Yesterday federal prosecutors played a tape of gambling magnate Milton McGregor and lobbyist Bob Geddie -- apparently speaking on cell phones -- for State Rep. David Grimes (R).
Grimes said that, in the five or so minute tape, the two men talked about what they called Grimes' wavering support for bingo legislation.
"They said some nasty things about me and I thought they were my friends," the Montgomery Republican said while smiling.
We've heard that some folks in the State House (probably legislators) have been wearing wires for the FBI, but this is the first I've heard of recorded phone conversations in connection with the corruption investigation. It isn't surprising, of course, just think back to the Blagojevich mess in Illinois -- the phone calls did him in.
Milton McGregor ranks as a Big Mule in Alabama politics and now that he's openly involved, the Grand Jury and the corruption investigation is sure to be a big story in Alabama all summer -- if not for the oil spill it might be the big story. It's pretty obvious they're looking for evidence of attempted or outright vote-buying on one of the bingo bills that have come before the Legislature lately -- which could include 2009 since several legislators have said they went to the FBI during the 2009 session after what they felt were inappropriate conversations with lobbyists.
Politically, this looks to play very well for Republicans since they've been setting themselves up for years to run against corruption in Montgomery in 2010. What better than to have a high profile federal corruption investigation, with possible indictments, going on in the run-up to election?
So far, it looks like the investigation is focused on the behavior of lobbyists, particularly those for gambling interests like McGregor and the Country Crossing folks -- Democratic legislators may not be involved at all. But it's still bad for the Democratic brand because McGregor is a major source of money for Legislative Dems (and candidates for some other state offices.) Last session legislative leaders chose not to pursue meaningful ethics reform legislation which could have immunized them from the corruption fallout. Instead, they doubled down on passing a bingo bill -- which failed -- and linked themselves ever more closely to the very gambling interests now being investigated. I'm waiting for someone to explain why this was a brilliant strategy. Even odds they've been played by Bob Riley via his crackdown on bingo parlors.
• The Alabama House and the Alabama Senate said YES to the PACT bill, SB162. It awaits Gov. Riley's signature.
• The highway bill passed. This one would borrow $100 million per year from the Alabama Trust Fund for 10 years with the money to be spent on roads and bridges. It requires a vote of the people, so look for it on your ballot in November.
• The bingo bill did not come up for a vote in the House -- sponsor Rep. Marcel Black said the votes were not there. There's an outside chance it could still be voted on today, but don't bet the farm on it. And someone please call the Massive Moves folks: Country Crossing may move out of Alabama because this bill failed. Funny, didn't they look into the state of Alabama's gambling laws before they built Country Crossing?
• Gov. Riley's veto notwithstanding, there is a possibility stronger wine can soon legally join stronger beer in Alabama stores.
• Laundering campaign contributions from one PAC to another to another, until no one can figure out where the money came from, will remain perfectly legal in Alabama for another year. It seems that this is one form of money laundering politicians just can't get enough of.
It would be nice to have a representative state government that could actually make decisions without kicking everything back to the people for a popular vote -- the next election would serve as a referendum on those decisions -- but that's not how it works in Alabama, so I'm all for letting the people vote. But let us vote on more than just bingo, please.
You can be against a citizens convention to write a new state constitution if you wish, but let's let the people decide.
You can be against taking the state sales tax off groceries and raising the state income tax on the wealthy if you wish, but let's let the people decide.
You can be against allowing state gasoline tax dollars to be used for public transportation if you wish, but let's let the people decide.
You can be against initiative and referendum, which would allow voters to bypass the Legislature to get things done, if you wish, but let's let the people decide.
You can be against term limits for lawmakers if you wish, but let's let the people decide.
One of our gubernatorial candidates frequently notes that he is the only candidate who would "Let the People Vote." Unfortunately, just like the Legislature, Ron Sparks would only Let the People Vote on gambling, not constitutional reform, funding for public transportation or any of the host of other issues the status quo Montgomery special interests oppose.
