February - Update on the 2010 Regular Legislative Session

With nearly half of the 2010 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature in the history books, it's important to me as your State Senator to update you on the progress of a few of the bills I am sponsoring: 
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Senate Week 2

On Wednesday January 20th, as chairman of the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability committee, I held a public hearing on Senate Bill 162 which I introduced the first day of the legislative session. My bill has received a great deal of publicity, including an excellent article printed in the Opelika Auburn News on January 21st. I have scheduled for this bill to receive a committee vote at 1:15pm in room 727 of the Alabama State House on Tuesday January 26th. I believe this bill, as introduced, is the closest answer to resolving the financially challenged prepaid affordable college tuition plan. Should the bill be given a favorable report, it will go to the full Senate for debate. 
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January - A Productive Start to the 2010 Regular Session

The Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature has begun and thus far we are seeing a fair share of productive work sessions and meaningful debates. This week, a $1 billion highway jobs program was introduced and Senate committees passed bills that crack down on illegal immigration and sexual predators. In addition, the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability committee (of which I am the Chairman) held a Public Hearing concerning SB162, a bill I have introduced that offers a reasonable and responsible solution to the ailing PACT (Prepaid Affordable College Tuition) Program. 
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December - It’s Time To Reflect and Renew

At this time of the year, it’s customary to reflect on the previous 12 months in an effort to make evaluations on one’s life, both personal and professional. Inevitably, we have a tendency to set goals for ourselves for the upcoming year in order to improve on, renew or re-energize what we feel needs the most attention.  
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November - Congratulations Are In Order

Each fiscal year, members of the Alabama State Legislature receive a certain and generally equal amount of funds that are designated for Community Service Grants. Community Service Grants (herein referred to as “CSG”) are available to any organization or school that provides a service that directly ties back into a classroom or educational setting.  
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October - Alabama Called National Leader in Children's Health Care

With all the discussions, debates, and controversies surrounding the national health care debate in Washington, I felt that it would be timely to bring to my constituent’s attention what Alabama taxpayers are doing in order to help Alabama obtain leadership recognition in children’s healthcare.  
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September - The Strength of our Region

The past month has been a busy time in our family and I’m delighted to share with you that on September 9th my daughter, Terre Su, gave birth to twins. Mother, daughter and son are all doing well, as is their proud father. 
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August - Special Session is a Key Example of an Outdated State Constitution

Governor Bob Riley called members of the Alabama Legislature into a Special Session on August 10, 2009 to address economic concerns basically of just Jefferson County. We were successful in passing legislation that enabled Alabama's most populous county to remain in operation after a budget crisis hampered their ability to conduct daily business, but this revenue measure came with less-than-enthusiastic final approval. This legislation was accomplished within five days, the minimum amount of time required by law to pass a bill. 
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July - A Little Good News

Recently Alabamians won a major battle in the ongoing “water wars” with our neighboring state of Georgia. A Federal Judge ruled that Georgia cannot take water out of viable rivers and water flows for drinking purposes to the total disregard and repercussions of the downstream needs in Alabama. It was ruled that the massive Lake Lanier reservoir in Georgia was built for the purpose of hydroelectric power and therefore cannot be tapped for the Atlanta metro area resident’s use. 
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June - Legislative Conclusion of the 2009 Regular Session

At the conclusion of my last article I was unable to give mention to a couple of pieces of legislation I either sponsored or jointly sponsored that during the 2009 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature. I felt the following pieces of legislation would be of particular interest to my Senate District. 
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May - Regular Session 2009 Senate Wrap Up

The most valuable freedom to us in this great nation is our democracy. We have the privilege of participating in the government which rules our land. We have the opportunity to run for, vote for, and interact with each and every office that governs our country. We voice our opinions and offer suggestions. Were it not for the men and women who have fought and died and who have valiantly served our country, these rights and freedoms would not have been preserved. Our country has just observed Memorial Day and we must never forget the courage and valor of our men and women who have paid the ultimate price and those who are presently in harms way in certain global positions, still fighting to maintain our freedoms. I say this in addition to the monumental purpose of Memorial Day in that governmental processes throughout this nation are a direct result of the freedoms that we share.  
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April - The Federal Stimulus Package Aids State Government

