BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — On Wednesday, Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL6) said that he believes the actions of Governor Robert Bentley (R-AL) portray the state in a negative light. However, Palmer – a believer in federalism – did not think it proper to comment too specifically on state political matters.
“And I think he (Bentley) needs to be praying about what’s he doing. But at the same time I think that the legislature needs to be very thoughtful about how they go about this as well,” Palmer told WBRC. “Because this is not good for our image. It’s not good for our future in economic opportunities. And it makes it very difficult to sell the state.”
Palmer is not alone in thinking that the Governor’s scandal with senior political advisor Rebeckah Caldwell Mason is bad for the state’s image. Several top economic developers have revealed to yellowhammer that the governor’s actions have hurt Alabama’s efforts to recruit businesses.
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“We’ve got all this momentum with aerospace and Airbus suppliers are moving in and Google’s coming to the state and fiber broadband is going in and then boom — just like that the momentum is stopped by a scandal that none of us can do anything about,” said one local economic developer. “To say it is frustrating would be understating it.”
That sentiment was shared by numerous economic developers Yellowhammer spoke with this month, from heads of local economic development authorities to executives at large companies engaged in the state’s job recruitment and retention efforts.
“If you’re (Secretary of Commerce Greg) Canfield, you’ve got to be over there just throwing your hands up in exasperation,” added one Montgomery-based lobbyist. “The guy’s literally been all over the world declaring Alabama open for business, meanwhile the boss minding the shop is complaining that he’d rather be shacked up on FaceTime with one of his staffers than running the state. Beats all I’ve ever seen.”
On Tuesday, State Rep. Ed Henry (R-Harselle) announced in a press conference with several colleagues that the House of Representatives will pursue articles of impeachment against Gov. Robert Bentley.
RELATED: ‘Neglect of duty, corruption, incompetency’ — Here’s what’s in Bentley’s articles of impeachment
The articles levy four charges against the governor including willful neglect of duty, corruption in office, incompetency, and Offenses of Moral Turpitude.
The resolution is currently in the House Rules subcommittee for purposes of study.
