Legislative session weekly wrap-up: State of the State, income tax cut, term limits
Alabama lawmakers are officially back to work; the 2018 legislative session kicked off on Tuesday. Because it is an election year, many legislators expect a short session that could end by late April allowing them more time to campaign ahead of the June 5 primaries. Overall, it was a fairly light week. Tuesday was dominated by Gov. Kay Ivey’s first State of the State address and Thursday by Senate Republicans introducing their legislative priorities for the year including an income tax cut, and the House passing a term limits bill. Here are the highlights out of Montgomery this week: In the Governor’s office: Ivey gives her first State of the State address: On Tuesday night, Ivey gave her first State of the State address before a joint session of the Alabama Legislature. She painted an optimistic outlook of the state as she told the crowd the dark cloud over the state has been lifted, the ship of state steadied. She also touched on various policy initiatives she hopes to accomplish in the new year. State of Emergency issued due to widespread flu outbreak: Ivey declared a State Public Health Emergency on Thursday. Healthcare facilities are overwhelmed due to the influx of flu patients, and Ivey’s emergency declaration allows those facilities to implement “alternative standards of care” plans to preserve lives. Senate news: Republican’s 2018 legislative agenda unveiled: The Alabama Senate Republican Caucus announced their legislative priorities for the 2018 legislative session at a press conference on Thursday morning at the Statehouse. The “Fighting for Alabama” agenda will focus on legislation to spur economic growth, encourage infrastructure improvements, and protect children. Bill proposed for state income tax cut: Alabama Senate Republicans on Thursday announced they have proposed a bill that would allow more taxpayers to take the maximum standard deduction on their state income taxes. House news: Bill passed to impose term limits on members of the U.S. Congress: On Thursday, the state House passed a resolution calling for there to be a Article V convention of the states to impose term limits on members of the federal government. The single-issue amendment convention would allow the American people to term limit Congress without needing federal lawmakers’ approval. This process, was designed by America’s Founders specifically to rein in abuses of power coming from members of the U.S. House and Senate.With the success in the Alabama House, the resolution is expected to pass the Alabama Senate this session as well, placing Alabama at the forefront of states proposing an amendment for term limits on the U.S. Congress. Will ridesharing soon be a reality for all of Alabama?: Mountain Brook-Republican State Rep. David Faulkner and Greensboro-Democratic State Sen. Bobby Singleton are soon introducing a bill that would create a ridesharing network across the state for companies like Uber and Lyft, making ridesharing operations available statewide.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Walt Maddox calls Kay Ivey’s picture of the state ‘fiction’
Republican Gov. Kay Ivey gave her first State of the State address Tuesday evening before a joint session of the Alabama Legislature. In her speech she painted an optimistic picture of the state, saying “we have successfully steadied the ship of state; I declare that the state of the state is strong and our future is as bright as the sun over the Gulf.” But Tuscaloosa Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Walt Maddox disagrees with Ivey’s outlook. On Wednesday, Maddox issued a counter statement to Ivey’s calling her description of the state “fiction” “The picture she painted of our state was fiction,” Maddox asserted. “The ship of state is not steady.” Maddox continued, “For years, our state’s leaders have turned a blind-eye towards corruption and incompetence which has now placed every core function of state government in crisis. All the one-time windfalls cannot disguise the fact that we need a New Covenant; a Covenant that places people and progress ahead of politics. Because the REAL state of the state is a crisis, and we cannot just pretend our way through in order to survive the next election cycle.” Ivey, who assumed the Governorship following former Gov. Robert Bentley‘s resignation in April, is seeking her own term as governor as a Republican candidate. Primaries will be held on June 5, and the general election on Nov. 5. Read Maddox’s full rebuttal to Ivey’s State of the State address below: Last night Governor Kay Ivey gave her State of the State address. The picture she painted of our state was fiction. The ship of state is not steady. Here’s the REAL State of the State. Across Alabama rural hospitals are closing. Alabama’s health ranking is 47th in the nation, and 50th in premature births. Roads and bridges are crumbling. In Alabama, more than 20% of our bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Our education system continues to fail our children. Too many of our children are still learning to read after third grade rather than reading to learn. For years, our state’s leaders have turned a blind-eye towards corruption and incompetence which has now placed every core function of state government in crisis. All the one-time windfalls cannot disguise the fact that we need a New Covenant; a Covenant that places people and progress ahead of politics. Because the REAL state of the state is a crisis, and we cannot just pretend our way through in order to survive the next election cycle. I am running for Governor because I believe in Alabama, and I believe we can chart a course to a new future that creates a highly skilled workforce, establishes strong public schools, implements modern infrastructure, and provides access to quality healthcare across our state. #believe
Top five takeaways from Kay Ivey’s State of the State address
