So What Else Is On The Alabama Ballot on November 6th? Part II

So after last week’s post, there’s a lot I left unanswered.

This post will be dense. First, I’ll discuss the amendments and what’s at stake, either way. Then the judicial races will be up next. I find much joy in the judicial races. Finally, other miscellaneous state and local races in and around Jefferson County are discussed.

Amendment 1 deals with the Forever Wild Land Trust re-authorization. What is the Forever Wild Land Trust? It’s a land trust that was created 20 years ago with the purpose to preserve land, wetlands and other natural habitats for citizens. It does not utilize taxpayer money (other than hunting and fishing licenses and park visitor fees). It is up for renewal this year for another 20 years. Even so, there are opponents to renewing this measure. However, as its cause is worthy and no direct taxpayer money is being spent on this, an Amendment 1 yes vote is what is best for the state.

Amendment 2 concerns a measure that would allow the legislature to issue bonds at a lower, refinanced rate. According to Governor Bentley, this will allow the state to keep and bring “high-quality jobs” in the state of Alabama through incentives. These incentives will be used as carrots before the horses that are businesses in the state. Some have said it’s the equivalent of raising the debt ceiling, but that’s not exactly how I see it. According to Thomas Scovill, it gives the Alabama Legislature the ability to:

Continue to sell bonds under the provisions of Amendment 666 as long as the aggregate outstanding principal [sic] does not exceed $750 million. This means as the principal is paid down the state can sell new bonds as long as the outstanding debt stays below $750 million. This is a new way to authorize the assumption of debt by our state government.

Our state is hurting. We need jobs. While this might not be the best way, it is one way to do that. Long-term borrowing for a short-term solution. Until we get leaders who understand the proper balancing of government spending, borrowing, and taxing this might be the only way…for now. For Amendment 2 deserves a yes.

Amendment 3 deals with Stockton, Spanish Fort and Baldwin County. The way our lovely constitution is set up, with some local laws, rules, whatever, the whole state gets to vote on them. As any good Alabamian knows, if it doesn’t concern you and your city, county, whatever, you don’t vote on it. Leave it blank. Let the locals rule themselves. What happens in Baldwin county doesn’t matter in Madison County. There’s no reason for Tuscaloosa County residents to vote on this issue in Baldwin County.

Amendment 4 is…let’s say…complicated. Alabama’s 1901 Constitution is steeped and mired in documented ignorance, racism, and down-right unAmericanism. Votes were stolen to disenfranchise the blacks, the poor, the uneducated. Shootouts at the ballot box. The whole nine yards. It’s all documented in a book I highly recommend every Alabamian read. That book is A Century of Controversy: Constitutional Reform in Alabama edited by H. Bailey Thomson. It’s a phenomenal read. Thanks to my friend, Jesse W., for lending it to me so many years ago.

Amendment 4 has a sordid history. In 2004, there was an attempt to remove the racist language from our constitution. However, that attempt was thwarted by rumors that tax rates would go up. We have Roy Moore to thank for that one. In 2012, the measure is back around. However, this time, the amendment would not only take out the racist content, but could remove the right to an education from our constitution all together. Alabama had in its constitution a right to a public education. After the 1954 Brown v. Board decision, the state tried to remove that right. The status of that decision is still up in the air. This amendment contains a clause that will solidify that there is no right to a public education. While the aims of the creators seem to be truly innocent, this amendment is riddled with flaws and could have serious repercussions if passed. Removing racist language from our governing document is a good thing. However, this amendment does way more than that, and it could jeopardize the future of education in this state. Legislators, do your job and bring the people a document that is worthy. Amendment 4 deserves a no vote. 

Amendment 5 deals with the Water Works Board of Prichard and Mobile Area Water and Sewer System. If you don’t live in this area, don’t vote on it. Be a good Alabamian and don’t vote on this unless it affects you and your interests.

Amendment 6 concerns the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It’s straightforward. It says no one has to participate. With the Supreme Court ruling in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services in June, I’m not really sure what effect this type of amendment will have or can have. This is a vote for or against the individual mandate. I make no recommendation on this.

Amendment 7 pertains to labor in the state. While the confusing language does nothing for lay people, the end of it says “the right of individuals to vote for public office, public votes on referenda, or votes of employee representation by secret ballot is fundamental.” However, it is not that simple. Alabama AFL-CIO President Al Henley says this amendment is in direct violation of federal law on union organization. Alabama has long been known as a right-to-work state. This ballot would prevent the card check method of union organization. This type of legislation has been used in other states such as Arizona and Utah. Whether it would withstand judicial scrutiny has yet to be seen. As long as the union organizing is federally-monitored, the safeguards are in place to prevent tampering with secret ballots. I would recommend a yes vote on Amendment 7.

