governor of alabama Archives

Three leading Alabama business associations have formally endorsed Coach Tommy Tuberville in his campaign for governor of Alabama, citing his record of support for the business community and commitment to economic growth.

The endorsements come from the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), the Alabama Forestry Association (AFA), and the Alabama Concrete Industries Association (ACIA) — groups representing a wide range of industries across the state.

“I am thankful for the outpouring of support from so many business leaders across the Yellowhammer State,” said Tuberville.

“As a former small business owner, I know firsthand how overregulation, high taxes, and inflationary policies can make it harder for Alabama businesses to succeed. Thankfully, President Trump is back in the White House and working around the clock to get our economy back on track. As governor, I will partner with President Trump to get rid of burdensome regulations and unleash Alabama’s economy.”

Business Council of Alabama President and CEO Helena Duncan praised Tuberville’s leadership and alignment with business priorities.

“Coach Tuberville has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the issues that matter most to Alabama’s business community — from workforce development and education to infrastructure and economic competitiveness,” said Duncan. “His vision for Alabama’s future aligns with our mission to make this state the best place to live, work, and do business. We are proud to support him in this race.”

Alabama Forestry Association President and CEO Chris Isaacson echoed those sentiments, pointing to Tuberville’s policy record in the U.S. Senate.

“Coach’s record is second to none in fighting for the forest industry in the U.S. Senate,” said Isaacson. “His work to roll back regulations that hinder businesses and fight for Alabama First policies form the foundation for his platform. He is the leader that Alabama needs and AFA is proud to endorse Coach for governor.”

John Sorrell, president of the Alabama Concrete Industries Association, emphasized Tuberville’s consistent defense of Alabama’s economic interests.

“During his time in the U.S. Senate, Coach Tuberville has proven to be a strong advocate for Alabama, and he’s never hesitated to resist policies that would negatively impact the state’s business climate,” said Sorrell. “We believe that Coach will take the same principled approach as our next governor. Our member companies are involved in almost every facet of the Alabama economy – from home construction to road and bridge building – and we’re proud to endorse the Tuberville for Governor campaign.”

The endorsements mark a significant show of support from the state’s business sector as the race for governor moves forward.

Incumbent U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville officially announced he will run for Governor of Alabama in the 2026 Republican Party primary.

Live from an Auburn staple, Byron’s Smokehouse, Tuberville announced his run in an exclusive television interview with “The Will Cain Show” on Fox News.

“I started my Senate run almost seven years ago, right in the same building,” Tuberville (R-Auburn) said.

“You can see my friends and family, my three month old new granddaughter, Rosie Grace, here cheering us on. But it’s great to be here. My wife and I, Suzanne, moved here over 25 years ago. As you know, I coached, and it was a great time. We made some great friends. It’s been a lot of fun. My two boys, Tucker and Troy, were educated here — it’s home.”

“A few years ago, I decided to give back to this great country and fight. President Trump was a guy that really was behind me in doing the Senate race. He’s been behind me ever since, and today I will announce that I will be the future governor of the great state of Alabama.”

Tuberville, who was expected to coast into re-election to a second six-year term to the U.S. Senate, has instead decided to run for a different statewide office. After many months of private deliberations over a 2026 gubernatorial bid, Tuberville began telling donors in April he had made his decision and he was ready to ‘come home’ and seek the state’s highest constitutional office.

Tuberville said on Tuesday that he is prepared to finish out the remainder of his term in the Senate, which will coincide with his potential inauguration as governor in January 2027.

On his newly-launched campaign website, Tuberville lays out an “Alabama First Agenda” anchored in fighting “woke ideology,” expanding school choice, and protecting Second Amendment rights. He promises to cut taxes, reduce government waste, and bring manufacturing jobs back to Alabama.

His campaign officially launched a slight campaign rebrand from his iconic 2020 logo and rolled out the news on official social media channels.

As governor, Tuberville also promises strong border enforcement and the deportation of illegal immigrants with criminal records, staunch opposition to taxpayer-funded abortion, and support for Alabama’s farmers, defense sector, and veterans.

Tuberville showcases an endorsement from President Trump and a promise to take his national agenda to Montgomery.

The path for victory is much more clear for Tuberville now that a long-awaited contender in the race, Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, publicly announced last week that he will return full-time to his prosperous career in the private sector as his two children complete high school. Ainsworth was recognized as the only GOP challenger interested in and financed enough to meaningfully oppose Tuberville’s bid for governor. After first being elected as Lt. Governor in 2018, Ainsworth is term-limited from running again.

