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Aladems Offers Condolences to Rep. Beck's Family & Friends

The Alabama Democratic Party offers condolences to the family and friends of the late Representative Warren Beck (R-Geneva), who died February 24. Rep. Beck received a B.S. in Marketing and a M.S. in education from Troy University.

Rep. Beck was in his second term in the State Legislature and served on the Tourism and Travel and Commerce committees. As Speaker of the House, Seth Hammett said of Rep. Beck in a statement Wednesday,

"Warren will long be remembered for his honesty and love of public service. When Warren told you he would do something, you could count on him to get it done. He understood the problems faced by his constituents in Geneva and Houston counties and he worked hard to represent them to the best of his ability."

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"He was a man of wisdom and faith, and anyone who knew him was blessed to be his friend. Although his seat in the House will be vacant tomorrow, we can seek comfort in the memories of his smile and laughter and the knowledge that he helped improve the lives of many people."

Beck is survived by his wife, two children and four grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later today. Sorrells Funeral Home of Geneva, (334) 684-9999, is in charge of arrangements.

GOP Can't Ignore Job Recovery

The GOP can complain and block every effort by the Democrats in Congress, and their obstructionist strategy seems to be working to their electoral advantage, but one thing is for sure, the job hemorrhaging that began under Bush is nearly gone.

Scandal Brewing Over GOP Justices/Riley Leaks

Were details of bingo case leaked to Tyson before its release?
[Editorial from Montgomery Independent by Bob Martin (Editor/Publisher) on 2/11/2010]

Attorneys representing Macon County Greyhound Park were somewhat surprised at what they read in a motion filed to vacate or stay an injunction by a circuit judge to halt raids at VictoryLand.

The motion was filed filed at the State Supreme Court by lawyers representing Gov. Bob Riley, namely John Tyson, Jr., Martha Tierney and Edgar Greene. According to the automated stamped time on the motion it was filed at 1:55:15 p.m. this past Jan. 29

What the legal team for VictoryLand found strange was a citation to a case in that filing. On page 5 of the motion filed by the governor's lawyers, a reference or citation was made to the Supreme Court's decision in the case of Surles v. Ashville, No. 1081015.

The reason they found it a strange citation was that the case of Surles v. Ashville had not been released when the governor's filing was made. According to the Supreme Court Clerk's office Surles v. Ashville was released at 2:04 p.m. on January 29.

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The clerk's office assured The Independent that no one in that office had released the decision early. This newspaper emailed Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb on Monday asking her to investigate and determine who breached court rules.

This is not the first time in the governor's bingo war that someone at the court has been accused of making an improper exparte communication with Riley or his lawyers.

A previous matter involved a judge assignment in a case brought by the governor and his task force on gambling against an electronic bingo operation at White Hall in Lowndes County.

Chief Justice Cobb had appointed Jefferson County Circuit Judge Robert Vance to take the case primarily because he was already handling a similar matter in Walker County.

Last August this newspaper received information that on or about July 29, 2009, the governor, a party to the lawsuit, placed a telephone call to one or more of the justices, urging them to overrule Cobb and remove Vance from the case.

The information we received was that the phone call was while the governor was in Washington and that one of the lawyers hired to advise his gambling task force, may have been with the governor at the time.

A communication with a judge in a case by a party or a lawyer for one side without the lawyers representing other parties being present violates all kinds of judicial ethics rules and laws.

We have not seen the governor's telephone logs, but we do know he was in Washington last July 29 because of his Twitter messages. For example at 6:51 a.m. on July 29, he tweeted the following message: "Headed to Washington to discuss Water Wars strategy with the congressional delegation."

The justices with whom we talked denied any contact but those who spoke with us were not the highest on our suspect list in the first place.

In the matter at hand it is pretty evident somebody at the court leaked some of the details of the Surles case to the governor's lawyers.

Lawyers with whom I have talked over the past week tell me VictoryLand's lawyers should demand a new hearing and seek the recusal of all the justices.