Amendment 8 takes an issue with the legislative pay raise. On the surface it sounds good. However, once you clear the surface, this amendment is written in a way that is problematic. The text:

…repeal the existing provisions for legislative compensation and expenses and establish the basic compensation of the Legislature at the median household income in Alabama; to require legislators to submit signed vouchers for reimbursement for expenses; and to prohibit the Legislature from increasing the compensation or expenses payable to its members. (emphasis added)

The words with emphasis should give you something to think about. If you know anything about stats, you are familiar with mean, median, mode, and range. Median is defined as a type of average, but not an average as you and I may think about it. Median is the middle number in a listed set of numbers. The reason this is problematic is because based on which organization is compiling the numbers, the median will differ and will differ greatly. It can differ based on family size, number of incomes in a home, yearly averages that differ, etc. According to the American Community Survey, in 2011, the median household income for 2011 was $51,991 (adjusted for inflation). According to the Annual Social and Economic Supplement, the two-year average of median household income in Alabama is $42,407. See the difference of over $9,500? How the state would calculate median household income is left up in the air.

The legislative committee who presented us with these flawed amendments should be fired. Granted I say that because I’m still applying for work and I need a job, but that’s neither here nor there. Even so, I must recommend a no vote on Amendment 8.

Amendments 9 and 10 are extremely important and both deserve a yes vote. We have been trying to do business in the state of Alabama blindfolded with one hand tied behind our back with a broken kneecap. Imagine what this state could do if we took off the blindfold and untied our hand. These two amendments can fundamentally change the way we do business in this state. As far as constitutional reform, this is the type that we need. The business community supports Amendment 9 and so should we. Amendment 10 deals with outdated language in the banking arena. It’s not a cure-all, but it’s a great step in the right direction for this state and its constitution. Amendment 10 deserves a yes vote.

Finally…a few races to comment on.

Roy Moore v. Bob Vance for Alabama Chief Justice. Roy Moore is the infamous Alabama Chief Justice who defied court orders to remove a 5,280-lb granite rock from the rotunda in the Alabama Supreme Court. That was in 2003. Since being removed from office by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, he’s unsuccessfully run for Governor of Alabama twice. He’s been in and around Alabama politics, never quite going away. Now, he’s back! He’s running for his old job. After a nearly disastrous opponent, the Alabama Democrats put up Judge Bob Vance in August. Bob Vance is a respected man of the law who has not drawn the ire of many with antics and agendas. While I know some have already committed to voting one way or the other, but name recognition will carry Moore a long way. A long way in this state. I’ve made my predictions, but I think it will be 66-33% Moore or 55-45% Moore. That second prediction is based off a few conversations with the salt of the earth people. They don’t live in the city-filled intellectual bubbles of Birmingham, Madison, or Mobile, but they carry the day in Alabama every time. Sounds like the electoral college, but I digress.

Finally, in a few races close to home in the Bessemer Division: Don’t trust Bobby Humphryes with your money. Just don’t. Benny Watson, after getting the run around, he was a great help in getting set up after the move across town. He’s earned my vote.

In the judicial races, Jill Ganus, Teresa Petelos, Tracie Todd, Jim Hughey, and Katrina Ross. If these people are on your ballot, they will do a great job serving the people of Alabama.

Finally, Public Service Commission. Lucy Baxley has done an amazing job as Public Service Commission President. As one of the last Democrats to hold a state-wide public office, what she has done has been remarkable. She oversaw a refund to the Alabama Power customers who were charge too much. Baxley has helped steady gas and electric rates during her time in office. She has balanced the interests of large companies, jobs, and people as the President of the Public Service Commission. She has done her job and done it well. That’s why Baxley deserves another term as President.

Wow…that’s a lot. If you made it down this far, I thank you. Please share if you feel so inclined.

So What Else Is On The Alabama Ballot on November 6th?

This is Part I in a 2-part series on the November 2012 election in Alabama. 

This is a question I often ask myself whenever I find out a vote or an election is coming up. As the September 18th vote demonstrated, an election can have a vote  where only one thing on the ballot; however, that rarely happens.

So as we approach November 6th, the rhetoric is tiring in the Presidential race. I keep reading posts, “I can’t wait until this election is over.” However, I’m pretty sure the posters are only talking about the item at the top. I wonder if they know about item number 2? Number 3? Number 16?

We might recognize a name or two on the ballot, but do we really recognize what is at stake with the Alabama Public Service Commission President? Do you even know what the Public Service Commission does? What about Circuit Judge, place 9? Amendment 1, Amendment 4? What else is on the Alabama ballot for November 6th?

For me, Alabamavotes.gov is a great resource for these questions. This is a website that Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman put together as a resource for the people of Alabama. It really is a wonderful asset that should be utilized. But how should it be utilized?

