Headlines

Sessions: Supreme Court
Hearings Will Focus On Proper Role of Judge and Court In American Legal System
MOBILE -- U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) made the following comments today
regarding President Obama’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to be Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court:
“The president’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court today is an
important step in a constitutional process that includes the advice and consent
of the Senate. I congratulate Ms. Sotomayor on her nomination.
“The Senate Judiciary Committee’s role is to act on behalf of the American
people to carefully scrutinize Ms. Sotomayor's qualifications, experience, and
record. We will engage in a fair and thorough examination of Ms.
Sotomayor's previous judicial opinions, speeches, and academic writings to
determine if she has demonstrated the characteristics that great judges share:
integrity, impartiality, legal expertise, and a deep and unwavering respect for
the rule of law.
“Of primary importance, we must determine if Ms. Sotomayor understands that the
proper role of a judge is to act as a neutral umpire of the law, calling balls
and strikes fairly without regard to one’s own personal preferences or political
views.
“President Obama has stated his desire to have a full court seated at the start
of its next term, a reasonable goal toward which the Judiciary Committee should
responsibly and diligently move. But we must remember that a Supreme Court
justice sits for a lifetime appointment, and the Senate hearing is the only
opportunity for the American people to engage in the nomination process.
Adequate preparation will take time. I will insist that, consistent with
recent confirmation processes, every senator be accorded the opportunity to
prepare, ask questions, and receive full and complete answers.
“I look forward to the coming months as we move forward with this process.
As I told the president this morning, I will do all I can to ensure that Ms.
Sotomayor receives a fair hearing before the Committee. I firmly believe
that the American people deserve a full and thoughtful debate about the proper
role of a judge in the American legal system, an issue that will be central to
our review of Ms. Sotomayor's record."
Sessions Introduces Legislation to Sustain Ambulance Service
in Rural Areas
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) is taking steps to
address a looming health care problem in Alabama: the threat of a severe drop in
ambulance services to rural parts of the state in coming years.
Sessions, with Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Pat Roberts
(R-KS), introduced bipartisan legislation in the Senate yesterday that would
alter existing Medicare programs to better reflect the cost of operating
ambulance services outside of urban centers. The legislation, S. 1066, would
boost the Medicare reimbursement rate by six percent for ambulance trips
originating in rural areas, and by 17 percent for ambulance services in
extremely remote areas.
“Rural ambulance service providers may receive only a few
calls a week, but they must be ready to go, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,”
Sessions said. “It has been a priority of mine for a number of years to correct
the unfair treatment of rural Alabama ambulance operators. I believe this will
be a good step toward restoring the correct balance. This legislation would make
adjustments to the reimbursement formula to account for the high cost of rural
service. The men and women who provide these services are lifesavers, and we
need to make sure they are able to assist those in need, regardless of the
patient’s location.”
A May 2007 report by the Government Accountability Office
found that “rural and super rural transports were longer than urban transports,
on average, requiring more time and resources per transport. In 2004, urban
Medicare transports averaged seven miles, while rural Medicare transports
averaged 13 miles and medical transports from super rural areas averaged 20
miles.”
Currently, ambulance providers cover the upfront cost of
transporting Medicare patients and are reimbursed under a formula that weighs
the number of trips each provider makes more heavily than the length of each
trip, disadvantaging rural providers.
In 2003, Medicare began providing a bonus payment to offset
the higher cost of operating in rural areas. But, under current law, those
payments are scheduled to cease at the end of the year, leading some industry
experts to predict that many rural ambulance providers will be unable to sustain
rural operations.
Such an outcome would result in a dramatic disruption of
services in states like Alabama, where 35 percent of the 260,000 ambulance
transports made each year are in rural areas.
Jim Finger, President of the American Ambulance Association,
pointed to the legislation as an important step to insuring adequate rural
service.
"Funding from the Medicare Ambulance Access Preservation Act
would offset the temporary Medicare ambulance relief provisions, which are set
to expire at the end of this year, and would address the chronic problem of
below-cost reimbursement by Medicare of ambulance services,” Finger said.
“Without this legislation, ambulance service providers, especially those which
service the most rural areas, may be forced to scale back services, which could
ultimately jeopardize access for all Americans to life-saving ambulance care and
first responder services.”
Jon Howell, President of Alabama Association of Ambulance
Services said, “Ambulance providers in Alabama have long needed relief from the
high costs associated with providing quality care. Speaking on behalf of the
Alabama Association of Ambulance Services, I am very pleased and excited that
Senator Sessions has co-sponsored this important legislation.”
The funding adjustments included in Sessions’ legislation are
in line with the recommendations of the GAO’s report, and would send an
additional $80 million in aid to Alabama’s ambulance providers over the next 10
years.
Governor Riley Approves Two New Laws
that Strengthen Efforts Against Sex Offenders
MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley announced Thursday he has
signed two new laws that are designed to protect the public from sex offenders.
One new law ensures that adults can be prosecuted for using computers to solicit
children for sex, even if the person they are communicating with is not a child
but a law enforcement officer posing as a child as part of a sting operation.
The need for the new law became clear after police in Gulf Shores arrested 23
suspects who were communicating online to arrange meetings with what they
thought were children. Some of the cases were difficult to prosecute under state
law because they were actually communicating with other adults.
The bill was sponsored by Representative Steve McMillan and
Senator Myron Penn.
The second new law requires local law enforcement agencies to
verify the physical address where an adult criminal sex offender intends to
reside upon release from prison. The new law also prohibits sex offenders who
don’t provide a proper physical address from early release.
According to the Alabama Sentencing Commission, 18 adult sex
offenders were convicted for not providing their addresses before their release
from prison between fiscal years 2005 and 2007.
Representative Blaine Galliher and Senator Myron Penn
sponsored the bill in the Legislature.
“Both of these new laws will help make our families and
communities safer. I commend the sponsors and legislators for taking action to
give our law enforcement officers stronger tools to fight sex offenders,” said
Governor Riley.
Sessions Announces
Senior Leadership Team for Judiciary Committee
Republican
Judiciary Staff Gearing Up Quickly For Supreme Court Nomination
WASHINGTON—Just days after being named Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary
Committee, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) today announced the committee’s senior
leadership team, a group of skilled, well-qualified lawyers with nearly four
decades of Washington experience among them.
The top echelon of Sessions’ judiciary staff will consist of Brian Benczkowski,
William Smith, Joe Matal, and Matt Miner. The group plans to begin
work immediately on the upcoming Supreme Court nomination, as well as a host of
other issues pending before the committee.
“This is a fantastic team of lawyers that is coming onboard at an exciting and
critical time,” Sessions said. “They are each highly qualified,
knowledgeable of the legislative process, and skilled at getting things done in
Washington,” Sessions said. “I look forward to working with the team
during this critical Supreme Court nomination process, as well as on the myriad
of legal, law enforcement, and national security issues that come through the
Judiciary Committee on a daily basis.”
Brian Benczkowski will serve as Staff Director.
Before joining Sessions’ staff, Benczkowski served as Chief of Staff to Attorney
General Michael Mukasey, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Legislative
Affairs at the Department of Justice, and Chief of Staff at the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Benczkowski also served as
Majority Counsel on the House Judiciary Committee, advising Chairman F. James
Sensenbrenner. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of
Virginia, and a Juris Doctor from the Washington University School of Law.
William Smith will serve as Chief Counsel.
Previously, Smith held the title of Executive Director of Congressional
Relations for Americans for Limited Government. He practiced law at the
Birmingham firm of Starnes and Atchison. From 2001 to 2006, Smith served
as Sessions’ Chief Counsel for the Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and
the Courts. Smith earned a B.A. from the University of Alabama, a Master
of Library Science from the University of North Carolina, and a Juris Doctor
from the University of Alabama School of Law.
Joe Matal will serve as General Counsel.
Prior to joining the Sessions’ staff, Matal worked as Counsel for U.S. Sen. John
Kyl (R-AZ) on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology, and
Homeland Security. Previously, he served as Policy Director to Sen. Peter
Fitzgerald (R-IL). Matal earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and
English from Stanford University, and a Juris Doctor from the Boalt Hall School
of Law.
Matt Miner will serve as the Deputy Staff Director.
Miner is being promoted from his current post of Chief Counsel on the
Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts, where Sessions was
Ranking Member. Prior to joining Sessions’ staff in December 2008, Miner
served on the Judiciary Committee staff for Sen. Arlen Specter. Before
coming to Washington, Miner was an Assistant United States Attorney in
Montgomery. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of
Cincinnati, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan School of Law.
ALABAMA PEANUT GROWERS DONATE PEANUT
BUTTER TO FOOD BANKS
MONTGOMERY - The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) made a special
delivery today and donated twenty-four pallets (approximately 25,000 - 12 oz.
jars) of peanut butter to the Montgomery Area Food Bank, for distribution to
other food banks throughout the state. The contribution will help needy families
enduring economic hardships while increasing the awarene
ss
of the health benefits of peanuts and peanut butter. In addition to the Alabama
Peanut Producers Association, various peanut-related companies and organizations
are donating the peanut butter.
“This project was initiated by our Association and joined by the Farmers
Federations in those counties that produce peanuts,” said Carl Sanders,
president of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association. “We hope our donation
today will help the food banks in Alabama fill the void which occurred over the
last several months and help them reach even more individuals who may be in
need.”
The shipment was delivered to Montgomery by Southern Ag Carriers, a major
transportation company in the peanut industry, which donated their services for
the event. The peanut butter was manufactured by Tara Foods of Albany, Georgia,
which is a subsidiary of the Kroger Company.
“Agriculture is a vital part of not only this state, but this country as a
whole,” said U.S. Congressman Bobby Bright. “I’m proud to be a part of this
event today and continue to look forward to representing this area and
protecting it’s interest in Washington.”
“For the Alabama Peanut Producers donating peanut butter to food banks across
the state is a truly gracious offering,” said Commissioner of Agriculture &
Industries Ron Sparks. “Peanut butter is extremely nutritious, easy to use and
store, and certainly is delicious. This will provide many people with a healthy
lunch or snack that is grown and produced right here in Alabama.”
Sanders concluded by telling attendees “Over 50% of the peanuts grown in Alabama
is used in peanut butter,” Sanders said. “As we often like to say, this donation
represents a wholesome product “from our farms to your table.”
The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) received word on Thursday, May 14, that
the agency has been awarded a $6.28 million American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act (ARRA) grant to aid in the battle against cogongrass, a non-native invasive
species. “This grant will be administered by the AFC, working in cooperation
with the Alabama Task Force on Cogongrass within the context of the Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) on Cogongrass that was signed in April of 2008,”
according to Bill Baisden, Assistant State Forester. “The $6.28 million will
allow the task force to organize an effective campaign against cogongrass, one
of the world’s most aggressive invasive species.”
These funds will be used to suppress and control cogongrass,
as well as provide for restoring forestlands and rangelands damaged by this
invasive weed. Invasive species affect the health of ecosystems by stressing the
naturally occurring species and competing with them for resources.
In the announcement made by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom
Vilsack, a total of 19 projects addressing forest health issues were funded
nationwide at over $38 million by the ARRA.
Sessions meets with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates
“I have great respect for Secretary Gates and I appreciate his meeting with us
today. We had a productive conversation regarding a number of important
defense issues, including the Air Force tanker acquisition program. The
tanker remains the Air Force’s top acquisition priority. There is no
question that our men and women in uniform desperately need these aircraft.
The process has gone on far too long, and it’s imperative that we get these
refueling tankers to the war fighter as soon as possible.
“I was pleased to hear the Secretary reaffirm his commitment to a fair and
transparent process that will deliver the best airplane to our troops.
Anything less than a fair competition would be a body blow to the military
procurement process, signaling that politics trump merit.
“Dr. Carter, a capable and qualified nominee, has made a similar commitment and
has indicated his desire to move forward with a competition that selects the
aircraft with the most capability for the taxpayers’ money. It is
important that the Pentagon’s chief acquisition officer be in place to oversee
this tanker competition as well as numerous other critical acquisition programs.
Accordingly, after our conversation today, I am pleased to lift my hold on Dr.
Carter’s nomination. I look forward to working closely with him in the
future.”
Sparks Meets with Mexico’s Former
President Fox to Form Trade Partnership
LEON, MEXICO - During a recent trade mission to Mexico in
conjunction with former President Vicente Fox, Alabama Department of Agriculture
and Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks focused on helping Alabama manufacturing
and service companies gain access to Mexican markets.

Senator Kim Benefield, Former President of Mexico Vicente Fox,
and Commissioner Ron Sparks discuss trade opportunities
Commissioner Sparks and other agriculture officials recruited
a diverse cross-section of Alabama businesses to join the mission, including
manufacturers, farmers, engineering services, and insurance companies.
“International trade is a relationship building process,”
Sparks said. "We work hard to provide these opportunities to all Alabama
companies, because you have to be proactive in boosting sales of Alabama
products, especially given today’s economic realities.”
The initial mission to Leon, Mexico, took a different
approach than most trade relations efforts initiated by state governments. For
example, as opposed to focusing on new industry recruitment, Sparks believes
that the current economic environment calls for a redoubled effort to promote
existing industry, where most gains in jobs originate. Former President Fox
praised Commissioner Sparks for having the vision to initiate the partnership
between Centro Fox and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.
As part of the trade mission process, Alabama companies
submitted profiles to Centro Fox (similar to a US Presidential Library), which
then searched for the best fits for these companies.
“We wanted to have prescreened matchmaking opportunities for
Alabama companies when they arrived in Mexico,” Sparks said.
Sparks joined Fox at Centro Fox for a tour of the grounds and
then Fox hosted Sparks and the Alabama delegation for lunch at his home.
“This was a perfect opportunity to engage our Mexican
counterparts before our formal meetings,” said Ann Piper, President of Joe Piper
Inc., of Birmingham.
Over a dozen Alabama companies spent the majority of the
afternoon meeting multiple counterparts at Centro Fox. Some business agreements
were tentatively reached, resulting in immediate sales.
“We appreciate the Department introducing us to new potential
clients around the world that we might not otherwise get to partner with,” added
Steve Hammack with Valley Lumber Co. in Russellville. “The Department has been a
great resource for us and we definitely benefit from having Commissioner Sparks
and his staff helping us as we attempt to grow our business.”
Based on the success of the initial mission, the Department
of Agriculture and Industries will work with President Fox and Centro Fox on
plans for Alabama to host Mexican businesses looking for partnerships with state
companies.
City Stages announces 2009 talent lineup
Jane’s Addiction, The Doobie Brothers and En Vogue among
those to rock the Magic City
Birmingham, Ala. –
Birmingham’s largest not-for-profit music festival is
turning 21 in a big way in
2009. Festival organizers announced today the
all-star lineup that will rock the Magic City
June 19, 20 and 21. The
festival’s new website and new marketing
initiative launches March 30 at
citystages.org.
What’s New:
Aside from the exciting lineup, City Stages has
made several changes in its
operations this year. First of all, a weekend
pass to City Stages just got $5
cheaper all around. This includes a $40 advance
weekend pass on sale May
4. Tickets will be available at Legacy Federal
Credit Union, Ticketmaster
and participating Publix Supermarkets. Pre-sale
tickets are available for a
limited time at $37.50 beginning March 30.
In addition, getting to and from the excitement
just got a little easier. For
the convenience of its patrons, City Stages is
adding a shuttle service to
and from major parking locations near the three
entrances.
One other noticeable change this year is the
City Stages marketing
campaign. After 20 years of musical memories,
the festival invites all of its
fans over the years to take ownership of their
own city festival through an
active online dialogue.
To begin, you can join the likes of Carlos
Santana, George Clinton and other
individuals by sharing your own City Stages
memories at citystages.org.
Your City Stages memory could be chosen for
publication on posters to
appear throughout the city beginning early May.
Quick Links:
City Stages wants to hear from you! Join the
conversation and help take
back your part of Birmingham’s premiere music
festival.
Citystages.org (live March 29)
Twitter.com/citystages (for the latest chatter
on City Stages)
tr.im/citystages (become part of the City Stages
online community at
Facebook)
Complete list of artists appearing as of March
30:
JANE'S ADDICTION, STYX, REO
SPEEDWAGON, THE DOOBIE BROTHERS,
38 SPECIAL, THE NEVILLE BROTHERS,
CHARLIE WILSON, YOUNG JEEZY
,
INDIGO
GIRLS, EN VOGUE, JOHNNY LANG, COREY SMITH,
GUSTER, JAMES OTTO
,
MAT KEARNEY, THE
WHIGS,
NEEDTOBREATHE, ERIN MCCARLEY, COURTNEY
JAYE, RYAN BINGHAM, RODDIE ROMERO AND THE
HUB CITY ALLSTARS, STEVE RILEY & THE MAMOU
PLAYBOYS,
KEVIN NAQUIN & THE
OSSUN PLAYBOYS, HERB
TROTMAN AND FRIENDS,
ALABAMA BLUES MACHINE, JOE GIATTINA
ORCHESTRA, LIL MALCOLM AND THE HOUSE ROCKERS,
PATTON JAMES
AND THE SYNCHROMATICS, LEON CHAVIS & THE ZYDECO
FLAMES, THE
LATIN RYTHMS BAND
Music Oasis:
In addition to main stage acts, City Stages has
added the Music Oasis,
featuring up and coming local and independent
talent.
RAY RACHELS AND VICKI HALLMAN, BIRMINGHAM
CHILDREN’S
CHOIR, UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO JAZZ ENSEMBLE,
JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE,
UNIVERSITY OF
ALABAMA JAZZ ENSEMBLE, SUPERJAZZ, THE
PROGRESSIVE CHOIR,
ISLA DUO, SURSUM CORDA, CAHABA SAXAPHONE
QUARTET, EDUARDO
ROJAS AND THE RED MOUNTAIN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA.
Media contact:
Jim Taylor – jim.taylor@mac.com – 404.512.4204
About City Stages:
City Stages is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit,
three-day music festival, which
began as a way to bring the community of
Birmingham together. It has
grown into one of the Southeast’s largest music
festivals over the past 20
years and brings a minimum of 10 million dollars
in revenue to the city
each year.
Past performers range from Flaming Lips, Hank
Williams Jr, Snoop Dogg,
Ludacris, Sean Paul, Ben Harper, The Beach Boys,
Loretta Lynn, The
Allman Brothers, Bob Dylan, David Byrne, Poison,
Kanye West and more.
For more information including the latest on
talent lineup,
visit www.citystages.org.
CBO Report Exposes
Inaccuracies in Obama’s Budget
“CBO’s independent analysis of
the budget’s long-term impact is even more troubling than the already stunningly
high forecast made by the administration, which is based on rosy and unrealistic
assumptions about the economy. One of the many discrepancies is the
dramatic difference in deficit projections. The nonpartisan CBO determined
that the president’s prediction of a $700 billion deficit in the tenth year of
the plan—already stunningly high by historical standards—was far too optimistic.
