After eight months, a tough row to hoe..

     It's been eight months since Republicans virtually took over Alabama State Government, getting any legislation they wanted with super-majorities in a special and regular session (though they managed to keep the big salary increase they used as an issue to win those majorities in November).

     So where are the jobs?

     That's the question tossed at Democrats in Washington all the time.

     Mr. Bentley ran on the jobs issue...even refusing to take a salary till "full employment" is reached. At this rate, he'd better apply for part-time work at the Wal-Mart if he wants to have some money to get presents for the grandkids at Christmas.

    The unemployment rate has only climbed during the Bentley administration.

    Meanwhile the new immigration law is hurting businesses that rely on immigration labor, like agriculture and service industries. In theory, they should be able to hire all of those unemployed Alabamians, no? Or might it be unrealistic to expect the NASA Engineer to wash dishes at the local restaurant?

     The truth is, Alabama governors only have limited power to increase employment, as do U.S. Presidents. It's the private sector, making record profits, that's sitting on its hands refusing to hire. They've discovered how to get more out of fewer employees. What motivation do they have to hire?

Down The Drain

     Four Jefferson County Legislators have filed suit over a sewer rate hike ordered by the court-appointed receiver who trying to get the county out from under its massive sewer debt...a public works project that sent people to jail and almost bankrupt the entire county.

     I hope those legislators at least have an alternative plan to lay on the table to block bankruptcy, which the Wall Street Journal reported this week, would have an impact well beyond Jefferson County, seriously impacting the ability of all Alabama entities to sell bonds.

     Otherwise what is it? A turf war as the county teeters on the edge? Now that's smart!

    

The Job Creation Legislative Session

     The 2011 Regular Legislative session comes to an end tomorrow.

    The last meeting day will include passage of the budgets, which will result in fewer jobs because of proration, and other legislation that will vastly increase jobs. Bills like the Immigration bill that Governor Bentley will sign in a public ceremony tomorrow morning, and the abortion legislation.

     The new hires will be the lawyers needed to defend the state against the slew of lawsuits that will be filed against 'em.

    

Recall

      Libertarians, first or second-cousins to Republicans in Alabama, seem to be the most passionate advocates of Recall and Referendum.   

      The first would allow voters to "un-elect" someone who has proved a disappointment in office, without having to wait for the end of the election cycle.

      The second allows citizens to collect signatures to put a bill before legislators for a vote.

     In my 35 years in Alabama, I have interviewed or talked with many people who wanted voters to have those powers.

     But the legislature itself that would have to make it happen.

     In Wisconsin, there may be an indication why the new GOP Majority Alabama Legislature (and The Democratic Majority who preceded them) hasn't rushed to embrace them. Legislators there are about to face recall elections, and are now rushing to pass their favorite laws before they are tossed out of office.

     It's easy to push through your agenda (except, apparently, to revoke a 61% pay raise) when you have super-majorities in both houses. But Alabama is a poor state, and not just a poor black state. And when you chop away at programs that help Gramma or Cuz or the poor old neighbor lady, and refuse to fund public education at a sufficient level for the kids to learn without spending time selling cookies to pay for their pencils, recall is always lurking around the corner to bite you back.

     Unless you've never allowed voters to have that power in the first place.

Immigration Legislation in Alabama

     Alabama Legislators will be back on the job Monday after Spring Break (taken after less than two weeks in session), and one of the bills they'll be considering is an Arizona-styled anti-immigration law. The bill is headed for debate in the House after approval by a committee.

     Legislators may want to consider the Arizona experience, where the anti-immigration backlash has resulted in a significant downturn in tourism, also a significant part of the Alabama economy.

     The impact was so negative in Arizona that five bills intended to toughen the already tough anti-immigration law have been rejected after pressure by the business community.

     Alabama's legislation was sponsored by Micky Hammon (R-Decatur) with 23 co-sponsors. It allows police to demand proof of citizenship from someone stopped for another crime, if  "'a reasonable suspicion exists that person is an unauthorized alien.''

     In The Montgomery Advertiser earlier this month, Sebastian Kitchen quotes a legal advocacy group as saying the legislation would result in a $17 Million decrease in tourism in the state. That just happens to be the amount of money BP provided to Alabama recently in a grant to attract tourists. A wash!

Sunday's On The Record: The New Legislative Majority

     Republican Senator Jabo Waggoner of Jefferson County and Representative Mike Hubbard of Lee County are the guests in a conversation about the new Republican Alabama State Legislature.

    

Here's a sample:

Will the GOP pay back the Democrats for mistreatment during the past decades?

Hubbard:  No...their bills will be given a fair hearing, and if a majority of  the legislature approves, they'll be passed.

Will they get any committee chairmanships?

Hubbard: No...there were no Republican chairmen when they were in the majority...



Those aren't exact quotes, but close.

     Watch On The Record at 5:30 on Sunday, just before 60 Minutes on CBS 8 in Montgomery.