2026 is not the first time the former Auburn University head football coach has eyed the governorship.

In 2017, Tuberville filed official paperwork to run for the office following the resignation of former Governor Robert Bentley, and even invested $100,000 of his own money into exploring the bid. Tuberville ultimately dissolved that campaign, which he attributed to support consolidating behind Governor Kay Ivey, who announced she would seek election to the office after constitutionally stepping up in Bentley’s absence.

Tuberville finally took his big shot at statewide office in 2020 when he challenged then-incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator Doug Jones. At that time, the only thing standing in his way was the former U.S. Attorney General and the previous holder of that office, Jeff Sessions in the 2020 Alabama Republican Party primary.

Tuberville easily routed both opponents by over 60% and has served as U.S. Senator since he was sworn into the office in January 2021.

Candidates for elected office in 2026 were able to officially begin fundraising last Monday, May 19 – which marks exactly one year until the primary election date, May 19, 2026.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Tuberville had not yet formed his principal campaign committee with the Alabama Secretary of State’s office. However, he has plenty of time to do so, as party qualifying does not end until January 2026.

As effectively the only contender, Tuberville is expected to have no trouble raising those funds for his gubernatorial bid. Additionally, as of the end of Q1 2025, Tuberville reported having $628,327.28 in his U.S. Senate campaign account, according to FEC records. That total can be legally transferred into his state campaign account. Alabama law explicitly allows a principal campaign committee to transfer funds to another principal campaign committee on behalf of the same person.

Speculation over Sen. Tuberville’s ability to meet the more stringent seven-year residency requirement of the Alabama Constitution to hold the office of governor – rather than the U.S. Constitution’s one-day requirement to run for Senate – quickly dissipated across GOP circles in recent months. Legal challenges may emerge if Tuberville becomes the party’s nominee in 2026, however, such attempts would be further complicated and diminished by partisanship.

As “Coach” Tuberville prepares to fight for a new title in his professional career, he has remained consistent Tuesday with a commitment he impressed heavily over the years.

“I’m doing this to help this country and the great state of Alabama,” Tuberville said.

“I’m a football coach, I’m a leader, I’m a builder, I’m a recruiter. And we’re going to grow Alabama. We’re going to bring manufacturing to the state. We’re going to stop this illegal immigration. We’re going to make education better again, and we’re going to everything possible to make sure our kids, when they graduate in this great state — the Yellowhammer State, that they stay in this state and work.”

“We’re going to have workforce development. We got a lot of work to do nationally. I’m looking forward to that with President Trump. He’s got us on the right track, but in the meantime, I’ll be running every weekend, doing the things I need to do to make sure that I can get over the threshold and win this governor’s race, come back to Alabama, work with President Trump — and not stop — because he’s fully supportive of this, to keep making America great again and put Alabama first.”

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.

Legislation designed to give Alabama’s elected officials increased oversight on how members of the Alabama Department of Archives and History Board of Trustees are appointed has officially passed the House. It will quickly return to the Senate for concurrence before it heads to Governor Ivey’s desk.

The bill, SB5, was originally filed by State Sen. Chris Elliot (R-Josephine) in response to a controversial LGBTQ event held by the department in 2023.

Elliot’s legislation passed the Senate by a margin of 26-5 in mid-April, moving to the House, where it remained until today’s vote. Once signed into law, the bill will grant the Governor of Alabama the ability to select eight members of the department’s Board of Trustees, while also becoming a voting member as well.

Additionally, the legislation invests the Speaker of the House and the Senate President Pro Tem with the responsibility of appointing four members.

In an effort to take into account minority parties, the bill also directs the Senate Minority Leader to draft a list of potential board members, from which the Speaker and President Pro Tem must each select a new voting member.

State Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville), who carried the bill in the House, said the aim is to align the board’s structure with those of other state institutions.

“This bill reconstitutes the board of directors to make it more in line with our other two flagship museums of the state, the Battleship and the Rocket Center,” Kiel said on the House floor during debate.

A House amendment offered by State Rep. Joe Lovvoron (R-Auburn) eliminated Senate confirmation requirements for appointees.

“The basis of that is… why would the Speaker have an appointment and then that appointment be confirmed by the Senate?” Lovvoron said. “It just took away that Senate confirmation portion.”

Lawmakers in the House are pleased with the legislation’s passage and soon to soon-to-be enactment and also defended the bill against accusations of political overreach, arguing it enhances accountability for how taxpayer dollars are spent.

