Friday, August 14, 2009

Riley, French, Waggoner hold press conference

Governor Riley held a press conference with Senators Waggoner and French. During the discussion Senator French said he is putting the Jefferson County Commission on notice. French said that if the county commission does not get their spending under control, they should not come back to the legislature to fix their problems again.

Governor Riley stated that he thinks the legislation passed today is great. He also noted that he believes the two bills provide the right amount of accountability for the county commission. Riley said that Jefferson County is now in control of their fate. Riley would not say when he expected to sign the bills, but it is anticipated to be sometime within a week.

Legislature passes JeffCo bills

The House and Senate convened this morning to pass legislation relating to Jefferson County which was the foundation of the first special session of 2009. HB13, which would enact a .0045 percent occupational tax on the net income of all business activity conducted in Jefferson County, passed the Senate with a vote of 12 to 9. Immediately following, the senate debated HB16, the Jefferson County Accountability Act. HB16 was substituted by Senator Smitherman in committee yesterday. The new bill removes the requirement for the Jefferson County Commission to hire a comptroller. With a much easier vote of 30 to 0, HB16 as substituted passed the Senate.

HB13 traveled directly to Governor Riley from the senate, but HB16 went back to the House for concurrence. With a vote of 36 to 2 the House voted to concur with the Senate on the Jefferson County Accountability Act sending the bill to Governor Riley’s desk.

HB16 with substitute passes the Senate

HB16 passed the Senate this morning with a vote of 30 to 0. HB16 received a substitute in committee that removes the requirement for the Jefferson County Commission to hire a comptroller. The substitute was offered by Senator Smitherman and adopted by the full body with a vote of 18 to 11.

HB16 will now go to the House for concurrence on the bill.

HB13-Jeffco occupational tax passes the Senate

The senate convened this morning at 9:00 am. First on the special order calendar was HB13, relating to the occupational tax for Jefferson County. After debating the bill for forty-five minutes the senate passed the bill with a vote of 12 to 9. Now HB13 will head to Governor Riley’s office where he is expected to sign it into law.

Next on the special order calendar is HB16, the Jefferson County accountability act.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Senate LL2 committee report

The Senate LL2 committee met this afternoon at 4:00 pm. During the thirty minute meeting the committee gave favorable reports to HB13, HB16 with substitute, and HB4. HB16’s substitute offered by Senator Smitherman would remove the office of comptroller from the Jefferson County Accountability Act. Senator Beason offered an amendment to HB13 which did not receive a favorable report from the committee.

Pot in the Alabama state house

Watch WSFA's coverage of the House Legislative Council meeting where legislators met with House Clerk, Greg Pappas. Pappas was questioned at the meeting about an incident involving a former state house employee accused of bringing marijuana to work.

Smitherman: I probably will not make changes to tax bill

Watch Senate President Pro Tempore Rodger Smitherman's interview this morning on WBRC with Rick Journey.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Senate convenes for 60 minutes on 3rd legislative day

The Alabama Senate convened this evening at 5:00 pm. Passing SB1 relating to bonds for public schools and colleges,SB9 relating to unemployment compensation, and a handful of local bills. The body will meet again tomorrow at 5:00 pm CT.

Legislative Council meeting update

The Alabama Legislative Council met this afternoon at 3:00 pm. In a record long meeting, the council heard testimony from Dr. Joe Morton, State Superintendent, Dr. Paul Hubbert, AEA, and Governor Bob Riley regarding the state educator’s code of ethics. The council heard testimony from Dr. Morton in support of the State Board of Education’s desire to make the current educator’s code of ethics law.

Morton spoke and answered questions from the council for over an hour. Following Morton, Dr. Hubbert spoke against making the code of ethics law, referring to the code as unclear. Governor Riley rose to speak after Dr. Hubbert, stating that he hopes we never get to a point where if we can’t define it, we won’t do it.

In the end, the council disapproved of making the code of ethics law and stated that they plan to offer an amendment. The council’s main concern was that the code was not clear and concise. The board charged the State Board to address their issues with the code and come back with a clear code of ethics.

House adjourned, Senate meeting at 5:00

The Alabama House adjourned to meet again at 5:00 pm tomorrow evening. Two major bills passing the House this morning were HB13, the occupational tax, and HB16, the Jefferson County Accountability Act. These bills will now travel to the Senate for review.

House Votes
HB13: 17 to 15
HB16: 25 to 1

Look for updates from the Senate this evening.

HB16-county manager bill passes the House

HB16, the Jefferson County Accountability Act, by Rep. DeMarco and others passed the House with a vote of 25 to 1 this morning. HB16 creates the office of a comptroller in Jefferson County. This bill according to the sponsor will provide accountability and transparency in the county commission.