CBO calculates that the Obama budget will actually result in a $1.2 trillion
deficit that year, a difference of 70 percent.
“Under either scenario, the Obama
budget, if passed, would represent a national financial catastrophe. Obama
campaigned on sound and responsible management of the government, but now that
he is governing, words are of little value. What counts are his
actions, and we now know that his blueprint for the country calls for the
largest run of spending and borrowing since World War II. If the budget is
enacted, CBO predicts deficits averaging $1 trillion every year for the next
decade. Every taxpaying American should be gravely concerned by that fact.
“The debate over the Obama budget
is a defining moment for our nation. This cannot be a partisan issue.
If approved, the budget will result in a fundamental alteration of the
relationship between the government and the people. It must be defeated.
“Certainly, many Democrats are uneasy. For the good of
our nation, it will be critical that they stand up and say no.”
Alabama Flood-Prone Lands to Receive
Economic Recovery Funding
Auburn - Landowners in Alabama will have a
chance to tap into the $145 million set aside by the U. S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) to restore an estimated 60,000 acres, nationwide, of
frequently flooded land to its natural state. The funds are available through
the floodplain easement component of the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP)
Program. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the funds are part of the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 aimed at revitalizing the economy
by creating jobs as well as protecting and restoring the environment.
The EWP Program’s floodplain easement component allows NRCS
to purchase easements on lands damaged by flooding. The restored floodplain will
generate benefits, such as increased flood protection, enhanced fish and
wildlife habitat, improved water quality, and a reduced need for future public
disaster assistance.
Gary Kobylski, State Conservationist for the Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama, announced that eligible
landowners can sign up for these easements at their local NRCS offices through
March 27, 2009.
“We will be working with landowners who voluntarily agree to
restore the floodplains to their natural condition by placing their land into
easements,” Kobylski said. “These easements will convert environmentally
sensitive land into riparian corridors and wooded bottomlands that are so vital
for fish and wildlife habitat and to mitigate downstream flooding.” USDA has
limited spending to $30 million per state.
Easements are a great way to preserve your land, establish a
legacy, while maintaining ownership of the land.
For information about the EWP Floodplain Easements Program,
contact your local NRCS office or visit the Website at:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ewp/Floodplain/index.html.
Alabama Flood-Prone Lands to Receive Economic Recovery
Funding
Auburn, AL, March 12, 2009 – Landowners in Alabama will have
a chance to tap into the $145 million set aside by the U. S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) to restore an estimated 60,000 acres, nationwide, of
frequently flooded land to its natural state. The funds are available through
the floodplain easement component of the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP)
Program. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the funds are part of the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 aimed at revitalizing the economy
by creating jobs as well as protecting and restoring the environment.
The EWP Program’s floodplain easement component allows NRCS
to purchase easements on lands damaged by flooding. The restored floodplain will
generate benefits, such as increased flood protection, enhanced fish and
wildlife habitat, improved water quality, and a reduced need for future public
disaster assistance.
Gary Kobylski, State Conservationist for the Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama, announced that eligible
landowners can sign up for these easements at their local NRCS offices through
March 27, 2009.
“We will be working with landowners who voluntarily agree to
restore the floodplains to their natural condition by placing their land into
easements,” Kobylski said. “These easements will convert environmentally
sensitive land into riparian corridors and wooded bottomlands that are so vital
for fish and wildlife habitat and to mitigate downstream flooding.” USDA has
limited spending to $30 million per state.
Easements are a great way to preserve your land, establish a
legacy, while maintaining ownership of the land.
For information about the EWP
Floodplain Easements Program, contact your local NRCS office or visit the
Website at:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ewp/Floodplain/index.html.
The Alabama Forestry Commission in
cooperation with several other member states (Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina) of the Southern Group of State
Foresters have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to organize and
coordinate efforts to fight the spread of cogongrass, Imperata cylindrica.
Through this MOU, state forestry
agencies will work with landowners and organizations in cogongrass management
activities. This includes: developing and implementing control and suppression
tactics; educating the public to recognize this invasive weed; helping to
minimize its future spread, and reporting suspect cogongrass finds for
verification and appropriate control measures.
According to Alabama State Forester Linda Casey, “Cogongrass is not going away
on its own! It will continue to destroy land productivity, wildlife habitats,
and ecosystems unless we aggressively work to stop it. This agreement will help
us leverage local, state and federal resources, not only to battle this
destructive weed but also help educate landowners and citizens about the impact
and spread of cogongrass.”
Native to Southeast Asia, this noxious weed has infested more
than 1.25 billion acres worldwide and is believed to have entered the United
States in the early 1900s as a packing material. Today, infested areas of
cogongrass are found throughout the southeastern U.S. It is a highly aggressive
perennial that grows from two feet to more than four feet in height, in full
sunlight to partial shade, and quickly forms large dense stands, choking out
native plants and destroying wildlife habitat. It spreads both by wind-blown
seeds – with a single plant producing up to 3,000 seeds – and by underground
branching rhizomes. Each rhizome, or fragment of rhizome, can start a new plant.
Seeds or pieces of rhizomes transported to new areas in contaminated soil, hay,
sod or on equipment can easily sprout and start new infestations.
In addition, cogongrass is a significant fire hazard. The
roots and rhizomes of cogongrass are fire-tolerant, but leaves and flowers of
the plant are extremely flammable creating a fire hazard for firefighters and
citizens living in rural areas.
This MOU will remain in effect through June 30, 2013, at
which time state foresters will have the option of renewing the agreement.
For more information on cogongrass, please visit the
following Web sites:
http://www.forestry.alabama.gov/Cogongrass.aspx,
http://www.cogongrass.org
your local state forestry office.
Agriculture: Essential in Alabama
MONTGOMERY - Alabama is in financial crisis and most state
agencies are struggling and facing possible layoffs or furloughs. We need real
solutions to our fiscal emergency and in the last two years, the Department of
Agriculture & Industries has cut spending dramatically. Money has been saved
while maintaining services to the public. If we cut deeper, state employees, the
agriculture industry, and our state’s economy will all suffer as a result.
Agriculture is Alabama’s number one industry and our agency is an integral part
of everyday commerce. The actions of our employees touch the lives of people in
Alabama on a daily basis.
The good news for Alabama agriculture is clear in the results
of the 2007 Ag Census. Consistently, the number of family farms has gone down by
500-1,000 each year; however, the 2007 census shows an 8% increase in the number
of family farms in the state from 45,126 to 48,753, a significant increase. This
shows the importance of having a proactive approach to helping farmers and
promoting agriculture. Alabama has experienced some rough years with drought,
hurricanes, and a late freeze, but our farmers are resilient and ready to adapt.
We stand ready to help them grow and succeed.
Alabama ranks 3rd nationally in broiler production. We
inspect every flock of chickens and if our inspectors can’t do their jobs, those
chickens cannot be moved out of state. We raise over a billion chickens a year
and the poultry industry relies on us to keep their product safe and available
to the world market.
Alabama is 14th in the nation for beef production. Our
livestock industry is an important part of our economy. Cattle farmers must have
health certificates for their livestock to be moved and sold. If issuance of
these certificates is delayed due to staff cuts, interstate commerce slows.
After experiencing years of negative effects from drought, our livestock
industry can’t afford more delays in getting their product to market.
Greenhouse, sod, and nursery receipts in Alabama totaled more
than $340 million in 2007-2008. Plants are inspected by the department to ensure
that they are disease-free. Without this assurance, our nursery industry would
suffer tremendously because plants could not be moved out of state. Our
inspectors must be able to work to provide proper documentation in a timely
manner for this industry to continue to thrive.
Our staff also works with pest control companies to ensure
they are applying pesticides safely in your home or business. Our Pesticide
Management Section also helps farmers by reviewing everything from kitchen
antimicrobial soaps to lawn insect killers before it can be sold in the state.
The Weights and Measures Division stays busy throughout the
year, especially checking gas pumps. They ensure that if you buy a gallon, you
receive a gallon and that if you buy a certain level of octane, you receive it.
They also calibrate scales from the weigh stations you see on highways to
pharmacy weights used for medications. If inspectors can’t do their jobs, then
consumers can’t be assured they are getting what they pay for. Checking scales
protects both consumers and those selling the product.
The four State Diagnostic Laboratories are dedicated to the
diagnosis of livestock and poultry diseases, and also provide diagnostic
services for companion animals and wildlife, with the Auburn lab serving as the
central reference lab. These labs form a coordinated program that provides more
than 900,000 test results. The Auburn lab allows for supervised observation of
lab operations for veterinary medicine and poultry science students from Auburn
University and nearby Tuskegee University.
In addition to the four diagnostic labs, we also have the
Food Safety Lab, Seed Lab, State Chemical Lab, and Pesticide Residue Lab. The
quality of our labs was severely lacking and now we have updated resources to
protect farmers and consumers.
The poor economy has forced families to make sacrifices. Hard
times bring out the best in some people, but it also causes a rise in crime.
Cattle and heavy equipment thefts in the state have risen in the last two years.
Since September of 2008, our Investigations Division has recovered almost
700,000 dollars worth of stolen property and cattle. We are the only state
agency that investigates cattle thefts and no other agency has worked as many
heavy equipment thefts as the department. The team also works on animal cruelty
cases and food safety issues. Investigators randomly inspect produce transported
in refrigerated trucks, have gone undercover to topple animal fighting rings,
and assist other law enforcement agencies in solving crimes.
Our Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness Section
protects agriculture with emergency training exercises. We are prepared to
respond to agricultural incidents such as agro-terrorism, natural disasters, and
also to manage emergencies related to animal health, plant health, and food
safety.
We cannot neglect our duty to protect Alabama’s farmers,
consumers, and their families. We are making efforts to be fiscally responsible,
but not at the risk of putting the public in danger or slowing commerce. We have
a lot of responsibilities to the public. In the last ten years, I have seen our
staff unhesitatingly assist in some critical situations, even when they were not
required to do so. The people who work at our department are not the kind that
says “that’s not in my job description.” I hope that when the legislature
proposes budget solutions, they remember these employees and the importance of
agriculture in Alabama.
Ron Sparks can be contacted at
ron.sparks@agi.alabama.gov.
Governor Riley Comments on Introduction of Far-Reaching
Gambling Bill
MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley issued the following
statement on Thursday concerning the introduction of a far-reaching gambling
bill in the Legislature, SB 471 in the Senate and HB 676 in the House:
“If supporters of this bill really believe gambling is so
good for Alabama, then why does their bill say it will restrict gambling? It’s
because deep down they know the truth: gambling might make casino operators into
multi-millionaires, but it hurts people, families and our communities. It brings
with it more misery, more crime and more corruption. Alabamians know this and
that’s why every time all the people have had a chance to vote on gambling,
they’ve rejected it.
“We will spend more than $12 billion in state and federal
money on education in Alabama this year. This proposal would bring in less than
one percent of that amount. For less than one percent, I don’t believe we should
allow more crime, misery and corruption into Alabama.”
Alabama Business Tortillas Blanco Receives Commendation
MONTGOMERY - Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries Ron
Sparks is proud to announce that on Thursday, January 22, 2009, Tortillas
Blanco, Inc. was recognized by Governor Bob Riley at a Commendation ceremony
held at the Alabama State Capitol.
Tortillas Blanco, Inc, started by Mark and April White in
Athens, Alabama is a tortilla chip company as well as a restaurant in downtown
Athens, with the same name. Tortillas Blanco is a member of the Alabama Food
Manufacturers and Producers Association and proudly supports the “Buy Alabama’s
Best” promotion. For more information on this company, please visit their
website at www.ItsTheChips.com.
Below is the language from the certificate given by Governor
Riley to Mark and April White in recognition of their business.
Whereas, In early October 2005, Mark and April White
began operation of their business Tortillas Blanco, Inc.
Whereas the dream for Tortillas Blanco was shaped
after Mark's trips to Mexico with his grandfather, Lynn Headrick.
Whereas at age 25, Mark White began to make his dream
for Tortillas Blanco a reality; and
Whereas, today, Tortillas Blanco is restaurant
located on Market Street in Historic downtown Athens and a chip
manufacturing company located in North Town Athens; and
Whereas since 2005, Tortillas Blanco has been an
active participant in Mark and April's Limestone County community; and
Whereas Tortillas Blanco was featured in the May 2008
edition of Southern Living Magazine; and
Whereas, in 2008, Mark White was honored as the
Limestone County Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year.
2007 Ag Census Shows Growing Trends in US Agriculture
MONTGOMERY - Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries Ron Sparks and Alabama’s
Agricultural Statistics Director Bill Weaver announced the results of the 2007
Census of Agriculture at a press conference todayThe 2007 Census of
Agriculture counted 2,204,792 farms in the United States through the U.S.
Department of Agriculture’s National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) and
showed optimal results for Alabama. Since the last census in 2002, the number of
reported U.S. farms increased 4 percent. In Alabama, however, the number of
farms increased by 8 percent to 48,753 farms.
“This data shows the importance of having a proactive approach to helping
farmers and producers and promoting the agriculture industry,” said Sparks.
“Alabama has been through a rough 4 to 5 years with drought, hurricanes, and the
late freeze, but I am proud to say that our farmers and producers are resilient
and ready to adapt to stay in business.”
“The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of the nation’s farms and
ranches and the people who operate them,” Bill Weaver, director of the NASS
Alabama Field Office. “It provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive
agricultural data for every county in the nation.”
Nationally, the latest census results show a continuing trend towards more
small and very large farms and fewer mid-sized operations. Overall, the majority
of U.S. farms are smaller operations with more than half characterized as
residential/lifestyle or retirement farms.
In addition to looking at all aspects of farming, the Census of Agriculture
provides the most comprehensive look at operator demographics – with 2007
results indicating that an area in which farmers continue to become more
diverse. The 2007 Census counted nearly 30 percent more female principal farm
operators in the United States. Nationwide, the count of Hispanic operators grew
by 10 percent, and the counts of American Indian, Asian and Black farm operators
increased as well.
“The Census helps illustrate growing trends throughout agriculture, both
nationally and in Alabama,” said Sparks. “This is an exciting time for the
entire agriculture community because the census is the voice of every farmer,
regardless of size or type of operation.”
Complete results of the 2007 Census of Agriculture, including first-ever
numbers about on-farm energy generation, community-supported agriculture
arrangements and historic barns are available at
www.agcensus.usda.gov.
Sparks Comments on Cockfighting Bill
MONTGOMERY - Commissioner Ron Sparks has provided comments
on proposed legislation that would make cockfighting a felony in Alabama. HB245
states that it would become “a Class C felony for a person to do any of the
following: Own, possess, keep, raise, or train any cock with the intent that the
cock shall be engaged in fighting another cock.” Sparks supports the portions of
the bill that state that gaffing, training and fighting cocks should be illegal,
but he is concerned that the law will not allow a person to own, possess, keep,
or raise a rooster on his or her property. Sparks said the problem with the
bill’s language is that it puts the burden on the citizen who is only raising
cocks to prove that they are not fighting their birds.
“There has been some confusion about my stance on
cockfighting due to some recent news media coverage that was misleading,” said
Sparks. “I have said repeatedly that I am against gaffing a rooster or having
them fight. Our department has made animal cruelty cases a priority whether it
is a starving horse or hog-dog fighting. We have even gone undercover to put an
end to these criminal acts and will continue to do so.”
Jennifer Taloney, a reporter with WKRG in Mobile, used a
department letter written in reference to a proposed federal law in 2007 that
would have made cockfighting a felony as an example of why Commissioner Sparks
might be opposed to HB245. Sparks concern with the federal law was because it
contained language stating that a person could not raise, sell, transport, or
show these birds, which could not only cause the destruction of a species, but
would also raise serious animal health issues, such as reporting diseased birds,
if owners of roosters choose to raise birds underground unregulated.
“To not be able to raise roosters is absurd,” added Sparks.
“That means if your son or daughter wants to raise a rooster to show at the
fair, they could get in trouble for committing a felony if their roosters show
signs of fighting, which roosters naturally do on their own. I think there is
something wrong in government when I have to tell my grandson he can’t raise a
rooster. My grandfather raised thousands of roosters and I don’t know of one
that he ever fought. Not everyone who raises roosters is an outlaw.”
Sparks said another flaw in the bill is that there is no
mention of the role of the State Veterinarian.
“When it comes to animal health, no agency should come before
the State Veterinarian’s office,” added Sparks.
Operation Clean Slate: Alabama Temporarily Waiving Penalties
for Delinquent Tax Filers
MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley and Revenue Commissioner Tim
Russell announced today the Revenue Department will temporarily waive penalties
and will not seek criminal prosecutions for delinquent tax filers who come
forward and pay what they owe in state taxes.
The effort, called Operation Clean Slate, runs from February
1 through May 15. During this period, individuals and businesses that
voluntarily come forward and file past-due returns or amend their returns to
properly report their tax liabilities will be granted leniency, provided they
are not already under investigation, nor have been contacted by the Department
as to their proper tax liability. This program is available, but not limited, to
Individual and Corporate Income taxes, Business Privilege Tax, and if
unregistered with the department, Sales Tax and Use Tax.
“This is a brief window of opportunity for those who aren’t
paying their taxes to get right with the law,” said Governor Riley. “Take
advantage of this offer because it won’t last long.”
When the temporary reprieve ends, the Revenue Department will
bring online a new, $26 million computer system that will increase the
Department’s ability to identify those who are not paying taxes or who are
under-reporting the taxes they owe.
“There are some who are not paying what they owe. That isn’t
fair to the millions of taxpayers who do,” Governor Riley said. “Those who are
not paying what they owe are breaking the law. And with the help of a new
state-of-the-art computer system that is coming online, it is about to get a lot
easier to catch them. The likelihood they will get caught is about to increase
tremendously.”
The usual penalties for failing to file returns or failing to
pay the tax due will not be imposed during this limited period of time. The
Department will also not seek to impose the civil penalty for underpayment due
to negligence nor the penalty for fraud for those taxpayers who correct their
situations by filing or amending their returns and paying the proper amount due
before May 15. Finally, the Department will not seek any criminal penalties for
failure to pay taxes for those who come forward and pay by the deadline.
Those who want to take
advantage of Operation Clean Slate can send their delinquent or amended tax
returns to the Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 327010, Montgomery, AL
36132-7010. Those with questions can contact the department at
cleanslate@revenue.alabama.gov
or at (334) 242-1055. A toll free phone number will be published within the next
few days.