Be consistent, dammit! If y'all want to turn state government over to a direct vote of the people, I'm willing to give it a try, but don't shove one single pet issue off onto us while saying the others are too dangerous or too complicated for voters to deal with.
The gambling controversy is all about influencing the 2010 election -- that's been apparent for a while. How this was supposed to benefit the various parties has been a mystery to me. Now I think the plan is to have a bingo amendment on the ballot in November so pro-gambling candidates of both parties (think Troy King on the R side) can benefit from a massive ad campaign funded by the Poarch Creek tribe, McGregor and the Country Crossing backers without having to actually take any campaign contributions from gambling interests. It's about reaping the benefits of those deep pockets while keeping their hands clean.
Obviously, we need to find some unsavory financial backers to offer money on behalf of a constitutional convention, repeal of the grocery tax, I&R and so forth. Then the legislature would be motivated to find some way to Let the People Vote on those issues, just like gambling.
Rep. Patricia Todd wrote an op-ed published in the Monday Birmingham News. It doesn't seem to be online anywhere -- maybe speaking too much truth to power keeps you out of the online edition? -- but a nice Birmingham lady scanned it and sent it to me. Seriously good stuff here.
... it was only after serving in the Legislature for the past three years that I truly began to witness the often-corrosive influence of well-funded lobbyists and political action committees relative to the passage (or defeat) of legislation.
Think PAC to PAC transfer ban. Think grocery tax repeal. Think anything to do with constitutional reform.
...I have witnessed firsthand how the average voter's voice and opinions are drowned out by powerful special interest groups whose only mission is to further their own agendas without regard to what is best for our state and our future.
As a legislator, Rep. Todd is at ground zero for special interests and lobbyist influence, and she isn't just pointing out the problem, she's proposing solutions. Follow me below the fold ...
After losing to K.L. Brown in the Republican primary for HD 40's special election, Jay Dill has decided to suspend his campaign. Dill's decision comes a week after Brown bested him in last week's Republican primary.
Brown bested Dill by a wide margin in the primary, taking 46% of the vote. Dill's departure prevents a run-off campaign and moves the date of the general election, previously slated for March 30, up by more than a month.
"Jay Dill's willingness to suspend his campaign, avoid a potentially costly runoff and support K.L. Brown in this race shows that he is a selfless person, who puts the people of this district, and our Party, above personal politics."
Ricky Whaley -- a vocational/agriculture teacher at Jacksonville High School -- had the benefit of being the only Democrat to enter the race. Voters in HD 40 will head to the polls on February 16.
Its one week until the beginning of the Alabama legislative session. Because this is the last year of the quadrennium, the legislative session begins next Tuesday, January 12 (and will last until the end of April). While I doubt any moments like this will occur, it remains to be seen what might actually happen.
Some issues that already will come up this session include:
Budgets--As many know, the state faces a fiscal problem due to declining tax revenues. The question remains to see how they will address this in crafting the state budgets, including which programs face funding cuts.
PACT--The legislature will at least look at this issue, but what solution might they come to? (An aside on PACT--members of the Madison County delegation expressed their frustration with the PACT board meeting Kay Ivey held last week. Sen. Tom Butler stated, "The state has a moral and a contract obligation to PACT holders and you cannot prorate a moral obligation....the board usurp their authority when they had that meeting. Rep. Mike Ball was also troubled by the meeting last week occuring during the holidays, stating it "reeks of secrecy.")
Gambling--You can thank Gov. Riley and the State Supreme Court--a bill defining bingo will come before the session again.
Ethics--You can thank Gov. Riley that some issues of ethics will be presented in the legislature (no-bid contracts). It remains to be seen if PAC-to-PAC transfersand granting the ethics committee supoena power will be presented.
Election Posturing--Because 2010 is a election year, there will be posturing by the legislature to set theri positions for their elections. The most notable posturer will be Rep. Robert Bentley since he is the first legislator in a number of cycles to be running for governor. He has already prefiled bills on abortion (which was brought up previously on LIA)and health care (an amendment to the Alabama Constitution that prohibits any person, employer, or health care provider from being compelled to participate in a health care system, citing the state's 10th Amendment rights). (Quick editorial comment: It would be one thing if Rep. Bentley had been introducing these bills year over year and fighting for them. However, introducing them after deciding to run for governor is just opportunistic and deplorable.)