First: To see if you’re even registered to vote, there’s a link on the portal: My Info Link Here on this link, you can find out if you’re registered, where you’re registered, and the status of your absentee/provisional ballot.

Second: If you need an absentee ballot, you can get one here, too: Get an absentee ballot The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Thursday, November 1st. Apply for yours now. However, if you find out after November 1st that you won’t be able to cast your vote in person, you can go down to your courthouse and cast your ballot in person, absentee.

Third: Maybe I’m skipping a step. Maybe you’ve never voted. Maybe you’ve never voted because you’re not registered. If that’s the case, then this portal has a link for that, too: Get Registered Here Get registered today. The last day to get registered in the state of Alabama is Friday, October 26th. Don’t wait. People died for the right to vote. If it didn’t matter, if it wasn’t so important, why did they die for the right?

This portal can be used for many great things. Another one is to get a head start on know what is on the ballot. How many times have you gone into the voting booth and been surprised by a pairing choice? I’ve wanted to pull out my phone right then and there and do a little research, but with the election monitors peering over my shoulder at the use of cellphones, I’ve never mustered up the courage to tell the little ol’ bitties to back off (Momma would be appalled).

So as a way to avoid such a possible confrontation, don’t be surprised with what is on the ballot. Check out the ballot for Jefferson County. Here are ballots for the rest of the state. As this is Alabama, there will be amendments on the ballot, as well. There are ten state-wide amendments and numerous other amendments for individual counties.

Be educated. Play your part. Do your research BEFORE you walk into your polling place. There are no excuses for not participating. Don’t give in to the demagoguery. The Illuminati doesn’t run our government. You do.

For part II, I’ll actually discuss what ELSE is on the Alabama ballot for the November 6th election. 

Alabama’s September 18th Vote: Yes or Burn: You Decide!

So for those of you who don’t know (which I’m sure there are many), we have a special election tomorrow. There is ONE thing on the ballot. The choice is for Alabama voters to decided whether to allow the Alabama legislature to take money from the Alabama Trust Fund over a period of 3 years equaling $437 million ($145.8 annually) to place in the general budget to cover programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, hospitals, prisons, etc. There are both short-term and long-term ramifications from the decision to either allow or disallow the transfer.

How we as a state found ourselves in this predicament is some mystery. It’s not due to an oversight in the budget. It’s not even due to us living beyond our means or funding inconsequential and wasteful programs. It goes back to the founding document that is the 1901 Constitution. Our state has a regressive economy. We use our sales taxes to fund a majority of our state. Our sales taxes are responsible for 50% of state income. That’s all well and good during booming economic times, but in times like these, during the Great Recession, it’s unfathomable to think that sales taxes alone can sustain in our state. They cannot.

People don’t spend more than necessary. Teens don’t have disposable income, the middle-class is saving more and spending less, and the elderly are trying to keep their heads above water. In Alabama, we’ve cut, cut, cut…and there’s nothing left to cut.

Now, we’re faced with this choice. As some have said, “The legislature punted” when they had the opportunity to fix things earlier this year. If the amendment is not passed by voters on Tuesday, September 18th, many wonder what will happen. We’re fairly certain there will be a special session convened. After that, everything is on the table for cutting. Governor Bentley is vowing to stand by his “no-new taxes” pledge.

Governor Bentley, Courtesy AL.com

District Attorney for the Bessemer Division, Arthur Green, Jr., warns that if the amendment fails, his office which has already faced severe cuts, will face more. He warns of jail over-crowding, even slower criminal prosecutions, the inability to collect on back due child support, and the potential release of criminals from the state prisons.

In addition, our hospitals have a major stake in this. I was at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham on this past Friday and they have signs up urging voters to vote Yes. Some hospitals in Alabama receive upwards of 60% of their Medicaid payments just from births. Even so, in order for the state just to provide basic services, the state must partially fund it through matching funds. It’s already at its lowest levels.

Protest Against the September 18th vote in Montgomery, Courtesy AL.com

Even so, there are those urging voters to vote no. They say this is no way to fix the state’s economic troubles. They don’t trust our legislators to use the money judiciously or to eventually put it back, as Governor Bentley has promised. Many want to force our legislators to make the tough budgetary decisions they didn’t make earlier this year.

Alabama voters are facing a tough decision. As Bill Britt wrote for the Alabama Political Reporter, “This is not a choice between what is good and what is best, but what is bad and what is worse.”

Nevertheless, if voters do fail to pass the amendment (which is only effective for 3 years), this is how imagine the state of Alabama governing politics: BURN, Baby, BURN! In that spirit, I’ve posted two videos to represent the utter anarchy that could result from a “No” vote. Vote how you will; however, a “No” vote would leave the nihilists dancing in the street.