Coal waste leaks from Stevenson TVA
plant

TVA's Widows Creek Fossil Plant in northeastern Alabama
(Photo courtesy
TVA)
For the second time in three week, a TVA plant has leak
coal waste into a surrounding waterway. A 10,000 gallon leak of process
water from the gypsum pond at the Widows Creek Fossil Plant in Stevenson,
Alabama was discovered just before dawn this morning. TVA officials say the leak
has stopped. Gypsum ponds hold limestone spray from
TVA's scrubbers that clean sulfur dioxide from coal-plant emissions. Gypsum
contains calcium sulfate, which is used in drywall, a commercially sold
construction material. Widows Creek Fossil Plant, named for the creek that
flows through the plant site, is located on Guntersville Reservoir on the
Tennessee River in northeast Alabama. TVA notified federal and state
authorities and has deployed containment booms on Widows Creek to trap the
contaminated water. The utility says it will perform temporary repairs to the
pond.
Governor Riley Pushes Expansion of
Broadband into Rural Areas of State

Gov. Riley discusses the need to expand high speed
Internet access to rural areas of the state. With a broadband connection, the
Governor is able to communicate with people from locations across the state on
the screen behind him. Shown are Bob Soulliere, president of ThyssenKrupp Steel
USA (top left corner), Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Michael Joiner and
Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry (top right corner), Brewton pediatrician Dr.
Marsha Raulerson (bottom left corner) and Lamar County dairy farmer Will Gilmer
(bottom right corner).
MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley demonstrated the power of high
speed Internet today when he brought together Alabamians at various locations
around the state for a discussion through a video connection made possible by
broadband. The demonstration highlighted the Governor’s Broadband
Initiative, which aims to bring high speed Internet access to every community in
the state. The connection allowed Governor Riley, who was in Montgomery, to
interact and see a pediatrician in Brewton, a farmer and elementary school
teacher in Lamar County, a business leader in Mobile, and a judge and sheriff in
Shelby County. All of them spoke about how broadband plays a vital role in their
professions and how the state would benefit from greater access to broadband.
Governor Riley said the discussion is a reminder of how
important it is for the state to move forward on expanding broadband access.
“Although broadband on its own is not a silver bullet for
prosperity, adequate broadband access is an enabler for economic development and
for enhancing the lives of our citizens,” said Governor Riley. “We started the
Alabama Broadband Initiative to make sure small towns and rural communities
don’t get left behind. Rural communities offer so much in quality of life and
have so much potential. But without sufficient access to broadband, these
communities and their residents will remain technologically isolated, and thus,
disadvantaged.”
One success the Broadband Initiative already has had is the
Connecting Families program, which was launched in December. Thanks to a
partnership between the Broadband Initiative and the Alabama Public Library
Service, 107 libraries across Alabama have received computers with
videoconferencing capabilities. This allows families in Alabama with a loved one
serving overseas in the military to visually communicate by using the computers
at one of these 107 libraries.
Governor Riley created a bipartisan 34-member advisory
committee to oversee the Broadband Initiative. The committee contacted more than
2,000 potential vendors to work on the project and the Governor announced today
that CostQuest Associates, which submitted the lowest cost proposal, was
selected for a two-year contract for $1.7 million. The funding for the project
comes primarily through grants. The company will work with Alabama’s Internet
service providers to identify gaps in broadband availability, map current
broadband access in the state, and increase the use of broadband in areas that
lack it. The company will also submit quarterly progress reports.
“Broadband availability breaks down barriers to jobs and
careers in high-paying fields, it brings health care to isolated areas, it
offers new education opportunities for our citizens, it enhances public safety,
and it increases the number of services that people can conveniently access from
their homes and places of work. Our rural communities need reliable broadband
access. Eliminating under-served and un-served areas in our state will provide
greater opportunities and benefits to all citizens of Alabama,” said Governor
Riley.
Governor Riley’s Cabinet and Staff Members in
Physical Competition to Tackle Obesity
MONTGOMERY - Members of Governor Bob Riley’s Cabinet and
staff began competing against their counterparts in 12 other states Thursday in
a two-week physical challenge that draws attention to the growing problem of
obesity in America. The winning team’s state will receive a $50,000 donation to
combat childhood obesity from famed British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.
The contest is the Capitol Steps Challenge, the first phase of Virgin
HealthMiles’ year-long initiative created to draw attention to the growing issue
of obesity. As the first stage in this commitment, Virgin HealthMiles, a leading
provider of employee health programs, has partnered with 13 state governors to
increase the daily physical activity of their cabinet and staff.
“This is the first time governors have joined together in a
national effort to raise awareness about the impact obesity has on our health,”
said Jeff Emerson, Communications Director for Governor Riley. “In the last 20
years, obesity rates across the nation have risen dramatically. This health
threat is especially great in Alabama, where today 30 percent of adults are
obese. Our participation in this competition underlines the Riley
Administration’s commitment to reversing this trend.”
Teams will compete
head-to-head by tracking the number of steps they take each day. Each
participant will receive a Virgin HealthMiles GoZone pedometer and a challenge:
log as many steps each day as possible, with a goal of meeting or exceeding the
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines for physical
activity for adults, which translates to approximately 7,000 steps daily, and
becoming the Most Active Governor’s Team in the nation.
At the end of the Challenge,
Virgin HealthMiles will declare the state team with the highest average steps
per person as the Most Active Governor’s Team in the nation and will make a
$50,000 donation to fight childhood obesity in the state.
Research shows increased physical activity helps reduce the
risk of many lifestyle-driven diseases, such as heart disease and type 2
diabetes, impacting healthcare costs today. By having governors’ offices lead by
example and increase their daily physical activity, they are sending an
important message to Americans about the impact simple, healthy and active
choices can have on our nation’s health.
“It’s an honor for Virgin
HealthMiles to work with Governor Riley and his cabinet to bring awareness to
the important issue of improving the health and wellness of citizens across the
country,” said Chris Boyce, CEO of Virgin HealthMiles. “We’re excited to be part
of the Capitol Steps Challenge and look forward to providing a fun and engaging
experience for governors and their teams across the nation.”
Other states competing for the prize are Alaska, California,
Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, North Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West
Virginia and Wisconsin.
About the Capitol Steps Challenge
For two weeks beginning
January 1, members of Governor Riley’s Cabinet and staff will compete
head-to-head with other governors and their teams by tracking their daily
activity. At the end of the challenge, Virgin HealthMiles will declare the state
team with the highest average steps per person as the “Most Active Governor’s
Team” in the nation and Sir Richard Branson will make a $50,000 donation to
fight childhood obesity in the winning state.
Virgin HealthMiles (www.virginhealthmiles.com)
is a first-of-its kind health incentives program that rewards people for getting
active and healthy. Physical activity is critical for maintaining a healthy
weight and decreasing the risk of many chronic lifestyle-driven diseases, such
as heart disease and type-2 diabetes. Virgin HealthMiles takes a unique
approach, encouraging people to do the activities they enjoy most, and rewards
them for their efforts.
For more information
about the Capitol Steps Challenge, visit
www.virginhealthmiles.com/capitolstepschallenge.
Toy Drive Brings Cheer to Children of Deployed Troops
MONTGOMERY - More than 2,100 children throughout Alabama are
receiving toys for Christmas through this year’s toy drive organized by Governor
Bob Riley’s office and the Hoover Fire Department.
Each year for the last five years, the Governor’s Operation
Grateful Heart program and the Hoover Fire Department have teamed up to collect
donated toys and distribute them to children who have a parent away from home at
Christmas because they’re serving in the military. Operation Grateful Heart is
an initiative Governor Riley started in 2004 to provide assistance to military
personnel and their families.
Some of the toys collected through the toy drive are also
given to non-profit organizations that distribute them to disadvantaged children
in the state.
“This effort brings joy to children all across Alabama. Many
wake up on Christmas morning missing their mom or dad because they’re called
away to protect America. Others belong to families that are going through tough
times,” Governor Riley said. “I want to thank all the compassionate people who
donated toys and who helped make this toy drive a success.”
Volunteers from Maxwell Air Force Base, the Sunshine Center,
the Family Guidance Center in Montgomery and the Governor’s Office of
Faith-Based and Community Initiatives worked at the State Capitol this week to
organize the donated toys and make sure they got to the right locations. Among
the groups that helped collect donated toys are the Alabama Department of
Children’s Affairs, the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, the Alabama
Department of Industrial Relations, AIDT and the group Mourning to Morning.
One new addition to this year’s toy drive was a Christmas
party for children whose parents are deployed with the 926th Engineer Brigade.
The party was held at Maxwell’s Gunter Annex, where the children got to open
presents while their deployed parents watched over a live video link from Iraq.
During the past five years, more than 12,000 toys have been
distributed to children through the annual toy drive.
Sparks Cuts Department Spending, Not
Services
MONTGOMERY - Commissioner Ron Sparks stated today that the
Department of Agriculture & Industries has drastically cut spending over the
last several months in anticipation of Governor Bob Riley’s announcement of
proration and resulting cutbacks for the State of Alabama. Sparks said that over
the last year the Department has cut costs by limiting new hires, utilizing a
4-day work week for field employees, and reducing travel, but recently the staff
has cut back even more.
“We respect the position that Governor Riley is in and
understand what has to be done to keep our state running,” said Sparks. “My
staff had already taken major steps to be more efficient but when talk of
proration circulated, we knew we needed to start being even more frugal. We want
to be sure we can operate this agency at full capacity in order to serve the
public and protect consumers, whether it is food safety, gasoline testing or
animal health. Falling gas prices have saved a lot of money, but we will
continue to look for ways we can govern in an economically responsible way.”
Some of the changes at the Department of Agriculture &
Industries include: cutting all unnecessary travel expenses, reducing overall
staffing through retirement and attrition, reducing travel using state owned
vehicles, reducing number of new state owned vehicles, increasing fees at
diagnostic laboratories, utilizing teleconferencing for meetings to reduce
travel, maintaining existing grant dollars and continually looking for new grant
dollars, exploring new methods for cost savings in the work place, reviewing and
implementing changes in staffing to maximize efficiency and cost ability, and
several sections have gone to a four day work week.
Alabama Electoral College Results are Official
MONTGOMERY, Ala.-- The Alabama Electoral College meeting was
held at 12:00 noon in the Alabama State Capitol. Secretary of State Beth Chapman
was the meeting moderator.
The laws of the State of Alabama and United States provide
that the Electors of each State meet and give their votes for President and Vice
President on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December.
The
nine Electors representing the State of Alabama all voted for Senator John
McCain and Governor Sarah Palin.
Alabama’s nine Electors are, in alphabetical order by last
name: Les Barnett from Mobile County; Ralph A. Blythe, Tallapoosa County; Robert
A. Cusanelli, Pickens County; Matthew Fridy, Shelby County, J. Elbert Peters,
Madison County; Will Sellers, Montgomery County; W. Jack Stiefel, DeKalb County,
Cam Ward, Shelby County, and James Eldon Wilson, Montgomery County.
Once the votes were cast, they were canvassed and six
Certificates of Votes distributed, each with a Certificate of Ascertainment
reporting the number of votes received by each Elector on November 4, 2008.
One
certificate goes to the President of the Senate to be opened in a joint session
of Congress on January 6, 2009. Two sets go to National Archives and Records
Administration, one filed for public inspection, and one set held subject to the
order of the President of the Senate. One certificate is filed with the Chief
Judge of the Federal Court District in which the Electors meet.
U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller is the Chief Judge of the Middle District
of Alabama in which Montgomery is located. The remaining two certificates go to
Secretary of State Beth Chapman, one filed for public inspection, and one held
subject to the order of the President of the Senate.
Sparks Provides Update on EPA Proposal
MONTGOMERY – Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Ron
Sparks thanked Alabama farmers and consumers for making their voices heard
regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed tax on livestock
gas emissions. The proposal announced by the EPA was an advance announcement in
anticipation of an actual regulation that would likely be brought up for
government approval in 2009.
Without much publicity, the EPA requested comments from those
in the agriculture industry with a deadline of the day after the Thanksgiving
holiday. Many farmers, consumers, and agricultural organizations and state
departments were highly critical of the proposal including harsh comments from
United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer.
Sparks cited this as a prime example of the lack of
communication between federal and state governments that has been an ongoing
problem for the agriculture industry.
“It is hard to believe that the EPA would even consider
charging farmers for the gas emissions of their animals,” said Sparks. “We have
had to contend with federal regulations over and over whether it is about food
safety, import regulations, livestock regulations, meat shipment issues, or many
other issues facing our farmers and producers. Now, it is greenhouse emissions.
It is early in the proposal process, but this issue will come up again next year
if we don’t speak up now.”
While some people have complained that critics of the
proposal overreacted to the advance announcement, Sparks feels that with an
issue this volatile it is extremely important to address the matter directly and
quickly.
“When the federal government makes such a request, farmers
are right to react,” said Sparks. “With such ill-conceived ideas coming out of a
regulatory agency and with such a small window of opportunity for comments from
farmers, someone has to keep their eye on these issues.”
Sparks added, “There have been various possible fee amounts
listed for this proposed tax plan. I don’t care what figures have been floated;
I am against one dollar being added to the burden of farmers in Alabama.”
Sparks says that he and the Department of Agriculture &
Industries’ staff will continue to monitor the issue, work closely with other
agricultural organizations, and keep farmers abreast of any updates.
More information about this proposed regulation can be
found online at
http://www.epa.gov/EPA-AIR/2008/July/Day-30/a16432a.htm
Sparks Urges Public to Contact the EPA
MONTGOMERY - Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Ron
Sparks is urging the people of Alabama to contact the Environmental Protection
Agency regarding the agency’s proposed livestock tax. Comments can be submitted
to the EPA several ways:
Email:
a-and-r-docket@epamail.epa.gov
U.S. Mail: (postmark needs to be dated by 11/28/08)
Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center
Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 2822T, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460
In addition, please mail a copy of your comments to the
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget (OMB), Attn: Desk Officer for EPA, 725 17th St., NW., Washington, DC
20503.
Hand delivery:
EPA Docket Center, EPA West Building, Room 3334, 1301
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington DC, 20004. Such deliveries are only
accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
Online:
www.regulations.gov:
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
The tax would affect any farm or ranch with more than 25
dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs by requiring permit fees based on tonnage
of greenhouse gas emissions, which is based on emitting 100 tons or more of
carbon per year. According to the American Farm Bureau, the fee and/or tax would
result in about $175 per dairy cow, $87.50 per head of beef cattle, and $20 for
each hog annually.
“This is an extremely serious situation for Alabama’s farmers
and producers,” said Sparks. “Farmers are some of the best environmentalists we
have. This is a time that the citizens and farmers alike need to let their
voices be heard opposing such an absurd proposal by EPA. We don’t need to hurt
our farmers so badly that we start letting other countries put food on our
tables just like we allow them to put gas in our vehicles.”
More information about this proposed regulation can be
found online at
http://www.epa.gov/EPA-AIR/2008/July/Day-30/a16432a.htm
ALABAMA’S JAG PROGRAM WINS
ESTEEMED NATIONAL AWARD;
STATE CELEBRATES
ALABAMA JAG DAY FOR THE FIRST TIME
Montgomery,
Ala. – Many states across
America have started to focus more of their efforts on addressing one of
the nation’s biggest challenges – high-school dropouts.
Today, the state’s
Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates (JAG)
program is being recognized for doing an excellent job in this area. This
innovative program has won this year’s prestigious
Jobs for America’s Graduates National
5-of-5 Award.
This national
award honors Alabama’s JAG program for exceeding national graduation rates,
job placement goals, and the levels of
students going on to postsecondary learning. A national plaque was
presented to State Superintendent Joe Morton today by Jobs for America’s
Graduates National Senior Vice President Barbara Wolf. This special presentation
was part of the state’s first annual Alabama JAG Day celebration. The goal of
this event is to highlight the many achievements of JAG students and teachers
statewide.
Morton said
there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to the very serious problem of high
school dropouts, and every possible solution must be utilized. “JAG identifies
students who have a propensity to drop out of school and gives them something to
believe in – something to work toward. It adds meaning to students who might
feel disenfranchised and discouraged in school,” Morton said.
Jobs for America’s Graduates
is one of the nation’s largest models for “at-risk” and disadvantaged young
people who receive school-to-career program services. This organization manages
programs nationally and supplies its model to 30 different states including
California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Alabama.
“Our teachers
believe that making a genuine investment in our state’s students is the most
important responsibility that we could ever have,” says Alabama JAG Program
Manager Mandy Nichols.
“Receiving
this award is wonderful, but we know that we must continue to work hard each day
to positively impact the lives of our students, who often are those in danger of
failing, dropping out, or becoming unemployed after leaving school. Failure is
simply not an option for this program because the futures of these students and
our state are depending on its success.”
This is the third
consecutive year Alabama’s JAG program has won the
National 5-of-5 Award. Alabama’s
JAG program was recognized nationally in 2006 for having the
highest achievement rate among any
state offering the Jobs for America’s Graduates program.
Alabama’s JAG
program is available in 19 different school systems statewide and
has experienced more than a
90 percent graduation rate and an
80 percent employment rate among
students participating in its programs. School systems across the state that
offer JAG programs in their communities are:
·
Cherokee County
– Cherokee County Career Tech Center
·
Covington County
– Red Level High School; Straughn High School
·
Cullman County
– Cullman Area Career Center
·
Dallas County
– Keith High School; Southside High School
·
DeKalb County
– DeKalb County Technology Center
·
Fairfield City
– Fairfield High Preparatory School
·
Franklin County
– Phil Campbell High School; Red Bay High School; Tharptown High School
·
Hale County
– Hale County Technology Center
·
Haleyville City
– Haleyville Center for Technology
·
Henry County
– Headland High School
·
Huntsville City
– Huntsville Center for Technology
·
Lee County
– Smith Station High School
·
Montgomery County
– Robert E. Lee High School
·
Perry County
– Francis Marion High School; R. C. Hatch High School
·
Scottsboro City
– Scottsboro High School
·
Troy City
– Troy-Pike Center for Technology
·
Tuscaloosa City
– Central High School West
·
Winston County
– Winston County Tech Center
JAG students learn to conduct effective job searches, set
long-term academic goals, manage time more efficiently, and practice good human
relation skills with employers and co-workers. In
addition to obtaining its national goals, 66 percent of Alabama’s JAG seniors
went on to enroll in further education courses after graduation. Some of the
innovative components of Alabama’s JAG program model are:
·
Classroom instruction in over 40
different employability and life skills
·
Student mentoring, guidance,
support, and tutorial assistance
·
Student leadership development and
postsecondary education placement services
·
12-month follow-up services for
all students after graduation
To learn more about JAG or other
opportunities offered by Alabama’s Career and Technical Education programs,
contact JAG’s State Program Manager, Mandy Nichols, at (334) 242-9115 or visit
www.jag.org.
