DROP Bill is Amended to Create a Study Committee on Teacher Retention

A bill that would eliminate the state's Deferred Retirement Option Plan, or DROP program, was amended from the floor Thursday to create a study committee that would look for ways to help the state retain its "best and brightest" classroom teachers and public employees.

The amendment was offered by state Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Huntsville The committee would have to report its findings by the fifth legislative day of the 2012 session. Lawmakers voted for the measure 78 to 8, though state Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, said he wanted the people back at home to know that the current DROP program would still be ended under this bill.

State Rep. Harry Shiver, R-Bay Minette, had attempted earlier in the day's debate to amend the bill to change the effective end date of the program from April 1 to July 1, giving people who might have planned to enter the program this year time to put in their applications.

State Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, had successfully fought attempts Wednesday evening to amend the bill to move the end date, arguing that it would cost the state between $10 million and $12 million to move the date to June 1.

State Finance Director David Perry said the governor's budget plans partially hinge on the DROP program being eliminated by April 1. He said that state agencies would have to figure out how to cut the additional millions from their budgets if the April 1 date was pushed back. It is unclear how much a move to July 1 would cost.

House members ultimately voted to reconsider the Shiver amendment, while he was out of the room, and ultimately decided to table the amendment.

House members continue to debate the bill, with mostly Democrats offering amendments. McCutcheon's amendment has been the only successfully one offered so far Thursday. The amended bill would have to go back to the Senate, but it is expected to be accepted in the upper chamber.

Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard of Auburn told members before they recessed at just after noon to have a big lunch because there likely would be no break for dinner.

-- Markeshia Ricks

Senate Democrats attack repeal of DROP

Democrats in the Alabama Senate are calling the attempt by Republicans to stop the DROP retirement program a punitive attack on teachers and state employees hidden behind the guise of saving money.
Senate Minority Leader Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, said that Republicans in the regular session, like they did in the special session on ethics, are bringing up a bill that would hurt teachers and state employees as the first proposal they consider. During the special session, the first bill considered and passed by the new Republican majority stopped politically active associations that represent teachers and state employees from collecting their dues through the state's automatic payroll deduction system.
The Deferred Retirement Option Program or DROP program allows state and education employees who are 55 years old and have 25 years of service to receive salary and retirement benefits while continuing to work. The program was passed in the hope that it would discourage valuable employees from taking early retirement.
State Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, said the intent of DROP was to slow teachers leaving Alabama for other states.
Projections from the Legislative Fiscal Office and others put the savings to the state for repealing DROP between $35 million and $70 million.
Republicans believe the "luxury benefit plan" needs to be repealed during these tough financial times.
"DROP is simply an added luxury that public employees enjoy, but the state does not have the resources to continue funding luxuries while cutting the budgets for the necessities. I believe the people of Alabama can understand that logic," said Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston. "It's the same logic that they follow when making financial decisions that impact their families - it's simply common sense budgeting."
Bedford said the purpose is "not to save money, but to punish them because a disproportionate number of them chose to vote for Gov. Robert Bentley over not-Gov. Bradley Byrne"
The Alabama Education Association supported Bentley, then a two-term state legislator, over Byrne, former chancellor of the state's junior college system who was supported by some of the state's most prominent Republicans, in that party primary.
Sen. Quinton Ross, D-Montgomery, said the bill is an attack on teachers and state employees.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Senate puts repealing DROP at top of agenda

The president pro tem of the Alabama Senate is pushing for the repeal of what he deemed a "luxury benefit plan," known as the Deferred Retirement Option Program or DROP.
Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said when lawmakers return to Montgomery on Tuesday that repealing DROP will be at the top of the Senate's agenda. He said people need to understand the difference between luxuries and necessities in tough economic times.
Marsh said repealing the program could save the state up to $70 million and said it has become a drain on the state's cash-strapped budgets.
"There is a lot of rhetoric out there regarding this bill, so I want to be clear - repealing this program will not cost anyone their job, it will not have a negative impact on anyone's retirement and it will not raise taxes on the people of Alabama," Marsh said. "However, if we fail to pass this bill, it could be catastrophic to essential programs - such as those that help children in need, provide medical assistance to seniors and serve as the lifeblood for people with disabilities."
"DROP is simply an added luxury that public employees enjoy, but the state does not have the resources to continue funding luxuries while cutting the budgets for the necessities. I believe the people of Alabama can understand that logic. It's the same logic that they follow when making financial decisions that impact their families - it's simply common sense budgeting."
DROP allows state and education employees who are 55 years old and have 25 years of service to receive salary and retirement benefits while continuing to work. The pro­gram was passed in the hope that it would discourage val­uable employees from taking early retirement.
Last week, House and Senate committee passed bills that would stop enrollment in DROP.
Republican Gov. Robert Bentley and Republicans in the Legislature have made repealing DROP a priority as they seek to balance the state's budgets.
Bentley pushed for repealing the DROP program in his State of the State address a week ago and said it has "overly taxed our retirement system."
"I applaud Governor Bentley's willingness to tackle these problems and make tough decisions as we work to cut out the fat so that we can save essential programs," Marsh said. "The Republican leadership is committed to heeding the governor's warning, repealing DROP and passing the savings on to relieve some of the strain on the Education Trust Fund and General Fund."
High school coaches and teachers are among those who have spoken out against repealing the bill.
Projections from the Legislative Fiscal Office and others put the savings to the state between $35 million and $70 million.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Senators propose pay cut if budgets goes into proration