“There’s a lot of taxpayer dollars that go to this agency, just like the Rocket Center, just like the Battleship,” said Kiel. “We want to make sure there’s oversight by people elected to office, people who answer to the public”

Once signed into law by Gov. Ivey, the new structure will take effect, replacing the department’s historically self-perpetuating board model with one guided by appointments from statewide officials.

Grace Heim is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You can follow her on X @graceeheim or email her at grace@yellowhammernews.com.

On a call with reporters Wednesday morning, Senator Tommy Tuberville was asked if he intends to run for Governor of Alabama in 2026 given new polling showing his clear lead over other potential candidates in the race. While Tuberville indicated that he is currently focused on his role as a U.S. Senator, he stressed that one should “never say never” concerning a run for office.

“One thing I wanna say as I’ve told people I wanna do what’s best for the people of Alabama in this country,” said Tuberville (R-Auburn). “I can’t say that I’ve enjoyed it up here, but I’m glad I’ve been in DC for the last four years. “

“I’m looking forward to the next two years. You never say never on anything. Because things change. I’m fixing to put my heart and soul into the next two years. I’m getting this country back for the people of Alabama and the people of the United States of America. My dad lost his life in the military. He gave his life for this country as millions of other people have done. “

The Senator explained that his time in office is a way of paying it forward for all that America has blessed him with.

“This is just a small part of trying to give back to the greatest country ever that’s given me a whole lot so I’m gonna work very hard and I’m doing my job here in the United States Senate,” said Tuberville. “I’m glad I did this. I’m glad I’m here. I’ve learned so much from other people up here who are a lot like me and just want our country to be great and safe again. We’ll talk about all that other stuff down the road.”

“I’m just looking forward to President Trump getting in next week, talking to him tonight visiting with him many more times, and doing as much as we can for the people of Alabama because we have a lot of work to do.”

The primary elections for governor will be held on May 25. Candidates are expected to begin announcing their entry into the race in the beginning of the year.

Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten

2026 will be an unspeakably busy election cycle in the Yellowhammer State. Every constitutional state office will be on the ballot, from Governor and Lieutenant Governor to Attorney General and Secretary of State, on down to the entirety of the Alabama Legislature. All seven members of Congress will be on the ballot, including the successful candidate in the 2nd Congressional District, as well as U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville if he decides to run for reelection to his six-year term.

Governor Kay Ivey, Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, Attorney General Steve Marshall, and Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate will each be ineligible to run for reelection to their current offices, as they are term limited.

The turnover itself isn’t rare. But the number of term-limited officials with races left to win is. Which begs the question: Who will run for Governor?

Will Ainsworth

After a term representing the Guntersville area in the Alabama House, Will Ainsworth made a long-shot bid for the lieutenant governorship and pulled it off 51.5%. In the time since, Ainsworth has faced no real threat to his office, and has cemented his political capital as one of the hardest working elected officials in the state.

That will be evident for whoever takes over as lieutenant governor, as Ainsworth has reinvented the role through the creation and expansion of commissions responsible for legislative achievements. From school choice to workforce development to cutting the state’s grocery tax to helping make Alabama the most military-friendly state in the nation – Ainsworth has a proven track record of getting things done – and will make that case to voters if he decides to run. Many say that the only reason Ainsworth would not be on the ballot in 2026 is if he wants to remain in the private sector and enjoy the business success he’s found and spend more time with his family, which both predate his political career.

Brass tacks is that his name identification has increased each year, his ability to fundraise is effectively unmatched, and his grassroots operation is primed and ready to go. This, in combination with his conservative message and big ideas that voters want to hear more about – including widening I-65 to six lanes up and down the state – is a recipe for success in 2026.

Steve Marshall

Being term limited in his current job is a shame, as Marshall is so effective as the state’s top law enforcement and prosecutorial official. He’s taken the role to new heights through partnerships with other state AGs and has earned a national platform in the process. Alabama trusts Marshall through the conservative work of his office – as well as his work ethic on the campaign trail.

It seems likely that Marshall’s current consideration for a gubernatorial run in 2026 relies on a pressing contingency: Will U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville be appointed to the cabinet of a second Trump Administration in the next six months? If so, Marshall is the man to beat in that race after Governor Ivey appoints someone to fill the vacancy. While it’s less clear if Ivey would appoint Marshall at that time – his federal electability is likely much more powerful than his statewide electability.