I
Gainesville, FL – The U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station (SRS) today
announced that its InterfaceSouth program received a Firewise Leadership Award,
which recognizes outstanding efforts in promoting a cooperative approach to
reducing the loss of lives, property, and resources in the wildland/urban
interface.
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s (NWCG) Wildland/Urban Interface
Fire Working Team announced the winners of the Firewise Leadership Awards Nov.
7, 2008, at the National Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Education Conference,
"Backyards and Beyond," in Tampa, FL.
The Firewise Leadership Awards honor individuals and organizations conducting
wildland fire mitigation activities in residential developments in the wildland/urban
interface. Judges select winners based on their efforts on the local, state, and
regional level. The award recognized InterfaceSouth’s Annie Hermansen-Báez and
Wayne Zipperer in Gainesville, FL, and Ed Macie in Atlanta, GA, for their work
in developing and disseminating wildland-urban interface information for the 13
Southern states. The work is done collaboratively with the Southern Region of
the U.S. Forest Service, Southern Group of State Foresters’ Southern Wildland-Urban
Interface Council, and the University of Florida.
InterfaceSouth is an integrated program of Research and Development, State
and Private Forestry, and technology transfer that was created to provide
information, tools, and guidelines to help reduce risk from fire and other
hazards associated with the wildland-urban interface. InterfaceSouth brings
together natural resource professionals from diverse disciplines, agencies, and
organizations to jointly approach and solve interface issues. Through these
partnerships, InterfaceSouth staff members develop and distribute materials in a
variety of formats, such as the InterfaceSouth Web site, fact sheets, brochures,
training programs, and demonstration sites. InterfaceSouth focuses on various
issues such as minimizing fire risk to property owners by evaluating the
flammability characteristics of commonly planted shrubs and commonly used
mulches, items that can contribute to wildfire house damage. For more
information about InterfaceSouth, visit
http://www.interfacesouth.org/.
The NWCG’s Wildland/Urban Interface Working Team is a consortium of wildland
fire agencies that includes the U.S. Forest Service, Department of the Interior,
Federal Emergency Management Agency, International Association of Fire Chiefs,
National Emergency Management Association, U.S. Fire Administration, National
Association of State Fire Marshals, National Fire Protection Association, and
state forestry organizations.
Alabama’s Business Climate Ranks Among Nation’s Best
MONTGOMERY - Site Selection magazine ranks Alabama’s business
climate among the best in the nation in its annual survey of states. The
magazine, which is read by more than 44,000 corporate executives, rated
Alabama’s business climate as the third best in the nation.
“Alabama continues to be one of the nation’s leaders when it
comes to economic development and growth,” Governor Bob Riley said about the
magazine’s ranking. “Companies that are looking for an outstanding workforce and
a pro-growth environment know Alabama is where they will find both.”
Site Selection’s annual rankings are based on quantitative and
qualitative factors that site selection executives, who help companies expand or
relocate, say they consider most important. Fifty percent of the ranking comes
from a survey of corporate site selection executives who were asked to rank
their top 10 states and 50 percent is based on four measures of new plant
activity as tracked by Site Selection in its “New Plant Database.” The magazine
describes the ranking process as “a blend of objective, actual new or expansion
project announcements, and subjective input from corporate site seekers.”
Only North Carolina and Tennessee were ranked ahead of Alabama
in the annual business survey, which can be found online at
www.siteselection.com.
In August, the magazine Southern Business and Development
named Alabama its “State of the Year” for its economic development performance
in 2007. It was the fifth time in six years Alabama won the magazine’s top
honor.
Cool Kids Cook" To Present "A
Parade of Budding Chefs" to fundraiser benefit Montgomery area children
MONTGOMERY- On Sunday
November 9, 2008 from 5-8pm “Cool Kids Cook” will present a “A Parade of Budding
Chefs” at Eastside Grille on Atlanta Highway in Montgomery. “A Parade of Budding
Chefs” is a fundraiser benefiting Montgomery children.
Cool Kids Cook is a non profit organization created to promote hands
on cooking classes in the River Region for children ages 5 to 16. Cool Kids
Cook focuses on fighting childhood obesity, which is a common goal of the
Department of Agriculture & Industries and Commissioner Ron Sparks and providing
quality after school activities in the form of tuition-free cooking classes.
Cool Kids Cook supports local farmers by buying produce at area
farmers markets and the "Buy Alabama" program by stressing the importance of
buying local produce and manufactured foods produced here in Alabama.
In the seven week program, children will learn alternatives to fast food, how
to clean and prepare food, how to read and follow recipes, and how to
incorporate more fruit and vegetables in daily meals.
For more information on this event or the program, download
this brochure or you can call Jeff Nursey at 334-220-3651 or visit
www.coolkidscook.org
.
Anne Elizabeth
McGowin Named Deputy State Finance Director
MONTGOMERY- Anne Elizabeth
McGowin has been named Deputy State Finance Director. Her appointment by State
Finance Director Jim Main was effective November 1.
McGowin led the Department of
Finance Executive Planning Office (EPO) for more than five years. As the
Executive Director of the EPO, McGowin has overseen the successful
implementation of SMART Governing, a nationally-recognized program which
requires all state agencies to participate in goal-setting and performance
tracking to make government operate more efficiently.
“I’m thrilled to have Anne
Elizabeth as Deputy Director,” said State Finance Director Jim Main. “Her
experience, commitment and phenomenal work ethic make her a perfect fit for this
key role in our department.”
McGowin joined the Department
of Finance in 2003 after spending nine years with Montgomery’s
Jackson Hospital
as General Counsel, Corporate Compliance Officer and Risk Manager. She has also
practiced as an associate with law firms in both Montgomery
and Birmingham.
McGowin received her B.A.
from the University
of Alabama. She earned her
J.D. from Samford
University’s Cumberland School of Law.
Jonathan Barganier will fill
McGowin’s former role as Executive Director of the Executive Planning Office.
Barganier began working as an EPO planning analyst in 2005. He has managed all
aspects of SMART Governing web applications and databases, and has also been
responsible for reporting agency performance measurements for the EPO. Barganier
received his B.A. from the
University of Alabama
Goodyear Announces Third Quarter 2008 Earnings Release, Conference Call
AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 17 -- The Goodyear
Tire & Rubber Company will report third quarter 2008 financial results before
markets open on Monday, November 3, to be followed by an investor conference
call at 10 a.m.
Participating in the conference call will be Robert J.
Keegan, chairman and chief executive officer, and Darren R. Wells, executive
vice president and chief financial officer.
Prior to the call, the company will post the financial and
other related information on its investor relations Web site:
investor.goodyear.com.
Investors, members of the media and other interested persons
may access the conference call on the Web site or via telephone by calling (706)
634-5954 before 9:45 a.m. on November 3. A taped replay will be available later
that day by calling (706) 634-4556. The replay will also remain available on the
Web site.
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. Fortune magazine named
Goodyear the World's Most Admired Motor Vehicle Parts Company in its 2008 list
of the World's Most Admired Companies. The publication ranked Goodyear No. 1 in
innovation, people management, use of assets and global orientation. The company
is also listed on Forbes magazine's list of the Most Respected Companies in
America and its list of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America and CRO
magazine's ranking of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens. Goodyear employs about
70,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 60 facilities in 25
countries around the world. For more information about Goodyear, go to
http://www.goodyear.com/corporate
Secretary Chapman Announces State of
Alabama’s Official Election Center Website
MONTGOMERY-
Alabama’s Chief Elections Official, Secretary of State Beth
Chapman, announced a new state -wide elections service developed over the past
two months and launched today by her office which is the State of Alabama’s
Official Election Center. The new website
www.alabamavotes.gov
provides essential and helpful information at the finger-tips of
Alabama’s voters.
“My staff and
I are honored to bring the Secretary of State’s Office and Alabama’s elections
into the 21st Century and provide every citizen with valuable
information to assist them in voting,” Chapman said. “The Secretary of State’s
Office is the State of Alabama’s Official Election Center and is proud to
provide important information to the people of all sixty-seven counties.”
Chapman says
many of Alabama voters’ questions are the same: if
they are registered, where they vote, times the polls are open, how to receive
an absentee ballot and their need for a sample ballot.
This website is a quick and easy way to answer all those questions and
more on or before Election Day. The website will
also enable organizations and advocacy groups to aid voters who may have
questions regarding their polling place, their registration status, and other
pertinent information.
The website is
a one-stop-shop for Alabama elections information.
Should a voter find that the information contains incorrect information, they
can call their local Board of Registrars office in order to change or correct
that information.
The user
friendly website will be linked directly from the Secretary of State’s website
and citizens can call the voter hotline at 1-800-274-VOTE should they have any
questions. Please visit
www.alabamavotes.gov for more information.
Sparks Assumes Presidency of National Association
Montgomery - Alabama Agriculture and
Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks was elected President of the National
Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)
during their semi-annual meeting held in Bismarck, North Dakota this week.
Sparks previously served as the President of the Southern Association of State
Departments of Agriculture (SASDA).
“I have been proud to represent Alabama’s agriculture
industry in our national organization and it is certainly an honor to become
president of NASDA,” said Sparks. “I hope that serving as president will help
Alabama to continue to have a strong voice when it comes to protecting our
farmers and consumers.”
Several issues important to agriculture in Alabama were
discussed at length during the conference. Some key issues include: rural
development and financial security, the role of agriculture in climate change
policy, and food regulation and nutrition.
NASDA represents all of
the 50 states in the United States and Puerto Rico. The majority of members are
secretaries or commissioners of state departments of Agriculture.
Last year at this time,
Alabama
was suffering from an unbearable drought. Although we received occasional rain
this summer, we’re still not out of fire danger. While autumn temperatures are
welcome, along with them drier conditions often develop, creating an even
greater risk for catastrophic wildfire. Is your home safe?
A new “fire
risk assessment” service for homeowners is now being offered by the Alabama
Forestry Commission (AFC). As part of a USDA Forest Service grant, the
Commission’s Wildland/Urban Interface Team has developed a homeowner’s hazard
assessment booklet that gives the homeowner a list of items to check around
their home. This checklist includes such items as access to the property,
fire-resistant building materials and landscaping, hazardous vegetation
treatments, and recommendations for creating defensible space around structures.
This summer,
the AFC completed a series of internal training sessions focusing on this topic,
preparing field personnel to conduct these wildfire risk assessments for
homeowners in areas of high occurrence and in communities at risk of damage
caused by wildfire. Forestry Commission associates also received training on the
“Firewise Communities USA” program, a national effort that recognizes
communities that have become aware of wildfire threats and have made strides to
protect homes in the wildland/urban interface. Foresters and Forestry
Specialists learned about the ecological, social, and water quality concerns
related to the rapid growth and development that is occurring in and adjacent to
working forests on Alabama’s rural landscape. The Centers for Urban and
Interface Forests
(Interface South) and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM)
provided training materials and instructors for the training.
Homeowners who
live in areas prone to wildfire, or who have questions about Firewise
communities or making their own home Firewise should contact their local Alabama
Forestry Commission office to set up an appointment for a free consultation and
fire risk assessment.
More
information can be found on the Alabama Forestry Commission’s website at
www.forestry.alabama.gov. (Link
to: Homes, Communities in the Forest
– Homeowner Resources.)
Senate Declares September “National
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month”
WASHINGTON – The United States Senate last night
unanimously approved S. Res 667, introduced by U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions
(R-AL), declaring September “National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.”
The resolution is aimed at enhancing awareness of prostate cancer and
encouraging the public to take an active role in the fight to increase early
detection, improve treatment, and discover a cure for the disease.
More than 186,320 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate
cancer this year. The disease will lead to more than 28,000 U.S. deaths.
Sessions, a prostate cancer survivor, is active in efforts to
increase the public’s awareness of this treatable disease.
“It is critical that men over the age of 45 undergo annual screenings for
prostate cancer. The screening typically is a simple blood test and physical
exam. It is a deadly disease that is not easily detected without proper
examination,” Sessions said. “While it may be years before a cure is discovered,
we are not powerless against this disease. The best opportunities are found in
the areas of early detection and treatment. Recognizing September as National
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is one step we can take to help men realize the
importance of regular examinations.”
Studies indicate that prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin
cancer and the second-leading cause of male cancer-related deaths. One in six
U.S. men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime, and 30 percent
of all new diagnoses will occur in men under the age of 65.
There are no noticeable symptoms of the cancer while it is in its early stages,
making screening critical for early detection.
Most health insurance plans cover the screening process. Sessions’ resolution
was co-sponsored by 43 senators.
Sparks Advises Horse Owners to
Vaccinate for EEE & WNV
MONTGOMERY - Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Ron
Sparks announced that over the last four months 11 positive cases of Eastern
Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and 3 positive cases of West Nile Virus in horses have
been found in Alabama.
“Heavy rainfall has made us extremely vulnerable to the
spread of mosquito-borne viruses and we need to protect our livestock and
ourselves,” stated Sparks. “I want to encourage horse owners to vaccinate their
horses for both EEE and West Nile Virus as soon as possible.”
EEE is a mosquito-transmitted disease that is much more
severe than West Nile Virus (WNV). The mortality rate in horses from WNV is
reported at around 30%, while the rate for EEE is almost 90%. Infected
mosquitoes are the primary source for EEE. The virus causes inflammation or
swelling of the brain and spinal cord. General symptoms include central nervous
system signs such as: head pressing, convulsions, lack of response to facial
stimulation, fever above 103 degrees, ataxia, paralysis, anorexia, depression,
and stupor. Other symptoms may include irregular gait, teeth grinding,
in-coordination, circling, and staggering. All symptoms may not be exhibited by
an infected horse.
Commissioner Sparks and State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier
recommend vaccinating your horses every six months against both EEE and WNV.
Horse owners are encouraged to contact their local veterinarian to schedule a
vaccination for their horses. The public is also advised to make every effort to
reduce human exposure to mosquitoes during the hurricane season.
For more information about EEE or WNV, please contact Dr.
Tony Frazier at 334-240-7253.
MORTON AND FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH DISCUSS READING
Montgomery, Ala. ─ On
Wednesday, September 17, State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton met with
First Lady Laura Bush and U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings in The
White House to discuss federal funding for the Reading First Initiative.
Congress is currently debating funding for Reading First, and indications from
some are the program may be eliminated. This program focuses on putting proven
methods of early reading instruction in classrooms. Through Reading First,
states and districts receive support to apply scientifically based reading
research — and the proven instructional and assessment tools consistent with
this research — to ensure that all children learn to read well by the end of
third grade. The program provides formula grants to states that submit an
approved application. Alabama was one of the first three states to earn such a
grant and has received $117 million in Reading First funds since 2003. These
funds aid 95 schools in 43 school systems statewide.
Superintendent Morton shared with the First Lady and
Secretary Spellings the success of Reading First in Alabama. Morton pointed out
that the Alabama Reading Initiative, when paired with federal Reading First
funding, caused huge increases in reading proficiency among all students in
Grades
1-3 – especially among low income and Black students.
Mrs. Bush and Secretary Spellings offered praise and
thanks for the positive achievements taking place in Alabama, especially of the
fourth grade scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP),
which increased 8 points last year — the largest increase in the nation.
The first results of both Reading First and the Alabama
Reading Initiative being implemented together in schools became available in
Spring 2004. From 2004 to 2007 first grade proficient (grade level) scores for
all students rose 9 percentage points from 51% to 60%, and Black student scores
rose from 49% to 60%, thus closing the achievement gap between White and Black
students statewide.
Mrs. Bush expressed
grave concerns over Congress cutting Reading First funding 60% for FY 2009 and
possibly cutting all funding by 2010. Morton said, “Cutting federal funding to
an effective reading program at the same time we are showing great improvements
just doesn’t make sense.” Morton
continued, “If our nation is going to be strong in the future, and if Alabama is
going to be economically competitive, we must ensure that all students master
reading early and well. Otherwise,
we lose in our state, and our nation falls behind internationally.”
Joining Superintendent Morton, First Lady Bush, and Secretary Spellings were
state superintendents from Iowa, North Carolina, and Massachusetts. City
superintendents from New York City, Washington, DC, and Atlanta were also
involved.
Sessions comments on the Department of
Defense’s decision to postpone the selection of a new aerial refueling tanker
“I’m deeply disappointed that the Department of Defense has given the impression
that it has blinked in the face of political pressure. As I have said
repeatedly, the Department must remain steadfast in its commitment to a fair
competition, free of political interference, aimed at selecting the aircraft
that best meets the needs of the military. That was the Secretary’s
position as recently as a month ago, and it is unthinkable that he would reverse
course now.
“While the Department may have found some legitimacy to Boeing’s request for
more time, such a determination does not justify cancelling the contract or
punting the selection to the next administration. Acquisition
officials have worked hard to address the narrow procedural problems identified
by the GAO, and abandoning this process now only throws the competition further
into a state of confusion. “A decision to delay this competition is
inconsistent with previous statements by Air Force officials that the tanker is
their number one acquisition priority. Ultimately, our men and women in
uniform who urgently need these new airplanes stand to lose the most as a result
of further delay. “The Air Force originally determined that the Northrop
Grumman/EADS proposal was the best aircraft for the military, and I remain
convinced that its selection was justified. The successful conclusion of
this competition remains my top priority.”
Sessions Announces
Nearly $300,000 for the Alabama Department of Corrections
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) today announced $282,500 in
federal funding for the Alabama Department of Corrections to implement a
comprehensive state sex offender registration and notification system.
The funding is part of the SMART Office for the Adam Walsh Implementation Grant
Program, a branch of the U.S. Department of Justice.
“I am pleased the Alabama Department of
Corrections will be able to further protect Alabama citizens from sex-offenders
through this $282,500 federal grant,” Sessions said. “As a former federal
prosecutor, I prosecuted a number of individuals charged with sexual-based
offenses. The registration program will allow law enforcement officials to
better track sex offenders after they serve their sentences, and it will equip
parents with the information needed to protect their children.”
Sessions, a senior member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, voted in
favor of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, which President Bush
signed into law in 2007.
Adam Walsh was a six-year old abducted and murdered in 1981.
The bill, named in his memory, has helped strengthen federal laws to protect
children from sexual and violent crimes.
Federal grant programs are one way that local leaders, elected officials, and
non-profit organizations can secure funding for local community improvement
projects. Twenty-six federal agencies administer over 1,000 different
competitive grant programs each year.
Sessions’ Birmingham office includes a full-time staff member to help local
officials around the state seeking federal grants. In the last two years,
the office assisted in obtaining over $183 million in federal funds for
communities and organizations in Alabama.