A bipartisan group of state senators said Tuesday they support a resolution that, beginning with the next state budgets, would cut the pay of state legislators equal to the level of budget cuts declared by the governor.
Some Republicans who slammed a 2007 pay raise that lawmakers voted for themselves do not believe the resolution goes far enough.
Senators who support the resolution said the measure was intended to encourage legislators to try to accurately balance the budgets.
Gov. Robert Bentley, a Republican, announced Monday that he was immediately declaring 3 percent proration in the current education budget and would soon declare 15 percent proration in the current General Fund budget, the source of funds for most non-education functions of state government including Medicaid, prisons, and public safety.
State law requires the budget to be balanced so the governor must declare proration, or across the board cuts, to balance revenue and spending.
If the resolution proposed on Tuesday passes, lawmakers' pay would be cut at the rate of proration beginning with the next budget year, which starts Oct. 1. The proposal would not affect the current fiscal year.
Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, said he proposed the resolution because unrealistic budget forecasts hurt agencies and state employees, but legislators are not feeling the pain.
As a small businessman, Sanford said "when my employees feel the pain, I feel the pain."
He said this would be an incentive for lawmakers to be more cautious when assembling the budgets.
Lawmakers were asked why not make the resolution effective this budget year.
"There (are) many people in these chambers who didn't have anything to do with these budgets," Sanford said.
Senate Minority Leader Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, a former budget committee chairman, said the resolution would give more accountability to the budget process.
Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said he does not feel the support is there to roll back legislative pay levels to 2007, when lawmakers passed a more than 60 percent pay raise for themselves as one of their first acts of business. He believes the issue could bring the Senate to a stalemate. Marsh said any legislator who wants to turn down their pay raise can do so.
But some legislators want the pay level taken back to the 2007 level and want to remove the automatic cost of living increase that lawmakers included in that increase.
Republican Sens. Gerald Dial of Lineville and Bryan Taylor of Prattville want to roll back the pay increase.
Taylor said he has not seen a draft of the resolution, but understands "where some of my colleagues are coming from, particularly the freshmen." He said some of them took pay cuts and took jobs in the private sector to run.
"Many of us were not here in 2007," Taylor said.
But Taylor said he continues to support a repeal of the pay increase.
"I think the pay raise in 2007 was wrong," he said.
Taylor said any resolution cutting back pay "is a step in the right direction."
Marsh said the joint support for the resolution sets a good tone for the legislative session, which started Tuesday.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Democrats blast Republicans for restricting access to legislators

The Alabama Democratic Party is taking the new Republican legislative leadership to task for its proposal to restrict public access to legislative hallways and offices in the upcoming regular session.

Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard and Senate President Pro-Tem Del Marsh announced plans Monday to restrict access in the wake of the shootings in Tuscon, Ariz. The plan calls for stopping the public and lobbyists from being able to wander in and out of legislative offices on days when the Legislature is in session.

New Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Mark Kennedy said in a press release Wednesday that the new rules would only allow legislators the opportunity to duck questions and concerns from voters.

“After 136 years of open door policies under Democratic leadership, a new day of Republican control has dawned in the Alabama Legislature, but the sun isn't shining," he said.

Kennedy went on to say in the press release that Hubbard’s use of the Tuscon shooting to draw a parallel to security at the Alabama State House was a stretch, because that incident took place outside the walls of the U.S. Capitol and Congressional office buildings. He said both the capitol and office buildings were the public has free access.

Kennedy also said that there is a police presence at the State House and visitors are required to pass through metal detectors and security checkpoints at the door.

Kennedy said the changes would do nothing more than facilitate questionable closed door meetings and possibly skirt the new ethics law recently passed in the special session.

-- posted by Markeshia Ricks

Marsh makes big cuts to President Pro Tem Office

There’s a new sheriff in town and that means there will be new rules in the Alabama Senate, especially when it comes to spending.

New Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh is making some changes to long-standing practices of the Senate and he’s starting with the office he now heads.

Marsh announced Wednesday that he has significantly reduced the staff of the Office of the President Pro Tem – from more than 40 to 4 – and he has plans to continue to reduce the cost of that office.