Aladems Demands End to Partisan Bias on JSU Campus

Asks for immediate resignation of Government Relations Director and calls for cancellation of any political rally on campus

The Alabama Democratic Party demands the immediate resignation of Don Killingsworth, director of Government Relations at Jacksonville State University, and calls for the cancellation of a planned political rally after a blatant display of partisanship on what Killingsworth himself termed a "no electioneering" campus. The University is displaying on the prominent electronic billboard in front of campus an advertisement touting a political rally for Republican candidate K.L. Brown, violating state law and promoting flagrant favoritism using taxpayer dollars.]]> JSU basketball game with campus police. Killingsworth adamantly stated JSU would be closed to all political activity and threatened the volunteer with immediate arrest if he stepped on campus again. After inquiring as to where and how on-campus organizing could be accomplished, the Democratic Party was told that a permit would be required and a "free speech zone" would be assigned.

Now having received photographs of the electronic billboard and the blatant promotion of a partisan event this morning, the Alabama Democratic Party demands the cancellation of this partisan rally and calls for the immediate resignation of Killingsworth due to his obvious actions on behalf of one particular candidate over another using taxpayer dollars.

"After receiving word that Ricky Whaley volunteers had been ousted from campus, I spoke with Don Killingsworth personally, who unequivocally stated JSU would be a 'no campaign zone'. Yet this morning, students, faculty, and visitors arrived on campus to find the University using its biggest electronic billboard to advertise a political rally for Brown on campus, with Governor Bob Riley as the headline speaker," said ADP Executive Director Jim Spearman. "The appalling use of tax dollars for partisan political activities is an illegal use of public funds by a state-funded university, and shows such a lack of judgment as to make his position as Government Relations Director untenable."

Looking at the billboard, it would be clear to those passing by that JSU has endorsed K.L. Brown. Not only that, but the Whaley campaign and Democrats have been effectively barred from engaging and informing young voters and others at the University, while Republicans have free and unfettered access.

The unacceptable double-standard leaves JSU faculty and staff with only one candidate's perspective. Flying in on the state jet for the rally, Governor Riley has yet to answer questions about JSU employees going years without a well-deserved raise, how to fill a $248 million gap in funding for PEEHIP, the JSU health plan, and how to overcome a 25 percent budget cut for JSU, questions that Ricky Whaley has been answering for some time.

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AL Democrats Blast Griffith for Putting Huntsville Jobs at Stake

MONTGOMERY - The Alabama Democratic Party blasted newly-minted Republican Representative Parker Griffith this afternoon for his lack of leadership in defending critical jobs in Alabama's fifth Congressional district. More than a month after his unexpected departure from the Blue Dog Caucus, Representative Griffith remains the only sitting Congressman without a standing committee assignment. In the wake of today's shocking news about the cancellation of the Constellation and Ares space programs, Party Chairman Joe Turnham suggested Griffith's "irresponsible actions" affected funding and the critical needs of the people of the fifth district.]]>
"Today it is not the Republican or Democratic party hurting, it is the people of Alabama's fifth district," Turnham added. "It would be easy today to say that Parker Griffith is the 435th least effective member of Congress, and Democrats look forward in the next few weeks to some major announcements regarding outstanding candidates that will work to right this wrong."

Before the switch, Congressman Griffith held seats on three committees including seats on the powerful Science and Technology and Transportation and Infrastructure committees, both of which are key in determining the distribution of defense and aerospace contracts. According to the Huntsville Times, the Fifth Congressional District is seventh in the nation in federal contract dollars.

Soon after Griffith announced the switch, his office suggested he would have new committee assignments by mid-January at the latest. Now, weeks later, with hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars potentially at stake for Huntsville, Griffith remains without any assignments. When Blue Dog Democrat Bud Cramer was in office he would fight Democrats and Republicans alike to defend the Tennessee Valley's interests. Apparently Congressman Griffith's actions have compromised his ability to do the same.

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One Month and Counting: Alabama Still Suffers Because of Parker Griffith's Selfish Decision

Alabama Democrats raised major concerns that Representative Parker Griffith has STILL not received any committee assignments from Republicans in Washington in the over 30 days since his party switch. The Huntsville Times said that Griffith's decision to switch parties "throws his ability to influence decisions directly related to North Alabama into question" and that "saying goodbye to the Democratic Party comes with a price."