Sessions’ office also publishes a Weekly Grants Advisory, available on Sessions’
website,
www.sessions.senate.gov, to make grant information and application
procedures more accessible to leaders in Alabama.
# # #
Statement of
Senator Barack Obama on the Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks
Today, we honor the memory of the lives that were lost on
September 11, 2001, and grieve with the families and friends who lost someone
they loved in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
We will never forget those who died. We will always remember the extraordinary
efforts of our firefighters, police and emergency responders, and those who
sacrificed their own lives on Flight 93 to protect their fellow Americans. And
we give thanks for the Americans defending us every day in our communities at
home, and in our military abroad.
On 9/11, Americans across our great country came together to stand with the
families of the victims, to donate blood, to give to charity, and to say a
prayer for our country. Let us renew that spirit of service and that sense of
common purpose. Let us remember that the terrorists responsible for 9/11 are
still at large, and must be brought to justice. Let us resolve to defeat
terrorist networks, defend the American homeland, stand up for the enduring
American values that we cherish, and seek a new birth of freedom at home and
around the world.
85 More Schools to Receive ACCESS Distance Learning in
January
MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley spoke with leaders of 85 high
schools on Wednesday about the new learning opportunities their students will
have when their schools receive video conferencing capabilities in January.
Each of the 85 high schools is receiving $85,000 to fund an ACCESS Distance
Learning classroom. ACCESS stands for Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators
and Students Statewide. Governor Riley first proposed the ACCESS program during
his State of the State Address in 2005. With it, classrooms can be linked online
and through interactive video conferencing technology. Earlier this year, the
Governor and State School Superintendent Joe Morton announced that all high
schools in Alabama will have ACCESS Distance Learning by the time school begins
in August 2009. Governor Riley, who grew up and raised his family in
rural Clay County, said distance learning levels the playing field for students
who attend school in rural areas. Sometimes course offerings are more limited in
rural schools than in metropolitan area schools. “Students in our
rural communities are just as bright and just as capable as any others. They
deserve as much opportunity as other children in this state,” Governor Riley
said. “With ACCESS, every high school will be able to provide more learning
opportunities than ever before. Alabama will be the first state in the nation to
have online learning and video conferencing in every high school.” A
wide range of courses are available to ACCESS schools, including foreign
languages and advanced level courses in math, English, social studies and
science. Currently, 181 schools already have ACCESS Distance
Learning. All 371 high schools in the state will start school in August 2009
with ACCESS. Click
here
to view the list of course offerings.
Note: A list of high
schools that will begin offering coursework with ACCESS follows. A
list of ACCESS course offerings is attached to this message. For more
information about ACCESS, go online to
http://accessdl.state.al.us/.
College Board Praises Performance of Alabama
Public School Students on AP and SAT
Advanced Placement (AP) Participation and
SAT Scores Outpace the Nation
MONTGOMERY - The College Board released results today that
show the number of Alabama public school students taking Advanced Placement (AP)
exams increased by 24.3 percent in 2008, compared to the national increase of
8.6 percent. The number of AP test-takers who achieved a score of 3-5 on AP
exams increased by 7.8 percent; again exceeding the national increase of 5.7
percent.
|
AP PARTICIPATION &
SCORE INCREASES
|
|
|
# of AP Test-Takers
|
# of 3-5 AP Scores
|
|
ALABAMA
|
24.3%
|
7.8%
|
|
U.S.
|
8.6%
|
5.7%
|
“These results are absolutely incredible,” said Governor Bob
Riley. “They clearly show that after just one year of funding, our AP Initiative
is working to make more Alabama students college-ready. We’re off to a great
start, but we must do more. We must make sure every high school can offer AP
courses in all the four core subject areas. With the continued expansion of both
our AP Initiative and ACCESS Distance Learning, we can offer these rigorous,
high-quality courses to every high school student in the state.”
The College Board also reports that 2008 SAT Reasoning Test
scores for Alabama’s public school students are up from 2007 scores by 3 points
in reading and 2 points in math. The College Board praised the Governor, State
Superintendent, and State Board of Education for their emphasis on advanced
academics for Alabama’s high school students.
Gaston Caperton, President, The College Board, said, “I
congratulate the state of Alabama, its educators, students, and families for
their efforts to increase the college readiness of Alabama’s students. The
improvement in students’ skills is evident in the higher overall SAT scores this
year and in the number of students who are succeeding on Advanced Placement
Examinations. Not only are more students taking AP in high school, they are
going on to take AP Exams and earning grades of 3 to 5.
“Governor Bob Riley, Superintendent Joe Morton and his
Department of Education, district and school leaders, and the A+ College Ready
team have been proponents of a college-readiness system in Alabama backed by a
robust professional development program for teachers. I am confident that the
new ‘First Choice’ program that schedules students for rigorous courses will
translate into higher standards for the state’s students and will surely lead to
global promise for the citizens of Alabama.”
The Advanced Placement Program offers high school students the
opportunity to take college-level courses, and perhaps earn college credit. AP
students traditionally perform better on the SAT and ACT, and AP exam scores of
3-5 are indicators of future success in college.
In every minority group, substantial gains were made in the
number of students making scores of 3-5 on AP Exams.
|
GAINS IN 3-5
SCORES ON AP EXAMS
|
|
POPULATION
GROUP
|
INCREASE
|
|
American Indian
|
19%
|
|
Asian
|
16.9%
|
|
African-American
|
22.2%
|
|
Hispanic
|
21.7%
|
|
White
|
6.8%
|
|
Alabama
|
7.8%
|
|
U.S.
|
5.7%
|
More Good News from The College Board
For the 17th consecutive year, Alabama’s public high school
students scored above the national average on the 2008 SAT Reasoning Test.
|
SAT SCORES
|
|
|
READING
|
MATH
|
WRITING
|
|
ALABAMA
|
562
|
558
|
551
|
|
U.S.
|
497
|
510
|
488
|
Compared to the rest of the nation, more Alabama public school
students scored 700-800 - 800 is a perfect SAT score - on all three sections of
the SAT. Twice as many Alabama students scored 700-800 in Math and almost three
times as many scored 700-800 in Reading and Writing.
|
SAT SCORES OF
700-800
|
|
|
READING
|
MATH
|
WRITING
|
|
ALABAMA
|
11.8%
|
11%
|
9.3%
|
|
U.S.
|
4%
|
5.5%
|
3.6%
|
Thirty percent of Alabama’s public school SAT test-takers were
minorities. All minority groups scored above the national average on the 2008
SAT.
|
POPULATION GROUP
|
ALABAMA
|
U.S.
|
|
READING
|
MATH
|
WRITING
|
READING
|
MATH
|
WRITING
|
|
American Indian
|
564
|
534
|
562
|
481
|
487
|
466
|
|
Asian
|
563
|
628
|
563
|
512
|
569
|
512
|
|
African-American
|
472
|
452
|
472
|
425
|
424
|
419
|
|
Hispanic
|
442
|
552
|
558
|
449
|
457
|
442
|
|
White
|
585
|
577
|
569
|
524
|
535
|
513
|
“The College Board data released today shows Alabama is moving
forward,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton. “Our students’
scores reflect that Alabama has a plan to educate all students and that the plan
is working. We continue to raise the bar and still see increases. The State
Board of Education recently adopted First Choice, which increases academic
expectations and opportunities for our graduates. Through the First Choice
options of Credit Recovery, Credit Advancement, On-Line Learning, and
Credit-Based Endorsement, our students will be ready for college, the work
place, and the global 21st century.
“The state’s investment in AP is producing positive results,”
continued Dr. Morton. “AP participation and scores are now steadily on the rise
in Alabama’s public schools. ACCESS [Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators,
and Students Statewide] expansion, the department’s Alabama Advanced Placement
Initiative, and A+ College Ready are contributing to Alabama’s AP growth.
Currently, over 45 percent of our high schools have ACCESS. By 2009 - two years
ahead of schedule, ACCESS will be available in every public high school in
Alabama.”
Through ACCESS, more Alabama public school students are
benefitting from more course offerings, including 14 foreign language courses.
ACCESS also offers 11 AP courses:
1. AP English Language and Composition
2. AP English Literature and Composition
3. AP United States History
4. AP Macroeconomics
5. AP U.S. Government and Politics
6. AP Biology
7. AP Calculus AB
8. AP Statistics
9. AP Psychology
10. AP Art History
11. AP Computer Science A
The Alabama Advanced Placement Initiative funds the expansion
of AP classes in rural and urban schools. The AP Initiative also provides
On-site Pre-AP and AP Professional Development and a Mentoring Program for AP
teachers. A+ College Ready has strengthened AP courses in math, science, and
English through professional development and mentoring for teachers,
identification of lead teachers, additional time for student learning, and
financial incentives based on academic results.
Alabama’s 2,361 SAT test-takers, representing 6 percent of
Alabama’s public high school graduates, are attending in-state colleges and
universities. The top five Alabama schools receiving the most SAT score reports
from Alabama test-takers were The University of Alabama, Auburn University,
University of Alabama Birmingham, University of Alabama Huntsville, and
University of South Alabama. Over 11,000 out-of-state students are sending their
SAT scores to Auburn University and over 7,000 to The University of Alabama.
For more information, visit
www.collegeboard.com.
Governor Riley Announces Free Online
Tutoring Service Available to All Alabamians
Gov.
Bob Riley participates in an online tutoring session through the website
www.homeworkalabama.org as State Librarian Rebecca Mitchell looks on.
MONTGOMERY - Alabamians regardless of age are able to benefit
from free tutoring services by logging on to www.homeworkalabama.org, Governor
Bob Riley announced Monday during a visit to a public library in Montgomery.
The tutoring sessions had been available to students in the fourth through 12
grades since the Internet program was launched statewide in 2005. With more than
200,000 online tutoring sessions since then and an overwhelmingly positive
response to the service, it is being expanded so “students from five to 95 can
connect to a tutor for free one-to-one help,” said Governor Riley.
Expert tutors are available to offer assistance from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
through Thursday in subjects ranging from English to Math, Science and Social
Studies. Alabamians can connect to a tutor for live help through any computer
with Internet access, including computers at their local public library or at
home. “With today’s technology, we can literally transcend the walls
of the traditional classroom,” said Governor Riley. “But our commitment to
providing children with the tools to learn must not stop when the school day
ends. Technology offers innovative ways to improve student achievement and give
our children the one-on-one help they need after school.”
The Governor noted that more children are
being introduced to the computer at earlier ages than ever before. “Parents who
bring their young children to these live online tutoring sessions will provide
them with a new and safe learning resource. It will also help increase a young
child’s ability to work with computers, and in today’s world the value of that
experience is extraordinary,” said Governor Riley. “We also have many adults who
can benefit from a tutor, whether they’re working toward their GED, taking an
adult education class or seeking grammar help with their resume or a
work-related project.” Since homeworkalabama.org began in 2005,
students have logged on for free tutoring sessions more than 204,000 times. If
parents had paid a tutor for those sessions at the average national rate of $35
per session, the cost would have been more than $7 million.
The service uses Tutor.com to select and train the tutors, who
are current and retired teachers, graduate students and college professors.
Every tutor must pass a security check. In addition, before they are hired,
prospective tutors submit resumes and teaching samples that show how they would
help a child solve particular problems, complete technology training,
participate in mock sample sessions, undergo a 30-day probation period and work
with a mentor. During a demonstration at Juliette Hampton
Morgan Memorial Library on Monday, Governor Riley was connected to a tutor over
the Internet. Tutors help students through the use of instant messaging, an
interactive virtual “chalkboard” and shared Web browsing. Drawing and
diagramming features allow tutors to demonstrate math and science concepts. When
the session is complete, students can print their session for future reference
or share it with a parent or teacher. Both students and tutors complete surveys,
which are shared with the Alabama Public Library Service each month.
According to surveys, 91 percent of students who have used it said Homework
Alabama is helping them complete their homework assignments, 90 percent said it
is helping to improve their grades, and 95 percent said the service makes them
more confident about their school work. Can students use the system
to get tutors to do their homework for them? No. Every tutoring session is
recorded and monitored, tutors are trained to prevent such problems and tutors
are forbidden from completing homework for students. “Homework
Alabama is obviously a great service for students, but it’s great for parents,
too. There are many parents out there who can’t always be available to help
their children with homework. Sometimes even if they are available, they don’t
know enough about the subject,” said Governor Riley. “It’s so easy, even a
parent can use it.”
Barack Obama Names Joe Biden as Running Mate in Presidential
Election
Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama
has ended one of the most suspenseful vice presidential hunts in election
history as he named Delaware. Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate for the 2008
November election.
In a brief message posted on the Barack Obama campaign site
voters learned of the Illinois Sen.’s decision on Biden, “Barack has chosen Joe
Biden to be his running mate.” It went on to note, “Joe Biden brings extensive
foreign policy experience, an impressive record of collaborating across party
lines, and a direct approach to getting the job done.”
Biden, 65, has been a member of the U.S. Senate since 1972
and is considered by many to be the best choice for Obama as he provides foreign
relations experience and an ability to connect with blue-collar Americans, two
areas Obama has been criticized for lacking.
Obama and Biden will appear at a rally on Saturday in
Springfield, Il.
Sessions Announces
$540,000 Grant for Alabama Department of Corrections
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) announced today that the Alabama
Department of Corrections will receive $540,000 in federal grant funding to
enhance various prisoner treatment programs and to establish a new standardized
re-entry program for released inmates.
The re-entry program will help prepare those who have served time in prison to
re-enter society. The program includes treatments such as substance abuse
rehabilitation, cognitive behavioral therapy, life skills training, and
mentoring and partnerships with Faith-based/Community-based Organizations.
“I am pleased to announce this funding of
$540,000 for the Alabama Department of Corrections,” Sessions said.
“Incarcerated individuals need to be able to function when they are released
from prison. The Prisoner Re-entry program will help provide these men and
women with the skills necessary to be responsible members of our society.”
The
funding was made available through the Department of Justice Prisoner Reentry
Initiative grant program.
“Winning this competitive grant reflects well on the leadership and vision of
Alabama Prison Commissioner Richard Allen and his fine team,” Sessions said.
“They are committed to a better and safer prison system that strives to reduce
re-arrest rates and to do so at the lowest cost to the taxpayer.”
Federal
grant programs are one way that local leaders, elected officials, and non-profit
organizations can secure funding for local community improvement projects.
Twenty-six federal agencies administer over 1,000 different competitive grant
programs each year.
Sessions’ Birmingham office includes a
full-time staff member to help local officials around the state seeking federal
grants. In the last two years, the office has assisted in obtaining over
$170 million in federal funds for communities and organizations in Alabama.
Sessions’ office also publishes a Weekly Grants
Advisory, available on Sessions’ website,
www.sessions.senate.gov, to make grant information and application
procedures more accessible to leaders in Alabama.
Goodyear Seeks Special Truck Drivers as
Highway Heroes |
|
AKRON, Ohio, Aug.
15 -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is starting its second
quarter-century of celebrating truck-driver heroics. The company
announced today that a search is on for U.S. and Canadian drivers who
come to the rescue of fellow motorists.
Nominations for the prestigious 26th annual Goodyear
North America Highway Hero Awards will be accepted through Nov. 30,
2008.
To be considered
for this year's award, the following criteria must be met:
-- Nominee must be a full-time truck driver;
-- Nominee must be a resident of the United States or Canada;
-- Incident recognized must have occurred in the United States or
Canada;
-- Nominee must have been on the job or on the way to or from work, and
in his or her rig at the time of the incident;
-- Nominee's truck at the time of the incident must have 14 wheels or
more;
-- Incident must have taken place between Nov. 16, 2007, and Nov. 15,
2008, to qualify.
Joe Copeland, vice president for Goodyear commercial tire systems, said,
"Too many times, we only hear about the negative news of our world. That
extends to truck drivers, who are truly misunderstood for the role they
play in moving freight from the factories to our homes.
"We see today's truck driver as the brave men and
women who make our highways safer and drive our economy. They truly are
America's unsung heroes, and we want to honor them.
"The Highway Hero program is for those who selflessly
risk life and limb to come to the aid of fellow motorists or who make
the world a better place for all. Anyone can nominate a truck driver for
this high honor," Copeland said.
Nomination forms and
program details may be obtained by calling the Goodyear Highway Hero
Hotline at 330-796-8183. The nomination form also is available on the
program's web site at
http://www.goodyear.com/truck/news/hero.html
.
|
Sessions comments today regarding the missile-defense
agreement reached between the United States and Poland
“I am
pleased that an agreement between the United States and Poland has been reached
to allow for an effective defense of Europe and, importantly, the U.S.
Our missile defense technology should be in place by 2013, the year that many
analysts believe Iran will first have the missile capability to strike our
European allies. “As the Russian government has known
for some time, the site in Poland will be strictly defensive, and will pose no
threat to Russia. Any attempt to cast it as something other than defensive
is disingenuous. Thus, Russia’s increasingly absurd complaints and
bellicose threats can only be seen as a sad indication of a determination to
exercise domination over its now democratic, progressive, and sovereign former
Soviet satellites. The inability of Russia’s leaders to accept this new
reality may represent the greatest threat to peace in the contemporary world.
“Poland is a sovereign nation, free to make its own military decisions.
Such freedom, an essential component of sovereignty, applies equally to Georgia,
Estonia, Lithuania, Ukraine, and the other nations that once felt the deep tread
of the Soviet boot.
“Russia must not act as a regional bully. The continuation of
such behavior places a cloud over progress in the region and is doomed to
failure. This agreement, therefore, represents another step in the defense
of the United States and its allies and a clear statement that Poland is
committed to a course of democracy and progress.”
Public Safety Announce ‘Take Back Our
Highways’ Campaign

Gov. Bob
Riley sits in a state trooper vehicle and talks with an
Alabama state trooper following the announcement a third
statewide “Take Back Our Highways” traffic safety initiative will take place
next week.
State Troopers Set Sights on DUI, Seat Belt Violations,
Aggressive Driving
Governor Bob Riley announced that more than 125 additional state
troopers will hit the roads Aug. 18-24, ramping up DUI, seat belt and aggressive
driving enforcement during a statewide “Take Back Our Highways” traffic safety
campaign. Public Safety Director Col. J. Christopher Murphy joined the
governor at a Montgomery news conference to unveil plans for the traffic safety
and enforcement effort, which DPS successfully pioneered last year to combat
Alabama’s rising fatality rate. Trooper-worked fatalities dropped by 62 in 2007,
and troopers have worked 93 fewer fatalities this year, compared with the same
period last year.
“‘Take Back Our Highways’ is clearly working to save lives. It
has gotten real results. There are people alive today because of this intensive
highway safety effort. We want the people of Alabama to understand that when
they travel, their safety is our number one concern,” said Governor Riley.