Marsh said he was confident that a leaner team would be able to serve the needs of the Senate and the taxpayers.

“I believe it is critical that each agency and branch of government review their budgets and tighten their belts, just as the people of Alabama and private businesses are forced to do during lean economic times,” he said in a press release.

The Pro Tem’s office has a budget of approximately $3 million, and during fiscal 2010 more than $1.83 million paid the salaries of more than 40 people.

“There were times that no one in the Senate knew who some of the Pro Tem employees were, and I can promise you one thing – our staff will be visible and accessible at all times,” Marsh said. “My predecessors may have needed each and every one of those staffers to effectively run the office, but I can assure the taxpayers that they are getting a bargain compared to the $2 million that was spent on Pro Tem staff salaries last year.”

The Pro Tem’s office has hired the following staffers: Philip Bryan, chief of staff, Ryan Cantrell, policy and research analyst, Molly Middlebrooks, senate liaison, and Gale Dunlap, part-time accounting/bookkeeper. Chief of Staff Philip Bryan estimates that the office payroll would be reduced from $130,000 a month to about $15,000 a month.

In addition to the staffing cuts, Marsh also has issued new guidelines for what expenditures will be allowed out of the Pro Tem’s budget. Senate committee chairmen, who are now all Republicans, will have to turn in request prior to making purchases.

“We recognize that Senators have needs such as postage and other resources to assist them in communicating with their constituents, so we certainly want to allocate funds for those needs” Marsh said. “However, the culture that existed was one that had no accountability for these expenditures, and we felt that each member should have a budget – so when it’s gone, it’s gone.”

Marsh also said that instead of giving each senator a blank check for expenditures, there would be a fix dollar amount allocated for each of the 35 senators. He said he believed it would force members to spend money on only the necessities, and not just a lot of amenities.

“I guess I’m just cheap,” Marsh said. “But I believe the taxpayers elected us to be good stewards of their hard earned money, and I hope they will recognize that the new Republican leadership is going to great lengths to do just that.”

-- posted by Markeshia Ricks

Christian Coalition criticizes new State House security policy

The head of the Christian Coalition of Alabama, Randy Brinson, said Tuesday that a new policy launched by the new Republican leadership in the Legislature "will likely have a chilling effect on the ability of the people to contact their representatives."
Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said Monday that people would no longer be able to freely roam the halls of the floors where lawmakers have offices when the Legislature is in session. They said people can set up appointments to see their lawmakers.
Hubbard, R-Auburn, and Marsh, R-Anniston, cited the tragic shooting in Tucson as a reason for restricting access.
But, as Brinson points out, that occurred in an open area while people must pass through security personnel and metal detectors to get into the State House.
"The fact that the tragedy in Tucson is now being used as a justification for diminishing access of the people to their representatives is neither prudent nor necessary," Brinson said.
Hubbard and Marsh said they wanted to help relieve the hallways of congestion.
Marsh said there are times he has gone to his office and six lobbyists were there waiting on him.
The top lawmakers mentioned on Monday a freshman legislator being cornered and intimidated in an office during the special session in December.
"Many have brought allegations of intimidation during the special session," Brinson said. "If that is the case, then such matters need to be brought forward and investigated and if there were lapses in security or badgering of legislators, then those who committed such acts need to be held accountable. To date, no specifics have been elucidated."
Brinson said he agreed with Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, who wanted "to clear the halls of the lobbyists so that the people will have access to their representatives."
"We totally concur with this sentiment, and as such, we will work with the leadership so that everyday citizens will be able to address their legislators and not just the special interests or affluent," Brinson said.
He said they want to ensure that all citizens have access to their representatives.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

New Restrictions Coming to State House

Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said the culture of corruption isn’t the only thing that’s changing in the Alabama Legislature.

A culture of chaos in the Alabama State House is also about to change starting with the new legislative session.

In a joint press conference Monday, Hubbard and Marsh said that they are working on ways to streamline access on the fifth and seventh floors were lawmakers meet to relieve hallway congestion for safety.

Hubbard said during the December special session a new House member was harassed and barricaded in an office by opponents of a bill that was being considered.

“We want to know who is back there, especially after Tuscon,” Hubbard said.

Marsh said there have been times when he’s gone back to his office and found six lobbyists waiting on him.

“Anyone who goes down the halls (knows) it’s chaotic,” he said.

Marsh said he and Hubbard are looking at ways to restrict access to the fifth and seventh floors on Tuesday and Thursday starting this session. Next year, after some reconfiguring of the third and fourth floors to create more meeting space, restrictions could come for Wednesdays too.

Marsh said the public and lobbyists would still be able to get to legislators, but it would be done in a more organized way such as setting up appointments. He said the public won’t have to make an appointment a month in advance.