"We know that Republicans here in Alabama don't like Parker Griffith very much but we thought the Republicans in Washington loved him," said Jim Spearman, Executive Director of the Alabama Democratic Party. "When Parker switched parties, we knew that North Alabama would suffer but we never thought national Republicans would lock Parker Griffith out of the room for this long. Parker cost this district by switching parties and now the Republican leadership is costing us a voice in Congress. It's time for Parker to speak publicly to his handlers in Washington and tell them he won't sit idly by any longer without committee assignments. But doing that would mean he would have to put our interests ahead of his own and he hasn't proven much ability to do that." ]]>

Republican leadership said that they would meet in January to provide new assignments. Decisions on Committee assignments for Republican Members of Congress are made by the House Republican steering committee. [Huntsville Times, 12/23/2009;1/13/2010].

Parker Griffith's party switch about self-preservation, not conviction
Huntsville Times Editorial Board
http://blog.al.com/times-views/2009/12/opinion_parker_griffiths_party.html

Does this move help North Alabama?

It's hard to see how it does.

As a freshman Democrat in a sure-to-be-contested seat, Griffith was able to reap many benefits:

He ended up on committees such as Science and Technology and Transportation and Infrastructure as a voice with the majority.

[...]

Now Griffith throws his ability to influence decisions directly related to North Alabama into question. The committee assignments he had as a Democrat are being stripped by Nancy Pelosi, and he will be up for re-assignment. Griffith may have a conservative voting record when compared to Democrats, but what kind of influence will he have when he is already being bashed by conservatives as a Republican In Name Only (RINO)?

Parker Griffith committee assignments in flux after party swap
By Shelby G. Spires, Huntsville Times
http://blog.al.com/space-news/2009/12/parker_griffith_committee_assi.html

Saying goodbye to the Democratic party comes with a price for U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith. It means he will lose his committee assignments on Capitol Hill, a spokesman for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi told The Times Tuesday.

Griffith served on three committees: Science and Technology, Small Business and Transportation and Infrastructure. Those Democrat-controlled committee assignments are now gone, and the GOP is unlikely to put Griffith on any committee over the next two weeks.

"His assignments will be stripped away and appointments will be made to other members," said Pelosi spokesman Brendan Daly. "It will be up to the GOP to make any assignments for his future."

However, this goes against what Griffith believes. After a news conference where he announced his party switch, Griffith said it wasn't a given that he'll lose his committee assignments. He said to take that away from him could make Democrats look "small and punitive," and he doesn't believe the party will want to appear petty.

North Alabama could suffer for the party swap, political experts said.

"No decisions have been made right now, and won't be until members return to Washington in January and the GOP Steering Committee meets and makes that decision," said Kevin Smith, spokesman for House Republican leader U.S. Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio.

After a press conference where he announced his party switch, Griffith said it wasn't a given that he'll lose his committee assignments.

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2010 Candidate Qualifying

Click here to view the list of qualified 2010 candidates.

We will update the above list on a daily basis at 5pm.

We ask that you remain patient, and give us time, as we work to check and recheck the spelling, address and phone listed online from candidates qualifying forms.

If you choose to amend or need to correct the information that we have listed on the site, or if you want to add your website address, please email those requests here.

Finally this list will remain unofficial until we file our official final list with the Secretary of State on April 5th.

For detailed qualifying procedures, click here. For persons interested in running for State Committee, click the previous link, and fill out the Declaration of Candidacy form and file the $50 qualifying fee with the state party.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at the state headquarters.
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ADP Calls on GOP Candidates to Reject Gov. Riley's "Fantasy Budget"

MONTGOMERY - The Alabama Democratic Party hammered Governor Riley's pie-in-the-sky budget forecast today and called upon the Republican candidates for governor to reject his glowing assessment of state finances and confront the real challenges facing Alabama. The GOP candidates are scheduled to appear together at the Republican Women of Trussville Gubernatorial Forum this evening.