Other issues--Various other bills will come before the legislature. John Knight's bill to remove the sales tax on groceries will come back. The resolution calling for an election for a constitutional convention will be back.
So, what predictions do you have for the session? Any other issues that need to be addressed?
Auburn University is accepting applications for an opening on its frequent flyer club board of trustees!
Applicants must be a resident of the district and less than 70 years old at their time of appointment.
The Auburn Board consists of one trustee from each congressional district as they were constituted in 1961, a trustee representing Lee County, three at-large trustees and the governor as an ex-officio member.
Candidates can submit applications to Auburn University Trustee Selection Committee, Attn: Grant Davis, 105 Samford Hall, Auburn, AL 36849.
Now kids, this is a cushy gig. As you may remember, back in March, the Huntsville Times reported that the university had spent almost half a million dollars flying trustees and university officials around the country (including good old Tunica, MS) and around the state (most notably from Auburn to BIRMINGHAM - 14 trips) on private jets. Most of which belonged to the athletic department.
Well hell, at least some department at the school is well-fixed for funds. Because, as a PACT parent, it's hard for me to keep from gagging when university officials poor mouth about funding and tuition, when we know that they spend more time in the air than the average migratory bird.
I'm thinking that I should apply! As an almuna, I could bring an interesting perspective to this whole issue. AND, I've served on numerous statewide boards and never expected to be flown to meetings - or even be reimbursed for travel expenses. Maybe Auburn can take my share of the flight $ and apply it to my daughter's tuition in 2012.
Follow me on the flip for an interesting story about this report that explains a lot about the mostly sorry state of journalism in Alabama.
Although it appears that Oklahoma legislator, Sally Kern, would fit right in with some segment of our population.
WHEREAS, we believe our economic woes are consequences of our greater national moral crisis; and
WHEREAS, this nation has become a world leader in promoting abortion, pornography, same sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births, child abuse, and many other forms of debauchery; and
WHEREAS, alarmed that the Government of the United States of America is forsaking the rich Christian heritage upon which this nation was built; and
WHEREAS, grieved that the Office of the president of these United States has refused to uphold the long held tradition of past presidents in giving recognition to our National Day of Prayer; and
WHEREAS, deeply disturbed that the Office of the president of these United States disregards the biblical admonitions to live clean and pure lives by proclaiming an entire month to an immoral behavior;
Hope the Alabama Legislature doesn't get wind of this effort. Because certainly they have nothing more important to do, right?
While doing research for my TVA Coal Ash in Perry County post, I came across a newsletter from WildLaw, a non-profit environmental law firm (who knew such critters existed around here, anyway?). Barbara Evans, the firm's community organizing coordinator, shared her impressions of the last Alabama Legislative session in the organization's May 19th newsletter (PDF). She described the difficulty of getting anything passed - particularly if you don't have gobs of money to spread around.
Since we've had some discussion at LIA before about whether ethics reform is really an important issue - specifically whether it's more important than education, sales tax on food, etc., I thought I'd share the observations of Ms. Evans. She's been "in the trenches," and seen how the legislature works. She's also not afraid to name names.
Her observations are on the flip and well worth a few minutes to read.
That sums up the Huntsville Times' non-endorsement for the upcoming State Senate district 7 special election. This is the paper of record in the district. Recently Kevin Wendt, their new editor, said, “Local news is our franchise. We are a local newspaper. It’s should be at the forefront of what we do.” Apparently local opinion is someone else's franchise.
Why did they even bother to publish such a sad, wishy-washy piece? The failure to endorse is a big yawn nowadays -- folks tend to make up their own minds instead of relying on advice from the local paper. However, buried way down in the second half of this non-endorsement, we find the ultimate lame statement, emphasis mine.
For example, Hall must fully explain her vote to approve a pay raise for the Legislature. Saying legislators make $10 a day while in session isn't the whole story, when per diems, expense accounts, use of campaign funds and money from lobbyists can add to all legislators' income.
