Bentley pushes for fast resolution on healthcare lawsuits

Gov. Robert Bentley joined 27 other Republican governors in sending a letter to President Obama asking him to direct the U.S. Department of Justice to push for an expedited appeals process for the pending lawsuits challenging the healthcare program passed by Congress. They want the decision to reach the U.S. Supreme Court as soon as possible.
As Bentley points out, federal judges in Virginia and Florida have ruled parts of the law unconstitutional in recent weeks. Other federal judges have disagreed.
"It is important for businesses and health care providers in Alabama to know whether all or part of this law will be upheld in order for them to know their legal responsibilities," Bentley said. "I join my other Republican colleagues and call on the president to take swift action and allow this process to reach the Supreme Court as quickly as possible."
The governors believe a resolution to the lawsuits would help prevent states and the private sector from undertaking potentially unnecessary measures and expenses.
Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which will be fully implemented by 2014, in March of 2010.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Roby criticizes Obama ahead of State of the Union

President Barack Obama might not give his State of the Union address until Tuesday, but an Alabama congresswoman released some critical statements of his administration on Monday.
U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, released the following comments Monday in advance of the president's State of the Union address:

"Our nation is in the midst of a severe budget crisis. Unfortunately, rather than propose difficult but necessary spending cuts, the Obama Administration is reportedly now considering significant new increases in spending. If true, this effort to boost federal spending even higher represents a monumental misreading of the American people who sent a clear message that they want less government, less spending, and less debt.
"President Obama has repeatedly stated his intent to rein in spending. Actions, however, speak louder than words, and what we have seen over the last two years are record deficits averaging more than a trillion dollars annually.
"Turning back this great tide of spending will require a deep commitment by the White House and Congress. The State of the Union is a perfect opportunity for President Obama to demonstrate presidential leadership by carefully outlining a plan to reverse course and put our nation on the path toward fiscal responsibility. We are past the point where well-written speeches and unfulfilled promises will suffice. Instead, we need a specific and executable plan that will dramatically cut spending, reduce our deficits over the next 10 years, and restore certainty and confidence to the economy. Restraining spending and debt is the best stimulus for economic growth, not more government regulation."

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Who will be sitting with the First Lady at the State of the Union?

The White House released Monday night the list of people who will be sitting in the first lady's box with Michelle Obama at the State of the Union address on Tuesday.
The list includes some of those involved with the tragic shooting in Tucson, Ariz., including the parents of 9-year-old Christina Taylor and Daniel Hernandez, the intern who tried to help U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords at the scene after she was shot. The doctor who treated her in Tucson, Peter Rhee, will also be there.
The Obamas will use other seats to show the face of those who will benefit from the federal health care law including James Howard of Katy, Texas, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in March and thought his diagnosis was a death sentence because he did not have health insurance. Now, according to the White House, Howard joined the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan and is receiving the necessary treatment.
There will also be business owners in the box who benefited from the Recovery Act, know by many as the stimulus, and veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.


-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Governor Riley responds to Obama's speech

Gov. Bob Riley responded on Wednesday to President Barack Obama's speech about the withdrawal from Iraq. You can watch the video below:




-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Obama nominates Baylor for U.S. Marshal position

President Barack Obama has nominated Montgomery Police Chief Art Baylor for U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of Alabama.
Former Mayor Bobby Bright, who is now a member of Congress, appointed Baylor chief of police. Bright recommended Baylor for the marshal position, according to the congressman's office.
Baylor must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Bright congratulated Baylor on his nomination.
"Art is a very deserving and qualified candidate and he will serve his state and country extremely well in this new capacity," Bright said in a statement. "As chief of police, Art has been instrumental in keeping Montgomery safe and managing a department of over 700 employees."

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen