Accelerate Alabama Jobs Incentive Package will once again make sure that Alabama leads the nation in the recruitment of high-skilled, well-paying jobs the people of our state need and deserve. There is nothing more important to our state