Kay Ivey delivered her first State of the State address Tuesday night before a joint session of the Alabama Legislature. Here are the top five things you should know from her 40-minute speech from the state Capitol: 5. Ivey reacted to the Monday night’s college football national championship game the way we all did “What a game,” Ivey said as she began her speech, referncing the overtime nail-biter of a game featuring the University of Alabama Crimson Tide defeating the University of Georgia Bulldogs 26-23. 4. She says the dark cloud over the state has been lifted, the ship of state steadied Ivey became Alabama’s 54th governor in April, following the resignation of scandal-embroiled former Gov. Robert Bentley amid allegations he abused his power to cover up evidence of an alleged affair with an top advisor. Suffice to say, she had her hands full in trying to turn the ship of state around, considering the Yellowhammer State had seen more crises in the past 12 months than one could count. “A lot has happened since then,” Ivey said. “We have lifted the dark cloud, wounds have started healing, and the people’s faith in a government ‘for and by the people’ is being restored.” “The ship of state has been steadied. Together, let’s move it in a new direction toward progress and sustainability,” she added. “I am honored to be at the helm of this magnificent ship we call Alabama, which benefits from a strong and committed crew, the good people of Alabama. 3. She supports pay raises for state employees Ivey said her budget proposals would include pay raises for teachers, school employees and other government workers. “Every day, we depend on state employees,” she said. “Whether it’s a state trooper patrolling our highways, a teacher staying late to help a struggling student, or a social worker rescuing an abused child, quality state employees are essential to good government. It is long-past time for us to honor their service with better pay.” Ivey did not specify how much of an increase she’d propose, but budget numbers released earlier Tuesday suggest a 2 to 3 percent increase. 2. She’s forward-thinking in educating children Ivey announced the creation of a new school in the Rocket City that will educate high school students about cybersecurity. “Tonight, I am announcing, the formation of the Alabama School of Cyber and Engineering, which will be based in Huntsville,” she said. “This school will prepare some of our state’s highest-achieving students to enter the growing fields of cyber technology and engineering. Just as Huntsville has always been on the leading edge of the rocket and aerospace industries, the Alabama School of Cyber and Engineering will ensure that Alabama students are at the forefront of today’s emerging technologies.” 1. The unemployment rate has fallen every month she’s been in office Alabama’s unemployment rate dropped to its lowest rate in a decade in the months since Ivey assumed office. November saw a record-low 3.5 percent. “The unemployment rate has fallen every month since I became governor,” Ivey said. “What we are doing is working, and as a result, the people of Alabama are working and providing for their families.”
Read Kay Ivey’s full State of the State address
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey took center stage Tuesday night in the Alabama Capitol. There she gave her first State of the State address since being catapulted to the governorship back in April due to the sudden resignation of her scandal-plagued predecessor Gov. Robert Bentley. Below is the full transcript of the prepared speech Ivey gave before a joint session of the Alabama Legislature: President Marsh, Speaker McCutcheon, members of the Alabama Legislature, Chief Justice Stuart, justices of the Alabama Supreme Court, distinguished guests – and my fellow Alabamians: As we begin the 2018 legislative session, we recognize Alabama has experienced a significant transformation in government since the first day of the 2017 legislative session. On this occasion last year, I sat where my friend President Del Marsh sits tonight. And now, due to a successful transition in state government, I humbly stand before you as the 54th Governor of Alabama. I’ve been called upon to report on the state of the state. When I became governor on April 10th, the ship of state government was adrift. We needed thoughtful and straightforward leadership. Over the past nine months, together, we have proven Alabamians seek progress, not stagnation. Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to report, we have successfully steadied the ship of state; I declare that the state of the state is strong and our future is as bright as the sun over the Gulf. Tonight, let’s take a brief journey to consider where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going. Most governors have three months to prepare. I had three hours. Yet, after being sworn in as governor on April 10, 2017, in the Old Senate Chamber, just across the hall from where we are gathered this evening, I promised the people of Alabama there would be no disruption in the ongoing functions of the state. That’s a promise kept. I promised the people of Alabama, even though challenges lay ahead, we would seize the opportunity to make Alabama even better and our government more effective. That’s a promise kept. My immediate pledge was to steady the ship of state, navigate Alabama through the storm we found ourselves in, and seek a calmer path for this state we dearly love and proudly call home. That, too, is a promise kept. When I was sworn in, there were many decisions to be made. I was focused, committed and prepared. My first full day was the 16th legislative day in the 2017 legislative session – exactly half way through a session that I began as president of the Senate. As governor, last session, working closely with the Legislature, I signed 333 bills and resolutions into law. Together, we’ve made significant progress with our budgets. We avoided proration and practiced fiscal responsibility. We renewed the Alabama Jobs Act, ensuring economic development continues, and we provided the tools and flexibility needed to attract new investments, creating more jobs for Alabama families. Many bills I signed as governor also bore my signature from my time as president of the Senate. The smooth transition of government, brought me full circle – from the legislative to the executive – and I am better able to lead and govern because of it. I support having a lieutenant governor who presides over the Senate. Our current order of succession serves the state well. I know this firsthand, having experienced it. I strongly support our current order of succession. My first major effort in leading the state was to evaluate the cabinet and staff of the new administration. With this evaluation, I made changes resulting in nearly half of the 22 cabinet members being replaced. My cabinet and staff are capable, honest and dedicated. They take their charge to serve the people of Alabama seriously. They provide the people of Alabama with the open, honest and transparent government that they deserve. My administration includes public servants who are subject matter experts and who work