Colonial Bank Signs Order with FDIC and State of Alabama
 

MONTGOMERY, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Colonial BancGroup, Inc. (NYSE: CNB) announced today its subsidiary Colonial Bank (Bank) has entered into a Stipulation and Consent agreeing to the issuance of an Order to Cease and Desist (Order) with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Alabama State Banking Department. Pursuant to the Order, Colonial agreed to take certain actions intended to address various issues that have impacted the Bank’s financial condition and performance. Among other things, the Order generally provides for the on-going management and oversight of the Bank, an increase in the Bank’s capital levels, a reduction in the Bank’s level of criticized assets, a reduction in concentrations of credit and improvement in the Bank’s earnings. A copy of the Order is included in an 8-K filed today with the SEC. The 8-K can be accessed through the Company’s website at www.colonialbank.com or at the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

“We are committed to working with the FDIC and State of Alabama to implement the actions required by the Order. We will do so while continuing to meet the needs of our customers in the communities we serve. Rest assured that we are committed to providing the products, services and responsiveness our customers expect and deserve. This Order does not affect customer deposit accounts or loans. Deposits in Colonial will continue to be covered by FDIC insurance up to $250,000 and on noninterest bearing transaction accounts and interest bearing transaction accounts earning a rate of .50 percent or less, insurance is unlimited. While we are dedicated to working to resolve these serious issues, we want our customers to be confident in knowing that Colonial is committed to customer value and delivering the kind of service that’s hard to find these days,” said Lewis Beville, Colonial’s President and CEO.

Governor Riley Seeks Job Opportunities for Alabamians on Economic Development Mission

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley is going to three continents over 13 days this month on an economic development mission designed to attract new jobs and expand Alabama’s trade opportunities.

Joined by Dennis Richardson, the Australian ambassador to the U.S., at a news conference today Governor Riley announced he will be leading a delegation of Alabama business and government leaders to France, Singapore and Australia from June 12-24.

“We’re going to bring more jobs and more business opportunities to our state at a time when our economy really needs it,” said Governor Riley. “During the past few years, Alabama has become a real player in the international economy. Our growth in exports is among the nation’s best. Alabama has reached this level of success because we’ve worked hard to open new markets, attract new investments and build the partnerships that are necessary to expand Alabama’s trade and strengthen our economy.”

Previous overseas economic development missions during Governor Riley’s administration led to 40 business agreements.

The first part of the mission will focus on bringing more aviation and aerospace jobs to Alabama with meetings at the Paris Air Show, one of the world’s premier aviation business events. The air show is the venue for the world’s civil and military aviation and aerospace suppliers and their customers to gather and discuss potential business agreements. The Governor has scheduled meeting with executives of 11 aerospace companies and the state’s delegation will meet with more than 80 additional companies. Governor Riley will also take part in a Northrop Grumman/EADS briefing on the KC-45 refueling tanker that will be built in Mobile if Northrop Grumman is successful in winning a Pentagon contract. About 100 officials from Alabama, Florida and Mississippi are expected to attend the briefing.

“The jobs in aviation and aerospace are high-paying jobs and this is one of the fastest-growing industry sectors in Alabama,” said Governor Riley. “Alabama must remain aggressive in our recruitment of these jobs.”

Alabama is home to more than 300 companies in the aviation and aerospace field, which accounts for 140,000 direct and indirect jobs in the state.

Recruiting aviation and aerospace jobs will remain the focus when Governor Riley leaves France for a meeting with company executives during a one-day stop in Singapore before he travels on to Australia for three days of meetings. There, the Governor will be joined by a delegation of about 20 Alabama business and government leaders working to expand trade and tourism opportunities. The delegation will also showcase Alabama’s new container terminal at the port in Mobile.

Australia is Alabama’s 15th largest export market. Companies in Alabama exported $205 million worth of goods to Australia in 2008. Since the United States and Australia signed a free trade agreement in 2004, Alabama exports to Australia have increased 65 percent. During the past year, the top products shipped from Alabama to Australia include vehicles, industrial machinery, electric machinery and plastics.

In Australia, Governor Riley will also visit the headquarters of Austal. The company is building the next generation of U.S. Navy combat ship at its facility in Mobile, which is expanding and is expected to employ approximately 2,500.

“The economic relationship between Alabama and Australia has grown tremendously in the past few years. We will work to strengthen these ties because Australia represents a significant growth market for our exports,” said Governor Riley.

SPARKS ANNOUNCES ALTERNATIVE FUELS PARTNERSHIP WITH ASU & MONTGOMERY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

State Representative John Knight, Commissioner Ron Sparks,
State Representative Thad McClammy, ASU President Dr. William Harris,
and Montgomery Public Schools Superintendent Clay Slagle

ASU’s role will be to provide the technical assistance, training, and scientific study of emissions and fuel efficiency; structure an alternative fuels internship program to assist in the operation of the program and in the collection of data for further scientific study; implement programs to inform its students and the public on ways to improve the environment; and to apply for appropriate federal funds and/or grants to further the goals of the project.

MPS will provide used cooking oil from its schools as feedstock and will provide vehicles for scientific study, and the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries will manufacture the biodiesel at its fuel facility in Montgomery.

“This is just another step in becoming less dependent on foreign oils,” stated Sparks. “We opened this biodiesel refinery last year and have been making biodiesel for the City of Montgomery ever since. With this new partnership with Alabama State and the Montgomery Public School System we are taking the next step in helping to solve our nation’s energy problems.”

The cost of making biodiesel is about 70 cents per gallon. Currently diesel is averaging $2.25 per gallon which results in a $1.55 per gallon savings. This time last year diesel was averaging $4.00 per gallon.

New Laws Signed by Governor Riley Make Government More Transparent and Open

DECATUR - Governor Bob Riley visited Decatur Wednesday to celebrate the passage of two new laws that make Alabama’s government and elections process more transparent.   The laws, sponsored in the legislative session by two north Alabama lawmakers - Senator Arthur Orr and Representative Mike Ball - establish a website detailing state spending and require unopposed candidates for office to file campaign finance reports.

“Every time we make government more transparent, we make it more honest and accountable to the people it serves,” said Governor Riley. “Every time we open up the books and tell taxpayers exactly how their hard-earned dollars are being spent, we make it much harder for politicians to waste them or spend them dishonestly.”

The spending website law tracks an executive order Governor Riley signed in February that created www.open.alabama.gov. On that website, visitors can find the state’s checkbook online with details of who is receiving funds, the date of the expenditure, the agency spending the money and the funding source. The website also includes a list of all active statewide contracts and awarded bids, a database of all leases held by state departments, and links to campaign finance reports.

The website has been online since February 27 and will be searchable by October 1.

“This new law requires the website to be maintained and publicly accessible no matter who sits in the governor’s chair. It guarantees that even after I’m gone and my executive order has expired, the state’s checkbook will remain online for all to see,” Governor Riley said.

The second bill the Governor signed requires candidates who run unopposed for public office to file campaign finance reports just as candidates who have opposition do.    These new disclosure laws come on the heels of another new law signed by Governor Riley last week that requires governors to report details of state aircraft use and spending from the Governor’s Contingency Fund. Since he came into office in 2003, Governor Riley has voluntarily posted on the Internet such information. Like the spending website law, this law requires future governors to follow Governor Riley’s practice of disclosing information.

The three new laws help usher in an “era of openness and accountability in Alabama,” said Governor Riley, though he said more reforms like banning PAC-to-PAC transfers and anti-corruption legislation are still needed.

“If we value honesty and accountability in government, then we must make sure government always operates out in the open,” said Governor Riley.

New Law Sought by Governor Riley Requires Disclosure of State Flights, Spending

Voluntary openness of Riley Administration now written into law

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley on Friday signed into law a bill he has been advocating for years that requires governors to report details of state aircraft usage and spending from the Governor’s Contingency Fund.  Since he came into office in 2003, Governor Riley has voluntarily posted on the Internet the flight logs of state aircraft he uses and expenditures from the contingency fund.   During a ceremony at a Department of Transportation hangar where the state keeps the jet used by Alabama governors, Governor Riley signed the bill and praised the measure as an important tool to promote accountability in state government.

“We’ve made government more transparent and accountable than ever and this new law will help keep it that way. From now on, no matter who sits in the governor’s chair, Alabamians will know how this money is being spent, who is traveling on state aircraft and where they’re going,” said Governor Riley.

In the past, some Alabama governors had gone to great lengths to hide such information from public scrutiny. Official flight logs, when they were released, contained little, if any, information that would allow the public to discern how the aircraft was being used and who was flying on it. Contingency fund spending was handled in a similar, secretive manner.

“I never understood how past governors could say taxpayers had no business knowing how their tax dollars were being spent. Such secrecy invites abuse. It raises suspicions, and all that erodes public trust and confidence in government. Government must be transparent to earn the people’s trust,” Governor Riley said.

The bill, sponsored by Representative Mac McCutcheon, also requires annual audits of state airplane usage.

The Code of Alabama states the Governor’s Contingency Fund is intended to, among other purposes, fund “the ordinary expenses of the executive department, including but not limited to the expenses of the governor, the governor’s office and staff.”

The contingency fund information Governor Riley has voluntarily posted online includes the dates expenditures were made, the total amount that was paid to an individual, organization or vendor, and a brief explanation of how the money was used. The report is updated monthly and will continue to be throughout the rest of Governor Riley’s term, though the new law requires that it be updated only quarterly.

The information Governor Riley voluntarily discloses relating to state aircraft usage includes the date of each flight, its destination, a manifest of passengers, the purpose of the flight, and the date of the return trip. The law he signed on Friday will require the same information to continue to be disclosed in the future.

Governor Riley first made the pledge to publicly disclose contingency fund spending and state aircraft usage in the “Plan for Change” he unveiled while was running for governor in 2002.

The disclosures can be found on Governor Riley’s official website at www.governor.alabama.gov in the “Your Government” section.

In addition to posting contingency fund spending and flight logs on the Internet, Governor Riley signed an executive order earlier this year requiring details of state spending, grants and contracts to be posted online. That information can be found at www.open.alabama.gov.

Governor Riley Visits Career Center to Highlight Services for the Unemployed
 MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley today visited one of the state’s 44 Career Centers to highlight services that are available to help unemployed Alabamians find jobs.   The Career Centers coordinate a variety of services from the Department of Industrial Relations, AIDT, the two-year college system and the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development.    At Career Centers, Alabamians can find job search assistance, career counseling and job training for specific industries.   "There’s absolutely no doubt these are difficult times for a lot of people. This is not only a national recession, this is a global recession. We want to make sure Alabamians know if they need help finding a job, the state has resources to help them and we want to help them," Governor Riley said. "It’s our obligation to help them with all the tools the state has available."

Staff at the Career Centers can also help customers write resumes, enroll in education and job training programs, file for unemployment benefits and find information on available jobs listed on JobLink, the state’s free employment database. There are currently more than 5,000 available jobs listed on JobLink at www.joblink.alabama.gov.

For a list of Career Centers, visit the Department of Industrial Relation’s website at www.dir.alabama.gov.

Governor Riley Sends General Fund Budget Back with Changes
Suggestions include restoring cuts to prisons, making full funding of earmarks contingent on money being available

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley on Thursday sent the Fiscal Year 2010 General Fund budget back to the Legislature with changes to restore some funding for the Department of Corrections and reduce funding for earmarks inserted by legislators.    The Governor’s proposed changes would restore $4.2 million the Legislature cut from the already cash-strapped Department of Corrections. Governor Riley’s proposed changes would also make half of the funding legislators earmarked for festivals or other projects in their districts contingent on the money being available.

“I’m disappointed the budget they passed makes funding for what many would call ‘pork projects’ a higher priority than funding for essential government responsibilities like keeping prisoners locked up,” said Governor Riley. “Those festivals and other pet projects they want funded may be nice to have, but making sure we keep prisoners locked up is more important. Keeping prisoners locked up must take priority and the budget should reflect that.”

GOVERNOR RILEY’S EXECUTIVE AMENDMENT

· The General Fund budget passed by the Legislature cut funding for essential state services, such as Corrections, Medicaid and Mental Health in order to fund nonessential pet projects.

· The Governor’s Executive Amendment ensures the most essential state functions - such as keeping criminals locked up - will be funded before fully funding nonessential projects.

FUNDING FOR CORRECTIONS

· Making sure we keep criminals locked up is a basic and essential responsibility of state government. It’s what people expect government to do-keep them safe. Under the Bedford Budget, Alabamians are less safe.

· Everybody knows our prisons are cash strapped. Commissioner Allen has said we would have to release criminals. There is a federal lawsuit about prison conditions, and if we lose, we face the possibility of having to release criminals or raise taxes. Why would we give the plaintiffs ammunition in this case by cutting funding for the Corrections Department?

· Currently, we only have 1 corrections officer on duty for every 250 inmates at any given time at any given prison. Cutting funding for corrections will mean more prisoners being managed by even fewer prison guards, and that’s dangerous for Alabamians.

· Prisoners don’t have cable TV, and it’s ridiculous to suggest that’s what this is about, as Senator Bedford as done. This is about keeping criminals locked up.

· We operate America’s cheapest prison system. We’re not trying to make prisoners more comfortable. We’re trying to make sure they stay locked up.

BACKGROUND ON BEDFORD BUDGET’S EXPANSION OF GOVERNMENT FUNDED HEALTH INSURANCE

· The Department of Public Health has said the governor’s executive amendment will fully fund Alabama’s nationally acclaimed ALL KIDS program at its current eligibility level. Even with the Governor’s executive amendment, funding for ALL KIDS will increase $10 million over last year.