The governor said the Mississippi and Tennessee highway
patrols and Alabama sheriff and police departments also will join state troopers
in the initiative to save lives and increase traffic safety.
Since the initial “Take Back Our Highways” campaign in August
2007, rural traffic crashes, deaths and injuries have declined significantly,
said Murphy. “We have saved more than 150 lives in the last 18 months because of
the work of our state troopers. With innovative programs like ‘Take Back Our
Highways,’ we are making a difference for Alabama.”
Murphy said Public Safety is not content with the recent gains
in highway safety and that troopers remain focused on changing driving behavior
to increase safety. “Too many Alabamians die or are seriously injured on our
roadways in preventable crashes,” he said. “Too many motorists are the victims
of drunken drivers, and fully two-thirds of the fatality victims troopers have
responded to this year were not using seat belts.”
Murphy said every available trooper, including approximately
125 from divisions other than Highway Patrol, will be patrolling during the
week-long blitz, enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorists statewide. “We
will have troopers from every rank and every division, including Driver License
and ABI, in uniform and on the road Aug. 18-25,” he said.
Troopers will utilize proven enforcement initiatives,
including line patrols, checkpoints and saturation patrols, concentrating their
efforts on high-traffic, high-crash corridors. In addition to DUI, seat belt and
child restraint enforcement, troopers will target other driving behaviors that
place motorists at greatest risk. These are speeding, failure to yield the right
of way, following too closely, and driver inattention.
DPS also will roll out the first of nine new “BAT Mobiles”
during the initiative, placing into service two of the specially equipped DUI
enforcement assets that will be assigned to trooper DUI task forces statewide.
The “BAT Mobiles” are equipped with custom breath alcohol testing gear, provided
by the Department of Forensic Sciences, and other equipment needed to process
impaired drivers and gather evidence for court. They are funded by $1.4 million
in grants awarded by the governor and administered through the Alabama
Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
“Thanks to Governor Riley, ADECA and Forensic Sciences,
troopers will be able to test suspected impaired drivers on the spot, increasing
effectiveness and saving both time and money,” said Murphy.
Throughout the traffic safety campaign, troopers will use the
“BAT Mobiles” at sobriety checkpoints to test the blood alcohol content of
impaired drivers.
Alabama Named “State
of the Year”
Governor Bob Riley visited expanding businesses in the
aviation, life sciences and automotive fields in three cities on Wednesday to
announce Alabama has been named “State of the Year” by a trade magazine for its
economic development performance in 2007. This is the fifth time in the
last six years Alabama has been ranked the South’s top economic development
state by Southern Business and Development magazine. “Once again, Alabama
leads the South in economic development and the South leads the nation,” said
Governor Riley. “Our ranking as number one is a monumental accomplishment. It’s
recognition that Alabama is the place where there are more jobs, more prosperity
and more opportunity.” The magazine, which covers economic development
activity in 17 states, uses a point system based on announcements of 200 jobs or
more and/or capital investments of $30 million or more to rank the states.
Alabama has been named “State of the Year” for 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and now
2007. Last year, Alabama saw 473 new and expanding industry announcements.
Those projects resulted in more than 24,000 announced new jobs. To
celebrate the news, Governor Riley and Alabama Development Office Director Neal
Wade visited three companies that announced expansions and new jobs last year:
Westwind Technologies in Huntsville, Brookwood Pharmaceuticals in Birmingham and
Hyundai outside Montgomery. Each of the three represents industry
sectors the state has worked to increase its presence - aviation, life sciences
and automotive manufacturing. Westwind Technologies in Huntsville
specializes in engineering, aviation integration, and flight simulator
production. The company is expanding its services with plans for additional
hangar space at Huntsville International Airport to meet growing demand. The
company employs 300. Governor Riley remarked that Alabama is seeing
tremendous growth in the aerospace industry. More than 300 aerospace companies
call the state home. Brookwood Pharmaceuticals in Birmingham
develops drug-delivery technologies, including injectable solid implants and
biodegradable polymers. It is expanding with a new facility that increases the
company’s capacity for research and development and clinical manufacturing. It
employs about 80 but with expansion is expected to employ about 300 over the
next five years. Alabama has a flourishing biotechnology industry,
Governor Riley said, with more than 90 companies in bio-related industries
located in the state. These companies employ 24,000 Alabamians, and Genome
Technology magazine earlier this year named Alabama one of nine “emerging
biotech regions” in the world. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama
in Hope Hull is a $1.4 billion automotive manufacturing plant that employs 3,300
team members. In 2007, the company announced it would build a second engine
plant to supply both Hyundai and the new Kia plant being built in Georgia. That
expansion is expected to create more than 500 new jobs at full operation.
Alabama is home to three auto assembly plants that employ more than 11,000. The
automotive manufacturing industry in the state grew to 48,457 direct automotive
jobs in 2007, up from 44,834 jobs in 2005, according to the Alabama Automotive
Manufacturers Association. Since 2001, Alabama’s auto industry has added more
than 21,000 jobs, the association reported earlier this year.
“Whenever we recruit a new industry to our state, it gets a lot of headlines and
attention, and it should. But when an existing company succeeds to the point
that it needs to grow and add more jobs - and it wants to put those jobs in
Alabama - that’s something we truly need to celebrate,” said Governor Riley.
The Governor said one reason why he wanted to visit these three companies is to
highlight the state’s success in diversifying its economy. “We’ve
worked to diversify our economy. We never want to be reliant on any one
industry. You can look at other states across the nation that relied too much on
one industry and see how that can invite disaster,” Governor Riley said. “Our
economic diversity is enabling Alabama to weather this national downturn better
than most states.” At each of the three stops on Wednesday, the Governor
also thanked Wade and local economic developers for Alabama’s strong economic
performance. “We’ve built strong partnerships that have worked to bring
new jobs to Alabama. I thank all of you because it wouldn’t be possible without
your leadership and our outstanding workforce,” Governor Riley said.
Several Alabama cities were also recognized by the magazine.
- Birmingham was ranked fifth in the major markets category (populations
between 750,000-2,999,999)
- Mobile ranked first, Huntsville second and Montgomery fourth in the
medium markets category (populations between 250,000-749,999).
- The Shoals area ranked fourth in the small markets category (populations
under 250,000).
To read the magazine article naming Alabama “State of the
Year,” go to www.sb-d.com and click on “2008
SB&D 100: 2008 State Summary” on the left side of the website.
To read the state’s 2007 New & Expanding Industry
Announcements report, go to
www.ado.alabama.gov and look in the Publications section for “New &
Expanding Industry.”
Tyson Foods Recalls Chicken Breast Products Due To Undeclared
Allergens
Tyson Foods, Inc., a Vicksburg, Miss. establishment, is recalling
approximately 51,360 pounds of raw frozen chicken breast tenderloin products
because they may contain an undeclared allergen, soy, the U. S. Department of
Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today. The products
contain soy, a known allergen, which is not declared on the label.
The following products are subject to recall:
- 10-pound cases of “Standard Quality Uncooked Fritters, Old Fashioned
Chicken Breast Tenderloins.” Each box bears the case code of “2523-954” as
well as a packaging date of “7/23/08” printed on the side of the box.
- 10-pound cases of “Sysco Uncooked, Fritters, Chicken Breast
Tenderloins.” Each box bears the case code of “2523-895” as well as
packaging dates of “7/24/08” or “7/29/08” printed on the side of the box.
- 10-pound cases of “Heritage Valley Uncooked Steakhouse Chicken Breast
Tenderloin Fritters.” Each box bears the case code of “2523-398” as well as
a packaging date of “7/23/08”, “7/24/08,” or “8/01/08” printed on the side
of the box.
- 20-pound cases of “Spare Time Uncooked Fritters, Chicken Breast
Tenderloins.” Each box bears the case code of “2523-861” as well as a
packaging date of “7/23/08” printed on the side of the box.
- 10-pound cases of “Tyson Uncooked Chicken Breast Tenderloin Fritters.”
Each box bears the code of “2989-928” as well as a packaging date of
“7/25/08” printed on the side of the box.
The chicken breast tenderloin products were produced between July 23 and August
1, 2008 and were shipped to Tyson food service distributors nationwide.
The problem was discovered by the company. FSIS has received no reports of
illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an allergic
reaction should contact a physician.
Media with questions about the recall should contact company spokesperson Libby
Lawson, VP of Media and Community Relations at (479) 290-3486 or Gary Mickelson,
Director of Media Relations at (479) 290-6111. Consumers with questions about
the recall should contact company Manager of Consumer Relations Willie Barber at
(866) 328-3156.
Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual
representative available 24 hours a day at
AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline
(1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0
a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety
messages are available 24 hours a day.Governor Riley Announces Alabama Named “State of the Year”
for Economic Development, Highlights Industrial Diversity
Governor Bob Riley visited
expanding businesses in the aviation, life sciences and automotive fields in
three cities on Wednesday to announce Alabama has been named “State of the Year”
by a trade magazine for its economic development performance in 2007. This
is the fifth time in the last six years Alabama has been ranked the South’s top
economic development state by Southern Business and Development magazine.
"Once again, Alabama leads the South in economic development and the South leads
the nation,” said Governor Riley. “Our ranking as number one is a monumental
accomplishment. It’s recognition that Alabama is the place where there are more
jobs, more prosperity and more opportunity.” The magazine, which covers
economic development activity in 17 states, uses a point system based on
announcements of 200 jobs or more and/or capital investments of $30 million or
more to rank the states. Alabama has been named “State of the Year” for
2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and now 2007. Last year, Alabama saw 473 new and
expanding industry announcements. Those projects resulted in more than 24,000
announced new jobs. To celebrate the news, Governor Riley and Alabama
Development Office Director Neal Wade visited three companies that announced
expansions and new jobs last year: Westwind Technologies in Huntsville,
Brookwood Pharmaceuticals in Birmingham and Hyundai outside Montgomery.
Each of the three represents industry sectors the state has worked to increase
its presence - aviation, life sciences and automotive manufacturing.
Westwind Technologies in Huntsville specializes in engineering, aviation
integration, and flight simulator production. The company is expanding its
services with plans for additional hangar space at Huntsville International
Airport to meet growing demand. The company employs 300. Governor
Riley remarked that Alabama is seeing tremendous growth in the aerospace
industry. More than 300 aerospace companies call the state home. Brookwood
Pharmaceuticals in Birmingham develops drug-delivery technologies, including
injectable solid implants and biodegradable polymers. It is expanding with a new
facility that increases the company’s capacity for research and development and
clinical manufacturing. It employs about 80 but with expansion is expected to
employ about 300 over the next five years. Alabama has a flourishing
biotechnology industry, Governor Riley said, with more than 90 companies in
bio-related industries located in the state. These companies employ 24,000
Alabamians, and Genome Technology magazine earlier this year named Alabama one
of nine “emerging biotech regions” in the world. Hyundai Motor
Manufacturing Alabama in Hope Hull is a $1.4 billion automotive manufacturing
plant that employs 3,300 team members. In 2007, the company announced it would
build a second engine plant to supply both Hyundai and the new Kia plant being
built in Georgia. That expansion is expected to create more than 500 new jobs at
full operation. Alabama is home to three auto assembly plants that employ
more than 11,000. The automotive manufacturing industry in the state grew to
48,457 direct automotive jobs in 2007, up from 44,834 jobs in 2005, according to
the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association. Since 2001, Alabama’s auto
industry has added more than 21,000 jobs, the association reported earlier this
year. “Whenever we recruit a new industry to our state, it gets a
lot of headlines and attention, and it should. But when an existing company
succeeds to the point that it needs to grow and add more jobs - and it wants to
put those jobs in Alabama - that’s something we truly need to celebrate,” said
Governor Riley. The Governor said one reason why he wanted to visit these
three companies is to highlight the state’s success in diversifying its economy.
“We’ve worked to diversify our economy. We never want to be reliant on any one
industry. You can look at other states across the nation that relied too much on
one industry and see how that can invite disaster,” Governor Riley said. “Our
economic diversity is enabling Alabama to weather this national downturn better
than most states.” At each of the three stops on Wednesday, the Governor
also thanked Wade and local economic developers for Alabama’s strong economic
performance. “We’ve built strong partnerships that have worked to bring
new jobs to Alabama. I thank all of you because it wouldn’t be possible without
your leadership and our outstanding workforce,” Governor Riley said.
Several Alabama cities were also recognized by the magazine.
- Birmingham was ranked fifth in the major markets
category (populations between 750,000-2,999,999)
- Mobile ranked first, Huntsville second and Montgomery
fourth in the medium markets category (populations between 250,000-749,999).
- The Shoals area ranked fourth in the small markets
category (populations under 250,000).
###
To read the magazine article naming
Alabama “State of the Year,” go to www.sb-d.com
and click on “2008 SB&D 100: 2008 State Summary” on the left side of the
website.
AT&T Announces $400 Million Planned Investment to Bring New Technology to
Consumers in Alabama
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) announced plans to invest approximately $400 million over
the next several years in fiber network upgrades, further broadband deployment
and Internet-based technologies to bring new services, including innovative
television, to Alabama consumers, upon approval of agreements being considered
by city and county governments.
"We commend the 213 city and county leaders in 34 individual Alabama
communities for their vision in helping to ensure that Alabama is not left
behind in efforts to give consumers more choices in the video services market,"
said Fred McCallum, state president of AT&T Alabama. "The local support shown
most recently by the Birmingham City Council, including council President Carole
Smitherman, and Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, and the Jefferson County
commissioners, including commission President Bettye Fine Collins, will give
consumers a new communications and entertainment experience. We look forward to
delivering advanced television, voice and Internet services to Alabama."
On July 8, the Birmingham City Council, with support from the mayor, approved
an agreement with AT&T that will enable AT&T to provide these new services to
local consumers. That same day, the Jefferson County commission approved a
similar agreement.
They join 34 communities across the state in approving similar agreements
with AT&T, including Hoover, Bessemer, Midfield, Helena, Bay Minette, Vestavia
Hills, Clanton, Tuscaloosa County, Jasper, Madison and Albertville.
"We are continuing to work with other cities and counties around the state
that are critical to our investment decisions and look forward to completing
these negotiations in the near future," said McCallum.
In part, the new technology upgrades being considered by AT&T will support
Internet Protocol (IP)-based television, high speed Internet and Voice over
Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. AT&T is the only national provider to offer a
100 percent IP-based television service, making AT&T U-verseSM TV one
of the most robust and feature-rich services available today. The service
includes features such as the ability to record up to four programs at once
using a digital video recorder (DVR); Web and Mobile Remote Access to a DVR;
access to customized weather, sports, traffic and stock information; and
built-in picture-in-picture browsing.
VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA ANNOUNCES IT WILL PRODUCE CARS
IN CHATTANOOGA; DECISION MARKS COMPANY'S ONGOING COMMITMENT TO NORTH AMERICAN
MARKET
Company will invest $1 billion and bring about 2,000 direct
jobs to tri-state area
HERNDON, Va. (July 15, 2008) - Volkswagen Group of America,
Inc. announced today that it will build a U.S. automotive production facility in
Chattanooga, Tenn., where it will produce a car designed specifically for the
North American consumer and invest $1 billion in the economy. The announcement
is an important element of the company's overall U.S. strategy of connecting
with its customers, increasing its competitiveness and tripling its U.S.
customer base in the next decade.
"The U.S. market is an important part of our volume strategy
and we are now very resolutely accessing that market," said Prof. Martin
Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen AG. "Volkswagen will be extremely active there.
This plant represents a milestone in Volkswagen's growth strategy. We will be
selling 800,000 Volkswagens in the U.S. by 2018, and this new site will play a
key role. This, along with our growth strategy, is a prerequisite for the
economic success of the company in the dollar region. We look forward to
establishing an important mainstay for ourselves when we become the biggest
European carmaker there."
"This is a significant step forward in achieving our goals in
the U.S. market and a clear sign of the Volkswagen Group's commitment to the
North American consumer. Today's decision is a fundamental part of our new
strategic direction in the U.S. and our five-pillar strategy," said Stefan
Jacoby, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. "Chattanooga is an
excellent fit for the Volkswagen culture, having an exceptional quality of life
and a long manufacturing tradition."
The company will build the facility in the Enterprise South
Industrial Park, located 12 miles northeast of downtown Chattanooga. The
1,350-acre site is 100 percent owned by the city of Chattanooga and Hamilton
County and is certified as an industrial megasite by the Tennessee Valley
Authority. Enterprise South is adjacent to Interstate 75. Initial production
capacity for the facility is anticipated to be 150,000 vehicles, including a new
midsize sedan designed specifically for the North American market. Production is
scheduled to begin in early 2011.
"I'm enormously pleased by the announcement from Volkswagen
Group of America and grateful for the company's investment in Chattanooga and in
the people of Tennessee," said Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen. "I believe
Volkswagen chose Tennessee because of our shared values, our commitment to
innovation and our strong respect for the environment. This project will have a
significant impact on the economy of Tennessee and the region for decades to
come."
"I couldn't be more pleased that the spirit of partnership
between the state of Tennessee, Volkswagen and the government and business
leadership of Chattanooga and Hamilton County has resulted in this significant
investment in Enterprise South," said Matt Kisber, commissioner of the Tennessee
Department of Economic and Community Development. "Volkswagen's investment in
this community means the hard work and dedication demonstrated by people at the
state and local level to create one of the best business climates in the country
is paying off."
"We started with a vision of transforming an idle Army
facility into the source of thousands of family-wage jobs," said Hamilton County
Mayor Claude Ramsey. "Over the last 14 years, I've worked with four different
city mayors as well as county commissioners, city councilmen and countless
others in overcoming barriers and objections to that plan. Today, we stand with
our new friends from Volkswagen to make a historic announcement that will create
new opportunities for our community for years to come."
"Volkswagen and Chattanooga have a lot in common," said
Chattanooga City Mayor Ron Littlefield. "Both are serious about environmental
sustainability and 21st Century manufacturing."
Environmental responsibility is a core value of the
Volkswagen Group. The company's focus on sustainable mobility and
environmentally responsible manufacturing are right in line with Chattanooga's
strong environmental commitment. As an expression of this shared commitment, the
state of Tennessee, Volkswagen and Chattanooga-area organizations are partnering
to distribute two saplings for every tree displaced by the project. The new
trees will be planted by local school children.
According to United States Sen. Bob Corker, who was mayor of
Chattanooga when the city and Hamilton County acquired the land and established
Enterprise South as an industrial park, the Volkswagen announcement represents a
new chapter in Chattanooga's success story. "Through twists and turns, our
community has maintained focus, invested wisely and exercised tremendous effort
and energy in recruiting a major employer to Enterprise South. The breaking of
this final barrier and the realization of the vision to which we have held true
will take us to levels we can only begin to imagine," said Corker.