-- posted by Markeshia Ricks

Senators reelect Marsh president pro tem

Alabama state senators reelected Del Marsh as president pro tem of the Senate on Tuesday.

By law, legislators must meet in January following the November election to elect leaders including Senate president pro tem and House speaker.

But, Gov. Bob Riley called a special session in December and lawmakers had to vote for their leadership then.

Lawmakers reelected Rep. Mike Hubbard, R- Auburn, as House speaker and Marsh, R-Anniston, as Senate president pro tem.

"We made the right choice in selecting Senator Marsh as our president pro tem of the Senate," said Senate Majority Leader Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills. " ... I think it was proved during the special session that he was a guy of great integrity and great talent."

Senators reelected Marsh 29-0 with several members missing or late due to weather elsewhere in the state.

Marsh was joined by his wife, Ginger, and his daughter, Christine, but said his son Justin was not able to make it because he was "still celebrating in Glendale." Some legislators rushed back from Arizona early Tuesday after Auburn won the college football national championship.

Marsh promised to be fair as president pro tem. He said he expects the men and women in the Senate "to make history."

"I am honored you have chosen me to take us in that direction," he said in a very brief speech after his election.

Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, said she also supported Marsh's selection as president pro tem.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

ALGOP spokesman goes to work for top senator

Philip Bryan, communications director for the Alabama Republican Party, started Monday as the chief of staff for Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh.
Marsh, R-Anniston, said Bryan has the personality to work with people on both sides of the aisle, which is important in the pro tem's office.
But, he also said Bryan had been a "faithful Republican to say the least" helping the party with its Campaign 2010 effort to elect more Republicans to the Legislature and to other offices.
Marsh also commented on Bryan's "work style," and said it was a "fairly easy choice to bring him on."
From working as communications director, Marsh said Bryan also has a "great relationship with the press," which the senator expects to help in conveying what his office is trying to accomplish in the next four years.
Bryan acknowledged he criticized Democrats as spokesman for the party, but said that came along with his job there. He said he will work for all 35 senators as chief of staff for Marsh.
Bryan was the voice for the Republican Party during much of the last four years, often attacking Democrats in the Legislature.
He is now working to win over some of those same Democrats, trying to set up meetings with each of them.
"This will be an office for all 35 senators," Bryan said. " ... I will extend my hand to those Democrats who were elected by the people of Alabama."
Bryan said the party was successful in winning more seats and he did his job there, but has a much different job and goal now.
"We did a great job at the party of doing what the party function should be," Bryan said.
He said he will fulfill his new duties with the same vigor.
Bryan said people are "grown up" and know politics is a contact sport and he hopes people can move forward.
He said he shares Marsh's vision of the office being fair and not being punitive.
Marsh has not hired any other employees, but said he is looking to hire a part-time bookkeeper. He said there was previously a full-time bookkeeper in the office, but that he did not feel that was warranted.
Marsh said he now has one employee in an office that once employed more than 40 people. Some of those employees worked for other senators, but were paid through the pro tem's budget.
"There is a different philosophy to say the least," he said.
Marsh said he is contemplating a position that would deal with policy and look at what other states are working on, especially in areas with challenges such as Medicaid and corrections.
Marsh said he expects all of his staff positions to be filled by the time the regular session starts in March.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Sweeping Ethics Bill Goes to the Governor

At just before 3 a.m. Thursday, the Alabama Legislature passed sweeping changes to the Alabama ethics law that would limit spending by lobbyists, but also open the door for spending by other people and at other events.

House and Senate members concurred on changes to a bill sponsored by state Sen. Bryan Taylor, R-Prattville, that is much changed from the original version that he introduced at the beginning of the special session called by Gov. Bob Riley to overhaul ethics laws in the state. It's even different from the two substituted versions of the bill that moved through the Legislature.

Taylor's original bill would have capped spending by lobbyists to $100 per year and required them to report everything that they spent. The first substituted version of the bill, which was crafted by state Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, would have kept lobbyists from spending anything, but would have allowed those who hired lobbyists, or principals, to spend up to $250 a day before they had to report it. The second substitute of the bill would also have stopped lobbyists from spending anything to influence lawmakers, but would have capped what principals could spend at $100.

If the governor signs the version of the Taylor bill that is coming to his desk, lobbyists can spend up to $150 a year, and principals, which currently don't exist as a defined class under the law, could spend up to $250 a year.

"Nobody can argue you had $250 per day that was brought down to $250 a year," Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said of lobbyist spending on public officials.

However, there is no cap on spending at an "educational function or widely attended event," where people can provide "hospitality, meals, and other food and beverages" to public officials. A widely attended event is one with more than 12 people.

Taylor said the law would still include the existing portion requiring any expense over $250 a day to be reported. He said it also stops unlimited hospitality, lodging, and travel for purely social reasons. So, there would still be no reporting of spending on public officials under $250 a day and that would not pertain to certain events.