Riley stunned budget experts this week by claiming that there was no budget crisis and submitting a document that fills enormous gaps by assuming over $1 billion from proposed federal legislation he says he opposes. The Tuscaloosa News called Riley's claims "hard to believe" and wrote that "Riley's rosy predictions fly in the face of the Legislature's own calculations, which forecast big drops in tax revenue as the economy struggles to recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression" (Tuscaloosa News, 1/14/2009).
]]> "Governor Riley has constructed a fantasy budget that is so delirious that it depends on over $1 billion from federal legislation that hasn't even been passed," said Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Joe Turnham. "To say that the Governor is looking at state finances with rose-colored glasses would be an understatement. Blinders, I think, is a better word."

Turnham continued, "While I'm glad that Governor Riley recognizes the merits of Democratic-sponsored job creation initiatives, I'm fairly certain that burying our heads in the sand like ostriches won't make this budget crisis disappear. It's time for the Republican candidates for governor to reject Governor Riley's fantasy budget, embrace reality and become a part of the solution."

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Ethics should never become a partisan issue

Lest anyone be misled, Alabama history clearly shows that the creation, funding, improvement and strengthening of the Alabama Ethics Law and the Alabama Ethics Commission, as well as the creation of the Fair Campaign Practices Act, were the handiwork of Alabama Democrats.

In the post-Nixon Watergate period of the 1970s, Democratic Gov. George Wallace and the Alabama Democratic Legislature created the state's first ethics law and commission. In 1992, current Democratic Speaker Seth Hammett, then serving as a young state representative, sponsored a complete rewrite of the original Alabama ethics law. The ensuing legislation Speaker Hammett championed became today's ethics law and for its time, it gave Alabama one of our nation's strongest ethics laws.

Today however, more needs to be done to strengthen and update our law, and subpoena power is a needed instrument which I support.

]]> Legislation to grant this power passed out of the House Judiciary Committee in 2009 on a bipartisan vote. I fully expect similar legislation to move again in 2010 again with bipartisan support.

This bill and numerous others are being introduced by Democrats for the 2010 session. A landmark bill that would have brought the state's Governor and Administrative Branch under the rules of the Alabama Ethics Law passed unanimously in this quadrennial only to be vetoed by Republican Gov. Bob Riley.

In addition to granting subpoena power, Democrats want to tighten laws concerning no-bid contracts, especially in light of recent revelations concerning a $13-million, no-bid contract given by the Riley Administration to a shell company with no address, phone number or Web site.

Democrats again will introduce bills to require former executive branch staffers to register and disclose their interests before entering a revolving door as lobbyists or attorneys whose clients have business before their former associates. Today, these persons can go out the governor's office today and secretly represent clients and companies without even disclosing these facts to the Alabama Ethics Commission.

In the 1980s, it was the Alabama State Democratic Executive Committee which voted to require any Democrat who qualifies with our party to file mandatory financial disclosure of campaign contributions and expenditures.

This requirement exceeded any law. These documents were available for public inspection. This action of our party led to the creation of today's Fair Campaign Practices Act, which is the law of the state today. Its birth was a direct result of the work of my predecessor, former Chairman John Baker, and other courageous Democrats who wanted to bring transparency and accountability to elections.

Just last year, both Chairman Hubbard and I met with officials of the Alabama Ethics Commission to see how we could ensure that our candidates qualifying for office in our respective parties file their Statement of Economic Interest in a timely way with the commission.

In September of last year, I invited county party chairs from around Alabama to Montgomery for training in ethics compliance in a class led by the executive director of the Alabama Ethics Commission, Jim Sumner. Our party has created forms, checklists, Web sites and trained staff that work diligently to assure that any Democrat running for office at any level understands and complies with ethics and campaign laws. It is a sacred obligation that a party should uphold.

Ethics should never become a partisan issue. Each party and every elected official should strive to do their very best to adhere to the highest standard. The 1,052 public officials serving as Democrats in Alabama today strive to meet that standard.