He continued, "Volkswagen is the very best manufacturer and
partner we could possibly have in terms of our shared values, and as a result of
their enormous investment, not only will Chattanooga be forever changed, but our
entire state will reap great benefits from the new suppliers that this facility
will attract to the region. I am proud to have been part of a dedicated team
that has worked seamlessly on this effort and celebrate this outstanding
achievement for our city and our state."
United States Sen. Lamar Alexander praised Volkswagen's
decision to locate at Enterprise South, saying, "Volkswagen and Chattanooga, the
ideal marriage: one of the world's most admired companies and one of America's
most livable cities. This decision keeps Tennessee on the road to becoming the
No. 1 state in auto jobs. Congratulations especially to Gov. Bredesen, Sen.
Corker and Mayors Ramsey and Littlefield for their leadership," Alexander
concluded.
"Over the past seven months, more than 100 Tennesseans at the
local, state and federal level have worked odd hours on short deadlines to help
us reach this day," said Trevor Hamilton, vice president of economic development
for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. "From this day forward, we
dedicate ourselves to partnering with Volkswagen to move from construction to
production as quickly as possible. We will unify our team with Volkwagen's to
ensure long-term success for the company, our community and the state of
Tennessee."
With the new plant, Volkswagen will bring about 2,000 direct
jobs to the area, and will add a significant number of jobs in related sectors.
It is expected that these jobs will come from the tri-state area, pulling from
the labor force of Tennessee as well as Georgia and Alabama. Volkswagen of
America received an attractive, comprehensive package of incentives for the new
facility from Gov. Bredesen's office and the Tennessee Department of Economic
and Community Development. The statutory incentives are tied to job creation and
capital investment. Additional support includes assistance for public
infrastructure and job training, each designed to ensure the local economy best
leverages Volkswagen's investment to benefit the local work force and ensure the
facility's success.
"This area has a deep base of well-trained labor, with
excellent engineering and manufacturing programs at the universities and
technical colleges," added Jacoby. "Thanks to the visionary leaders and people
of Chattanooga, we're confident that the values of this area are compatible with
our own, and we envision a long and productive partnership."
Last year, Volkswagen outlined a new strategic direction in
the U.S. based on five pillars: product, brand positioning, dealer network,
organization and local production. As it moved forward to assess the potential
for local production, the company considered many other site options and earlier
this year had narrowed its search to Alabama, Michigan and Tennessee.
"We reviewed three excellent sites, all of which had the
specific qualities necessary to build a plant in the United States," said
Jacoby. "Both Gov. Granholm and Gov. Riley were strong advocates on behalf of
their states and the citizens they represent. This was a difficult decision, but
we look forward to continuing our relationships with both states. I thank both
governors and their staffs."
[Source: VW]
Sessions comments after the
Senate voted to confirm Gen. Petraeus and Lt. Gen. Odierno
“From time to time in our
nation’s history, we have looked to the generals of our Armed Forces to lead
brave American soldiers in life or death struggles to protect the United States
and defend the principles that we cherish. We are fortunate when history
aligns men of talent and the true gift of leadership with our nation’s greatest
challenges, which is the case with Generals David Petraeus and Raymond Odierno.
“They are soldiers from the
finest mold, respected up and down the military ranks for their decency,
experience, and sharp strategic minds. Both have a keen understanding of
the nature of warfare and the need to impose costs on the enemy while minimizing
American losses.
“I am pleased that the Senate overwhelmingly confirmed
General Petraeus to lead CENTCOM and General Odierno to lead U.S. forces in
Iraq, positions that will allow an even larger number of our military forces to
benefit from their great leadership.”
The Alabama
Forestry Commission (AFC) is sending seven more wildland firefighters to assist
in battling wildfires that have continued to plague the state of
Texas
for most of 2008. Five of the team members will depart from the Crenshaw County
AFC office in Luverne at 7:00 am on Friday, July 11, with two more team members
leaving on Saturday morning. This is in addition to a team of seven AFC
firefighters who were dispatched to the
Lone
Star State
on Saturday, July 5.
According
to State Forester Linda S. Casey, these are the ninth and tenth AFC crews to go
to Texas under the terms of the Southern Fire Compact, a mutual aid agreement
between the southern states providing firefighting assistance to each other in
case of severe wildfire conditions. During their 18-day assignment, the men will
be involved in initial fire attack, working with heavy wildland fire suppression
units (bulldozers). These additional crews bring the total number of
Alabama firefighters to 65 who have served on
Texas fire detail since February of this year, where
9,835 wildfires have consumed 1,353,182
acres since the first of the year. Although 626 structures
have been destroyed, firefighters have saved 15,571.
All of these out-of-state emergency details are filled by foresters and rangers
who volunteer for the assignment. Many have fought other western fires in
recent years, including details in Idaho,
Montana, Oklahoma,
Oregon, and Texas.
State’s Water Systems to be Digitally Mapped
Governor Riley says project can
help with economic development, statewide water planning
MONTGOMERY - Global Positioning System satellites will be
used to digitally map Alabama’s municipal and rural public water systems,
providing a grid-like view of water lines that can aid water systems during
shortages, help statewide water resource planning, and support industrial
recruitment.
Governor Bob Riley made the announcement on Monday and said
the mapping project will be funded with a combination of federal, state and
local resources.
“This project is a substantial undertaking, but one that is
truly worth the effort,” said Governor Riley. “This map will be a valuable tool
for communities across the state. It will help with economic development, water
sharing during times of emergency, and even with improving fire safety.”
The mapping system will enable water systems to plan
development and better serve customers by being able to quickly locate water
lines and other features. Fire departments also can use the map to locate
existing hydrants and determine the best sites for future hydrants to improve
fire safety and help reduce home insurance rates.
The statewide map can also help determine the best connection
routes for sharing water among systems during times of crisis, and the data can
be used to make key decisions to protect and restore water supplies threatened
by natural disasters such as hurricanes and droughts.
The statewide mapping project is being coordinated by the
Office of Water Resources (OWR), a division of the Alabama Department of
Economic and Community Affairs. Much of the field work will be conducted over
the next three years by regional planning commissions with guidance and
technical expertise from OWR and assistance from individual water systems.
A successful pilot project was completed last fall in Bibb,
Hale and Pickens counties. OWR will receive additional data as it is collected
and will create the statewide digital map.
Picnics, barbecues, and outdoor fun are an important part
of Independence Day celebrations for many Alabama families. For those who plan
to celebrate with cookouts and fireworks, the Alabama Forestry Commission
encourages extra safety precautions due to the dry conditions over much of the
state.
Avoid shooting fireworks in or near dry grass, leaves, or other combustible
materials. Thoroughly soak the area with water where fireworks are to be
discharged, and have a garden hose or other source of water nearby.
The same preventive measures apply when using charcoal grills. Do not dump hot
coals in, near, or around dry grass, leaves, or other flammable materials. Do
not bury hot coals. Allow briquettes to cool completely; or, soak with lots of
water, stir them, and soak again, being sure they are cold to the touch. Take
precautions that hot embers do not fall through the bottom of the grill. Never
leave a grill unattended.
Remember what Smokey Bear said . . . “Please be careful! Only YOU can prevent
forest fires.”
A major goal of the Alabama Forestry Commission is to protect and sustain
Alabama’s forests. To learn more about the AFC, visit
www.forestry.alabama.gov
or contact your local Alabama Forestry Commission office.
Design of Alabama Postage Stamp Unveiled
MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley and other officials were on
hand Tuesday to unveil the design of Alabama’s state postage stamp as part of
the U.S. Postal Service’s “Flags of our Nation” series. Each of the 50 states
will be featured in the multi-stamp series and each stamp’s design will include
state flags. The unveiling ceremony took place at Montgomery’s main post office.
Sessions comments
following the release of the Supreme Court’s opinion in District of Columbia
v. Heller:
“After a dismal record of judicial activism in recent weeks, it’s nice to see
the Court affirm a right that’s actually in the Constitution,” Sessions said.
“In doing so, the Court issued a strong holding that the Second Amendment
protects the right of Americans to possess firearms for lawful purposes like
recreation, hunting, and self-defense. The Second Amendment is a guarantee
from the Founding Fathers to future Americans, and, as the Court noted, it is
not subject to alteration on the basis of what a lifetime-appointed federal
judge thinks is good policy. 217 years after the Amendment was ratified,
the Court has finally made it clear that the right for individuals to bear arms,
a bedrock principle on which our nation was founded, shall not be infringed by
the central government.”
Governor Riley
Celebrates Passage of New Law that Helps Families Save for College

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley, State Treasurer Kay Ivey and Dr.
Greg Fitch, Executive Director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education,
celebrated the passage of legislation that gives families a tax break when they
contribute to the state’s two college savings plans.
The new law provides a state income tax deduction of up to
$5,000 per year for money put in the state’s Prepaid Affordable College Tuition
plan or the state’s Higher Education 529 Fund. The new law is retroactive to
Jan. 1, 2008.
Military and
Overseas Voting Meeting to be Held
Secretary
of State Beth Chapman is hosting an open meeting on Military and Overseas Voting
Thursday, June 19th in the State Capitol Auditorium from 8:30 a.m.
until 1:30 p.m. Chapman chairs a task force created at her request
by Governor Bob Riley to research and study military and overseas voting and
potential ways to make their voting process more convenient and timely.
“We have
members of our military laying their lives on the line everyday to protect a
right they don’t always get – the right to vote,” Chapman said. “If anyone
deserves to participate in a democracy, they do, and we are working hard to
ensure that they do.”
Chapman says
the present system is not fast enough to keep up with members of the military as
they move from location to location and in foreign lands. In the 2006 general
election, more than 70 percent of all military and overseas ballots reported not
counted was due to the fact these ballots were returned to local election
offices as undeliverable.
Chapman and
her staff sent out more than 3,000 Requests for Information (RFIs), across the
country. After reviewing them, the task force met in April and made the decision
to invite three companies who are already assisting the military in other
countries to vote via the internet to demonstrate their technology.
Chapman has
invited all Task Force members, Probate Judges, Circuit Clerks, Registrars,
members of the military, Alabama National Guard, the League of Women Voters,
faculty of Colleges and Universities, members of the media, political
scientists, members of the House and Senate, and all interested parties to
attend. Chapman wants to ensure that the public knows they are invited to
attend, as well.
“This is a
transparent and open process of information gathering regarding the level of
technology that is available to us,” Chapman said.
Alabama laws
would have to be changed in order to utilize the programs that will be
demonstrated, but Thursday’s meeting is the first of many plans to come to reach
that point. Chapman says when laws are passed, Alabama will be ready to
implement immediately.
Chapman
encourages members of the military and their family members to attend, as well.
“We need all the input we can get to best help our military now and in the
future,” Chapman concluded.
Alabama has
already been a forerunner in the area of advancement for military and overseas
voting, becoming one of only three states in the nation to provide a more
accessible means for those who are eligible to register to vote while overseas.
Chapman was also asked to give exclusive testimony on behalf of the National
Association of Secretaries of State before the House Administration Committee on
the subject of military voting in April.
UA Businesses Sweep Statewide Business Plan Competition
Similarities abound between Donald
Trump and The University of Alabama’s Dr. William “Bill” Gathings.
No, maybe not the hair, but each has demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit,
and both are ardent promoters of a business-based competition with a reality
TV show feel. Ok, so with Trump, it’s more than the
feel of reality TV.
As executive producer and host of NBC’s “The Apprentice,”
Trump, the billionaire with the oft-discussed coif, raked in millions of
television viewers who tuned in to see who advanced to the competition’s
next round. As director of technology transfer at The University of Alabama
and a working team member of the Alabama Launchpad business plan
competition, Gathings encourages those in the University community to vie
for the $175,000 in start-up capital awarded to winners of the state-wide
annual business plan competition.
“If you are a start-up company, it can be huge,” Gathings
says of the $100,000 awarded to this year’s Alabama Launchpad winner,
Lambert Technologies. Second place winner, Cellulosix, won $50,000, while
third place, SEA Desalination, collected $25,000.
“If you can get early stage funding like this, without
loss of equity, you build more value in your company,” Gathings said. “Then,
when you have to go to the angel investor or venture capitalist, you have
increased the value of your company.”
Alabama Launchpad is a non-profit organization formed by
six of the state’s leading research universities and Alabama’s business
community to support entrepreneurship in the state. The Economic Development
Partnership of Alabama is also a founding member.
More than 40 teams participated in the competition for
technology and high growth ideas in the recently completed second season.
Eleven of the 12 teams with UA affiliation advanced to the semifinals, five
of the eight finalists had UA ties as did all three winners.
“Launchpad has been tremendous in that it provides
a vetting process for early stage technologies,” Gathings said. “We strive
to appropriately evaluate technologies in terms of whether they are viable
for business start-up, but we have limited staffing at this time,” he says
of the UA technology transfer office. “Launchpad’s independent expert
evaluation supports and enhances our efforts,” he said.
Launchpad teams which make it past the second of the
four-round competition are assigned mentors with business and legal
expertise. The mentors can assist in developing and writing business plans
and offer additional advice in business operation.
“You may have the best technology in the world; it’s your
baby, and you think it is the reason a business is going to be successful,
but it's not that simple,” says Gathings, who previously launched two
start-ups of his own. “A new technology may launch a business, but a
successful venture requires sound management, planning and execution.”
Through Launchpad, participating teams can learn more about just such
details.
In addition to UA, participating universities are Alabama
A&M University, Alabama State University, Auburn University, The University
of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Alabama Grown Tomatoes on FDA “Safe to
Eat” List
Agriculture & Industries
Commissioner Ron Sparks has announced that Alabama grown tomatoes will be placed
on the Food & Drug Administration’s “safe to eat” list as of tonight. Local
farmers who grow tomatoes have not been adversely affected by the recent
outbreak of salmonella in raw red tomatoes that has caused some grocery stores
and restaurants to pull tomatoes from their shelves and menus. Alabama’s harvest
season has just begun and an ample supply of Alabama grown tomatoes should
arrive at markets this week.
“There is not a recall for tomatoes, but in Alabama, some
stores are voluntarily removing tomatoes from certain sources to be safe,” said
Sparks. “Consumers who are unsure of where the tomatoes are from that they have
purchased or would like to purchase are encouraged to check the label of the
tomato or contact the store for the point of origin.”
Restaurants, grocery stores, and food service operators have
been advised by the FDA not to offer for sale or service raw red plum, Roma, or
red tomatoes and products made from these types of tomatoes unless they are from
one of the states listed on the FDA website as a “safe to eat” from state.
For more information on the salmonella outbreak in raw red
tomatoes, please visit,
http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html.
Drought still affecting Alabama Power lakes
Despite an increase in rainfall, the historic drought
that began in 2006 continues to affect Alabama Power lakes.
According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, a large portion
of northeast Alabama remains in a severe drought, with much of the rest of the
state under a moderate drought or suffering from abnormally dry conditions.
Although spring rains, along with efforts by Alabama Power and state and federal
agencies, have helped return the company’s reservoirs to normal or near-normal
levels, the flow of water into the Coosa and Tallapoosa river basins has not
recovered. In fact, the flow is less than half the level of a normal year.
Because of these conditions, Alabama Power plans to manage
water resources carefully through the summer. Whitewater enthusiasts who visit
the Coosa River below Jordan Dam to enjoy recreational water releases should
check the release schedule before setting out. Go to
http://lakes.alabamapower.com and
click on the Lake Jordan page for the latest schedule. Individuals can also call
Alabama Power's automated Reservoir Information System at 1-800-LAKES11
(1-800-525-3711) and follow instructions for the Jordan Dam generation schedule.
Alabama Power is working closely with state and federal
agencies to try to maintain normal summer conditions on the company’s six
storage reservoirs. Typically, levels on those reservoirs – Weiss Lake, Lake
Neely Henry and Logan Martin Lake on the Coosa; Lakes Harris and Martin on the
Tallapoosa; and Smith Lake on the Black Warrior River – begin to fall in late
June as the company utilizes the water to meet downstream flow requirements and
meet the demand for power during the hot summer months. Normally the lakes
continue to fall until December, remaining at winter pool elevations until they
can be replenished by winter and spring rains.
Alabama Power must make certain releases from the lakes to meet downstream
navigation, aquatic and water quality needs.
As summer proceeds, the company will continue to closely
monitor the conditions on the lakes and manage resources carefully. Individuals
with boats and other water-related equipment and facilities should always be
alert to changing conditions on Alabama Power reservoirs and be prepared to take
the necessary steps to protect their property.
For details about all of Alabama Power’s lakes, visit
www.alabamapower.com and click on
“drought.” Or call 1-800-LAKES11 (1-800-525-3711).
Sessions Congratulates Auburn University for “Grand
Challenge” Energy Award
National Award Recognizes
AU’s Vision for Bioenergy Development
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) congratulated Auburn University
today for winning the United States Department of Agriculture’s “Grand
Challenge” award, presented in recognition of the University’s work in the
fields of renewable fuel and alternative energy. The national
competition, designed to promote leadership and forward-thinking regarding the
future of bioenergy in America, recognized 15 academic institutions for their
work. Auburn partnered with Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M
University to present its winning entry titled “Partnerships: The Pathway to a
Vibrant Bio-economy in Alabama.” Auburn researchers will present their
material during Bioenergy Awareness Days in Washington, D.C. on June 19 – 22.
“This USDA award is an important recognition of Auburn’s commitment to research
on biofuels and alternative energy,” Sessions said. “Our nation faces a
number of serious energy challenges, including rising prices and a growing
dependence on foreign oil. I am greatly impressed with the University’s
dedication to meeting these challenges, and I am pleased that Auburn officials
have made it clear that this area of research will be a focal point moving
forward.”
Sessions, a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
praised University researchers for their efforts to use renewable materials
found in Alabama, such as forestry products and wood chips.
“Auburn is focused on using materials that are abundant in Alabama, such as
woodchips, switchgrass, and timber products,” Sessions said. “Finding
cost-effective ways to use these materials, which have few alternative uses and
don’t impact food prices, is an important step toward ending our dependence on
foreign energy. I congratulate Dr. Larry Fillmer, Dr. Steve Taylor, and
the team at Auburn for their important work in this field.”
Sessions visited Auburn University last week as part of a 14-stop week-long
energy tour of the state. While there, Sessions observed a demonstration
of new biomass gasification technology and took part in a roundtable discussion
with University researchers. Fifteen schools, including Auburn, were
selected as recipients of the award. The winners include up to two
institutions from each of the four USDA geographic regions, two winners from the
1890 land-grant colleges, and five ‘at-large’ winners. In addition to
Auburn, the list of winners includes the University of Georgia, Cornell
University, and the University of Illinois.