Representative Mary Moore was the only member to vote against the bill. Moore does not agree with DeMarco voting against the occupational tax, HB13, and then coming forth with a bill that controls what will happen with it.

Also passing the house was HB3 relating to unemployment compensation.

HB13, Occupational Tax passes the House

With a vote of 17 to 15 the occupational tax, HB13, passed the House. Currently the House is debating HB16 by Rep. DeMarco relating to a county manager/comptroller.

Before final passage of HB13, Rep. Craig Ford rose to the mic to call out Governor Riley regarding the PACT fund. Ford says that he wants the Governor to get out of the dug out and start paying the game. Ford thinks the Governor should have saved the people's money and waited one more week to call the special session so the legislature could have addressed PACT and Jefferson County together. PACT is set to receive a report from the RSA this week.

Stay connected for more updates.

House takes up occupational tax legislation

The Alabama House convened this morning at 9:00 am CT. First on the calendar was HB13, the occupational tax legislation for Jefferson County sponsored by Representative John Rogers. Discussion followed with Rep. Buskey offering an amendment that would give money from the occupational tax to Barber Motor Speedway.

Also questioning the bill was Rep. Gibson who questioned the effects of the bill on employees who work outside of Jefferson County but their parent company resides in Jefferson County which the checks are cut. Rep. Rogers confirmed that only people who actually work in Jefferson County will be taxed; those working outside of the county will not be taxed.

It is not clear if a filibuster will ensue, stay tuned. The controversial county manager, comptroller bill is next on the schedule.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

2 days down 3? more to go...

The Alabama House convened this evening at 5:00 pm CT. After adopting two resolutions the body adjourned to meet again at 9:00 am on Wednesday.

Special Session Day 2

The Senate convened for fourteen minutes this morning and will return tomorrow evening at 5:00 pm CT.

The House Jefferson County Delegation met this morning at 10:00 am at the Alabama State House. In a standing room only meeting the delegation passed out of committee HB13 and HB16 with substitutes.

HB13, proposed by Representatives Rogers, Moore, Coleman, Robinson, Hilliard, Todd, and Scott, would enact a .0045 percent occupational tax on the net income of all business activity conducted in Jefferson County. This fee cannot be increased without the approval of the Alabama Legislature. HB13 calls for a vote by the people in 2012 and if the people vote to end the occupational tax it will phase out in 5 years with a 20% reduction each year.

During the meeting Representative Rogers said that this bill has been reviewed and approved by many lawyers and it does not include any pork projects. Rogers also noted that if any part of HB13 is found unconstitutional then the other facets will remain intact. If signed into law the tax will take effect immediately and will come up for a referendum vote in June 2012.

HB16, the Jefferson County Accountability Act, proposed by Representative DeMarco and others would create an office of comptroller and would require the county commission to designate the comptroller as the county officer responsible for issuing warrants on the county treasury. According to DeMarco, this bill would provide much needed transparency and accountability for the county commission.

Representative Jack Williams offered HB2 that in his words was a “just in case” occupational tax bill to which Representative Mary Moore said was absolute insanity. The House will meet this evening at 5:00 pm CT and the House Jefferson County Legislative Committee will convene again tomorrow at 9:00 am.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Special Session underway

The Alabama House and Senate convened today at 6:00 pm CT. The senate welcomed three new members, Senators Keahey, Dunn, and Sanford.

Lt. Gov Folsom says he is optimistic that the legislature will get the job done. Folsom says he looks forward to seeing what the Jefferson County delegation brings to the table. He noted that he is serious about getting this issue resolved.

All moved smoothly until Senator Barron (D) suggested moving all Jefferson County bills to the Finance and Taxation E committee referencing two factions that divide LL2. Senator Waggoner (R) objected and noted that all Jefferson County bills go to LL2. LL2 has a 5 to 3 republican majority. In the end Barron withdrew his motion and all Jefferson County bills will go to LL2.

This week the Alabama House will convene Tuesday-Thursday at 5:00 pm and Friday at 9:00 am. The Alabama Senate will convene Tuesday at 9:00 am, Wednesday-Thursday at 5:00 and Friday at 9:00 am.

Stay tuned for updates from inside the Alabama State House.

Alabama Legislature returns to the Capital City

Happy trails did not last long for the Alabama Legislature who is returning to Montgomery this evening at 6:00 pm CT. The House and Senate will convene this week in a special session specifically designed to address a budget crisis plaguing Jefferson County.

For live blogs from inside the Alabama State House, stay tuned.

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