My hope is that in word and deed every Democrat and Republican alike running in 2010 will make strong ethics a top goal.

Response to State of the State Address by House Majority Leader Ken Guin

My fellow Alabamians, on behalf of the Democrats it is my privilege and honor to reply to the Governor's message and to outline what we as Democrats believe is the best course for the state of Alabama at this critical time in our history.

First, and this is difficult to say as a graduate of Auburn University, congratulations to Coach Saban and the Crimson Tide Team on the national championship. You bring honor to our state. Roll Tide!

Today Alabama faces its greatest economic challenge since the Great Depression. The percentage of Alabamians without jobs rose faster than almost any state in the nation last year. In other words, more people in Alabama are looking for work today and cannot find it than ever before. From Madison and Shelby Counties with the lowest jobless number in the state, at 7.3%, to Wilcox County with the state's highest percentage of our citizens without employment at 24.3 %, families across Alabama are suffering.]]>
In addition to creating jobs, Democrats are committed to protecting Alabama's families and children, insuring accountability and transparency in government and spending our education dollars wisely.

Democratic Senator Lowell Barron is sponsoring one such jobs bill. It will provide $1 Billion for highway improvements over the next ten years. When we build infrastructure we create jobs and protect our citizens. All over this state there are roads and bridges that must be repaired.   Not only is there a need, but also now is the time to reinvest our public dollars providing private sector jobs to more Alabamians.

We must also make sure that those who serve and protect the public are secure in their jobs. The state troopers who keep our roads safe, the prison guards who protect us against the most hardened criminals, mental health workers and teachers all deserve a priority in our budgeting process.

Education dollars must also be focused on preparing our students for the workforce.

Alabama's Democratic legislatures for over 100 years have kept Alabama at or near the lowest taxed state in the nation.

However, this doesn't mean our taxing structure is fair. There are only two states in the nation that tax groceries. Alabama is one. It is not right or just to tax the food we eat. This basic fundamental of fairness, not to tax what we require to live each day, is recognized by 48 states. Democrats are leading the effort to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries. This will put money back into the pockets of all Alabamians.

Last year House Republicans fought to defeat this effort.   On four occasions this bill came up for a vote and on four occasions House Republicans killed this bill.

We now call on all Republicans in the legislature to join with us, put party politics aside and once and for all eliminate this unfair and unjust tax.

The sole charge to the legislature in Alabama's Constitution is to adopt a balanced budget. This year the task is daunting. We must be cautious stewards with the limited resources of our state. This legislature will craft a budget that neither this Governor nor his cabinet officers will have to live with but it will have long lasting consequences for the people of our state. Governor Riley's term ends shortly after the new budget takes effect, so he will be long gone as the new legislature and the new administration try to make sure the people of this state are well served with the limited resources we have available.

The priorities of the Democrats in adopting a budget will be to focus our attention on those in our society less capable of caring for themselves: the school children of our state who are truly the future of Alabama, those 25% of Alabamians who rely on Medicaid for health care coverage, and people with mental illness. My faith teaches that the Bible focuses on three special classes: children, the poor and elderly. It is where we place our talents and our resources that reflect our values.

My children, J.K. and Emma Grace, are in the 7th and 4th grade respectively. This year, as in years prior, the school sent home a list of needed supplies. On the list were wet-ones, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and other items, which should be supplied by the schools. Schools in Alabama are woefully under funded, ranking near the bottom 46th, 47th or 48th of 50 states depending on which survey you review.

It has been proposed that charter schools be established. We aren't doing a very good job now funding education.   How can we divert our precious education dollars for unproven experimental schools? There was a time when schools were built in a communal classroom style because some education guru said it was the modern thing to do; there was a time when others promoted magnet schools, and now the new fad is Charter Schools because that's what we hear from Washington. Just because Washington says its good doesn't make it right for Alabama.

Almost one in four children live below the poverty line in Alabama.   My wife, Tanya, is a public school principal and is witness to some of the most abject poverty you can ever imagine. Children living in overcrowded homes, with no access to running water or basic human needs. She tells me stories of the heartbreak she and the teachers feel for these children. Knowing this, it is easy to establish priorities.