The 2009 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature is now scheduled to conclude on Monday, May 18th. Much has been accomplished but a great deal more must be approved before this can be considered a successful legislative session. The General Fund budget has now passed the House of Representatives and is on its way to the Senate with a total appropriation to run state government of approximately $2.5 billion. The education budget has passed the Senate and is its way to the House with a total appropriation of $6.239 billion.  
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March - The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s impact on Alabama

The Alabama Senate will reconvene in the Regular Session this week with a great deal to accomplish between now and May 18th. As stated in my last article, I want to give an update on the Federal Stimulus package that the United States Congress in Washington passed, for which each state will receive some recovery assistance which is much needed in these dire economic times, especially with revenue normally coming to the state’s diminishing on a daily basis.  
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February - The Alabama Senate is thus far more Productive in this 2009 Regular Session

In 2006, you didn’t just elect me to public office to bring back money from Montgomery to our district, but I am proud that within the last week, I have presented Community Service Grants, budget grants and budget allocations to governmental and educational entities in our district well over half a million dollars (the accounting of these grants are available on our website). 
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January - State Legislature Will Prioritize Spending

This nation and this state are experiencing economic times unlike anything we've seen in our lifetimes. In plain words, our state and our families are hurting, pounded by rising jobs losses, declining home values, foreclosures, unrelenting health care costs, and credit card companies squeezing all they can out of card holders.  
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December - Faith, Hope and Attitude for 2009

This is the magical time of the year when old friends become new, disbelief becomes truth, the impossible becomes possible. There’s something about the holiday season that fills our hearts and awakens our souls – that encourages us to experience the goodness in each other and belief that all things are possible. It’s the Christmas season, and it’s here. 
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November - Opportunities to be Thankful

November has been a month of many happenings, some pleasant and some not so pleasant. Certainly we are all delighted that the elections are over and we’re all delighted that our nation celebrated so well again November 11, which is the day that we give recognition to all Veteran’s of our Armed Services. I was privileged to attend the Veteran’s Day services in Auburn, Opelika and Camp Hill. In Camp Hill, a unique ceremony took place where a film was shown on the recently completed World War II monument and mall in Washington, DC. In addition to that, fifteen Veterans were specifically recognized for their service in the years from World War II through Desert Storm, and all were given resolutions of appreciation from the Alabama Legislature.  
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October - Public Offices Not To Be Overlooked

On Tuesday, November 4th, Alabamians, as well as the rest of the nation, will have the opportunity to participate in what will be a major election. In addition to choosing your candidate for President, we also have the opportunity of voting for one of Alabama’s two United States Senate seats, and all seven Congressional seats are up for election. We will have the opportunity to vote for one seat for an Associate Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, one seat for a Judgeship on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, and two Judgeship's on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. Further, the Presidency of the Alabama Public Service Commission is also up for election. In Alabama, there are no run-offs in the General Election and no party identification is needed in order to vote.  
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September - Today's Issues and Tomorrow's Solutions

In 1996, I was the chief sponsor of legislation which is now known as the Alabama’s Unconscionable Pricing Act, which was in response to the many complaints following hurricane Opal. This piece of legislation now makes it illegal to charge “unconscionable” prices for products of necessities during a state of emergency, accepting reasonable costs that the seller may incur. 
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August - Alabama Leads Nation in Low Taxes

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Alabamians pay the lowest taxes in the nation – nobody in any other state in America keeps as much of their hard-earned money in their pockets than the people of Alabama. That ranking was accomplished by the previous and current Alabama Legislature’s management of state level funding and outstanding oversight in county and local governments as well. I assure you that I, as your State Senator, am committed to keeping it that way.  
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July - East Alabama Continues to Grow

With summer in full swing, I’ve had the good fortune of joining groups throughout my District in productive discussion and hometown celebration. I believe that East Alabama is the brightest and most progressive region in Alabama. Our support of education and our reasonably low unemployment numbers bear this out. It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve our area and to work with the many talented individuals who lead our region. 
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June - Special Session Delivers Results

The special session which ended on Saturday, May 31, 2008 was everything that the regular session should have been. The Alabama House of Representatives and the Alabama Senate worked at record speed, passing the education budget in just five days in the special session, the minimum amount of days required by law.  
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June - It’s Time for the Alabama Senate to Grow Up

I have two observations about the most recent regular session of the Alabama Legislature. One, it was embarrassing. You deserve better. And second, it is time for the partisan and political caucus politics to end. The Alabama Legislature, and indeed the Alabama Senate, must realize that the 2006 elections are over, and temperaments and egos must lessen, so that the people’s work can be accomplished on time.  
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