· Not only do we have the lowest percentage of uninsured children in the southeast, we’re one of the best in the country. Alabama ranks #5 in the nation in percentage of children with health insurance coverage.

· That’s because we have a great ALL KIDS program, which we all support. No one is against ALL KIDS.

· Alabamians are conservative. They do not believe a sweeping expansion of government is something we should rush into without serious and thoughtful study and debate, especially at a time when the state’s budgets are already strapped.

· The Bedford Budget would mandate a big expansion of government - not to help the poor, but for families making up to $66,000 a year who already provide health insurance for their children.

· The Bedford budget would mandate that the taxpayers pay for children of families who make up to $66,000-almost twice the median income in Alabama -while cutting essential funding to keep criminals where they belong - behind bars.

· The Bedford Budget is not about providing health insurance coverage for kids that don’t have health insurance. This is about who pays for it.

· Why should a family making $44,000 per year be forced to pay taxes to provide health insurance for kids from families making $66,000 per year? Because that’s exactly what we would do under the Bedford budget.

· Alabamians want limited government, not big government. They want government to do the basics-keep criminals locked up. They don’t want the government to come in and provide taxpayer-funded health care to families who can afford it on their own.

· Alabamians don’t think government is the answer to every problem. When we have a general fund budget propped up by stimulus money for the next two years, now is not the time to expand government programs.

Governor’s Office Statement on Senate Joint Resolution 86 Regarding Unemployment Benefits in the Federal Stimulus Law

Governor Riley did not sign Senate Joint Resolution 86 because it states something that is absolutely not true. This resolution says the Governor has refused to apply for these stimulus funds. The Governor has not refused to apply for any stimulus funds and has applied for all stimulus funds Alabama is eligible to receive. The only reason Alabama may not receive some stimulus funds related to unemployment benefits is because Alabama does not qualify for them. The Legislature must change state law in order for the state to qualify. Legislators acknowledged this fact when they passed a different resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 68, last month. SJR 68 asks Congress to “rescind those portions of the federal law (the federal stimulus law) that require changes in our state unemployment compensation law in order to receive additional unemployment compensation incentives.” A copy of SJR 68 is attached.

If some legislators truly want Alabama to receive this part of the stimulus, then they must change the state law. This is not up to the Governor. He hasn’t refused or rejected stimulus funds. We hope legislators will refuse to inject politics into this discussion.

BACKGROUND:

As the result of federal stimulus funds now available in Alabama, qualified unemployed Alabamians, who previously would have exhausted their unemployment benefits after 26 weeks, now are able to receive full benefits for up to 59 weeks. In addition, a $25 per week increase has been added to every recipient’s weekly benefit and will apply to all claims applied for through the remainder of this year. While neither of these two federally funded programs has received much attention, both will put more than $250 million into the pockets of unemployed Alabamians.

A great deal of attention, however, has been focused on $99.5 million in federal stimulus funds that will come to Alabama IF the Legislature changes existing state law to conform with specific federal provisions that will increase the number of individuals eligible for unemployment benefits in our state.

First Class Pre-K Program Again Rated Nation’s Best

Governor Riley Signs Law Seeking to Attract Film Production to State

MONTGOMERY - Lights! Camera! Action! That’s what Governor Bob Riley said he hopes to hear in Alabama now that legislation providing financial incentives to encourage movie and television production is law.

Governor Riley Comments on Supreme Court Decision in A&M Trustee Case

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley issued the following statement on Friday about the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the case filed against the Governor over his appointment of four trustees to the Alabama A&M University board of trustees:

“Our position from the beginning has been that the plaintiffs did not have standing to bring this case and, therefore, the court did not have subject-matter jurisdiction over this case. The Supreme Court’s decision is a confirmation of our position. I’m hopeful now that the board will come together as a functioning board of trustees and conduct its business for the university in a manner in which they are bound to by their fiduciary duty.”

Governor Riley and Small Business Owners Discuss New Law that Helps Small Businesses and Employees with Health Costs

Gov. Riley speaks about economic help for small businesses while Rosemary Elebash of the National Federation of Independent Business and Revenue Commissioner Tim Russell listen.

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley and small business owners met at the state capitol on Thursday to highlight a new law that helps small businesses and their employees.

The law went into effect on January 1 and applies to the 2009 tax year. It increases the amount that businesses with fewer than 25 employees can deduct on their taxes for the cost of supplying health insurance to their workers. The new law also increases the amount that employees can deduct on their taxes for their health insurance payments.

Under previous state law, businesses and workers could deduct 100 percent. The new law raises the deduction to 150 percent.

“This will help businesses to save money and keep workers, and that’s especially important during these tough economic times,” said Governor Riley.

The law applies to Alabamians working for small businesses who earn no more than $50,000 in wages annually or who report no more than $75,000 in adjusted gross income annually. For married couples, it applies to those with no more than $150,000 in adjusted gross income annually.

The small business health insurance deduction was included in Governor Riley’s Plan 2010 second term agenda.

Passage of the law during last year’s special session was “an impressive bipartisan accomplishment,” Governor Riley said, “that I hope will be the model for how the Legislature operates in the session that begins next week.”

More than 90 percent of all businesses in Alabama are small businesses and the majority of Alabama’s workers are employed by small businesses.

Governor Riley Issues Warning to Gambling Machine Manufacturers

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley has sent letters to manufacturers of gambling machines found in Alabama gambling halls warning them they risk prosecution if found to be in violation of state law against gambling and, specifically, slot machines.

The warnings come after an initial investigation of gambling halls by the Governor’s Task Force on Illegal Gambling, which is led by former Jefferson County District Attorney David Barber.

“As a result of preliminary investigations conducted by the Task Force, it has been discovered that several manufacturers and/or providers of gambling devices appear to be engaged in unlawful gambling activity in Alabama. We understand that at least one provider has already begun the process of removing its gambling devices from establishments in Alabama. The purpose of this letter is to put your company on clear notice of the law and our intent to enforce it,” Governor Riley writes in the letter that was sent to nine manufacturers or providers of gambling machines.

“I am deeply concerned that many manufacturers, providers, and business operators may have a mistaken impression about the legality of certain activities. It is out of this concern that I provide you this notice of the law and a fair opportunity to withdraw from any business activity in Alabama which could be determined to constitute unlawful gambling activity or use of illegal gambling devices. So that there is no misunderstanding, I fully intend to carry out my constitutional duty to faithfully execute the laws of Alabama,” the Governor’s letter states.

"I think it only fair that Governor Riley put the manufacturers on notice of the very liberal interpretations of ’gambling devices’ by Alabama’s appellate courts. It appears to me, based on what the Task Force has observed in the field, that these operators, distributors, and manufacturers have some potential exposure," said Barber.

The Governor created the Task Force on Illegal Gambling in December to promote and support the uniform enforcement of Alabama’s anti-gambling laws.

NOTE: A copy of the Governor’s letter is attached

The following is a list of recipients of the Governor’s letter:

Mr. Jerome Caldwell, CEO
Gateway Gaming
Piedmont, South Carolina

Mr. Chris Canard, CEO
Hest Technology
Haltom City, Texas

Mr. Gene Chayevsky, CEO
Cadillac Jack, Inc.
Duluth, Georgia

Mr. Mike Duran, CEO
American Gaming Systems
Canoga Park, California

Mr. Jack Gardner, President
Select Electronic Devices
Greenville, South Carolina

Mr. Michael Fletcher, CEO
Nova Gaming, LLC
Greenville, South Carolina

Mr. Richard Haddrill, CEO
Bally Technologies
Las Vegas, Nevada

Mr. Thomas J. Matthews, CEO
International Game Technology
Reno, Nevada

Mr. Anthony Sanfilippo, CEO
Multimedia Games
Austin, Texas

 

Governor Riley Vows Immediate Appeal of Line Item Veto Ruling

MONTGOMERY - Governor Riley announced he will file an immediate appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court of today’s ruling by the Montgomery Circuit Court. The Montgomery court refused to uphold the Governor’s use of his line item veto authority on the 2009 General Fund Budget.

When the Legislature passed the General Fund Budget, it included a provision that would have excluded six agencies from spending reductions in the event of a budget shortfall. Because the provision amounts to an unconstitutional effort to override the proration system contained in the State Constitution, Governor Riley exercised the line item veto authority to void that unconstitutional provision inserted by legislators. Following the veto, Senator Roger Bedford, Senator Hank Sanders, and Representative John Knight filed suit seeking to overturn the line item veto.

If the three legislators prevail in the case, it means that Governor Riley will be unable to access the Rainy Day Account to soften the blow of a spending cuts should proration be declared for the General Fund.

"In order to win a power struggle, these three legislators are willing to sacrifice the interests of the people of Alabama," said Governor Riley. "General Fund agencies are already facing budget cuts, but without endangering public safety or devastating their services. But if these legislators win this lawsuit, prisoners will have to be released, essential state services slashed, and many state employees will be laid off. I cannot believe that these legislators are willing to do that as we face the worst economy in decades."

Governor Riley expressed optimism that the Alabama Supreme Court will overturn the decision.

"There is simply no question that the Legislature acted unconstitutionally when they included this provision in the General Fund Budget," said Governor Riley. "I hope that the Supreme Court will act swiftly to consider this critically important case. It is no understatement to say that the safety and livelihood of thousands of Alabamians are at stake."

Commission Recommends Redesign of Teaching Profession
Teachers would have new options for career advancement while continuing to teach students

MONTGOMERY - Alabama must enact reforms that give teachers greater opportunities to advance their careers while they remain in the classroom if the state is to continue recruiting and retaining highly effective teachers, a commission put together by Governor Bob Riley recommends.

The Governor’s Commission on Quality Teaching presented its second report - Innovations in Teaching: Creating Professional Pathways for Alabama Teachers - to Governor Riley today outlining seven recommended reforms. The Governor created the commission to develop reforms aimed at increasing student achievement through improved teacher effectiveness.

Two recommendations made by the commission in an earlier report to the Governor were enacted in 2007. That year the State Board of Education adopted the Alabama Quality Teaching Standards developed and recommended by the commission and the state created the Alabama Teacher Mentoring Program, which pairs a veteran teacher with each of the state’s beginning teachers during their first year in the profession.

Commission members, many of them current or former teachers, say the existing structure of the teaching profession provides few options for teachers to advance in their careers without moving out of the classroom and into school administration.

“We are losing too many great classroom teachers to administration because becoming a principal or curriculum specialist is the only way to ‘move up’ in our profession,” Suzanne Culbreth, a teacher at Spain Park High School in Hoover, wrote in the report.

Governor Riley said the recommendations are visionary and will result in a “redesign” of the teaching profession that will benefit both teachers and students.

“Alabama is breaking new ground with this approach,” said Governor Riley. “With the recommendations in this report, we will afford excellent teachers with professional pathways that advance their careers without making them leave the classroom. We elevate a profession that is already so important to the future of Alabama.”

Dr. Betsy Rogers, a former National Teacher of the Year, chairs the Governor’s Commission on Quality Teaching.

“Professional Pathways will be a unique Alabama recruiting tool for future teachers as they will be able to distinguish options throughout a teaching career,” Dr. Rogers wrote in the report.

Third-year teacher Taylor Ross of Brighton School in Jefferson County also praised the reforms. “I will no longer feel the need to leave the classroom for leadership opportunities or personal advancement, but can continue to daily impact students who need a strong, proven teacher.”

Recommendations by Governor’s Commission on Quality Teaching

1. Professional Pathways for Alabama Teachers - The Commission recommends that two systems be selected as “demonstration sites” to begin implementation of the Professional Pathways system. The Commission would raise $75,000 from private sources for a planning grant to work on development with the two systems beginning in the summer of 2009.

2. Improve the Quality of Teacher Preparation - This set of recommendations seeks to structure meaningful partnerships between Colleges of Education and P-12 schools and districts in order to improve both the academic and clinical preparation of prospective teachers. This includes a strong focus on Alabama-specific initiatives, such as the Alabama Reading Initiative and the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI). They also aim to increase the accountability of teacher preparation institutions for the quality of their graduates.

3. Consolidate and Expand Teacher Recruitment Efforts - These recommendations include a centralized and user-friendly teacher recruitment website, student-produced ads to highlight the opportunities provided by the teaching profession, and a pilot seminar course in teaching for high school students.

4. Improving and Expanding Alternative Certification - These recommendations seek to create new routes that encourage the best and the brightest to enter the teaching profession. They include (a) a partnership with Teach for America to bring talented young people from across the country to teach in high-needs areas in Alabama, (b) improving the quality of our current Alternative Baccalaureate Certification, and (c) creation of an adjunct certification to allow individuals with recognized expertise and experience in high needs disciplines to work part time in public schools.

5. Maintain and expand the Alabama Teacher Mentoring Program - The Commission recommends the continued funding of Alabama’s highly-successful mentoring program for first-year teachers and the addition of a low-cost program for second-year teachers that uses small groups to continue their training and enhance small learning communities in schools..

6. Adopt a new definition for professional development - The Commission recommends that the State Board of Education adopt the National Staff Development Council’s definition of professional development to clarify, enhance, and support the existing Professional Development Standards.

7. Continue the biennial administration of the Take 20 Teaching and Learning Conditions Survey - The Commission feels it is critical that we institutionalize the biennial administration of our teaching and learning conditions survey to all educators so that leaders can continually assess the state of their schools and plan for constant improvement. The Take 20 survey was recommended by the Commission in 2007 and first administered to all Alabama educators in 2008.