The bill passed Thursday does not include its own reporting requirement, which was included in the original version. Marsh said they did not see the need for the reporting since the cap was so low. He said they could add in a reporting requirement later if people believe it is an issue.

Taylor said the version they passed restored some of the strongest portions of his original bill. He had said the first version of the bill passed by the Senate created a "huge loophole."

Marsh said he expects the seven ethics bills passed in the last three days to change how people conduct business in Montgomery. He expects the bills, like the one passed early Thursday, to curb the cozy relationships between lobbyists and lawmakers.

Marsh expects their action to limit some of the "wining and dining" of legislators.

Marsh said the Business Council of Alabama, whose President William Canary was at the State House until early Thursday, expressed concerns about the bill. But, he said, no lobbyists were allowed in the conference committee meeting between House and Senate members and he told BCA officials that they were not changing the bill after the committee met.

Senate Minority Leader Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, said he believes the passed bills give the state the most accountable, transparent government in the country.

The Legislature wrapped up the special session called by Riley at about 3 a.m. Thursday after passing the seven bills he was pushing.

-- posted by Markeshia Ricks and Sebastian Kitchen

Senate fights over Riley appointments

The state Senate started fighting late Tuesday over appointments recommended by Gov. Bob Riley to serve on boards, commissions and other state panels.
The Senate shut down and eventually adjourned after getting bogged down late Tuesday over the appointments.
Senate Minority Leader Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, said Riley has had eight years to make appointments and that he is trying to push through political appointments in the last hours of his administration. He said there are about 60 pending confirmations.
"The truth is Governor Riley's term is over," Bedford said, before commending Riley for some of his work in the last eight years.
Even though he has friends who are on the list of appointees, Bedford said the appointments should be made by Gov.-elect Robert Bentley, a Republican. He said the new governor is able to "make his mark" through his appointments. Riley is also a Republican.
"Bob Riley is the governor until Jan. 17," said Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur.
Orr said the appointments to the Alabama A&M Board of Trustees "hang in the balance."
Bedford also argued that those appointments, which require confirmation by the Senate, did not belong in a special session about ethics.
"This has nothing to do with ethics," Bedford said.
Orr said they need to appoint a fifth member to the Alabama Ethics Commission to ensure there is a full panel.
Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said the Republicans have the votes to move forward with the confirmations, but had offered to move forward with just some of those appointments agreed on by the Democrats.
"The votes are there to approve all of them, but we want to compromise," Marsh said.
Orr added: "the olive branch was extended and it was rejected."
Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, said the appointments process has not always reflected the diversity of the state.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Democrats criticize "Punish AEA Bradley Byrne Relief Act"

Senate Democrats criticized their Republican colleagues for beginning Friday's business considering a bill that would stop the state from taking out dues for organizations and political action committees.
Some organizations of teachers, state employees, and public safety officers opposed the bill, believing it would hurt them.
Republicans believe that state resources should not be used to collect dues for organizations that are often politically active.
Democrats believe the bill is targeted at the Alabama Education Association and the Alabama State Employees Association.
Paul Hubbert, head of the AEA, believes his organization is being attacked because it supported Robert Bentley in the Republican primary and fought against Bradley Byrne, who was the choice of several prominent Republicans including Gov. Bob Riley.
Riley, a Republican, called a special session that started Wednesday for lawmakers to address ethics.
Senate Minority Leader Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, encouraged his colleagues to switch the first and last bills on the agenda for Friday so they would take up the ethics overhaul first and the "punish AEA Bradley Byrne Relief Act" last.
Bedford said if they were truly addressing ethics in this session then they should address that and then get to the ban on automatic payroll deduction if there is time.
Democrats said the payroll deduction is not an ethics issue.
Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said it is about ethics because state resources should not be used to collect those dues. He said Republicans have the vote to pass the bill today in the Senate.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Love, Armistead to run for GOP chair