Did the Times' editorial board actually read and consider that statement? Seriously, can we expect legislators who earn so little they depend on money from lobbyists to really serve the public interest? Taxpayers need to pay them enough so they can afford to turn down gifts from lobbyists. Discouraging corruption is the number one, best reason to compensate Alabama legislators sufficiently to cover their expenses in Montgomery and feed their families -- and enough so they don't have to be millionaires to serve. Former Travis County, Texas DA Ronnie Earle said it very well at a Netroots Nation seminar last August.
If we want to clean up Alabama government, first pay our lawmakers a fair wage so they aren't dependent on special interest money, then outlaw meals and gifts from lobbyists and put a cap on campaign contributions. Make them work for the voters, not the monied interests.
Two days left. Today and tomorrow, in fact. As of midnight Friday the 2009, regular session of the Alabama Legislature is history. What will they accomplish? Probably very little of the big stuff we had hoped for like
Of course, they aren't quite done wrangling over the budget ... turns out Gov. Riley may try to slip in an amendment. Naturally, the Republicans are going to try to run out the clock and prevent an up or down vote on Riley's changes
House Minority Leader Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, said he expects some GOP members to use delaying tactics to prevent lawmakers from overriding the governor's changes. Riley's changes become part of the budget, unless both the House and the Senate vote to override the governor's amendment.
They're going to stall because they figure they'll lose if it comes to a vote. If you can't win a fair fight, obstruct. That's the new GOP mantra at both state and federal levels.
There are only 2 days left (Thursday and Friday) in this Legislative session but Constitution Reform advocates haven't given up hope on passing a joint resolution (HJR91) authorizing a vote on a convention. Parliamentary procedure can be confusing at times and apparently some Alabama Legislators were confused as to just what they were voting for last week. To refresh, on May 6th Rep. James Buskey (R D, Mobile) moved that HJR91 be carried over temporarily. Rep. Ken Guin (D, Carbon Hill) moved to "lay on the table" Buskey's motion -- "kill it" in layman's terms. Guin's motion failed and HJR91 was carried over -- left to languish, in other words. This via email:
Last Wednesday's vote on the Resolution calling for a constitutional convention (HJR91) was apparently confusing to some members of the House. When the Resolution came up, and they voted "no" on a motion to table a stalling tactic, they thought they were voting AGAINST the stalling tactic.
After the vote was taken, several members of the House spoke to us, frustrated because their vote didn't do what they had intended. At least two, Representatives Tammie Irons and Jody Letson have asked to have their votes changed from "no" to "yes". They both expected the Resolution to come up again on Thursday of last week, since it was set aside "temporarily" by Rep. Buskey. But the flooding on Thursday changed everything.
In addition to that, 26 members didn't vote at all. Many who voted against the effort to remove a stalling tactic, and many of those who did not vote at all, are supporters and we were surprised by their votes.
Now is the time to make the last great push to try to get the Resolution back up. The confusion over how the vote was taken, the 26 people not voting, and the fact that the Resolution was carried over "temporarily" means that there should be strong arguments to bring it up on Thursday of this week for an up or down vote.
So, press hard now and call and email. There is still HOPE.
These motions can be confusing, especially if you aren't paying close attention, but I'm disappointed reform supporters were caught off balance. Spilt milk and all that, but these folks have been in office several years and ought to be familiar with this sort of manuevering by now.
In many years, one or both budgets are not resolved until the final hours of the session, leaving lawmakers little time to review changes. Bedford said the Legislature could have the General Fund budget on the governor's desk with three or four meeting days left in the 2009 session.
Great! That leaves time for the Legislature to address Ethics Reform this session too. That is, if the leadership is actually serious about it - not just waving the ethics flag with one hand while the other is palm-up behind awaiting lobbyist cash.
And on a voice vote. How brave. I guess some people were embarrassed to go on record in support of Miss California's anti-gay marriage stance. Could be they didn't want to look their colleague Patricia Todd in the face and admit their own bigotry.