Support from National Organizations

Dr. Tom Carroll, Executive Director of the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future: “By creating new roles and career pathways for Master Teachers and Learning Designers, to augment the work of professional teachers, Alabama will be well positioned to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge, skills, and experience it has developed in its teaching workforce.”

Stephanie Hirsch, Executive Director of the National Staff Development Council: “Professional Pathways for Alabama Teachers has the potential to transform the culture of both the profession to which teachers belong and the schools in which they work.”

Dr. Barnett Berry, President and CEO of the Center for Teaching Quality: “The innovative teaching reforms proposed in this report of the Governor’s Commission on Quality Teaching can help Alabama prepare a new generation of educators ready to meet the vastly different teaching demands of the next decade and beyond.”

Click here to view the commission's report.

Governor Riley Announces Sharp Decline in Highway Deaths

Gov. Riley announces a decline in highway fatalities during a news conference with state officials and law enforcement officers.

Work of agencies helped make 2008 safest year since 1985, numbers show

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley and other state officials today celebrated the news that 2008 was the safest year on Alabama’s highways since Ronald Reagan was sworn in for his second term, “New Coke” was introduced and the cost of a first-class postage stamp was just 20 cents.

All that happened in 1985, a year when Alabama recorded 618 deaths in crashes worked by state troopers. In 2008, preliminary numbers show 633 people lost their lives in these accidents on Alabama’s highways. That number for 2008 is a 17 percent reduction from 2007 and the lowest number of fatalities worked by state troopers in 23 years.

“When it comes to saving lives, Alabama is moving in the right direction,” Governor Riley said during a news conference at the Department of Public Safety on Wednesday.

“What’s especially important to realize is this: our 17 percent drop in highway deaths is well above the 10 percent drop recorded nationally. That means while a decrease in highway travel has played a role, it isn’t the only reason why deaths are down in Alabama,” the Governor said.

Officials also credit the decline in deaths, crashes and injuries to the work of several state agencies, which pooled their resources to make highways safer.

Those efforts include the “Take Back Our Highways” enforcement campaigns by the Department of Public Safety, the deployment of vehicles with blood alcohol testing equipment called BAT mobiles that take drunk drivers off the roads more quickly, and construction by the Department of Transportation of new barriers along interstate medians and wider lanes on many rural highways.

While about 90 percent of all crashes are caused by driver error or driver behavior, ALDOT is doing everything it can to achieve safer highways through engineering. ALDOT has spent more than $15 million since 2003 to add guardrails along busy sections of interstate highways where cross-median crashes are most likely. And ALDOT is spending about $50 million to add two additional feet per lane to rural two-lane highways when those roads are resurfaced to help reduce run-off-the-road crashes.

“Based on a reduction in crashes and fatalities, our statistics indicate that we’ve saved over 150 lives since 2003 by installing guardrails and other barriers along 180 miles of interstate highway to prevent cross-median crashes,” said Transportation Director Joe McInnes. “We’re also confident that our rural road widening project will begin showing reductions in fatalities in rural areas.”

Completion of projects to provide four-lane highways along U.S. 280 from Birmingham to Auburn and Alabama Highway 157 from Cullman to the Shoals has made those thoroughfares safer. Construction is scheduled for completion in late 2009 on a project to four-lane 16 miles of U.S. 431 in Russell County, a stretch of highway once called by Readers Digest “one of America’s most dangerous highways.”

The BAT mobiles are a key component of Task Force Zero, a state trooper initiative to combat drunk driving. The task force focuses on detecting, testing and processing impaired drivers through increased patrols and DUI checkpoints across the state.

The BAT mobiles are equipped with custom alcohol testing gear provided by the Department of Forensic Sciences and other equipment needed to process impaired drivers and gather evidence for court. Video cameras inside the BAT mobiles record footage that can be used as evidence in court, as a training tool for officers and as a way to ensure that officers perform their job duties correctly. The BAT mobiles are funded by a $1.4 million grant awarded by Governor Riley and administered through the Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

 

High Performing State Agencies Recognized for Achieving Budget, Strategic Goals

 

MONTGOMERY- High performing state agencies are being recognized for their commitment to transparency, accountability and strategic planning. The Department of Finance Executive Planning Office (EPO) has awarded High Performer status to 13 state agencies for the previous fiscal year of 2008.

 

“Earning High Performer status proves an agency is dedicated to operating more efficiently and with greater transparency,” said State Finance Director Jim Main. “Agencies work hard to identify and achieve their goals. This planning process requires them to produce quantifiable results and report them to our Executive Planning Office.”

 

To be considered a High Performer, agencies must meet a number of criteria as part of the SMART Governing program administered by the EPO. These include meeting all deadlines for submitting required documents, including quarterly performance reports that indicate the progress an agency is making toward achieving its stated goals. An agency must also meet 80% of its projected performance targets.

 

The SMART Governing initiative was established by Governor Bob Riley in 2004 in an effort to make state government more accountable to taxpayers. In its 2008 Grading the States Report, the Pew Center cited SMART Governing for helping Alabama make what it called “significant” progress in recent years. SMART is an acronym for specific results, measurable key goals, accountable to taxpayers, responsive to customers and transparent to everyone.

 

Following careful evaluation of agency performance, the 13 agencies listed below were designated as High Performers for fiscal year 2008.

 

Alabama Banking Department

Alabama Board of Nursing

Alabama Department of Archives and History

Alabama Department of Environmental Management

Alabama Department of Industrial Relations

Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Alabama Department of Public Health

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services

Alabama Department of Revenue

Alabama Educational Television Commission

Alabama Supreme Court

Alabama Securities Commission

Alabama State Employees Insurance Board

 

Extensive state agency data, including budget requests and quarterly performance reports, are available online at www.smart.alabama.gov.

Alabama Invasive Plant Council (ALIPC) Education & Outreach Grant Program

The Alabama Invasive Plant Council is soliciting grant proposals for non-native invasive
plant education and outreach projects in the State of Alabama. The intent of these
grants is to provide funding to organizations or individuals who wish to educate the
public about non-native invasive plants and their effects on the environment, economy,
and quality of life in Alabama. Proposals will be accepted from individuals, public or
private nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions.

Request for Proposals – FY 2009
Proposal Due Date – March 31, 2009

The application form may be found on the Alabama Invasive Plant Council website
(www.se-eppc.org/alabama). Grants may not be used to fund capital expense items
(sprayers, chainsaws, machinery, herbicide, etc.), or large-scale herbicide application
activities. Requests for funding should not exceed $1000.00 and all funds awarded are
to be used within one year of receipt. If full funding is not available, partial funding may
be awarded.

Recipient(s) must present a summary of results to the Alabama Invasive Plant Council
Board. This summary must include a copy of the program agenda and/or educational
materials created, and an evaluation of the program’s effectiveness including
description of the target audience and number of attendees. In addition, the recipient(s)
may be asked to present a summary presentation of the grant project at the annual
Alabama Invasive Plant Council conference held each spring. All printing and use rights
of grant project summaries will revert to the Alabama Invasive Plant Council.

The Alabama Invasive Plant Council will review all grant proposals. Award letters will be
sent via electronic mail within 90 days of acceptance.

Evaluation Criteria

Award preference will be given to proposals that meet some or all of the following
criteria:

• Involve a plant or plants listed on the ALIPC List of Invasive Plant Species (found
  on www.se-eppc.org/alabama);
• Educational programs that reach a broader segment of the community will have
  priority;
  Include partnerships (please specify type and degree of involvement for partner
  entities);
• Demonstrate matching funds or in-kind contributions; In-kind contributions may
  include donated materials, supplies, facilities, or services;
• Increase and promote local community awareness of non-native plants through
  local schools, charities, volunteer events, web site development, or the
  development and distribution of educational materials;
• Heighten community awareness about non-native invasive plant identification,
  impacts, control, or prevention;
• First time applicants and projects will receive prioritized evaluation, although
  repeat applicants will be considered.

 

For more information, visit http://forestry.alabama.gov

 

Double Dipping Case Finally Reaches State Supreme Court

“Now that this legal challenge is finally before the Supreme Court, the justices will see that the board acted legally to end the corrupt practice of double dipping”

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley is pleased the lawsuit over the State Board of Education’s ban on double dipping is finally before the Alabama Supreme Court. “Governor Riley, the board and Chancellor Byrne acted in a bipartisan manner to end double dipping. Now that this legal challenge is finally before the Supreme Court, the justices will see that the board acted legally to end the corrupt practice of double dipping, which has led to prison sentences, guilty pleas and a terrible stain on the reputation of our community colleges,” said Jeff Emerson, Communications Director for Governor Riley.

The case’s path to the Supreme Court has been long. On August 23, 2007, the State Board of Education voted to bar legislators from holding jobs in the two-year college system after the 2010 state elections. The board also voted to require legislators currently employed by the two-year system to abide by the same rules that apply to all other employees and take leave from their jobs whenever they are absent during normal work hours.

The board’s action also eliminated the preferential treatment for some legislators who in the past have been allowed to work flexible work schedules in order to serve in the Legislature. Although flexible work schedules were never offered to any other employees, they were offered to and abused by some legislators, who, according to various investigations, kept sloppy records of hours worked, if any records at all.

The board’s 2007 vote followed widespread reports of abuse and corruption at the two-year college system. Those reports ultimately led to the hiring of a new chancellor and the adoption of the ban on double dipping.

The day the board passed the ban, the head of the Alabama Education Association, who also serves as vice chairman of the state’s Democratic Party, said a lawsuit would be filed to challenge the board’s action. Soon after, several legislators who work at two-year colleges made good on the threat to sue the board.

The case made its way to Montgomery County Circuit Judge Johnny Hardwick, who struck down the board’s policies in a ruling released on November 14, 2008. Judge Hardwick’s court has now certified the record from that case for transmission to the Supreme Court.

“While Governor Riley strongly disagrees with the judge’s ruling, he is very pleased it has finally reached the Supreme Court,” Emerson said. “Ending the corrupt practice of double dipping is an urgent matter, so we hope the Supreme Court will rule quickly after all legal briefs have been submitted.”

 

Governor Riley Announces Task Force to Eradicate Illegal Gambling in Alabama
Executive order gives statewide jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute “growing epidemic”

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley today announced a new task force charged with investigating gambling operations throughout the state and eliminating illegal activity, including slot machines disguised as “electronic bingo.”

Many Alabama communities have recently seen an infestation of so-called “bingo halls” which house casino-like slot machines prohibited under state law. Though many establishments claim their machines are legal under local charity bingo amendments, the Alabama Supreme Court in 2006 reiterated that slot machines and slot-like machines are expressly forbidden by Alabama law.

At a news conference at the State Capitol, Governor Riley said this activity is forcing an unacceptable expansion of gambling in Alabama that will spin out of control if the law is not uniformly enforced.

“Enough is enough,” Governor Riley said. “Alabamians should never be forced to stand by and watch rogue gambling interests come in and take our state for all it’s worth. By executive order, I have established the Governor’s Task Force on Illegal Gambling, which will bring the state’s resources to bear in ending once and for all what has become a growing epidemic in Alabama.”

The Governor’s Task Force on Illegal Gambling will be led by Supernumerary District Attorney David Barber, who as Jefferson County District Attorney won the 2006 Alabama Supreme Court ruling that shut down hundreds of slot machines at the Birmingham Race Course. Other task force members include representatives from the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

Barber said the task force has begun gathering information on existing casinos and “bingo hall” establishments and will be reaching out to local prosecutors to offer assistance in identifying illegal activity in their areas.

“We are here to help,” Barber said. “This task force will be a resource to any law enforcement official who wants to finally crack down on illegal gambling in their community, but maybe hasn’t had the manpower or investigative tools to do it. Governor Riley has instructed me to make sure the law is enforced in every corner of the state and we intend to do just that.”

A hotline has been set up to allow law enforcement officials and others to contact the task force to report illegal gambling. The hotline number is 1-866-227-8586.

Governor Riley’s action comes as gambling interests and their allies are once again seeking to legitimize and expand illegal gambling in Alabama. During the last legislative session, the State Senate was in a two month-long gridlock over legislation that sought only to benefit gambling interests.

This time, discussion has centered on instituting a slot machine tax as a solution to the state’s current budget situation, even though the very activity that would be taxed is illegal. Governor Riley said such proposals are preposterous and only meant to distract the public’s attention away from a clandestine attempt to legalize gambling.

“The law is very clear,” Governor Riley said. “But the law doesn’t matter to the gambling interests and their allies. They use the excuse, ‘gambling is already here, so we might as well tax it.’ I say it shouldn’t be here at all. It’s illegal. We shouldn’t legalize it. We should get rid of illegal gambling for good wherever it exists in Alabama.”

Click here to view the Executive Order 44

Click here to view the Gambling Task Force Fact Sheet.

State Banking Department Outlines Steps to Help Those Facing Mortgage Loan Problems

MONTGOMERY - The State Banking Department has recently seen an increase in the number of inquiries from Alabama consumers regarding mortgage loan modifications. A mortgage loan modification is a permanent change in one or more of the terms of a mortgagor’s loan. This may allow a mortgage loan to be reinstated or may result in a reduction of the payments for the borrower. Due to the current economic conditions, the demand for mortgage loan modifications from borrowers has increased across the country. This demand has resulted in an increase in individuals or companies offering mortgage loan modification assistance.

According to Scott Corscadden, Supervisor for the department’s Bureau of Loans, “Unfortunately, nationwide there is an increase in cases where individuals or companies are promising to assist consumers in obtaining a mortgage loan modification and charging up front fees and performing little or no services for those fees. These companies often use high-pressure sales tactics and guarantee a 100% success rate while the truth is that not every loan can be modified.”

If you are contacted by a company offering mortgage loan modification services, please be sure you are dealing with a licensed mortgage broker. Furthermore, these companies may not charge any upfront or advance fees to the consumer under Alabama law. You can verify that companies are licensed as mortgage brokers in Alabama by going to our website, www.banking.alabama.gov, click on “Institutions We Regulate, Bureau of Loans,” and search for the company’s name in the search all feature. Consumers may also verify licenses by calling 1-866-465-2279.

If you are facing problems with your existing mortgage loan, the State Banking Department encourages borrowers to take the following steps to obtain a loan modification:

1. Contact your lender now. Many people avoid contacting their lender for fear if the lender knows that they are having financial problems the lender will rush to collection or foreclosure. The majority of lenders want to help borrowers keep their homes and often have workout options to help you keep your home. These options work best when your loan is only one or two payments behind. The further you get behind the fewer options are available and you should contact your lender as early as possible. You should be able to find the lender’s contact number on your payment coupon booklet.

2. Call the HOPE NOW Alliance. HOPE NOW is an alliance between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved counseling agents, servicers, investors and other mortgage market participants that provide free foreclosure prevention assistance. HOPE NOW’s toll free number is (1-888-995-HOPE). You may also view HOPE NOW’s website at www.hopenow.com.

3. Dial “211” and ask for assistance in finding a HUD approved counseling agency. The Alabama Foreclosure Prevention Collaboration, along with the United Way and HUD, has created a 211 line for mortgage loss mitigation and foreclosure assistance. In most areas of the state a borrower can simply dial 211 and ask to be connected to a HUD-approved counseling agency. You can also find HUD-approved counseling agencies by going to HUD’s website at www.hud.gov and clicking on the Avoid Foreclosure link.

Grant Helps Baldwin County Turn Landfill Waste into Energy

MONTGOMERY - A landfill in Baldwin County will soon convert gas generated by waste into electricity with the help of a $40,000 grant awarded by Governor Bob Riley. The County Commission will use the grant for a project to generate a limited amount of electricity from the gas produced by waste decomposition at the Magnolia Sanitary Landfill in Summerdale. County officials estimate the gas will generate enough electricity to offset up to $1,000 per month in energy costs.

“Innovative solutions are needed at every level of government and industry to wean our nation from dependence on fossil fuel,” Governor Riley said. “By generating energy from waste, this project will serve as an example of how local governments can cut energy costs and stretch taxpayer dollars.”

The landfill collects the methane gas through a series of trenches and wells and routes it to a “flare station” where it is burned off as required by the Environmental Protection Agency to prevent the gas from seeping underground and damaging groundwater and plant life. To create electricity, a portion of the gas will power a generator. The generator runs on a combination of 88 percent methane gas and 12 percent biodiesel, which is needed for fuel-system lubrication. The biodiesel will be made from waste cooking oil turned in by residents for the generator, developed by Hartford-based Eagle Power Systems. The generator will be connected to the power grid, and the energy it produces will be sold to the Baldwin Electrical Membership Cooperative.

County officials say the project will serve as a model for other landfills interested in generating power from landfill gas.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant which Riley awarded from funds made available to Alabama by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The Governor notified Frank Burt Jr., chairman of the County Commission, that the grant had been approved.

Governor Riley Announces Deficit Prevention Plan
Spending cuts, hiring freeze among measures to balance budget in face of national economic slowdown

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley on Monday announced a Deficit Prevention Plan that includes a hiring freeze on state workers, a freeze on state employee merit pay raises, stopping the purchase of new state vehicles and other measures.

The Deficit Prevention Plan includes cuts of 10 percent in the current fiscal year to state agencies and - with the withdrawal of half of the amount available from the Rainy Day Fund for education - an effective proration rate of nine percent in the education budget.

“Because of the national economic slowdown, if we remain on our current course Alabama will finish this fiscal year with a budget deficit. That is unacceptable, not only because the state has a legal obligation to operate with a balanced budget, we also have a moral obligation to put Alabama’s fiscal house in order.

“So today I’m announcing a Deficit Prevention Plan to make sure state government lives within its means, meets its obligations and balances its budget,” Governor Riley said during a news conference at the State Capitol. “This Deficit Prevention Plan requires state government to do what Alabamians are having to do: figure out how to get by with less during these tough times.”

The plan includes three key elements:

Reduce agency spending: The Governor will use his authority under the Budget Management Act to reduce state spending by 10 percent in state agencies funded out of the General Fund. This will reduce spending in these agencies by about $200 million in the current fiscal year.

“Whenever possible, these cuts will be targeted at administrative and overhead expenses rather than services to the public. They will include, but not be limited to, a hiring freeze, a freeze on merit pay raises, stopping new vehicle purchases, limiting equipment purchases and professional service contracts, and curtailing travel by state employees,” Governor Riley announced.

It is expected that the hiring freeze will reduce the number of state employees by about 3,000 over the next year. That would bring the state government’s workforce down to about the size it was at the end of fiscal year 2004, when it stood at a little more than 36,000.

The Governor also said he would allow for flexibility in some agencies if the spending cuts could have a harmful impact on public safety.

Proration in education: The Governor declared proration in the education budget of 12.5 percent. Proration is the process of cutting spending when revenues fall short of expectations. However, the amount of proration will be lessened with the use of some of the Rainy Day Fund for education.

Limit proration with Rainy Day Fund: The Governor is withdrawing $218 million from the education Rainy Day Fund to lessen the impact of proration. The use of the $218 million will result in an effective proration rate of nine percent.

“The second half of the Rainy Day Fund will be distributed during the remainder of the fiscal year,” said Governor Riley. “Based on all the economic forecasts I have, I believe this is the wisest course of action. Doing this allows us to responsibly manage the disbursement of the Rainy Day Fund and also meet the needs of our schools.”

Governor Riley noted that the current economic challenges facing Alabama are not unfamiliar to the state and that he is confident the state will pull them through.

“When we first came into office, Alabama was going through a similar situation: budget shortfalls and a weak economy. So we took a different tack. We brought a business approach to government - and it worked. In just a few short years, we turned the worst shortfall in Alabama history into a record budget surplus. And we did it the right way: by cutting spending across government, by recruiting new jobs and by bringing integrity to the budget process with SMART Governing.

“Now the global economy has brought some of these challenges back. So we’re going to have to do what we know works: fiscal discipline, an aggressive economic development strategy, and more accountability in government. We turned our economy around before and we can and will do it again,” Governor Riley said.

The Governor also used the occasion to discuss what he said are bright spots in Alabama’s economy, including several new and expanding industries that are hiring such as the ThyssenKrupp steel facility on the Mobile County-Washington County line, the Steelcase plant in Athens, and a sign company in Dothan.

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Governor Riley Proclaims “Internet Safety Day,” Announces Verizon Grants to Fund Internet Safety Programs

Gov. Riley speaks about the importance of online safety during an event where four organizations were awarded grants from the Verizon Foundation to promote a child-safe Internet.

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley proclaimed Wednesday “Internet Safety Day” and announced that the Verizon Foundation is awarding grants of almost $60,000 to programs that protect Alabamians, particularly children, when they get online.

"There have always been bullies. There have always been thieves. There have always been predators out there who seek to harm our children. It used to be that when your child came home from school each day you could lock the door behind them and know that they were safe. But that’s not the case anymore. If you have Internet access in your home, the bullies, the thieves and the predators can all be there, too," Governor Riley said during a ceremony at the State Capitol on Wednesday.

The Governor said that in a world where children can go online and be instantly connected with strangers, parents need to set rules on Internet usage and talk to their children about online safety.

But he also pointed out: "Internet safety isn’t just for kids. Everyone of all ages must be vigilant when they get on the Internet because everyone can be a target." Governor Riley said that means making sure you don’t give out personal information to strangers on the Internet, that you contact authorities if you’re sent material that is obscene or inappropriate, and if you receive an email with an offer that’s too good to be true, "it is. Delete it."

"Society will never realize the full promise of broadband technology unless we make it a safe and secure environment for commerce, communications and, most of all, for kids. That’s why it’s critical to Verizon’s future that we play an active role in helping," said Michelle Robinson, Verizon’s Senior Vice President of the Southeast Region

The grants awarded by Verizon’s philanthropic arm to four nonprofit organizations will be used to promote Internet safety in Alabama. Grant recipients are:

• Alabama Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers: The organization will use its grant of $25,000 to collaborate with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to increase awareness of cyber safety and to prevent abuse and victimization of children via the Internet.
• Geneva County Family Resource Center: Its $9,500 grant will be used to conduct Internet safety classes in Geneva County schools and senior citizen centers.
• Girls Inc. of Central Alabama: The organization’s $10,000 grant will go to fund its "Smart Girls Stay Safe" project to educate and train girls ages 11-14 on Internet safety. The project will be incorporated into after-school programs and technology classes.
• Madison City School System: The school system will use its $15,000 grant for its SHIELD program (Students Having Internet E-wareness for Living Digitally), which will provide free Internet safety training to educators, parents and students. Program topics will include cyber bullying, online predators and sharing personal information online.

During the event at the State Capitol, disturbing statistics from Pew Internet surveys were read that highlight the dangers the Internet poses to young people:

• One of every three teenagers reports being contacted by a stranger online.
• Thirty-two percent of teens say they’ve been harassed online by someone who posted unwanted photos, spread rumors, circulated emails or made threats.
• Only 11 percent of teens say they’ve talked to their parents or another authority figure about these kinds of disturbing online experiences.

"That’s why it’s so important for parents to talk to their children and to educate them about staying safe online. Parents need to take the initiative and set ground rules about using the Internet," Governor Riley said.

 

Governor Riley Launches Connecting Families Initiative

Deployed troops, families back home will be able to communicate with webcams

Gov. Riley stands with the family of Col. Christopher Morgan in front of a computer at the Wetumpka Public Library as they communicate with Col. Morgan, who is serving in Afghanistan, by means of the “Connecting Families” program launched today. More than 100 libraries throughout the state are being equipped with computers, broadband access and video web cameras so families of deployed military personnel can visually communicate with their deployed family members. Funding for the program comes from a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

MONTGOMERY - Alabama families who have loved ones deployed overseas in the military will be able to visit public libraries across the state and visually communicate with them using computers equipped with video web cameras, Governor Bob Riley announced today.

The new program, called Connecting Families, puts the video webcams and computers in more than 100 libraries throughout the state. Alabamians will be able to make appointments with the libraries when they can come in and use the technology to see and talk to their deployed family members.

“We’re grateful not only for our troops but also for the families who serve by their side, even though thousands of miles often separate them. Like our soldiers, the families sacrifice so much. Anytime we have an opportunity to help our brave troops and their families back home, we must take it,” Governor Riley said.

Rebecca Mitchell, director of the Alabama Public Library Service, said Alabama is the only state in the nation with this program.

Connecting Families is a partnership between the public library service and the Alabama Broadband Initiative that Governor Riley launched earlier this year. The program got its start thanks to grant funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

But the program’s real impetus came from Chief Warrant Officer Randy Hickman, who was unable to communicate via webcam with his family in Elmore County while he was serving in Iraq. The problem wasn’t due to a lack of broadband access at his base in Iraq, but rather because his home 20 miles outside Montgomery didn’t have high-speed Internet access.

Hickman contacted Governor Riley’s office, which got the Broadband Initiative involved. The Governor and Mitchell announced Connecting Families at the Wetumpka Public Library, with Hickman and his family in attendance.

The project got its first demonstration today at the Wetumpka library when Col. Christopher Morgan, who is currently serving in Afghanistan, visited with his wife Leslie and their children via the video hookup.

Note: A list of public libraries that are part of the Connecting Families program is attached.

 

Governor Riley, DAs Intensify Alabama’s Anti-Meth Campaign

Gov. Bob Riley displays the new “ZERO METH” DVD being distributed to the state’s high schools. Behind him are District Attorneys Jimmy Harp (left) and Michael Jackson.

   Governor Bob Riley and district attorneys today announced the next phase of the state’s “ZERO METH” campaign includes a DVD being sent to high schools that graphically shows the harmful effects of using methamphetamine.

According to law enforcement officials, meth is the number one drug threat facing Alabama today. With a combination of state and federal funds, Governor Riley and the Alabama District Attorneys Association launched the “ZERO METH” campaign earlier this year to combat what is being called a “meth epidemic” in the state.

“We’ve trying to do something fundamentally different to deal with what I consider is the most insidious, most destructive drug we’ve ever had in Alabama,” said Governor Riley. “We’re trying to make sure every child understands what the consequences truly are if they try meth even once.”

At a news conference in the State Capitol, Governor Riley unveiled the DVD titled “The Harsh Realities of Meth” that has been distributed to high schools throughout the state. The Governor, DAs and the Alabama Department of Education are all encouraging school officials to show the DVD to students, either during student assemblies or in classes. The video follows on the heels of the award-winning “ZERO METH” media campaign, which featured graphic television commercials and billboard ads that raised public awareness about the dangers of meth.

After showing the gripping video to the audience and members of the press, Governor Riley said the effort to distribute the DVDs to high schools will arm children and their parents with the facts they need to combat meth.

