Week 5

February 9- February 12

I hate to harp on the weather. To me, it’s a sign that you have nothing better to talk about. This actually may be true if you are on a date. However, if it’s SNOWING the way it is outside my window right now and you live in ALABAMA, I think it’s worth mentioning. We may not get much and it might not stick, but it sure it pretty coming down.

So, here we are into February, the doldrums of winter and it really feels that way in the State House. There certainly has been some heated debate on both floors. I even heard some name calling on the Senate floor this week, but there really hasn’t been much as far as passing bills in either house this week. Both have been fairly slow as committees take up several high profile bills.

Mary Sue McClurkin’s Charter School bill was in committee this Wednesday only to see it face an indefinite postponement. The motion to postpone was passed by a vote of 13-2. This means that a number of members from both sides of the aisle voted to postpone the bill. It is unfortunate that this bill could not have at least been heard and debated by the larger House membership. For all intense purposes, the Charter School legislation is dead for the remainder of this session.

The Senate is very near to starting what could be some intense debates on gambling. Obviously, the Bingo issue is a big one around the state and until now, there is has been little done about it in the State House. Legislators will see a number of bills related to gambling. The current one coming up in the Senate is on regulating and taxing the electronic bingo that was just shut down by the Governor’s task force. Expect things to get heated in debate before any sort of resolution comes about.

I hear a lot from people regarding the PACT program. Honestly, I receive calls with varying opinions to either uphold the PACT or not to. Yesterday, the Senate passed SB162 which would allocate funds to ensure that the PACT program meets all of its contractual obligations.

The House spent much of the week passing Sunset Bills. There was some debate over issues of minorities on certain boards and things of this nature. Representative Jim McClendon did have another bill related to Motor Vehicles pass the House yesterday. This bill, HB322 would make DUI penalties more severe.

Well, the snow is continuing to fall, which means it is still winter. However, the Phillies report to Spring Training in Clearwater, FL in only 5 days. To me, it is a little ray of hope, that in the middle of winter, spring is just around the corner.

Until next week, enjoy the snow, and be safe.

Stephen Frey
Legislative Director