State Rep. Jay Love of Montgomery and former state Sen. Bill Armistead of Columbiana said Friday they are running to be the next chairman of the Alabama Republican Party.
Current Chairman Mike Hubbard is expected to be the next speaker of the House and has said he will not run for another term as chairman.
The state executive committee will meet in Montgomery on Feb. 19 to vote on who will be the chairman for the next two years.
Love, a restaurant owner, and Armistead both told the Montgomery Advertiser on Friday that the party was very successful this election and that they wanted to ensure that work continued to not only keep a majority in the Legislature, but to elect more Republicans in courthouses throughout the state. They do not want the party to become too comfortable after its sweeping wins this month.
Armistead said there are two remaining statewide offices held by Democrats, Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb and Public Service Commission President Lucy Baxley.
"One of my goals would be making sure we win chief justice and president of the Public Service Commission," he said. " ... I just want to finish the job that has been started."
Baxley beat Armistead for lieutenant governor eight years ago.
Love and Armistead applauded the work of Hubbard and Sen. Del Marsh, who worked alongside the chairman on Campaign 2010, a plan to take control of the Legislature from Democrats for the first time in more than 130 years.
"I just want to continue (Hubbard's) work on the election side of things and try to do everything I can to elect as many Republicans as possible, not just the statewide offices, but the offices at the county courthouse level," Love said. "I think that is where we have a real opportunity in the future."
Armistead, one of several vice chairmen of the state party, said the party has a good future, but "I would not take anything for granted as party chairman." He said some Democrats thought this year was a fluke, but he would work through the next four years to be sure they understand it wasn't a fluke.
Love said he had been thinking about running for about a week and had several people approach him asking him to consider entering the race. He said he talked about it with his wife and they prayed and they decided Friday.
Love wants to help elect more Republican sheriffs, probate judges, local courthouse officials, and "different offices where really the Democrats have dominated over the years."
"Hopefully now we will have an opportunity where there were not any Republican elected officials to elect Republicans," he said.
Armistead and Love both said they want to maintain the conservative principles of the party.
"We saw the national Democrats lose their way once they got control of Congress," Love said. "I just want to make sure that doesn't happen (to Republicans) in Alabama."
Love said the state party chairman helps select the next national chairman.
"I have been very disappointed in Michael Steele's leadership in that position," he said. "I would do everything to ensure we get new leadership in that position."
Armistead, who has been involved in Republican politics since Barry Goldwater in 1964, said he has experience working in the legislative and executive branches, serving as chief economic adviser to Gov. Guy Hunt from 1986 until 1993. He said he knows how government functions and believes he can work with top Republican officials to lead the party.
Armistead works with Fidelity National Information Services, which provides technology to banks throughout the world.
Paul Reynolds, national committeeman for Alabama on the Republican National Committee, said he intended to run for state party chairman and even announced at a Tuesday meeting that he was entering the race, but said he has decided not to because of his business and because of his relationship with Armistead and Love.
Reynolds said he has worked with Armistead in politics for years and has an almost family-like relationship with Love. He said Love helped his wife when she ran against state Sen. Wendell Mitchell in 2006 and that they worked hard to help Love during his 2008 run for Congress. Love narrowly lost to then-Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright.
Reynolds was chairman for the 2nd Congressional District at the time.
"Jay Love is a very well-liked guy for the people who know him," he said.
Reynolds, who lived in Greenville before moving to Birmingham, said the position is essentially a full-time job.
He said following up on the work of Hubbard and Marsh would be a "difficult task for somebody to trump."
"It is all going to be an uphill fight to supersede what they have done," Reynolds said.
While other people have discussed entering the competition for chairman, Reynolds said he expects Love or Armistead to win.
"I don't see anybody else being bold enough to step up to the plate against them," Reynolds said. "Whichever one it is, I will be right there pushing as much as I can with them."
As national committeeman, he said he did not need to announce his support for a candidate and would need to work with the eventual winner. Alabama has three members of the Republican National Committee: its committeeman, its committeewoman and the state chair.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Republicans select Hubbard, Marsh as leaders