“The only way we’re ever going to be able to combat this is to change people’s minds about ever using it that first time,” he said. “We have to get that message out and show them how dramatically different their lives will be if they ever take it that first time.”

District Attorney Michael Jackson, who represents Dallas, Perry, Hale, Wilcox and Bibb counties, agreed and said communicating through means such as video and the internet is more effective in reaching young people.

“We live in a video age,” Jackson said. “You can talk all day and you’ll get a few of them who will really listen. But when they see a video, it is something they will pay attention to. This is going to be really effective.”

Etowah County District Attorney Jimmy Harp said that meth’s harmful effects are far-reaching in Alabama.

“The statistics are staggering,” Harp said. “Well over 50 percent of the kids in foster care in northeast Alabama come from a meth home. Well over 80 percent of all the crimes we prosecute are somehow meth-related.”

The video was produced by the Alabama District Attorneys Association and is being distributed to schools by the Alabama Department of Education. Sue Adams, director of the department’s Office of Prevention and Support Services, said getting this message out to schools is a priority for educators.

"This is the most lethal drug that these children and youth - or any adult - can take into their bodies,” Adams said. “And it is true you get addicted that first time you try it.”

The video includes interviews with inmates whose meth additions led to prison sentences, a doctor who describes and shows the ugly physical changes that happen to meth users, and before-and-after photos of people who used meth.

Governor Riley Says Tax Cuts, Help for Medicaid are the Best Options for an Obama Stimulus Plan

MONTGOMERY - After returning from Philadelphia where he and his fellow governors met with President-elect Barack Obama, Alabama Governor Bob Riley said his message to the president-elect was clear: cutting taxes and helping states deal with burdensome federal mandates are the best ways to stimulate the economy.

As the incoming president and nation’s governors discussed the prospect of a stimulus package for states, some governors focused solely on spending hundreds of billions of dollars on transportation infrastructure projects as a way for the federal government to boost the economy. Governor Riley, however, offered a more reasonable approach, saying that providing targeted tax cuts and lowering states’ Medicaid costs are the best ways to immediately boost the economy and help states meet their budgets in a difficult time.

 

Governor Riley to Meet with President-elect Obama, Other Governors to Discuss Economy

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley and a bipartisan group of governors from across the nation will meet on Tuesday in Philadelphia with President-elect Barack Obama to discuss the economic conditions facing the country and ways to stimulate the economy.

One topic the governors will discuss with the President-elect is Medicaid, Governor Riley said. The topic is especially important to Alabama because of a recent change in the way the federal government defines hospitals’ costs. That change would result in cuts in the federal reimbursements that Alabama hospitals receive for treating the state’s poorest citizens.

“I believe fiscal discipline and tax relief are the best ways to speed the recovery, and that’s a message I and many governors will bring to this meeting,” said Governor Riley. “But we also need to discuss Medicaid. The states have to balance their budgets, and that becomes more difficult when Washington makes decisions on Medicaid that exacerbate an already tough problem.”

Governor Riley also said that spending cuts in the federal budget should be used to help pay for new spending on infrastructure, which the President-elect has indicated will be part of a new stimulus plan.

“If new government spending was the key to preventing recessions, then we’d never have a recession,” Governor Riley said. “States are taking action to reduce or cut spending and the federal government should follow our lead on this. I’m encouraged that President-elect Obama last week said it was ‘imperative’ to cut non-essential spending from the federal budget.”

 

State Economic Development Officials Meet with European Companies

MONTGOMERY- State Finance Director Jim Main and Director of the Alabama Development Office Neal Wade are in Europe this week to meet with several companies that have major operations in the state of Alabama and to hold meetings with possible supplier plants for Volkswagen.

 

“Given the global economic climate, we wanted to talk with our European business partners to assure them we are committed to maintaining and expanding the relationships we have with them,” said State Finance Director Jim Main.

 

“These companies have been instrumental in creating the job growth we have seen in Alabama in recent years,” said Neal Wade, Director of the Alabama Development Office. “We want them to know we understand the difficulties in this challenging market, and that we are dedicated to working through these tough times in a spirit of cooperation.”

 

Main and Wade will travel to Germany, where they will meet with senior management of German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp, Evonik Degussa and several other companies. They will also talk with representatives to discuss the possibility of Volkswagen suppliers locating in Alabama. The German automaker announced in July that it will build its first American manufacturing plant in Chattanooga. The plant’s close proximity to Alabama makes the state well-positioned to earn the business of suppliers. Main and Wade will also conduct a planning session in France in preparation for Alabama's major presence at the 2009 Paris Air Show. Aerospace/aviation is one of Alabama's target industries with more than 130,000 Alabamians currently employed in that sector.

Alabama-India Business Partnerships Highlight Opportunities with India

 

   Health, wealth and education will highlight the third annual celebration dinner aimed at fostering business relationships between India and Alabama.  India is the fastest growing free-market democracy in the world, and offers opportunities to all types of businesses, particularly U.S. companies.  The dinner will be held on December 15, 2008, at The Club in Birmingham with a reception beginning at 6 p.m. followed by dinner.

 

The Indian market, and its one billion plus population, presents lucrative opportunities for U.S. exporters with the right products (or services) and commitment.  The pace of the United States’ trade and investment relationship with India continues to accelerating.  In 2007, U.S. exports to India surged 75 percent to an all-time high of $17.6 billion, while expanding only 12 percent worldwide.  Indian investments in the U.S. were up 62 percent to $3.2 billion. 

 

The program will feature the three aspects of growth and opportunity between India and the United States.  Speakers include: health- Dr. Navin Nanda, M.D., Professor and Director of the UAB Heart Station and Echocardiology; wealth- Dhirendra Swarup, Chairman, Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA) from New Delhi, India; and education- Dr. Bharat Soni, Chair, Mechanical Engineering Department, UAB School of Engineering.  The program will also honor Dr. Nanda for his lifetime of achievements in the healthcare field.

 

To register for the dinner contact Hilda Lockhart, Director of International Trade Division, Alabama Development Office @ 334-242-0442 or Hilda.lockhart@ado.alabama.gov .  The cost for a table of eight is $500 or individual registrations @ $50.  Sponsorships are available. 

Sessions Urges President Bush to Limit Further Intervention in the Market      

WASHINGTON – In a letter delivered to White House officials today, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) urged President Bush to take steps immediately to limit further government interference in the economy.  

            Sessions, who voted against the president’s $700 billion Wall Street bailout plan in October and has since been critical of its execution, expressed concern about the continued use of taxpayer money to bail out private corporations.

            “I am deeply troubled by this ongoing intervention in the marketplace.  It is bad policy that was forced on the Congress just days before the election recess. Approval of the bailout plan represents a dereliction of congressional responsibility that should never have been allowed to happen,” Sessions said today, following the release of the letter.  “Regardless, the plan is now in effect and it is ultimately the president’s responsibility to ensure that it is executed in a disciplined and focused manner that respects the taxpayer and the long-term national interest.”

             In his letter, Sessions urged the president to outline a plan to limit future market intervention, provide greater transparency to taxpayers, and to oppose future bailouts of private corporations, such as that being considered for the big three auto manufacturers.

            “Now, President-elect Obama, working through the Democratic leadership, is pushing a proposal to provide $25 billion to bail out auto manufacturers,” Sessions said.  “It is unthinkable that Congress would even consider such a plan without holding hearings to receive detailed testimony under oath from the affected parties.  Doing so further abdicates our oversight responsibility, and would result in a breathtaking violation of the general principle that the United States government should not take action to benefit some companies at the exclusion of others.” 

            “Less than a third of the American public supports an auto industry bailout, and 80 percent of Americans believe that the government is getting too involved in the economy.  The President and the Congress would be wise to respect those views,” Sessions said.  “President Bush should clearly state his opposition to the auto bailout plan so we can avoid making the same mistakes again.”

 The text of Sessions’ letter reads:

Dear President Bush:

I am deeply concerned that the execution of your economic stabilization plan by Secretary Paulson represents an unprecedented governmental intervention in the economy that threatens our nation’s long heritage of limited government and commitment to the free market. 

Although I understand the need for a narrow plan to help stabilize our nation’s financial sector, I opposed Secretary Paulson’s bailout plan because it represented a massive interference in the market, one which hinged on the delegation to a single unelected executive branch official the authority to spend $700 billion in taxpayer money. Unfortunately, recent events have confirmed my fears that this unfocused scheme provides a basis for almost any action, including direct government ownership of private corporations, and sets a dangerous precedent.

Less than a week after pushing for authority to purchase distressed securities, Secretary Paulson altered the focus of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to recapitalize banks instead.  That move directly contradicted his prior testimony to the Senate: “There are some that said we should just go and stick capital in the banks . . . but we said the right way to do this is not going around and using guarantees or injecting capital.”  Since that time, Secretary Paulson has abandoned the stated goal of purchasing distressed assets and is now concentrating on purchasing large equity stakes in banking institutions.  The financial sector recovery program operating today is entirely different from the one outlined to, and approved by, Congress in October.  I can only conclude that the swift reversal from purchasing toxic assets to stock purchases was part of a plan to mislead the Congress because massive stock purchases would have received a much more hostile reception.

Predictably, efforts are now underway to expand the TARP to bail out private companies suffering in a recessionary economic climate, notably the big three auto manufacturers.  Allowing this trend to continue sends a clear signal to foreign nations that the United States has turned its back on the free market and is a virtual guarantee that other “vital” industries will request government assistance in the future.  As estimates for the Fiscal Year 2009 federal deficit approach the staggering $1 trillion mark, we must ask: where do we draw the line?   

With this in mind, I urge you to:

1.      Publicly outline a plan for extricating the government from the market as soon as reasonably possible, limiting further interference, and allowing markets to function in the future, as well as emphasizing clearly why this is an important principle.  

2.      Establish guidelines for making the TARP’s basic earnings and loss data – similar to that found on a corporation’s quarterly statement – available to the public.  The Administration has argued that taxpayers may be made whole by the future sale of equities purchased by the TARP.  Accordingly, the American people have the right to know the status of their investment. 

3.      Oppose the economic stimulus package that includes an additional bailout for troubled auto manufacturers.  Your administration should not allow a struggling economy to be used as justification for a huge surge in government spending and control.

It seems to me that Secretary Paulson, whom you obviously admire, has assumed an inappropriate role in our governmental system.  He is acting as a Wall Street investment banker, allocating hundreds of billions of dollars in taxpayer money, with no oversight and no stated plan.  This undermines our heritage of law and order, and is an affront to the principle of separation of powers.  Of course, the Secretary works for you and serves at your pleasure.  While you have many challenges in these busy days, I believe you have a clear constitutional duty to personally supervise his actions and to direct this process.  I urge you to do so.

In this time of economic turmoil, let your actions clearly reflect a commitment to the sound economic and governmental principles that have made our nation great.  It is important that we recognize the magnitude of the precedent these actions have set, and that you intentionally act and speak in ways that limit that precedent for the future.

Governor Riley and Local Officials Celebrate Completion of New Hurricane Evacuation Route

Gov. Riley speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for State Highway 113 on Wednesday.

FLOMATON - Governor Bob Riley and Transportation Director Joe McInnes today joined local officials from Florida and Alabama to dedicate State Highway 113 as Alabama’s newest major Hurricane Evacuation Route. The event signals the completion of the $22.7 million project that now provides a seamless four-lane thoroughfare from Escambia County, Florida to Interstate 65 in Escambia County, Alabama.

The project included widening State Highway 113 from U.S. Highway 31 in Flomaton to I-65 at Exit 69, converting the 13.5-mile stretch of two-lane highway into a four-lane, divided highway.

Federal, state and local funds including $500,000 from the town of Flomaton, $500,000 from Escambia County, Alabama, and $4 million from Escambia County, Florida helped fund the project. Two new lanes were constructed as well as a new four-span, 204-foot bridge to accommodate northbound traffic. The project originally slated for completion in December 2008, came in ahead of schedule.

“This is a great example of communities working together across county lines, even across state lines, to get something positive done for their citizens,” said Governor Riley. “It’s a win-win for everybody. During hurricanes, people will have an easier time getting out of harm’s way, and this newly four-laned corridor will be more attractive to business and industry.”

“We continue to make real progress on closing gaps in Alabama’s transportation network,” McInnes said. “This newly completed four-lane connecting Flomaton and a large part of south Alabama and the Florida panhandle to I-65, will not only provide an additional safe hurricane evacuation route, but will also open a new growth corridor that could boost regional economic development opportunities.”

Statement by Governor Riley Regarding Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh’s Concession in the PSC Presidency Race

"Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh made the right decision for Alabama’s taxpayers in conceding her race for President of the Public Service Commission. Once provisional ballots were counted, Ms. Cavanaugh might have been entitled to an automatic recount, which would have cost the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time of great budget difficulties for the state. It is refreshing to see a candidate put the public’s interest ahead of personal interest.

“Although there were several close races in this week’s election, none of them was close enough that there is any realistic chance that a recount could change the result. Given the state’s budgetary challenges, I hope all the other statewide candidates follow Ms. Cavanaugh’s example and not force the taxpayers to waste scarce dollars on a pointless recount."

Alabama Wins Three National Awards for Year of Arts Tourism Campaign

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley announced Wednesday that the Alabama Tourism Department has won the Travel Industry Association’s highest honor for its Year of Alabama Arts campaign as well as two other national competitions.

The state agency was presented with TIA’s “Discover America” marketing award and is featured in the November issue of National Geographic Traveler.