tirelessly to make Alabama a great place to live, work, and raise a family. My second major effort was to connect with and hear directly from Alabamians, so that together we would restore confidence in state government. An effective leader does four things: listen, learn, help, and lead. To help and lead the people of Alabama, it was essential that I first listen to and learn from the people of Alabama. Throughout July, August and September, I embarked on my Listen, Learn, Help and Lead tour where I visited communities across the state. I spent an entire day in these communities, meeting with local leaders and visiting their businesses and schools. I wanted to learn about their successes and their challenges. I wanted to hear from everyday people, not just from the politicians and lobbyists in Montgomery. These meetings were beneficial and well received. People were excited about reconnecting with their governor. I wanted to restore our state’s image. To do this, government must be efficient and transparent. With executive orders, we’ve streamlined state government, dissolved unneeded task forces, and banned lobbyists from appointments by the executive branch, ensuring more citizens have an opportunity to serve and contribute. I also established the Opioid Overdose & Addiction Council to address the urgent opioid epidemic that is impacting Alabama families. Administratively, I’ve appointed more than 350 qualified and diverse individuals to boards and other groups which affect the day-to-day lives of Alabamians. One of the most important duties of government is providing safety and protection. I have worked closely with the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and local officials across our state during six weather related States of Emergency. Through coordinated efforts, we have improved our communication and our response to natural disasters. The people of Alabama desire leadership that is willing to get things done. As a result of our team approach, I am proud to report, Alabama’s economy is performing well – revenues are up, unemployment is down, economic development is on the rise and improved educational opportunities abound. Since I became governor,
Pro-Islamic organization calls for meeting with Gov. Robert Bentley after “insensitive” comments
The Alabama Chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Alabama) Thursday called for a meeting between Gov. Robert Bentley and representatives of Alabama’s Muslim community to discuss the governor’s remarks they said were “inflammatory” and “insensitive” in his Tuesday night State of the State address. During his speech, Bentley discussed the failure of the federal government to follow the law in consulting with states on the refugee resettlement program — an issue he’s been fighting for months. “The outdated program – which predates any recent acts of radical terrorism – allows refugees from the most radical nations to enter countries including the U.S. with little known about them,” Bentley said during his address. “Among those refugees are those who would commit the most violent, deadly and extreme acts of terrorism. When 130 people were slaughtered, in Paris at the hands of radical Islamic terrorists, among those killers was a refugee from a terrorist nation.” Khaula Hadeed, CAIR-Alabama’s executive director, said the governor’s statements marginalize an entire community. “Governor Bentley’s labeling of an entire Muslim-majority nation as ‘terrorist’ effectively equates Islam with terror and promotes prejudice,” said Hadeed in a news release. “The use of inflammatory language that marginalizes an entire community reduces one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent human history to the status of a political football. We find such terminology insensitive and inappropriate. “Alabama has a large Muslim population, including a thriving Syrian-American community making substantial contributions to improving the lives of the people of our state. Using stereotypical terms that paint a diverse multicultural, multiethnic, multiracial Muslim community with such a broad brush is derogatory and dehumanizing.” CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
Jim Zeigler may give conservative rebuttal to State of the State address
State Auditor Jim Zeigler announced over the weekend two “taxpaying anti-establishment conservative” groups have asked him to give an unorthodox response to Gov. Robert Bentley‘s State of the State address next week. The annual gubernatorial address to the Legislature, set for next Tuesday, Feb. 2 on Groundhog Day. The State of the State is traditionally followed by a “rebuttal” from leaders of the opposing political party. Senate Democratic Leader Quinton Ross and House Democratic Leader Craig Ford are set to give responses on behalf of the minorities in both chambers. But Zeigler says two right-leaning groups, Alabama Tea Party Conservative Coalition and the Common Sense Campaign, have requested an additional response. Both groups are represented by spokesman Dr. Lou Campomenosi, who said Alabamians deserve to hear from an anti-establishment Republican as well as from the party’s standard bearer, Bentley. Despite coming out aggressively against the federal government on Syrian refugee relocation, health care, and other sundry issues, Bentley has been attacked by many conservatives throughout the state as insufficiently conservative. Campomenosi, a former candidate for Baldwin County School Board among other offices, is among the most outspoken of Bentley’s intra-party critics. Zeigler, for his part, has also been vociferous in his disapproval of the governor. Most recently Zeigler targeted Bentley for allegedly spending a portion of a settlement the state received after the 2011 BP oil spill on renovating an official residence in Gulf Shores for personal reasons. Zeigler said Sunday he will review the requests to give a State of the State counter-rebuttal and decide whether or not to deliver it by Wednesday. Bentley recently told AL.com he will not offer any plans to increase taxes or close loopholes in his speech next week, a subject that has rankled many of his GOP peers despite a substantial budget hole facing state government in Montgomery in recent years. “I have three years left in my administration and I have some major things that I want to get accomplished over the next three years, and I’m going to be pushing those things, and I think the people of Alabama, when they hear them in our State of the State, they’re going to be excited about what we’re trying to do,” said Bentley.