The two men who were the faces of the Republican effort to take over the Alabama House and Senate from Democrats for the first time in more than 130 years were rewarded with top leadership posts by their new majority on Thursday.
House Republicans selected Alabama Republican Party Chairman Mike Hubbard, who is also a state representative from Auburn, as their choice to be the next speaker of the House.
Senate Republicans voted for Sen. Del Marsh of Anniston to be the president pro tem when they organize. The pro tem is the most powerful member of the chamber who helps with assigning bills and managing the body.
With Republicans holding 22 of the 35 seats in the Senate, Marsh is expected to be approved by the full Senate when the members organize either in January or in a special session called by the governor before that.
Sen. Jabo Waggoner of Vestavia Hills was selected as majority leader.
Hubbard is considered the architect of Campaign 2010, the Republican plan to raise money and take control of the Legislature from Democrats for the first time in more than 130 years. Republicans hold 62 seats in the 105-member House.
Marsh helped raise money for the Republican effort to take control of the Legislature.
The Republicans unanimously voted for Hubbard even though there had been talk of another candidate entering the race. Rep. Paul DeMarco of Homewood and some other members had privately expressed interest in becoming speaker and talked to other members trying to win over their support.
But on Thursday at their meeting, no one offered up another candidate.
Members had also discussed voting for speaker and then for speaker pro tem, but then decided only to vote for speaker on Thursday, giving new members an opportunity to know the potential candidates before voting.
State Rep. Jay Love of Montgomery said they recognized with the hard work and organizational skills of Hubbard "that he would be our best choice for speaker."
Waggoner said Marsh would be an effective pro tem. He said his colleague is knowledgeable about issues, is a "good debater," and has proven leadership capabilities.
Marsh, 54, is the president of two companies, Aerospace Coating and Industrial Plating, which employee a total of about 150 people, he said. He is in his fourth term.
Marsh said he would be able to bring people together.
Both Marsh and Hubbard were elected in separate closed-door caucus meetings.
Republican governor-elect Robert Bentley said he met at his Tuscaloosa home on Wednesday with the people who expressed interest in being speaker, Hubbard and DeMarco.
He said he did not impose his will on legislators as they elected their leadership, but was trying to be a "peacemaker" and trying to "smooth things out" in the House delegation, where he felt there was contention. Bentley said he believed the situation had been resolved with a power sharing agreement.
"I really support whoever the caucus votes for," Bentley said after addressing the Senate caucus during the meeting at the Alabama Forestry Association. "It is their right to decide their leadership."
Bentley said he thought Hubbard "had done a good job" leading the party up to the election.
Hubbard, 48 and president of the Auburn Network Inc., is in his fourth term as a legislator. He has served as minority leader in the Alabama House for six years and as chairman of the state party for four years.
Hubbard said his role as chairman was to get as many Republicans elected as possible and to be the "tough guy," but he said speaker "won't be a partisan position" and is more about governing.
"I am looking forward to taking off that partisan hat," he said.
The new leaders said Thursday that their priorities would be ethics, and efforts such as tax incentives to help small businesses.
Waggoner said they did not decide on committee posts at the Thursday meeting and he said those would be decided between now and December.
Waggoner and other senators said there was no conflict between Marsh and Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale, who challenged him for the pro tem position.
"They are on the same page," Waggoner said. "We are all on the same team."
Marsh said Beason would be in a leadership position "where he chooses to work."
After the original vote, the Republican senators voted again for the victor to ensure there was unanimous support for the pro tem selection.
Sen. Bryan Taylor of Prattville said he was glad to see men "approach such an important issue with mutual respect."
Sen. Dick Brewbaker of Pike Road said he was happy the caucus is "of one mind" and said it is a great step forward "for everybody to agree on the basic agenda."
Beason said he was not successful, but was glad they came back and voted unanimously for Marsh. He said he has learned that while sometimes someone might lose individually, "you have to remember it's about the cause."
Marsh said they all pledged when they ran for office that they would support the nominee of the caucus.
"Once we agree as a caucus, we're unanimous," he said.
When he addressed his colleagues on Thursday morning before they met behind closed doors, Waggoner said "I have been waiting for this (takeover) for 20 years."
"This is a dream come true for a lot of us," said Waggoner, who was previously the minority leader. Waggoner has been a member of the Legislature since 1966.
Pat Harris, assistant secretary of the Senate, spoke to the group along with Bentley and incoming lieutenant governor Kay Ivey. Waggoner and Marsh said they needed help from Harris and others because they have never been in the majority and never been through this transition.
Bentley told the members he knew the Senate had been dysfunctional, but he was hopeful.
He also said he was hopeful that the Republicans would not operate like Democrats and would not be vindictive now that they are in the majority. Bentley also said they should not serve lobbyists and the special interests.
Bentley, a two-term state legislator from Tuscaloosa, said he wants to stay in close communication with legislators and is also reaching out to Democrats. He named outgoing Democratic House Speaker Seth Hammett to his transition team.
Most of the Senate Republicans participated in a ceremonial swearing in in the historic House chamber in the Capitol on Thursday. Waggoner told people in attendance they were witnessing history.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Republicans select Marsh as Senate leader

Senate Republicans voted Thursday for Sen. Del Marsh of Anniston to be the president pro tem of the Senate when they organize.
With Republicans holding 22 of the 35 seats in the Senate, Marsh is expected to receive that vote from senators when they organize either in January or in a special session called by the governor before that.
Sen. Jabo Waggoner of Vestavia Hills was selected as majority leader.
Marsh helped raise money for the Republican effort to take control of the Alabama House of Representatives and the Senate.
During a caucus meeting at the Alabama Forestry Association, Republicans selected Marsh over Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale, who also entered his name in the race.
The pro tem helps the lieutenant governor to assign bills to committee and has other management responsibilities.
During the Thursday meeting, Republicans also heard from governor-elect Robert Bentley and state Treasurer Kay Ivey, who was elected lieutenant governor on Tuesday.
Republicans in the House of Representatives are also expected to select their choice as speaker of the House during meetings today.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Senate expects gambling fight on Tuesday