The 2007 promotion also won the National Council of State Tourism Directors’ “Mercury” award for best state promotion and Travel Weekly’s “Magellan” award for promotion of culture and the arts in the U.S. and Canada.

“To win one top award is outstanding, but to win the best in three separate competitions must be unprecedented,” Governor Riley told tourism and arts representatives at a ceremony in the State Capitol.

The purpose of the 15-month Year of Alabama Arts campaign was “to put a huge spotlight on the arts, everything from architecture to dance and in between," state tourism director Lee Sentell said. “We had involvement from more than 60 communities which shows how important the arts are all over the state.”

Agency staff member Brian Jones created a 56-page brochure that promoted exhibitions, festivals and landmarks in 64 towns and cities. Four television commercials featuring the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, arts festivals and Gee’s Bend quilts were broadcast on Alabama Public Television, the Bravo network and Raycom Media stations, Sentell said.

A website created by Luckie & Company, a Birmingham ad agency, allowed individual artists to post profiles of themselves and works for sale, he added.

Sentell said the Alabama Folk Art Exhibition sponsored with the Birmingham Museum of Art displayed works by some of the state’s best-known “outsider” artists, including Lonnie Holley, Mose Tollier, Jimmie Lee Sudduth and Jerry Brown.

“We were grateful that local newspapers in Alabama supported the arts campaign by focusing on hometown organizations, facilities and artists,” Sentell said. Many local groups included the campaign’s colorful quilt logo developed in association with the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Las Vegas and Florida previously won the TIA "Discover America" award that is open to private companies and public agencies.

This was the second time in three years that Alabama received the “Mercury” award for best statewide promotion, winning earlier for the Year of Alabama Food. The tourism agency also received the Southeast Tourism Society’s top organization award for the arts promotion, the third time in four years to win.

Governor Riley Comments on Victory of Amendment One

MONTGOMERY -- Governor Bob Riley issued the following statement about the voters’ approval of Amendment One:

“The approval of Amendment One will help Alabama continue the progress we’re making in education. It means we won’t have to halt the education reforms we have put in place that are improving the quality of education our children receive. I thank the voters for supporting Amendment One.”

Alabama Homeland Security Director Elected to National Homeland Security Advisors Executive Council

MONTGOMERY- Alabama Homeland Security Director Jim Walker has been nominated and elected by his colleagues across the country to serve on the Executive Leadership Council representing state homeland security advisors nationwide. The new 2008-2009 Executive Leadership Council was announced by the National Governors Association.

“I am honored to serve Alabama and represent my peers around the country in this capacity,” Director Walker said. “With upcoming changes in national leadership, this is an important opportunity to lend Alabama’s voice to the homeland security dialogue shaping our state and the rest of the country.”

Governor Bob Riley said, “Jim Walker’s election to this post is another example of a member of my Cabinet being recognized as a national leader in their field. As thousands of first responders across Alabama already know, Jim Walker is one of the most visionary and talented homeland security leaders in America today.”

Director Walker is one of only eight members elected to serve on the Executive Council, and the only elected council member representing a southern state. The other council members represent the following states: Washington, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Nebraska, Michigan, and West Virginia.

The Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council (GHSAC) was created by the National Governors Association in 2006. The GHSAC represents all 56 state and territorial homeland security advisors. They develop and shape policies regarding border security, immigration, planning and preparedness, funding, infrastructure protection, and interoperable communications.

More information can be found at www.nga.org/center/ghsac.

Governor Riley Announces New Steel Plant to be Built in Mobile

MOBILE-- Governor Bob Riley announced today that SSAB, a global steel producer, has decided to locate a new heat treating facility in Mobile, creating 180 jobs. SSAB already has a plant in Mobile, today’s announcement represents an expansion of that existing facility.

Construction is expected to begin on the plant expansion in 2009, and production will begin in 2011. The expansion represents a $460 million capital investment.

"SSAB could have gone anywhere in the world to locate this new plant," said Governor Riley. "That they picked Mobile only goes to show that Alabama can not only produce anything in the world in a high quality fashion, but that we also have one of the best workforces in the country."

The heat treatment facility will produce quenched and tempered steel plate which is used throughout the manufacturing and construction sectors in applications where properties such as strength, hardness and toughness are required beyond those available in commercial grades.

Neal Wade, Executive Director of the Alabama Development Office, said, "This is a very significant project for Alabama and underscores the importance of the steel industry in our state. We won this because of the great partnership between the state, local governments and the state port authority."

For more information on SSAB, please visit the company’s website at: www.ssab.com

State Testing Sugar-Cane Production for Biofuel Industry

Governor, Officials Tour 100-acre Test Site in Atmore

ATMORE-- Gov. Bob Riley and other officials today announced that a milestone has been reached in the state’s effort to explore a new industry and a new economic opportunity for farmers in south Alabama: the production of jet fuel from sugar cane. Planting a sugar-cane test site represents a necessary first step toward establishing such an industry, Riley said.

The Governor visited a 100-acre site adjacent to Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore where four varieties of sugar cane are being grown and evaluated to determine the commercial viability of the crop in south Alabama. If the test site is successful and area farmers adopt the crop, Amyris Biotechnologies, a California company, will seek funding to build a biofuel demonstration plant in south Alabama that would use the sugar cane as feedstock. Following the site visit, Riley met with Amyris Chief Executive John Melo and officials from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and Auburn University to discuss future steps in the project.

“This project comes at a crucial time in our nation’s history when we must end our dependence on high-priced oil produced by nations that don’t have America’s best interests at heart,” Riley said. “If the tests we are conducting are successful, this effort could lead to a new domestic source of fuel, offer a tremendous economic opportunity for area farmers and make Alabama a leader in the new and growing biofuels industry.”

The sugar-cane nursery, established on land owned by the state Department of Corrections, is funded by a $250,000 grant from ADECA. Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System are managing the site. Auburn researchers believe the crop can be grown in areas south of Montgomery, where freezes are rare.

Workers recently planted four varieties of sugar cane at the Atmore site using “seed cane” stalks originally cultivated in Louisiana. Sugar cane is propagated from cuttings rather than grown from seeds. The nursery will conduct experiments with the varieties to see which grow best in south Alabama soil and climate. Researchers hope to produce 700 acres of sugar cane by fall 2009 to use as seed cane for area farmers interested in growing it. The nursery also will serve as a classroom to teach farmers about sugar-cane production methods, practices and technology.

To reduce dependency on foreign oil, the U.S. Air Force plans to use renewable, domestic sources of fuel to replace much of the petroleum-based fuel used currently. The Air Force is certifying its aircraft to operate with biofuels and expects use of alternative fuel blends to begin by 2011 with 50 percent of its fuel being produced domestically by 2016.

Amyris’s demonstration plant would convert sugar cane into jet fuel using a microorganism developed by the company. Amyris officials said the plant will be located in southeast Alabama to be close to the source of sugar cane because the cane must be processed quickly once harvested. The plant will use sugar cane grown in Baldwin, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Mobile counties for the biofuel, company officials said.

Joining Riley and Melo for today’s tour and meeting were Paul Mask of Auburn University, Bill Johnson of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Gary Faulkner of the Alabama Development Office and Jim Hudson of the HudsonAlpha Institute in Huntsville. A HudsonAlpha board member brought Alabama’s biofuel potential to the attention of Amyris and arranged the initial contact with state officials.

Alabama One of 10 States Partnering with GM to Spur Development and Use of Ethanol

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley today announced Alabama is one of 10 states partnering with General Motors Corporation and the National Governors Association to promote the development and use of cleaner-burning ethanol fuel, which is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

Under these new public-private partnerships, GM will provide technical assistance to Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin to help the states determine new locations for E-85 fueling stations, to optimize E-85 supply by working with top ethanol producers, and to use its network of dealers, plants and offices to promote E-85 usage.

“Increasing the use of E-85 makes all the sense in the world,” said Governor Riley. “E-85 is a less expensive fueling option that is better for our environment and helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” said Governor Riley. “And because it’s made from crops grown by our farmers, E-85 is a real growth opportunity for our rural economy.”

“The infrastructure for E-85 needs to expand now if the nation is to be ready for the significant growth in ethanol coming from new cellulosic sources,” said Beth Lowery, GM vice president of environment, energy and safety policy. “We need a range of alternatives to offset growing oil demand in this country and globally.”

States will establish an E-85 task force that includes a team of state officials, retailers and automobile manufacturers to help identify target areas for E-85 refueling stations. The team will identify potential funding sources to support pump installation or conversion and assist with implementing the resulting recommendations.

Over the next 20 years, increasing ethanol usage offers an opportunity to displace a significant share of oil usage in this country and the potential to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. In 2007, the United States used 6.8 billion gallons of ethanol, almost all of which was made from domestically produced corn. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 boosted the national Renewable Fuel Standard to 36 billion gallons by 2022, of which no more than 15 billion gallons can be corn-based ethanol; the remaining 21 billion gallons will come from cellulosic sources.

At the same time, production of Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV) in the U.S. is growing, with nearly 7 million FFV’s on the road today and more than 1 million produced in 2007 alone. GM and other domestic automobile manufacturers have committed to doubling the level of FFV production by 2010 from 2006 levels and make 50 percent of their production FFV’s capable by 2012.

Alabama is already locating fuel pumps along Interstate 65 that can dispense E-85 and B-20 biodiesel thanks to a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

State’s New License Plates Feature Beach Scene and ‘Sweet Home Alabama’

MONTGOMERY – Governor Bob Riley today unveiled the design for the new license plate that will go into circulation in January. The new car tag features a colorful beach scene and the phrase “Sweet Home Alabama” and will replace the “Stars Fell on Alabama” plates that have been in use since January 2002.

The new design carries the Alabama tourism department’s “Sweet Home Alabama” theme that was unveiled a year ago and appears in print ads and television commercials promoting the state as a vacation destination.

Governor Riley assigned the tourism department to design the new license plate and chose a beach scene to reflect the Gulf Coast’s importance to Alabama’s tourism industry. Together, Baldwin and Mobile counties generate more than 30 percent of the state’s $9.8 billion tourism revenue.

“A lot of people outside of Alabama don’t even know that we have beaches. When we put more than three million tags showing sea oats and a beautiful sunset over water into circulation, that will change,” Governor Riley said.

Alabama tourism director Lee Sentell said the design is a major boost to the hospitality industry. “Having the ‘sweet home’ phrase included is a real plus,” he said. “Sweet Home Alabama is the third most played song identifying a destination, behind ‘New York, New York’ and ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco.’”

Alabama Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division director Brenda Coone said car owners still have the option to select the “God Bless America” license plate with the patriotic flag design that does not identify the county where the plate was purchased.

“County licensing officials will begin issuing the new license plates January 2,” Coone said. The plates can be personalized with a maximum of seven characters, she said.

The new tag will be issued for the next five years.

Governor Riley Discusses Export Opportunities with Officials from Japan and Brazil

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley will hold meetings this week with officials from Japan and Brazil as the state continues its focus on expanding international trade opportunities.

On Tuesday, Governor Riley will meet with the consul general of Japan and on Thursday with the consul general of Brazil. In the last two months, Governor Riley has also met with the ambassador of South Korea and the commissioner of Hong Kong.

“Alabama today plays a larger role in international business than ever before. These meetings help us continue to build bridges and connections with major markets where products made in our state can be sold,” said Governor Riley. “The more proactive we are in selling our products overseas, the more successful Alabama is going to be.”

The meetings are part of the Governor’s trade promotion initiative, Export Alabama, which was begun in 2004. Export Alabama is a statewide and national partnership led by Governor Riley, the Alabama Development Office, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Export Alabama Trade Alliance. Since 2004, exports from Alabama have increased by 60 percent.

Japan was Alabama’s sixth largest trading partner in 2007. Brazil was Alabama’s eighth largest trading partner that year. Alabama exports to Brazil have increased by 43 percent since 2006.

Governor Riley: Agreement Helps Accelerate Fuel Shipments into Alabama

Governor Riley: Agreement Helps Accelerate Fuel Shipments into Alabama

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley said Alabama has entered into an agreement with Mississippi and Louisiana that will help speed the arrival of gasoline and diesel fuel into our state.   The agreement waives certain state regulations on Alabama-based trucks transporting gasoline and diesel fuel from Louisiana back into Alabama.

“Although the situation has improved, there are still some Alabama communities that are facing fuel shortages due to the damage caused by recent hurricanes in the gulf. This agreement allows us to take sensible action to ease the burden some drivers face in finding fuel for their vehicles, especially in our rural areas,” said Governor Riley.

The agreement applies only to Alabama-based trucks obtaining gasoline and diesel fuel from bonded suppliers in Louisiana. Trucks transporting fuel into Alabama will be required to have an 8 ½- inch X 11-inch sign in their windshields with the wording “Hurricane Motor Fuels Transport Relief.” Additionally, each vehicle will be required to have a copy of the signed agreement for presentation to law enforcement, if necessary. Alabama-based operators wishing to participate in this transport relief effort must contact the Alabama Department of Revenue at (334) 242-9008 to obtain the required documents authorizing this effort before travel into Louisiana and Mississippi.

The tri-state agreement waives certain regulations of the International Registration Plan and the International Fuel Tax Agreement for 30 days. The International Registration Plan is a registration reciprocity agreement among states and Canadian provinces providing for payment of fees based on distance. The International Fuel Tax Agreement is an agreement among states in the continental U.S. and Canadian provinces to simplify the reporting of fuel used by motor carriers operating in more than one jurisdiction.