Alabama’s Graduation Rate Increases More Than Three Times The National Average
Gains
The national publication Education Week
will release its annual Diploma Counts edition on Wednesday, June. 4. The
publication estimates the number of high school graduates in 2008, based on the
number of ninth graders who were enrolled in 2004-05.
According to Diploma’s Count, Alabama’s high school graduation rate for the
2004-05 ninth grade class is estimated to be 61.3%. For the nation, the
projected high school graduation rate for the 2004-05 ninth grade will be 70.6%.
Last year, Diploma’s Count estimated Alabama’s high school graduation rate for
the 2003-04 ninth grade class was 59% and 69.9% for the nation. That means
Alabama’s projected high school graduation rate increased 2.3% in a one year
period. The nation’s graduation rate only increased .7% in the same period. In
short, according to the Diploma’s Count method of calculation, Alabama’s high
school graduation rate for the ninth grade class between 2003-04 and 2004-05
increased
3.3 times that of the national average.
ALABAMA VS. NATIONAL AVERAGE IN GRADUATION GAINS

“We’re
making steady progress towards increasing Alabama’s graduation rate,” said Joe
Morton, state Superintendent of Education. “Making such significant gains when
compared to the nation’s gains is encouraging. However, no matter what method
that’s used to calculate graduates, we must do better to help our students
prepare for the challenges of a global work place.”
Morton added: “The state Board of Education’s vote to adopt First Choice on May
8 2008, combined with expanding graduation coaches and programs in middle
grades, will certainly help to make significant strides. We are not where we
want to be. There is much more work to be done, but we have a great plan to
increase the number of Alabama high school graduates and to decrease the dropout
rate.”
For
the Diplomas Count report, go to
www.edweek.org/go/dc08
Governor Riley Praises House Passage of Tax
Break for Small Business
Governor Bob Riley today applauded House passage of a
measure designed to help small businesses as they confront rising health care
costs. The idea, which the Governor included as part of his second term
agenda in Plan 2010, allows small business owners to deduct 150 percent of the
amount they pay for health insurance premiums from their state income taxes.
The bill also allows employees of those small businesses to deduct 150 percent
of the amount they contribute toward their health insurance plans from their
individual income taxes. “The state provides economic incentives for large
companies locating here, but we don’t do enough to help our small businesses.
That’s never made sense to me because small businesses create more than 80
percent of all new jobs. They are the backbone of our economy. This bill is a
common sense way to help small businesses and to make health care more
affordable. Now I urge the Senate to follow the House’s lead and pass this
important bill,” said Governor Riley. The tax deduction would apply to
businesses with 25 employees or less, which make up the vast majority of
businesses in the state. The bill also applies to employees earning
$50,000 or less annually in wages. “I especially want to thank
Representative Jay Love for working over the past several years to get this bill
passed and for keeping it on the agenda. I also want to thank members of
the House Republican Caucus for their strong support of this bill. They
put passage of this much needed tax cut first and foremost above partisan
politics. Their selfless act will make a meaningful change for thousands
of small business owners and their workers seeking quality health insurance
coverage,” said Governor Riley. The Governor has visited several small
businesses around the state to promote the proposal. In November, he held a
roundtable discussion with small business owners in Birmingham, who spoke out in
favor of the proposal saying it could help companies hire more workers if their
health care costs were lowered.
Governor Riley Releases
Special Session Agenda

Gov. Riley signs the proclamation calling legislators into a
special session to pass the education budget. The Governor signed the
proclamation in his office on Tuesday.
MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley has placed 15 budget-related
bills on the agenda of the special session that starts at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
The agenda, or “the call,” was delivered to lawmakers this afternoon. Governor
Riley was forced to call a special session after the Legislature failed to pass
the education budget during the regular session, which ended May 19.
“The public comments by many legislators that they expect a very brief,
down-to-business session are very reassuring,” said Governor Riley. “It’s a
shame we have to even have a special session to pass the education budget.
Legislators need to understand: failure is not an option. If they don’t pass the
education budget during this special session, we’ll come right back and have
another one. It’s up to them.”
Below is a copy of the Governor’s Call:
WHEREAS, there exists an extraordinary occasion in the State
of Alabama, which demands the convening of the Legislature of Alabama, in
extraordinary session, as prescribed by Article V, Section 122, of the
Constitution of Alabama of 1901.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bob Riley, as Governor of the State of
Alabama, do hereby proclaim and direct that the Legislature of Alabama shall
convene in extraordinary session at the seat of Government, Alabama State House,
in Montgomery, Alabama, at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, and do hereby
designate the following subjects and matters, which I, as Governor, deem
necessary to be considered and acted upon by said Legislature, in extraordinary
session assembled:
1. Legislation making appropriations for the support,
maintenance, and development of public education in Alabama, for debt service
and for capital outlay, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009.
2. Legislation making a budgetary appropriation to Lyman Ward
Military Institute.
3. Legislation making a budgetary appropriation to Talladega
College.
4. Legislation making a budgetary appropriation to Tuskegee
University.
5. Legislation providing for supplemental appropriations from
the General Fund and other funds for Fiscal Year 2008 to the departments of
Corrections and Medicaid, and other departments of state government.
6. Legislation to reestablish the Education Trust Fund rainy
day account within the Alabama Trust Fund, as a Constitutional Amendment, and to
repeal Amendment 709 to the Alabama Constitution.
7. Legislation providing for a General Fund rainy day account,
as a Constitutional Amendment.
8. Legislation providing for a budgetary appropriation to the
Alabama Children First Trust Fund.
9. Legislation providing for a transfer of the appropriate
balance from the statutory proration prevention account into the Education Trust
Fund.
10. Legislation to clarify the legislative intent of Section
40-18-35, Code of Alabama 1975, regarding the exceptions to the State of
Alabama’s “add-back” law and to disallow Captive Real Estate Investment Trusts
the preferential dividend treatment afforded ordinary Real Estate Investment
Trusts.
11. Legislation providing for an income tax deduction of 150%
of health insurance premiums paid by small business employers and their
employees.
12. Legislation providing for an exclusion from Alabama income
taxation for any federal tax credits resulting from federal legislation known as
the "Economic Stimulus Act of 2008."
13. Legislation to establish a procedure for the discretionary
medical furlough of permanently incapacitated or terminally ill state inmates
convicted of non-capital offenses and who pose no danger to society.
15. Legislation providing for the transfer of tobacco revenues
to the General Fund.
16. Legislation providing for a funded one-time lump-sum
addition to the retirement benefits of certain retirees and beneficiaries of the
Employees’ Retirement System.
17. Resolutions of a congratulatory or sympathy nature, and
honoring individuals for personal or business accomplishments, only.
18. Confirmations.
All legislation relating to gambling in any form, at any
location, and for any purpose is expressly excluded from this call and shall
require a two-thirds vote for consideration during the duration of this
extraordinary session of the Alabama Legislature.
TAX DEDUCTION LEGISLATION FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO COLLEGE SAVINGS
PLANS CLEARS FINAL LEGISLATIVE HURDLE
State
Treasurer Kay Ivey’s legislation to provide a tax deduction for Alabama families
making a contribution, up to $5,000, per year, to one of Alabama’s
state-sponsored college savings plans received unanimous approval by the Alabama
Senate on May 1, but was contingent upon HB357 also passing to replace the lost
revenue to the Education Trust Fund. The Alabama Senate gave final passage to
that bill this morning.
“I appreciate Senator Zeb Little and Representative Richard Lindsey providing
their strong bipartisan support of this effort to give Alabama parents and
grandparents an incentive to save for college” Ivey stated. “Alabama families
need all the help they can get to pay for college tuition and other college
expenses, and this bill will go a long way toward helping them.”
Alabama offers two college savings programs – the Alabama Prepaid Affordable
College Tuition (PACT) Program and the Alabama Higher Education 529 Fund. PACT
is based on a simple concept – pay today for tomorrow’s tuition. Through the
PACT program, a contract may be purchased to prepay college tuition and
qualified fee payments at any Alabama public college or university. The program
also allows contract holders to attend private or out-of-state schools based on
the weighted average of in-state costs.
The Alabama Higher Education 529 Fund is professionally managed by Van Kampen
Investments. This program allows investors to contribute to an individual
account within the 529 Trust Fund, choose from several investment options, and
later use the investment results of that particular account to pay for college
expenses. The program, offered nationwide, offers multiple benefits for
Alabamians to save on fees and costs associated with investing in the program.
For more information about these two programs, please visit the Treasury
website, www.treasury.alabama.gov or call 1-800-252-7228.
Governor Riley Calls Special Session to Pass
Education Budget
MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley is calling lawmakers back for
a special session starting Tuesday at 4 p.m. to pass the education budget and
some other bills they failed to pass during the regular session.
The regular session ended Monday, May 19 without the
constitutionally-required passage of a budget to fund education. The
Legislature’s failure to pass an education budget has forced Governor Riley to
call a special session.
“Legislators need to get this done as quickly as possible. Our
students and teachers are waiting on them to finish their work,” said Governor
Riley. “I’ve asked legislators to not make any commitments to the special
interests on the budget. The education budget must reflect Alabama’s priorities,
not the special interests’ priorities.”
The Governor is resubmitting the budget he proposed at the
start of the regular session in February with minor changes to include increased
funding for workforce development programs. The proposed budget includes
increased funding for education programs that are working to improve student
performance and have gained national attention: the Alabama Reading Initiative,
the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative, ACCESS Distance Learning
and First Class Pre-K.
“Teachers are getting pink slips at this very moment and
schools are unable to make plans for the fall because the Legislature failed to
pass the budget. That’s unacceptable, and I want legislators to know that we’re
going to stay here all summer if that’s what it takes to finish the job. Or,
they can come back here next week, pass this and go home,” Governor Riley said.
Two other bills that will be on the special session agenda are
proposed constitutional amendments to expand a rainy day fund for education and
create a rainy day fund for the General Fund budget. The Legislature failed to
pass either proposal during the regular session. If approved during the special
session, both proposals would come before voters in November.
Other items that will be included in the Governor’s call will
be announced later.
Governor Riley Announces KidCheck Health
Initiative
MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley announced a new initiative
today to bring free health care screenings to school children. The initiative is
called KidCheck, and it is being organized through the Alabama Rural Action
Commission Governor Riley launched last year, the Alabama Power Foundation and
Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Alabama Child Caring Foundation.
“With KidCheck, we can give more children access to health
care services and a better opportunity to grow up healthier,” said Governor
Riley. “That means they will be more successful in school and throughout their
lives. This is an innovative way to bring community partners together to improve
the health of our children,” said Governor Riley.
KidCheck is modeled after successful school health fairs in
Bibb and Blount counties. These health fairs have been credited with improved
access to health care for students and decreased absenteeism. The success of
those local programs is leading the Alabama Rural Action Commission to expand
this model to interested school systems all across the state.
Through KidCheck, each school selects a KidCheck Day each school year. Schools
partner with area college nursing programs and organizations from across the
state to administer the screenings. A room at the school is equipped with eight
to 10 different stations for physical assessments including height and weight,
body mass index, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, vision, hearing,
oral health, and scoliosis. Any student with a parental permission form
qualifies for the screening. After the screenings, parents receive a report and
assistance for children needing additional care. Those who are uninsured and are
not eligible for Medicaid or All Kids can be covered through the Alabama Child
Caring Foundation. The Alabama Rural Action Commission is leading
the effort to expand this model program into interested school systems all
across our state. ARAC is seeking to bring the Kid Check program to at least one
pilot school system in all eight ARAC regions in the 2008-2009 school year. An
ARAC KidCheck Steering Committee has been formed to take the best practices from
existing participants in order to train each of the new participating schools
and to assist in bringing resources together. A KidCheck training video is also
being produced as a resource for school systems who are considering adopting the
program.
The Alabama Rural Action Commission was created by Governor
Riley in 2007 in order to improve the quality of life in rural Alabama. ARAC is
comprised of eight regional Action Commissions encompassing all 67 Alabama
counties. Former State Senator Gerald Dial serves as Executive Director of ARAC.
Governor Riley Makes Statement on U.S. Court of
Appeals Decision in Tri-State Water Dispute
MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley made the following comments
after the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington sided with Alabama and Florida in
denying Georgia’s request to reconsider a recent ruling concerning the ongoing
water sharing dispute among the three states:
“The court’s ruling is, without question, another major
victory for Alabama and Florida. All along, it has been our contention that the
secret agreement Georgia and the Corps made in 2003 was illegal. Earlier this
year, the United States Court of Appeals in Washington agreed with us, and now
the court has denied Georgia’s request for a rehearing of this matter. That
secret agreement has been a main obstacle in putting together a reasonable water
sharing plan among the three states. We in Alabama hope the removal of this
stumbling block means progress can now be made.”
New Law Reforms Juvenile Justice System
MONTGOMERY - Legislation designed to reform Alabama’s juvenile
justice system has been signed into law by Governor Bob Riley. The new law
is designed to reduce the number of children in state custody and redirect them
toward community-based programs.
“Today Alabama’s juvenile justice system is flooded with
low-risk children in expensive institutions. Many of those children have never
even committed a crime. As recently as two years ago at least 79 percent of
children admitted to the Alabama Department of Youth Services were locked up for
non-violent misbehavior,” Governor Riley said. “By freeing up resources to
develop community-based alternatives, the state can better serve these children
who need assistance. With early intervention, we can stop their decline before
they become a threat to public safety. And we can do is in a more cost-effective
manner that gets better results.”
The new law prohibits juvenile judges from locking up certain
children - those classified as “in need of supervision” - who have committed
non-criminal offenses such as truancy, running away and missing curfew.
Instead, these low-risk juvenile offenders will participate in community-based
programs designed to change their behavior.
Incarcerating juveniles for non-criminal behavior increases
the likelihood of more serious criminal behavior in the future. “Children
in detention gravitate toward the worst possible role models. That’s why
juvenile detention centers have been referred to as ‘highly effective crime
schools.’ Often these children return home even more likely to break the law,”
said Governor Riley.
Joining Governor Riley at a bill signing ceremony in the State
Capitol were several judges who helped push for the legislation, including
Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb, Jefferson County Family Court
Judge Brian Huff, Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge Philip Lisenby, and retired
Morgan County District Court Judge David Breland.
Governor Riley and Justice Cobb began their bipartisan efforts
to get the bill passed when they visited the Morgan County System of Services
program in January. The program allows juveniles who get into trouble to
bypass the Department of Youth Services and instead participate in
community-based programs. Both Governor Riley and Justice Cobb praised it
as a model program the state should follow.
Governor Riley Makes Two Appointments to Oil
and Gas Board
Governor
Bob Riley on Friday appointed two new members to the State Oil and Gas Board,
filling seats on the panel that have expired. The Governor appointed James
Griggs of Fairhope and Charles “Ward” Pearson of Tuscaloosa. “In my
opinion, there are no better choices to assure fundamental fairness on the Oil
and Gas Board and the protection of Alabama’s oil and gas interests,” said
Governor Riley. The board consists of three members appointed by the
governor for a term of six years. The board promulgates and enforces rules and
regulations to ensure the conservation and proper development of Alabama’s oil
and gas resources. Griggs is the State Lands Director of the Alabama
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He is also an attorney who had
a private law practice in Mobile during the 1980s that specialized in oil and
gas and real property litigation. He served as the law clerk for the State Oil
and Gas Board and Alabama Geological Survey in the mid-1970s. “Most of my
professional career has been involved in protecting Alabama’s natural resources.
This appointment is another opportunity to continue doing that,” said Griggs.
Pearson is an attorney and president of the Pearson Law Firm in Tuscaloosa. His
areas of practice are oil and gas law, environmental law and natural resources
law. He has also been an adjunct professor of oil and gas law at the University
of Alabama School of Law since 1983. “I look at this appointment to serve
on the Oil and Gas Board as an honor and responsibility,” said Pearson. “I’ve
known many members of the board’s staff for a long time. We truly enjoy in
Alabama an excellent Oil and Gas Board staff and I look forward to working with
them.” Griggs replaces board member Stephen Dampier, whose term expired on
Oct. 31, 2007. Pearson replaces board member Gaines McCorquodale, whose term
expired on Oct. 31, 2005.
Governor Riley Offers Compromise Tax Relief
Package
· Cut sales taxes on groceries
· Cut income taxes for the middle class
· Expand access to affordable health insurance
· Change the law to establish 4-year property reappraisals
Attached is a summary of the compromise tax relief proposal
Governor Riley offered to Republican and Democratic legislators on Tuesday. The
Governor has held several meetings with legislative leaders from both sides of
the aisle to try to work out a compromise on an overall tax relief plan that
would cut the state sales tax on groceries while preserving the federal income
tax deduction for over 98% of taxpayers. The Governor’s compromise plan also
would raise the income tax threshold from $12,500 to $15,500 for a family of
four, provide tax breaks to small business owners and employees to make health
insurance more affordable, and give the people the chance to vote on a
Constitutional amendment to establish four-year property appraisals. This
compromise plan is revenue neutral, meaning it will have no impact on the FY 09
budget.
Governor Riley has continued to have discussions with
Republicans and Democrats and is working to get this compromise considered by
the Legislature.
Click
here to view the summary.
Major FAA Grant Awarded to Talladega Municipal Airport
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation will award nearly one-half
million dollars to Talladega Municipal Airport Board to enhance safety and
security measures at the Talladega Municipal Airport, U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions
(R-AL) announced today.
The $490,000 grant will enable the Board to install perimeter fencing at the
airport to prevent unauthorized access, and to remove obstructions, such as
trees, from the sides of the runway.
“On race weekends, Talladega Municipal Airport is arguably one of the
busiest airports in the country. Located near the Superspeedway, the Honda auto
plant and the Anniston Army Depot, this airport serves as a hub for economic
activity in the area. I applaud the
officials of the Talladega Municipal Airport Board for their efforts to improve
and maintain this important airport in East Alabama.”
The improvements funded by this grant will permit the Federal Aviation
Administration to upgrade the airport’s classification from a B-II facility to a
C-II facility, allowing the runway to serve larger and faster aircraft.
Federal grant programs are one way that local leaders, elected officials and
non-profit organizations can secure funding for local community improvement
projects. Twenty-six federal agencies administer over 1,000 different
competitive grant programs each year. Sessions’ Birmingham office includes
a full time staff member to help local officials around the state seeking
federal grants. In 2006, the office assisted in obtaining $145 million in
federal funds for communities and organizations in Alabama. Sessions’
office also publishes a Weekly Grants Advisory, available on Sessions’ website,
www.sessions.senate.gov, to make grant information and application
procedures more accessible to leaders in Alabama.