While countless Alabamians are without work, many children are cold and hungry, health care is rationed, education is underfunded, our people are scared and worried about their economic future, this Governor is spending his time working on his political legacy and what the polls tell him he should be doing to elect Republicans.

In 2002, a Riley for Governor campaign spokesman made the following comment about no-bid contracts in Alabama: "Where there's smoke, there's fire, and the people of Alabama are choking on the smoke..." Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe those words are truer today than ever.

This administration has given more no bid contracts than any administration in history. Candidate Riley ran on opposition to no bid contracts. This administration recently gave a $13M contract to an out of state software firm called Paragon citing that Paragon was the only firm that could do the job, making them a single source provider. However, The Huntsville Times recently reported an independent firm found that 115 Alabama software firms could have done the job, none were given the opportunity to bid on the contract.

The Paragon contract along with tens of millions of dollars more in no-bid contracts by the Riley administration is why Democrats will be supporting a bill to prohibit this type of abuse and eliminate no-bid contracts period.

This legislature passed a bill that would have required all lobbyists who lobby the Executive Branch of government, the Governor and his cabinet, to have registered with the Alabama Ethics Commission. This Governor vetoed that legislation. Democrats will send this legislation back to the Governor; we'll put in the legislation an effective date of January 1, 2011, when this Governor's term is coming to a close. Governor Riley, neither you nor your political associates will be directly affected by this legislation. This legislation provides transparency in government. I implore you to sign it into law for the next administration. It's the right thing to do.

As I mentioned at the beginning, Alabama is facing the worst economic crisis in over 70 years. Revenue from taxing and regulating gaming can go a long way to solving the budget issues we are facing. At the very least the people of this state deserve the right to vote on the issue.

Governor Haley Barbour and former U.S. Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi, both very conservative Republicans, are huge supporters of the gaming and the revenue that comes from the casinos in Mississippi.

While at the same time, this administration has been using the limited resources of the state to oppose gaming. Gaming should be regulated and taxed, not protected for the few or the out-of-state.

I'm reminded of the story of Bill at the healing service. Bill walked down the aisle and knelt at the alter. The preacher knelt down beside him and said, "Bill can I pray for you?"

"Yes," Bill said.

"What can I pray for Bill," the preacher asked.

"You can pray for my hearing preacher."

The preacher laid one hand on the side of Bill's head with his thumb in Bill's ear. Then he laid the other hand on the top of Bill's head. The preacher then began to pray a mighty powerful prayer. When he had finished he asked Bill, "How's your hearing?"

Bill said, "I don't know preacher, it's not until Thursday."

The Governor is like the preacher. He doesn't understand what the people of Alabama want. Democrats understand what is important to the people of Alabama.

Democrats are committed to putting people back to work and providing job security to those who are employed. We will protect families and children, provide accountability and transparency in government and spend our education dollars wisely to help the children of Alabama prepare for tomorrow.

There is hope for Alabamians, from global, to national and locally. Globally, the death toll in Iraq declined by more than half from the previous year. Nationally, after a decline in the stock market in 2008 of over 40%, last year we saw an increase of 15%. Locally, Alabamians are hard working and inventive. We rise when faced with adversity.

I am proud to live and work in this great state.

God Bless America and the Great State of Alabama.

Alabama Democratic Party to Open 2010 Qualifying

Montgomery, AL - The State Democratic Executive Committee of Alabama will meet at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 16 in the Main Hall of Montgomery's RSA Commerce Center, 401 Adams Ave., to pass a resolution officially opening the qualifying period for the June 1, 2010 Democratic Primary. Members of the media, candidates, and the public are welcome to attend. The qualifying period is set to close at 5:00 PM on April 2, 2010 at the Alabama Democratic Party headquarters in Montgomery.