ALABAMA READS FOR THE RECORD; One day. One book. For children everywhere.

   Alabama is trying to help break the world record again this year by reading the book Corduroy to students at Pre-K sites and public schools statewide. Jumpstart’s Read for the Record is a national campaign to encourage hundreds of thousands of children and adults to read the same book on the same day. Jumpstart set and broke world records for the largest shared reading experience ever in 2006 and 2007. Jumpstart’s mission is to prepare every child in America for success in school.

 Read more at:  Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Campaign

Governor Riley Helps Alabama’s “Clean Corridor” Move Forward

Ethanol and biodiesel fuel pumps added at two Mobile stations on I-65

MOBILE - An effort to make Interstate 65 in Alabama the nation’s first biofuel corridor moved forward Friday when Governor Bob Riley helped open new fuel pumps at two Mobile gas stations that dispense E-85 ethanol and B-20 biodiesel.

“Their opening today means drivers in this area have a less expensive fueling option that is better for our environment and helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” said Governor Riley at the Ford’s Fuel station on Airport Boulevard.

The second station in Mobile offering the alternative fuels is located on Government Boulevard.

They join a Shell station off I-65 in Vestavia Hills that are part of the Clean Corridor initiative Governor Riley helped launch last year with a $312,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The grant covers 50 percent of the cost for a fuel retailer to add the infrastructure necessary to offer the alternative fuels.

Governor Riley said other stations along I-65 - at the Brewton exit and in Montgomery, Prattville, Warrior and Athens - will be joining those in Mobile and Vestavia Hills by offering the biofuels within weeks.

“We originally planned to place six E-85 and five B-20 retail outlets along I-65 in Alabama, but we will exceed our goal. We will instead be placing seven E-85 and eight B-20 outlets,” said Governor Riley.

The Clean Corridor along Interstate 65 will be the nation’s first biofuels corridor providing the public with E-85 and B-20 fueling options. When complete, drivers of flexible fuel vehicles and diesel vehicles will never be farther than a tank away from an E-85 or biodiesel pump along I-65.

“Nearly 7,000 Mobile-area residents own flex-fuel vehicles that can be run solely on gasoline, solely on E-85, or any combination of the two,” said Mobile Mayor Sam Jones, who joined Governor Riley at the Airport Boulevard station. “E-85 offers consumers a choice that can help lower our dependence on foreign oil.”

Protec Fuel Management worked with Ford’s Fuel to design and build the station and is supplying the E-85 and B-20. Promotional efforts, labels and displays at the stations were provided by the Ethanol Promotional and Information Council. The effort between stations, suppliers and government agencies was coordinated by the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, based in Birmingham.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) partnered with the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition to select the service stations where alternative fuel pumps will be added.

“By opening these ethanol and biodiesel pumps in Mobile, our state takes an important step toward wider commercial availability of biofuels,” said ADECA Director Bill Johnson. “We have made the promotion of alternative fuels a priority at ADECA because we believe Alabama has the potential to become a leader in the biofuels industry.”

Typically, a gallon of E-85 is cheaper than a gallon of gasoline. The lower price of ethanol accommodates any expected loss in gas mileage. E-85 costs are dictated by their proximity to an ethanol production facility. The nearer a station is to a plant, the cheaper the price tends to be. With the recent opening of a cellulosic ethanol production demonstration facility in Livingston, Mobile and other Alabama E-85 stations could potentially see lower E-85 prices in the future.

“Sort of like the chicken and egg, we often get asked which needs to come first to increase the use of E-85 - more E-85 infrastructure or more flex-fuel vehicles,” said Mark Bentley, Executive Director of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition. “We think they are walking hand-in-hand. Automotive makers are providing more flex-fuel vehicle options; consumers are buying more of these vehicles; at the same time, we have more production facilities and stations opening. Regardless of where it begins, the results are the same: less dependence on oil, more local jobs, and a cleaner environment.”

To celebrate the addition of the alternative fuel pumps, the station’s owner - Ford’s Fuels, LLC - offered E-85 for 85 cents a gallon from 11 a.m. to noon on Friday. The rest of the day motorists paid only $2.85 a gallon for the plant-based alternative fuel.

E-85 is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol is a distilled alcohol-based fuel that is derived from starch crops like corn and mixed with gasoline to fuel vehicles. B-20 biodiesel is made from soybean and other crops that produce oil and can be used in diesel engines.

Governor Riley Promotes Stronger Trade Ties to Hong Kong

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley met with Hong Kong’s highest ranking official in the United States on Wednesday to promote stronger economic ties.   The Governor met with Margaret Fong, Hong Kong Commissioner to the United States. As commissioner, she directs Hong Kong’s activities to encourage economic and trade relations between Hong Kong and the U.S. Commissioner Fong oversees the work of three Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in Washington, New York and San Francisco.

Governor Riley led a delegation of Alabama business leaders to Hong Kong in April during a trade mission to China.

“Exports have been one of our economy’s strong points during the past few years. We can increase that strength by exploring new export opportunities for Alabama businesses in Hong Kong and other parts of Asia,” said Governor Riley.

The Port in Mobile would directly benefit from new trade opportunities, Governor Riley said. “The improvements at our port put us in a stronger position to compete for business on a global scale,” he said.

Governor Riley also told Commissioner Fong the state is considering opening an economic development office in Hong Kong, which would help existing Alabama companies that want to export their products to Asia and help build stronger relationships with Asian business leaders.

“Good relationships matter because they lead to more opportunities for our companies to compete in foreign markets. By hosting distinguished visitors such as Commissioner Fong, we develop stronger relationships, which can lead to new investment and economic opportunities for Alabama,” said Governor Riley.

Alabama companies exported $111.9 million worth of merchandise to Hong Kong in 2007, and the state imported $14.8 million from Hong Kong.

Globally, state exports rose to a record $14.4 billion in 2007. Since 2004, exports from Alabama have risen almost 60 percent.

$250,000 Grant Awarded for Broadband Expansion Effort

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley’s effort to bring high-speed Internet access to all Alabamians has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.   The Governor announced the Alabama Broadband Initiative during his State of the State Address in 2008. Its goal is to make high-speed Internet available to every community in the state within the next four years.

“Expanding broadband access is essential if our communities are to remain competitive in today’s 21st century economy,” said Governor Riley. “We must make sure every Alabamian has access to affordable, high-speed Internet service, regardless of where they live in our state.”

The initial phase of the project is to research and map the current broadband infrastructure in the state. The Initiative will conduct a comprehensive inventory of existing broadband accessibility and produce a digitized map of the network. The map will serve as a resource for communities to show industrial recruiting prospects existing infrastructure, and will be a guide for the state’s Internet service providers interested in filling in the gaps.

The second phase of the project is working with communities to develop local technology-growth plans.

In addition to stimulating economic development, broadband can expand the availability of mental and physical healthcare and offer communities the opportunity for enhanced education, public safety, agri-business, tourism and e-government.

Governor Riley created the Alabama Broadband Initiative by executive order in May and established a 15-member board to coordinate its efforts.

The Appalachian Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership that works to improve the region’s economic development and quality of life.

Governor Riley Awards $1.1 Million for Alternative Energy Projects

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley has awarded grants totaling $1.1 million to six local governments to harness fuel and energy from renewable sources.   Governor Riley awarded grants to Bay Minette, Enterprise, Fultondale, Henry County, Lee County and Tuscaloosa. Each will collaborate with an Alabama university on projects to create biofuels or alternative energy and demonstrate technology that can be replicated by other governments to reduce fuel and energy costs or generate revenue.     “Innovative approaches are needed to make our nation energy independent and to free us from our dependence on foreign oil,” Governor Riley said. “By generating alternative energy from renewable sources, these projects will serve as an example that other governments may follow to cut energy costs and stretch taxpayer dollars.”

· Bay Minette will use a $195,000 grant to turn garbage and yard clippings into biodiesel that can be used to fuel city vehicles and equipment. The city will partner with Auburn University and Cello Energy, a local biodiesel producer, for the project.

· Enterprise is receiving a $200,000 grant to install and operate a facility to convert used cooking oil collected from area restaurants into biodiesel. The city will burn the fuel in its diesel equipment and sell any excess to other municipalities in the area. Auburn University’s Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts will assist with the project.

· With a $150,722 grant, Fultondale will partner with Auburn University and Alabama Power Company for a project to determine the feasibility of producing electrical power from yard waste. The project will analyze the energy content of yard waste and design a unit that can convert the waste into a gas that generates electricity. City officials say the process could eventually reduce the amount of material in the city’s landfill by 30 percent.

· Henry County will use a $200,000 grant to establish a vegetable oil recycling program. The program will collect used oil from restaurants, cafeterias and catering services and convert it to biodiesel to fuel city and county government vehicles. The county will partner will Auburn University and the cities of Abbeville and Headland for the project.

· A $200,000 grant will enable Lee County to install solar panels at the Lee County Justice Center. County officials estimate the panels will generate enough solar power to reduce electric power consumption by 25 percent. Auburn University’s Space Research Institute will assist with the project.

· Tuscaloosa will use a $198,231 grant for a project to create methane gas from waste at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The methane will be used to heat equipment that treats wastewater. The city will work with the University of Alabama on the project which officials estimate will save $78,080 in energy costs annually.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants awarded from the Alabama Research Alliance Trust Fund. The fund was established in 1981 with $10 million from the sale of drilling rights in state waters. Interest earned from the fund is currently used to support alternative energy research in Alabama.

Highest ranking Hong Kong official in US to visit Alabama

MONTGOMERY - Hong Kong’s highest ranking official in the United States will meet with Governor Bob Riley in Montgomery and make stops in Huntsville and Birmingham later this month to promote economic and trade relations.

Margaret Fong, Hong Kong Commissioner to the U.S., will be in Alabama September 22-24. She will speak at a public engagement on September 22 in Huntsville at an event sponsored by the North Alabama International Trade Association and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce. On September 23, Commissioner Fong will speak in Birmingham at Samford University’s Brock School of Business as part of the Brock International Business Speaker Series. The commissioner’s visit to Alabama will wrap up with a meeting with Governor Riley on September 24.

“Relationships are of vital importance in today’s global economy. By hosting distinguished visitors such as Commissioner Fong, we develop stronger relationships, resulting in new investment, economic and educational opportunities for Alabama,” said Governor Riley.

Board Approves Governor’s Appointment of Nancy Buckner as Commissioner of Human Resources

MONTGOMERY - The board that oversees the Alabama Department of Human Resources voted Tuesday to confirm Governor Bob Riley’s appointment of Nancy Buckner as commissioner of the agency.

“With her 35 years of experience at DHR, Nancy Buckner is well-qualified to lead this important agency,” said Governor Riley. “Over the past few years, DHR has been transformed. It is now recognized as a model agency by the rest of the nation and other states look to emulate its performance. I know Nancy will work to not only maintain DHR’s improved performance but also seek to enhance it.”

Governor Riley appointed Buckner last week to replace Page Walley, who served as Human Resources Commissioner from Dec. 2003 until Sept.1. Walley left DHR to become Managing Director with Casey Family Programs.

Buckner had most recently served as Assistant Director of the Talladega County DHR, where she served since 1993. During her tenure at Talladega County DHR, she has also served by special appointment as Interim Director of the Calhoun County DHR and as Child Welfare Administrator for the St. Clair County DHR to improve services in those two counties. She also served as the legislative liaison for the state DHR.

Governor Riley Declares State of Emergency, Price Gouging Law Goes Into Effect

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley on Friday afternoon declared a state of emergency for Alabama after he received new information from the U.S. Department of Energy that energy shortages will likely occur in the state due to Hurricane Ike.

The Governor’s declaration notes that “disruption of essential utility services, systems and severe energy shortages will likely occur.”

Earlier in the day, the Governor’s Office noted that an Alabama governor’s ability to declare a state of emergency was very limited. By law, an Alabama governor cannot declare a state of emergency unless there has been or there is anticipated to be an attack on the United States, a natural disaster of major proportions impacting Alabama or a public health emergency.

“I believe this new information means a threat to public health is a strong possibility due to the shortage of fuels,” said Governor Riley. “I deem it an emergency.”

The state law that prohibits “unconscionable pricing” of items for sale or rent goes into effect when the governor has declared a state of emergency.

Governor Riley Reacts to Pentagon Decision to Delay Air Force Tanker Replacement

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley made the following comments about the Pentagon announcement it will delay a decision on replacing its aging fleet of Air Force refueling tankers:

“I strongly disagree with this decision and find it absolutely bewildering. The Air Force has been trying for six years now to replace its aging fleet of tankers. Yet another delay does nothing except put our warfighters at greater risk. For that reason alone, I can’t understand why anyone would make this decision.

“At some point, we have to say we are going to put our warfighters first - not the suppliers, not politics.

“I still agree with the statement Secretary Gates made at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base on April 21 when he said: ‘All I can say is that I think it would be a real shame if the tanker were to get delayed yet again. We’re long past due in terms of getting on with this program.’”

Governor Orders Flags at Half-Staff on Thursday

MONTGOMERY -- Governor Bob Riley is directing flags to be flown at half-staff on state government buildings to honor those who lost their lives and gave their lives during the September 11 terrorist attacks seven years ago Thursday. The Governor is also encouraging local governments and schools to fly their flags at half-staff on their buildings.

A joint resolution approved by Congress in 2001 designates September 11 of each year as Patriot Day. Flags on all federal buildings will be flown at half-staff by order of President Bush.