Shame on every legislator who wasted our time and money voting for this.
She's even from Dothan, close to, but not quite in Love's district. We don't hear the questions on this video. They were apparently pretty inane -- maybe what era would you visit if you had a time machine?, what do you eat? and what superpower would you like to have? -- but her responses were reasonable and coherent. She admires women who combine femininity with power and wouldn't want a superpower because it might go to her head or tempt her to abuse it. She also has a 4.0 GPA and speaks two foreign languages. Why not commend this young Alabama woman instead of Miss California? She isn't blond and isn't obviously a bigot. Is that a problem for the Alabama Legislature?
A resolution has been introduced in the Alabama House that praises Miss USA contestant Carrie Prejean for speaking out against gay marriage during Sunday night's televised pageant.
...
The resolution was introduced Tuesday by Republican Rep. Jay Love of Montgomery.
Has Jay Love actually listened to Ms. Prejean's completely nonsensical answer? She didn't lose because she stuck to her convictions, she lost because she didn't make any damned sense.
Carrie Prejean: I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land that you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage and, you know what, in my country and my family I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anyone out there but that's how I was raised and that's how I think it should be between a man and a woman.
Is California a country now, for Pete's sake? Does she think gay marriage is legal in America? "No" is the correct answer to both, although this stunning blonde doesn't seem to get that. Face it, Rep. Love, this woman was on TV for her looks, not her brains or her personal convictions. Beauty pageants are mindless eye candy for lecherous old (and young) men, demeaning to women of all ages and the Alabama Legislature has zero business getting involved in them, especially advocating for incoherent young women from other states.
The Republicans should have nominated Harri Anne Smith to run against Bobby Bright. She had a horrible media consultant, but beat Jay Love all hollow in the brains department.
UPDATE: The grocery tax bill will probably come up again today in the Alabama House. Call your Representative (334-242-7600) especially if he or she is a Republican.
Today in the Alabama House, the bill to remove state sales taxes from food and replace the lost taxes with a removal of the deduction for federal income taxes from the state income tax failed again. And again, the Republicans were responsible, justifying it as an increase in taxes on the middle class. However, this rationale does not explain the role of ALFA in oposing this bill. At one point, John Knight offered an amendment that would continue the deduction for everyone with an income below $600,000 and the Republicans still rejected it. What is realy going on? I think I know read on:
Remember when university officials at both Auburn and Alabama rebuffed the PACT board's requests for tuition assistance? Their excuse was quite legitimate: legislative funding cuts have left them strapped for funds and requiring steep tuition hikes for students.
But Huntsville Times reporter, Bob Lowry, (whose PACT reporting has made him one of my favorite Alabama journalists) seems to have uncovered another issue: Auburn University officials and trustees' jet-setting ways have cost the university almost half a million dollars during the 2008-08 fiscal year.
Auburn University spent nearly $500,000 flying its administrators and board of trustee members on its two corporate jets during the past fiscal year, records show.
The University of Alabama spent considerably less during the same period - $30,500 - for flights on its lone jet, and trustees rarely were aboard.
Lowry's article contains a full page of flight logs from both Alabama and Auburn.
Perusing them last night, I was blown away by some of the descriptions, destinations, and charges. For instance, on October 9, 2007, Auburn University spent $4747 to fly "unidentified passengers" to Tunica, MS.
TUNICA? For what? Perhaps this is the new funding strategy for Auburn's development staff. Maybe the slots and craps tables look like more of a sure thing than the Alabama legislature. But darn, couldn't they at least have done their gambling in Alabama?
Almost as entertaining as the descriptions of the flights is the explanation by Auburn spokesman, Mike Clardy, for the numerous private flights instead of commercial:
Clardy said it's more practical for the university to use its own jets even though commercial travel through the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is less than 90 minutes from Auburn and the Montgomery Regional Airport is only an hour away.
He noted that traveling through Atlanta also involves a time zone change.
"...involves a time zone change." Remember kids: this is a major university in the United States.