Other factors influencing a Marshall bid for governor in ‘26 include two essential ingredients in a statewide race: Voter base and fundraising. He and Ainsworth spent the majority of their lives in Marshall County and were both elected to their first office there. While Marshall has been firmly planted in Montgomery since being appointed as attorney general in 2017, Ainsworth has been back and forth between Guntersville and Montgomery, where his family and real estate business are located. This also relates to fundraising, as Ainsworth has over $1,000,000 cash on hand and is capable of self-funding his campaign, compared to $200,000 sitting in Marshall’s warchest.

Marshall, one of the state’s loudest and most vibrant conservatives, more than anyone on this list, is weighing his options. No matter which office he runs for, he’ll leverage a grassroots operation that covers every corner of the state to attempt a successful bid.

Rick Pate

A former mayor, GOP county party chairman, and now Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, Rick Pate pulled off his first successful statewide bid in 2018. Pate is very good at his job, and he’d likely continue serving if not for being term limited. Rick Pate is always on the campaign trail. His relationships with party and local elected officials runs deep and his active presence keeps him top of mind for key constituencies across the state. But Pate is unlikely to self-fund his race, he has yet to prove his ability to fundraise at this level, and he isn’t yet a known commodity among the state’s business community.

As he mulls a run for governor in 2026, he knows what a tough decision that will present for primary voters. With Ainsworth’s bid in motion, Pate’s name ID, and network of county campaign chairs will need to be revved up quickly and strategically. But Pate seems very interested.

Tommy Tuberville

As Alabama’s senior senator approaches the end of his six-year term, he and everyone else are asking: What’s next for Coach? Sen. Tuberville’s political trajectory hinges on a Trump victory in November – regardless of whether he leads from the Senate or leads in the cabinet as a department secretary. The chances of Tuberville getting the nod from Trump to serve in his second administration are high. If Trump is defeated in November, Tuberville could be more motivated than ever to double down on his crusade in the Senate, holding Democrats’ feet to the fire, especially if Republicans earn a Senate majority in November. If Tuberville decides not to run for reelection to the U.S. Senate in 2026 after a Trump loss – it’s likely that he’ll opt out of running for governor for similar reasons. But, no matter what statewide office he runs for, expect to see Coach in the red zone.

Lindy Blanchard

Lindy Blanchard, a vocal supporter and ally of Donald Trump, received 126,202 votes in the 2022 midterm election – leaving her in an interesting position to run for the governorship in 2026. Blanchard was appointed to serve as a United States Ambassador to Slovenia during the Trump administration in 2016 and was able to self-fund her campaign in 2022. If interested, she could comfortably do that again. Lindy recently told supporters at a Capital City Republican Women event that she has not yet decided to run for Governor again but that “it’s always a possibility.”

Lew Burdette

First-time candidate Lew Burdette received 42,924 votes in the midterm election for Governor, showing a decent stance for a political newcomer with limited capital. Burdette crippled his campaign in 2022 by limiting his campaign contributions to $10,000. Lew made this move to show good faith while making a point to the political system, and it cost him. Lew Burdette is a former COO of Book-a-Million and now serves as President of King’s Home, a Christian-based non-profit serving abused women and children in Alabama.

Randall Woodfin

Now in his seventh year as Mayor of Birmingham, Randall Woodfin has higher office written all over him. Woodfin is currently one of the most battle-tested grassroots organizers in Alabama. He has the motivation to scale that operation up and he’s been on the ballot every cycle he could since 2009. In fact, he started campaigning for his first campaign for mayor over a year in advance. But, is that office Governor of Alabama? Probably not. We would’ve already seen it coming. Woodfin, sixteen years younger than 7th District Congresswoman Terri Sewell, will likely have his time to run for that seat when the time comes.

Doug Jones

After being sent home from the U.S. Senate by the voters of Alabama in 2020, Jones hasn’t been very quiet. He joined CNN as a talking head, became personally active on social media, and waged an unsuccessful war on the Joe Reed faction of the Alabama Democratic Party. While Jones feigns interest in state politics as a vassal to make his case for socialism, it’s highly unlikely he has the interest or the energy to run for governor in ‘26. Besides, Jones probably finds it difficult to picture himself in Montgomery while being the current favorite for Attorney General under a Kamala Harris administration.

Bruce Pearl

This is a long shot for someone who has never been afraid to pop a shot in his life — but we’d love to cover that campaign.

Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270

Today, we’re proud to introduce the fifth and final installment of the 2024 Power & Influence 50 – the twelfth annual tradition from Yellowhammer News.

As the dust settles from this year’s legislative session, our team has spent time talking with key leaders and operatives across state government to offer an inside look into the top individuals who are leveraging their power and influence for those they represent in the Yellowhammer State. The list factors recent policy and political developments and includes Alabama business leaders, lobbyists, consultants, and elected officials.

2024 Power & Influence numbers 20-11 can be found here, 30-21 can be found here, 40-31 can be found here, and 50-41 can be found here. Our 2024 ‘Who’s Next?’ list can be found here.

Quentin Riggins, Alabama Power Company

His name may be unassuming, yet it resonates universally: “Q”

Despite being a celebrity as a standout at Auburn in a state that idolizes football players more than any politician, Q treats his unparalleled college career as just a line on his resume. Q has worked for three Governors, a long-standing Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, the state’s top business association, ran his own firm, and now is president of the Auburn University Board of Trustees during a time of unbelievable growth. Without ever stepping into the limelight, Quinten Riggins is an architect of transformation that benefits every corner of the state.

Danny Garrett, Alabama State Representative

Danny Garrett knows numbers. As Chairman of the House Ways & Means Education Committee responsible for distributing $10 billion in state funding this session, Danny Garrett puts those numbers to work for his top priorities in education, while keeping Alabama in elite financial condition through conservative budgeting. He also maintains a powerful list of longstanding personal contacts among Alabama’s business elite from his career as a successful businessman and CFO. Those connections, paired with the strong support of the education community, ensure that Chairman Garrett will be holding these record-setting purse strings for years to come.

Clay Ryan, Alabama Power Company

The U.S.S. Clay Ryan continues to make headwinds. Seriously, Clay is like an aircraft carrier. He personifies unwavering strength and precision. Wherever he stands becomes central command to the state’s business and political structure – whether that is on top of a skyscraper or in a fishing boat. Challenges bounce off him, leaving no trace. People instinctively turn to him for guidance, knowing that his decisions are anchored in experience. He leads an extensive team of Government Relations and External Affairs professionals. In the realm of Alabama politics, his extraordinary capabilities in messaging stand out, placing him among the most skilled communicators in the field. Needless to say, he’s yet to hit his peak.

Joe Perkins, Matrix, LLC

Joe Perkins is a highly influential figure in Alabama, known for his strategic consulting, public relations, and political expertise. He serves a dynamic range of clients, from large corporations to individual problem-solvers. Perkins is not a lobbyist or a traditional governmental affairs practitioner but offers strategic direction and positioning for his clients. His influence extends to major initiatives, campaigns, and institutions.

Robbie McGhee, Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Council

Without a doubt, McGhee clocks in higher on this list than any year prior. In the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, he represents one of Alabama’s prominent job creators, investors, innovators, and corporate citizens. McGhee has been effective in his role because officials on all levels of government understand this better with every interaction with him. His background from the executive and legislative branches of the federal government, as well as in private practice, and his devotion to PCI spanning decades has culminated to his indisputable standing among the most powerful in Alabama. He has a unique ability to take smart, calculated risks. Last year, we wrote “McGhee’s legacy in Alabama is cemented by his ability to leverage PCI’s strength so that all gaming legislation in the state goes through the tribe.”

Bob Geddie, Fine Geddie & Associates

When Bob Geddie tells you something, you can consider it done. For over 40 years, Geddie has built something incredible based on the pillars of trust, integrity, relationships, and work ethic. Lawmakers, clients, and colleagues alike know they will get the truth and results when working with him. Prior to forming Fine Geddie & Associates in 1984, Geddie was Director of State Governmental Affairs for Alabama Power. He also served as Legislative Liaison and as Executive Assistant to Governor Fob James, and was a staffer for the late U.S. Senator John Sparkman. There are few people alive like Bob Geddie anymore, a true southern gentleman full of grit and determination. There are even less in any industry who have earned the respect of their peers across the board the way that Bob Geddie has.

Will Ainsworth, Lieutenant Governor of Alabama

Will Ainsworth frontloaded his 2024 with impactful legislative wins, key among them being comprehensive school choice reform. He’s been one of its top and most vocal proponents long before it became a central focus this year. Since then, he’s kept a loaded calendar, communicated conservative priorities, and operated strongly behind the scenes to successfully stay above the fray this session. As workforce development gained full attention, Ainsworth took the lead in legislative efforts due to his involvement leading the 21st Century Workforce Commission from the beginning. Ainsworth is just ready to go.