"On Patriot Day, we will come together as a nation to remember those who were taken from us by this tragedy. We will also honor the men and women who protect our country and our communities every day. Alabama will always be grateful for their service." said Governor Riley.

Flags will return to flying at full-staff on Friday.

Sessions Announces $450,000 in Federal Funding for AIDS Alabama

            WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) announced $450,000 in federal grants today that will improve AIDS Alabama’s programs for patients with substance abuse or mental health issues.      

            The funding was awarded by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment in the Department of Health and Human Services, and will specifically help enhance established substance abuse programs.

“I am pleased to announce that $450,000 has been awarded to AIDS Alabama,” Sessions said.  “AIDS Alabama understands the importance of programs that provide critical medical, emotional, and financial care for HIV/AIDS patients.   I am proud of their leadership and commitment to help state and local agencies continue to improve and grow their capabilities to help those in need.”

In 2007, Sessions worked with the Senate to pass the renewal of the Ryan White CARE Act, which provided funding for testing,  medical care, anti-retroviral treatments, and counseling for HIV/AIDS patients.  

             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.

Motion Industries Acquires Drago Supply Company

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Drago Supply Company, a regional industrial supplies company, headquartered in Port Arthur, Texas, has been acquired by Motion Industries. Drago has eight locations in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana with annual revenues of approximately $75 million.

“We are very pleased to have a well-established, successful company like Drago Supply join our organization,” states Bill Stevens, President and CEO of Motion Industries.

Joe Drago, President; Philip Drago, Executive Vice President-Marketing; and Sam Drago, Executive Vice President-Business Development will remain as the leadership and continue to manage the business as the Drago Supply Company.

Drago Supply stocks in excess of 30,000 items of hand tools, power tools, general hardware, cutting tools, abrasives, contractor supplies, safety supplies, paper and janitorial supplies and many other products. Drago inventories and distributes products from over 700 manufacturers including Stanley-Proto, 3M, Union, Ingersoll Rand, DeWalt, Dow Corning, Cooper Tools, and Kimberly-Clark.

Drago Supply customers include the refinery, petrochemical, construction, marine, manufacturing, forest products, and power generating industries. Drago Supply is recognized as one of the 100 largest industrial distributors in the United States and is widely recognized as a leader in inventory management, traditional and integrated supply contracts and superior customer service.

With 2007 sales of $3.4 billion, Motion Industries is a leading industrial parts distributor of bearings, mechanical power transmission, electrical and industrial automation, hydraulic and industrial hose, hydraulic and pneumatic components, industrial products, and material handling. Motion Industries has more than 500 operations including ten distribution centers throughout North America and serves more than 100,000 customers from the automotive, chemical, food and beverage, wood and lumber, iron and steel, pulp and paper, mining and aggregate, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries.

           Year-To-Date Sales of 158,519 Continue to Outpace 2007

    MONTVALE, N.J., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today
reported August sales of 18,507 new vehicles, an 11.8 percent decrease
compared to August 2007. On a year-to-date basis, MBUSA continued to
outpace its 2007 performance with sales of 158,519 new vehicles (versus
157,806).

    Demand for the company's volume-leading C-Class boosted that model
line's sales performance by 53.1 percent (6,990 vs. 4,565) for the month.
On a year-to-date basis, the C-Class posted a gain of 39.8 percent (50,593
in 2008 vs. 36,184 in 2007). While down for the month of August (2,430 vs.
3,062), the popular M-Class sport utility vehicles continued to hold their
gain on a year-to-date basis with a 7.2 percent increase (22,517 in 2008
vs. 21,012 in 2007).

    Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program,
MBUSA marked a 46.8 percent increase in August sales with 6,440 vehicles
sold compared to 4,388 in August 2007, bringing year-to-date sales to a
total of 42,973 units, an increase of 23.3 percent over the same period in
2007.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is
responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz
products in the United States. In 2007, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales
record of 253,433 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in
its history.

National Guard Units Providing Security at Evacuee Shelters

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley called up 130 Alabama Army National Guard units to perform security missions at seven locations housing evacuees from Hurricane Gustav. The units were called up to relieve local, county and state law enforcement officers who have been providing security at each location. This will allow these civilian law enforcement officers to concentrate on their regular duties.    Alabama Army Guard MPs have been sent to Bevill State Community College campuses at Sumiton, Hamilton and Fayette. Other evacuee locations include Northwest-Shoals Community College at Muscle Shoals and Phil Campbell, Wallace State Community College in Hanceville and Calhoun Community College in Decatur.    The 231st Military Police Battalion from Prattville will have a command cell located in Decatur. Personnel from MP units in Alexander City, Opelika and Prattville will be at the other locations.  Members of the Alabama State Defense Force are assisting with the delivery of meals and water to evacuees at six locations in the Birmingham area. The SDF is a voluntary unit supporting the State of Alabama and reports to the Adjutant General of the Alabama Army National Guard. The SDF personnel are delivering meals to Jefferson State Community College, First Baptist Church of Irondale, Fair Park Arena, Gardendale Civic Center, Bartow Arena and Lawson State Community College campuses in Birmingham and Bessemer.

Governor Riley Orders Evacuations for Parts of Mobile and Baldwin Counties

CLANTON - At the request of local emergency management officials, Governor Bob Riley on Sunday ordered the mandatory evacuation of residents of low lying and flood prone areas of southern Mobile County and Baldwin County due to the threat posed by Hurricane Gustav.

The evacuation order, which went into effect at 7 a.m. Sunday, applies to all residents of Mobile County in Hurricane Evacuation Zone 1, which is south of Interstate 10 and includes areas such as Fowl River, Coden and Bayou La Batre, and all Baldwin County residents on Fort Morgan Peninsula, Plash Island, and areas south of Fort Morgan Road in the city of Gulf Shores.

“I’ve discussed this with local officials and we’re in agreement this evacuation is necessary to protect the lives of these residents,” said Governor Riley. The current track of Hurricane Gustav indicates the primary threat posed to Alabamians is going to be flooding in these areas.”

The 3,000 Alabama National Guard troops the Governor activated earlier remain on alert, and the Alabama Department of Transportation continues to have staff propositioned along Interstate 65 and are ready to reverse lanes if and when that becomes necessary. Alabama State Troopers also remain deployed to assist the flow of evacuation.

Governor Riley Declares a State of Emergency Due to the Threat of Hurricane Gustav

MONTGOMERY-Governor Bob Riley today declared an official state of emergency due to the imminent threat posed by Hurricane Gustav. The emergency declaration enables the Governor to invoke various emergency preparedness measures.

“The tracking of Hurricane Gustav indicates that Alabama is at risk to sustain damage from high winds, heavy rains, and possible tornadoes,” said Governor Riley. “I am again urging everyone to take the necessary precautions to ensure your and your family’s safety. Because of the high possibilities of damage, it is extremely important to have a declaration in place.”

The Alabama Emergency Management Agency has been directed to make appropriate assessments of damages and seek the necessary state and federal assistance for the affected areas, if necessary.

Governor Riley has already put 3,000 Alabama National Guardsmen on alert, and the Departments of Transportation and Public Safety are also preparing to re-route traffic on I-65, should it become necessary.

The Governor is keeping in close contact with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, as well as local emergency management officials.

The declaration also allows the Governor to invoke Alabama’s price gouging law, which applies during times of a state of emergency issued by the Governor.

The full text of the declaration is attached.

Governor Riley Declares State of Emergency as a Result of Tropical Storm Fay

CLANTON - At the request of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, Governor Bob Riley declared an official state of emergency in Alabama today due to the threat posed by Tropical Storm Fay. The emergency declaration enables the Governor to invoke various emergency preparedness measures. The Alabama National Guard has worked with AEMA to deploy four, five-ton trucks and drivers to Baldwin, Geneva, Houston and Mobile Counties. These trucks will be in place in the event a rescue mission is necessary.    “Based upon on the track of TS Fay some of the Southern counties are likely to receive a significant amount of rain and possible damage, and that’s why it’s important to have this declaration in place” Governor Riley said.   The Alabama Emergency Management Agency is directed to make the appropriate assessments of damages and seek the necessary state and federal assistance for the affected areas.

As of 8AM today (Saturday), the State Emergency Operating Center is operating at level three. The SEOC is closely monitoring estimated rain projections and flood zones. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) teams are in Alabama working with AEMA to provide a liaison between the two agencies.

“We want Alabama residents to know TS Fay has the potential to produce severe weather and therefore we want to stress the need for individual preparedness, said Brock Long. “It’s our mission the assist residents of Alabama, but it’s essential for everyone to have an emergency preparedness kit, know their evacuation route and listen to the direction of local officials.”

Biofuels for Schools
Grants Help School Bus Fleets Switch to Renewable Biofuels

MONTGOMERY - As the school year begins, Governor Bob Riley is urging interested school systems to apply for a new grant that will help them cover the cost of switching their bus fleets to a cleaner-burning renewable fuel.   Through the new “Biofuels for Schools” program, any public school system may apply for a grant of up to $2,500. The money will be used to prepare fuel storage tanks for B20, a fuel blend that is 80 percent petroleum diesel and 20 percent biodiesel made from renewable energy sources like soybeans, vegetable oils and animal fat.   “Biodiesel is an all American renewable fuel. It’s also better for the environment because it reduces air pollutants like soot and carbon dioxide,” said Governor Riley. “Our hope is that if we help school systems with the cost of switching to biodiesel, more school buses in Alabama will be running on this cleaner-burning fuel that reduces our dependence on foreign oil.”   B20 can be used in traditional diesel engines without modifications, “so it works with the buses we already have,” said the Governor. However, the biofuel has a solvent effect that may release accumulated sediment from the inside walls of storage tanks that previously contained diesel. The released deposits can clog fuel filters. The “Biofuels for Schools” grants will pay for cleaning the above- and below-ground fuel tanks prior to using biodiesel to ensure that deposits do not pose a problem.   Funding of $50,000 is available from the grant program. School systems awarded a grant are required to use biodiesel in school buses for at least three years and must report the number of gallons of biodiesel used during that period.  The grant program is being administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.   School systems can find a grant application online at www.adeca.alabama.gov/energy.

Governor Riley on Today’s Court Ruling in “Water Wars”
 “Today’s court order means that the end is in sight for the 18-year-old water war litigation concerning Atlanta’s water withdrawals at Lake Lanier,” said Governor Riley. “The federal appellate court in Washington has already validated Alabama’s position that Atlanta’s future water supply plans violated federal law. Alabama believes that Atlanta’s current withdrawals also violate federal law, and we are pleased that the federal court has placed that issue on a fast-track for resolution.”   “The federal judge handling these cases has emphasized the need for the three states to work out a long-term solution to this problem,” said Governor Riley. “He is certainly right, and I remain ready to meet any time, anywhere with Governor Perdue and Governor Crist to work toward an equitable agreement for sharing this vital natural resource. The three states should reach an agreement, but only if there is a recognition that each state has to make compromises.”

Insurance Commissioner Walter Bell Resigning

    Walter A. Bell, the first Alabamian to serve as President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, will be leaving his position as State Insurance Commissioner at the end of the month, Governor Bob Riley announced today.  "It has been my genuine honor to serve as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Insurance,” Bell said. “I appreciate the opportunity afforded to me by Governor Riley. I also appreciate the hard work and dedication from our wonderful team at the Alabama Department of Insurance.  “I am excited as to what the future holds for the Department of Insurance, and I am excited about the challenges ahead for me.”  Bell was named by Governor Riley as Alabama’s chief insurance regulator in January 2003. He served a one-year term as President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2007. This year, he has served on the NAIC Executive Committee as past president and also as chair of the International Insurance Relations Committee.   “Walter’s deep knowledge and understanding of the insurance industry has been a tremendous asset to the people of Alabama,” said Governor Riley. “He is a man of great integrity and decency, and he has my sincere appreciation for the service he has provided our state.”   Under Commissioner Bell’s leadership, the Alabama Department of Insurance has streamlined operations, making it easier for consumers and industry to access the Department’s services. Also, the Department regained accreditation by the NAIC.   At the NAIC, Commissioner Bell’s tenure as President was highlighted by several efficiency initiatives to streamline insurance regulation. His work on international issues led to his election as Vice Chairman of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors. He also serves on the executive committee of that organization. He is also a director of the Bermuda Monetary Authority.  Prior to becoming an insurance regulator, Commissioner Bell had a 20-years-plus career in financial services. After serving as a banker in his native Mobile, Commissioner Bell joined The MONY Group as a financial professional in 1983. He served as National Director for Emerging Markets before being named the company Vice President for Diversity Marketing.   Commissioner Bell is a director of EnergySouth, Inc., and is also a limited partner in the Mobile BayBears Baseball Team, an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks franchise. He is a former trustee of Spring Hill College, of which he is a graduate. He is also a trustee of the Mobile Arts & Sports Association and the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico. He is a former trustee of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. He has served as president of numerous charitable and civic endeavors in both Mobile and New York, and has been honored in both cities for his civic leadership.

Sessions comments regarding the new draft Request for Proposal issued today by the Department of Defense for the U.S. Air Force tanker competition

  “I applaud Sec. Gates for moving ahead today with a new draft RFP.  There is an urgent and compelling need to provide our men and women in uniform with the aerial refueling tanker that best meets their needs.  I will continue to insist that this competition is conducted without political interference so that it leads to the selection of the best aircraft, based on the merits and capabilities of the respective proposals.”

Alabama Department of Public Health issues 2008 Fish Consumption Advisories