Dr. Larry Chasteen, a Pell City veterinarian and president-elect of the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association, said the proposed law would allow owners to get their pets a one-year or three-year vaccination. The three-year vaccination would cost more, he said.
"Alabama is the only state left that does not recognize the three-year vaccine," Chasteen said.
The AVMA and the Alabama Department of Public Health are among the groups pushing the bill.
The bill also exempts animals who might experience a life-threatening reaction to the vaccine.
A big "attaboy" to Senator Larry Dixon (R-Montgomery) for sponsoring this bill:
State Sen. Larry Dixon, R-Montgomery, who is sponsoring the bill for the first time, attributed inaction on similar bills the past two years to legislators spending time on other bills.
"If it doesn't pass, it won't be because it's controversial," Dixon said.
From the Flashpointblog post:
I encourage you to contact your senator and ask him/her to support Sen. Dixon’s rabies bill (you can call it the ferret bill I guess). The bill number is SB469 and you can read it for yourself here. If you don’t know who your senator is you can find out here. You can contact Sen. Larry Dixon at 334-242-7895 or larry.dixon@alsenate.gov.
Just two days after the PACT board voted unanimously to kick their problem into the lap of the Alabama Legislature, they find Alabama's newest political football sailing back into their territory.
Reporter Bob Lowry of the Huntsville Times reported this morning that two prominent Alabama politicos "see no need to fix PACT now."
Two Statehouse figures normally at odds with each other agreed Wednesday there's no need for the Legislature to rush to fix Alabama's embattled prepaid college tuition program this session. Rep. Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, House minority leader, and Paul Hubbert, executive secretary of the Alabama Education Association, said there's plenty of time for lawmakers to take a thoughtful approach to the problem.
It's not a "crisis situation," Paul Hubbert notes, "because we can pay tuition next year."
Mike Hubbard is equally sanguine, pinning his hopes on a rebounding stock market. (Pssstttt…. Hubbard is also chair of the Alabama Republican Party. I guess he didn't get the memo about wanting Obama's stimulus package to fail.)
I'm glad these guys aren't in charge of anything really important, like, say flood control. I can just hear them as the waters rise:
"Well, before we take action, we need to know what's causing the flooding. But of course, we have enough sandbags to last a day or two. Oh, and the Farmer's Almanac says that next year is supposed to be a lot drier than normal. That would fix the problem without us having to throw a lot of money or effort into it. Everyone just be patient and hold your breath."
Now, we've been all over the PACT board's inexplicable lack of interest in how the stock market crash was affecting the PACT trust fund and how the money was invested (see HaveALittleTalk's PACT posts for more info). It appears that they asked no questions and took no action until half the money was gone. Now, it's an emergency situation where options are limited and action is needed.
Amazingly, Hubbard and Hubbert are using the same logic. "Hey, they've got enough money for next year so it's not a crisis."
If anyone ever had any question about why the Alabama state government is so reactive and crisis-driven, here's your answer. Nobody is interested in long-range planning, transparency, and accountability. Our "leaders" in Montgomery don't want to act until the situation is so critical that taking just about any action looks like an improvement.
It's like a doctor waiting to treat a patient until gangrene has set in, amputating both legs, then wanting accolades for saving the guy's life!
If Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr. was waiting for an opportunity to step in and be the PACT hero, Hubbard and Hubbert have handed it to him on a platter.
As a board member, Folsom bears some responsibility for the problem, and he made a strong statement of support at the board meeting on Tuesday, pledging to work with the legislature to take quick action.
In this battle of titans, who will emerge the victor? The 2010 governors race could depend on the outcome.
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Rep. 
While doing research for my TVA Coal Ash in Perry County post, I came across a newsletter from 
While I've been completely obsessed by the PACT issue, this proposed bill completely slipped by me until Brian at Flashpoint blogged about it.
Just two days after the PACT board voted unanimously to kick their problem into the lap of the Alabama Legislature, they find Alabama's newest political football sailing back into their territory. 
If Lt. Governor Jim Folsom, Jr. was waiting for an opportunity to step in and be the PACT hero, Hubbard and Hubbert have handed it to him on a platter. 