Sen. Lowell Barron, chairman of the committee that decides which bills come to the Senate floor for debate, said "the gaming bill probably will come up on Tuesday."
"That will tie us up for a time," said Barron, D-Fyffe. Barron said he was offering a list of bills to debate on Thursday that he said were not controversial before the gaming bill comes up next week.
Republican Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, offered his own bill to debate on Thursday and that was the bill that would, if approved by the Legislature and voters, create a gaming commission to oversee casino operations at 10 points of destination in the state and tax the revenue.
Marsh, who opposes the legislation, said he wanted people to know Republicans are not holding up the bill. He said they want to move on to bills that Republicans believe will create jobs. His effort to bring up the gambling bill on Thursday failed.
Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, said people were still in discussions and needed time to look at the bill. She said she did not know where she stood on the legislation.
Most Republicans believe the bill would create a monopoly for existing casino operators in the state and would expand gambling.
Democrats who support the bill said it would allow the people to vote, would tax gaming in the state and use the revenue for Medicaid and education, and would stop small illegal operations from popping up throughout the state.
Democrats and casino operators have intensified their push to pass the bill since Gov. Bob Riley's Task Force on Illegal Gambling began attempting raids on large facilities in the state, which have shut down following those attempts and rulings by the Alabama Supreme Court.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen

Dems consider shutting off debate on roads bill

A powerful state senator said he and his Democratic colleagues will consider shutting off debate on Thursday on a bill that would use $1 billion over 10 years to improve roads and bridges.
Sen. Lowell Barron, D-Fyffe, said they might stop debate and try to move forward with a vote if they do not believe the Republicans are serious about moving forward on Thursday.
The Senate has debated the bill for three business days, much of it slowdown tactics by Republicans, and is expected to continue debate on Thursday.
If the Legislature passes the bill, people would vote on whether they wanted the program in November and the work could begin in 2011.
Republicans have concerns about taking $100 million a year for 10 years from the Alabama Trust Fund, royalties the state receives from oil and gas. Some of the money is used for the General Fund budget.
"I just don't think now is the time to jeopardize the trust fund or the savings account of the state of Alabama," said Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston.
Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, said it makes sense to leave the money and live off of the interest. If money is pulled out, he said there are millions and millions of dollars in interest the state will never see.
Sen. Larry Means, D-Attalla, plans to introduce an amendment that would place a floor at $2 billion, which would automatically halt the program if it reached that level and keep it parked until the principal climbed back above $2 billion again.
Sen. Ben Brooks, R-Mobile, believes the floor should be at least $2.5 billion and took up much of Tuesday afternoon discussing his proposal.
Barron, chairman of the committee that decides which bills come to the Senate floor for debate, thought they might vote on Tuesday. He said he had concerns about voting cloture, or shutting down debate, because it often creates hard feelings, which he did not want so early in the session. Barron, the Senate sponsor of the bill, said they have the 21 votes necessary to pass the bill in the Senate and he expects at least 25 votes. The House sponsor of the bill is Rep. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton.
Barron, Beasley, and about a dozen other senators joined road builders for a Tuesday press conference between the State House and large equipment the builders parked along South Union Street.
They called on Republicans to stop delaying.
Beasley said the work would make Alabama roads and bridges safer.
Barron said the bill is more important now with unemployment at 11 percent. He said about as many people are underemployed.
Lee Gross of Ozark Striping Company, which he said has 125 employees, said the unemployment rate in the construction industry is 18 percent.
State Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, said people could already be working if Republicans did not kill the bill a year ago.
Beasley and Barron said the bill would create 30,000 jobs, a number Republicans have disputed.
Supporters of the bill said the job creation information is from the Federal Highway Administration.
Marsh said that would equate to workers making less than $2 an hour.
State Sen. Larry Dixon, R-Montgomery, said the trust fund should be "sacrosanct" and the principal of the money should not be touched because revenues are is used for corrections, public health, and public safety.
"When you're having trouble funding government, you deplete one of the major sources by depleting the trust fund," he said.
Dixon is concerned that the money will be discretionary and handed out to friends of Democrats. The senator said the bill is the "biggest pork project ever."
He said there is language to diminish some of that discretion, but that projects will be line-itemed in the General Fund.
The appropriation, according to the bill, "may be made in either the general appropriation act or a separate appropriations act." Dixon believes that puts the discretion in the hands of the General Fund budget committee.
"No committee in the Legislature ought to have that discretionary money," he said.
While the money will be directed to projects in cities, counties and congressional districts, Dixon said no language in the legislation states that the money will be turned over to local governments.
Barron said there is not language that would make the money discretionary. He said most of it would go to the Alabama Department of Transportation or to local governments that would spend it.
"They make decisions on how that is spent," Barron said.
Seventy-five percent of the money would go to the Alabama Department of Transportation and 25 percent would go to cities and counties.
Barron and Bedford criticized proposals by some Republicans, one by Marsh and one by gubernatorial candidate Tim James, that would allow counties to increase their gas tax and that would use bonds to fund construction, respectively.
They called those terrible ideas that either increases taxes or increased the state's debt.

-- posted by Sebastian Kitchen