"After winning five out of seven special elections over the past two years, we are looking to strengthen our majorities in the Alabama Legislature, take back control of the state's executive branch, and protect and expand our nearly 70% dominant control of local offices and courthouses across the state," said Jim Spearman, Executive Director of the Party.
]]> Though qualifying has not yet opened, a slate of impressive candidates from across the state have already been gearing up for a spirited primary season. An unofficial list of candidates who have expressed their intent to run is available at the Party website (www.aladems.org) under the Directory for 'Candidates'. The Party will update that list as candidates officially qualify for office.

More information on qualifying procedures and required forms can be found on the website under Resources then 'Candidate Qualifying'. Individuals looking to run for office at the State and Federal level will qualify with the state party while those interested in running for local office will qualify with their respective county Democratic Party chair, a list of which (including their contact information) can also be found on the website.

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Democrats Say Riley Hostile to Houston County

"Governor Usurping Local Authority and Constitution"

Dothan, AL - The Chair of the Houston County Democratic Party today has called on Houston County citizens of all political stripes to rise up against Governor Riley's attempt to shut down the Country Crossing Development through his gaming task force. Houston County Democratic Chairwoman Jennifer Adams today says that Riley's attempt to close a legal, private development is costing Houston County workers their jobs and hurting the local governments' that are benefitting from the new revenue Country Crossing has generated. Just last week Country Crossing presented $1.6 million in fees to the people of Houston County for water, schools and public libraries.

]]> "Bob Riley needs to stay out of Houston County's local affairs and concentrate on creating new jobs instead of killing jobs in the Wiregrass. Country Crossings and its investors have followed the law and Houston County citizens have the legal constitutional right to self-determination on this issue. Bob Riley needs to quit helping the Mississippi Choctaw gaming interests and stay out of Houston County." Adams stated today.

State Democratic Chairman Joe Turnham supports the Houston County Democratic position and says that Riley has circumvented his constitutional authority. "The people of Houston County have every right to self-determination on the issue of Country Crossing. Governor Riley's task force is his way of bypassing the Attorney General, the Houston County Commission, the Houston County Sheriff and the local District Attorney who have authority on this matter. His actions are absolutely bizarre." Turnham noted.

Adams says that both Riley and the Republican Party will pay a price at the ballot box throughout the Wiregrass in November for meddling in a Houston County matter and for killing free enterprise, private investment and jobs in the Wiregrass.

Fundraising Blackout Period Announced for 2010 Candidates

Memo from Secretary of State regarding fundraising blackout period for 2010 Candidates:
http://www.sos.alabama.gov/PR/PR.aspx?ID=2600

This is a reminder to all candidates for state office and their principal campaign committees that pursuant to Alabama Code § 17-5-7 (b) (2), they may not accept, solicit, or receive contributions as of 12:01 AM on January 12th due to the start of the 2010 Regular Legislative Session. (See Ala. Att'y. Gen. Op. No. 94-00228)
At that time, please discontinue all your fundraising efforts, including those on your campaign websites.
State office is defined as "all offices under the constitution and laws of the state filled by election of the registered voters of the state or of any circuit or district and shall include legislative offices." Alabama Code §17-5-2 (a) (15). Please note that this does not include candidates involved in a special election.
Fundraising efforts may resume beginning February 1, 2010 as Alabama Code § 17-5-7 (b) (2) indicates that the blackout period does not apply within 120 days of any primary, run off, or general election.

Alabama Democrats Lose Beloved Stalwart

Mary Guerra, a local union fixture known as a staunch supporter of workers and the "Buy American" campaign, died Saturday. She was 64.

Guerra was president of the Shoals Democratic Club and Shoals chapter of the American Foundation of Democratic Women, treasurer of the state Foundation of Democratic Women and secretary-treasurer of the Shoals Labor Council. Click here to read entire article.

Services:
There will be a graveside service on Wednesday, January 6th at 2 p.m. at Tri-cities Memorial Gardens (Hwy 72 in Florence just east of Office Depot on the North side of Hwy 72).

The family will receive friends at the Nitrate City Church of the Nazarene (located just off of 2nd Street east of Muscle Shoals) following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN or to the Shoals Democratic Club (505 Bainbridge Rd, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661).

If you have questions or need more information, please contact the state party.