Chairman's Corner
Riley Road Legislation Disguised as Good Government
April 10, 2008
Bill would bring toll roads and benefit GOP insiders like Giuliani and Mukasey
Recent legislation regarding the creation of an independent Transportation Commission for Alabama died on a split vote in an Alabama Senate committee. The concept of the legislation and parts of the legislation enjoyed bi-partisan support, yet died because of several emerging legitimate concerns that could not answered.
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Turnham Invites Hubbard to Defend Bush Record
March 11, 2008
Below is the ALGOP press release regarding Gov. Dean's visit to Alabama, and below that is the ALADEMS and Chairman Turnham's response.
Howard Dean to raise Alabama Dollars for Liberal Causes?
Birmingham - Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and the liberals a preparing to swoop into the state tomorrow and raise money to promote the Democratic Party and its platform. The Alabama Republican Party asks if Dean and the Democrats will commit to not using Alabama money for pro-abortion, anti-gun, pro-illegal immigration and pro-gay marriage policies.
Rep. Mike Hubbard, Chairman, ALGOP stated, "The majority of the tax payers in Alabama have a much different value system than the far left lead by Chairman Dean and Nancy Pelosi."
"Using Alabama dollars to promote these liberal ideals would be a slap in the face to the people of the state," Hubbard said. - ALGOP
In the Wake of the Dean Visit Turnham Responds to ALGOP Challenge
DNC Chairman Howard Dean will arrive in Birmingham, Alabama and travel down I-65 on Tuesday from his first stop in Birmingham and he will buy some $3.40 Exxon-Mobil along the way, (drilled from the Mobile Bay, washed through the ALGOP Supreme Court) gas to get to Montgomery for his next meetings. Will ALGOP keep defending the Corporate Board Alabama Supreme Court that overturned two juries in alleviating Exxon-Mobil from their $4 billion dollar verdicts, while those same judges collected over $5 million in campaign contributions from groups tied to Exxon-Mobil and 'reform groups'?
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Dems Resolve to End GOP Stalling Tactics and Move Forward
February 5, 2008
by JOE TURNHAM
Legislative leaders in the Alabama House and Senate have made it clear they want to work with Republicans and the governor to solve the real problems that confront Alabama families in 2008.
With a nation at war and economy under stress, it takes mature, sober leadership at the legislative helm. In last year's state senate, the Republican led filibuster lasted 27 of the 30 legislative days effectively killing many constructive legislative initiatives. Democrats need Republicans to come aboard in a cooperative spirit in 2008.
Recently, Democratic Leaders including Speaker Seth Hammett; Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom; and Senate President Hinton Mitchem offered a handshake of cooperation to Republican leaders by pledging to take redistricting off the table for the legislative session.
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Chairman's January Message
As you as an Alabama voter consider the two parties and the various candidates to be on the February 5th ballot, I hope you will carefully place into context the challenges now before our nation that the next president will face. The 2008 presidential race in no small measure will be a referendum on the presidency of George W. Bush (six of those years with a republican Congress).
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Turnham Brings Video Message to Site Visitors
December 18, 2007
Joe Turnham: There are alternative solutions to prison
November 7, 2007
Opelika-Auburn News
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Alabama’s inmate population today stands at 29,235, or a number larger than the population of the City of Opelika. These inmates (90 percent are male) are spread out over 29 facilities. Nearly 30,000 prisoners occupy physical space designed to house only 13,000.
Alabama today spends over $450 million state dollars and rising per year on corrections. Our incarceration rate has doubled from 20 years ago and nearly quadrupled in three decades. Most recently, Gov. Bob Riley and his administration have been under court order and the threat of contempt by state courts for the awful conditions of our prisons and their failure to address basic problems. Prison contracts for healthcare are being scrutinized for political patronage, all while salaries for correctional officers lag.
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A New Season, Renewed Strength
As November arrives and we roll our clocks back one hour, it makes us reflect on how seasons change and how precious life is in all its diverse complexities. As I travel the state for the Democratic Party, I am reminded that Alabama Democrats are more like a big family than a political alliance. We grieve when we lose long time volunteers and party activists as we have this year.
We also fight, disagree, but always come back together for bigger battles involving our Alabama neighbors. Being a real Democrat means that emotions will sometimes take over for better judgment some days, but usually we will come around and do the right thing. Forgiving is a great way to start anew.
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GOP "More of the Same" Not What Voters Want
Much has been made of the feuding and fighting in the Alabama State Senate, yet the underlying causes and the acceptance of real responsibility have yet to be revealed by the Governor or his legislative allies.
Gov. Riley was quoted last week as saying "GOP legislators were ready for a special session, be he couldn't get the cooperation of the Democrats"…but, according to Democratic leaders, the Governor has not even tried to have a dialogue with them. That very same day the Senate Minority Leader said we could expect more gridlock and fighting next year. Does this mean Sen. Charles Bishop of the infamous Senate punch is "ready to rumble" again? How can things change without real dialogue?
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Many Dems Feel Need for Strict Enforcement
Opelika-Auburn News
With the failure of President George W. Bush to successfully solve an eight-year priority of his presidency – immigration reform-- many local and state elected officials have taken the immigration issue upon themselves and begun the process of trying to deal with the massive and complex issue of guest workers and illegal immigration. To date, some 1,200 bills have been introduced by state legislatures nationwide.
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Educational Excellence is a Journey, not a Destination for Alabama
By Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Joe Turnham
It is estimated that each day some 300 million Chinese students study the English language. Outsourcing to India of more and more U.S. based costumer service and high technology jobs is occurring at a rapid pace. The largest industrial projects announced in Alabama in the last 4 years have been companies hailing from Germany, Japan and Korea.
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