Greg Reed, President Pro Tempore of the Alabama State Senate

Reed has been the most influential force in the Alabama Legislature year after year – and this year is no different. He’s a man of the Senate: He’s deliberative, receives and offers advice generously, and most importantly, he gets things done. The Senate itself is a unique and inherently powerful mechanism in the overall reality of state government: Procedural, practical, and sometimes unspoken traditions serve to make it as decisive as it is in the outcome of all legislation introduced. The same can be said of Reed. And he’s used that capacity to the fullest. Reed is deeply conservative, pro-business, a truly gifted speaker and retail politician, as well as our favorite kind of lawmaker: A fulltime lawmaker. As was evident this session, Reed controls the timing and tempo of the legislative process. In terms of the Senate body, we’re not sure who could do as good of a job as he does.

Nathaniel Ledbetter, Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives

This session, the gentleman from Rainsville set the table of the Alabama Legislature. As we’ve signaled in years past, Ledbetter has been on a lightning fast trajectory to the level of responsibility and respect he accumulated by the close of session. He and his deputies came prepared. They did their job. And Ledbetter was in control of his chamber the entire time. This applies to the whole range of accomplishments from the House in 2024. But it also applies to gaming – which advanced further in the legislative process than in 25 years. In his sine die address from the well of his chamber, Ledbetter said all 105 members of the Alabama House of Representatives were like family to him. The leadership he displayed this session and the power it represents was tough as nails. We’re looking forward to seeing what he does with it next.

Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama

It’s inarguable that every moment of Governor Ivey’s tenure has been a fulfillment of the unbelievable mandate she accepted now over seven years ago. Increasingly among the nation’s most popular governors, and by far the most popular Governor of Alabama of the 21st century, Ivey demonstrates perfectly how popularity translates to power. And that’s hardly been her primary source of getting as much accomplished as she has all throughout her career. Kay Ivey, and those with whom she surrounds herself, make the people of Alabama proud. She’s not only Alabama’s education governor, Alabama’s infrastructure governor, Alabama’s manufacturing governor, and now, she’s Alabama’s workforce governor. Kay Ivey speaks for Alabama. And Alabama will always be Kay Ivey country.

Photo by Governor’s Office, Sydney Foster

Lynn Beshear has been appointed as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health by Governor Kay Ivey.

“I did not seek out this position, but I am honored to be chosen to serve my fellow Alabamians,” Mrs. Beshear stated. “I am excited to work with Governor Ivey, her Cabinet, the Legislature, and the professionals within the Department of Mental Health, to provide excellent services for Alabamians with mental illness, those who are developmentally delayed, and those who struggle with substance abuse.”

“I am honored to appoint Lynn Beshear as Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health,” Governor Ivey said. “Through active participation in securing mental health services in the River Region, Lynn understands the complexities of the Department, and the importance of its work on behalf of the people of Alabama.”

This move marks several recent staff and cabinet changes by Ivey, who became Governor after her predecessor, Robert Bentley, resigned in April. Bentley’s appointees who are no longer on the cabinet include Neal Morrison, commissioner of senior services and Joanne Hale, acting secretary of the office of information technology. The governor has also announced that Art Faulkner, Alabama’s Emergency Management Director, will retire in early September, and her replacements for these posts will soon be named.

Alabama’s 54th Governor is also replacing a host of staff members, including press secretary, replacing Eileen Jones. Daniel Sparkman has been promoted to the position of press secretary.

Ivey has indicated that these changes complete her cabinet. Commenting on these moves, she said: “I am thankful for the staff members who stayed on to help us make it through this quick transition. I am also especially thankful to Eileen Jones for her willingness to join my administration early on to help us get our feet on the ground and off to an effective start; I wish her well in her future endeavors.”

Dr. Scott Beaulier, Executive Director of Troy University’s Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy

Dr. Scott Beaulier’s résumé is nothing if not impressive. It reads something like this…

• Ph.D in Economics from George Mason University
• Distinguished Fellow at The Laffer Center for Global Economic Growth (You remember Art Laffer, right? Ronald Reagan’s top economic policy adviser? Yea.)
• Economics Department Chair and Distinguished Professor of Capitalism at Mercer University
• Editorial Board Member, Journal of Entrepreneurship & Public Policy
• Adams-Bibby Chair of Free Enterprise, and now Executive Director of Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy at Troy University

…The list could go on and on.

So when Beaulier earlier this week waded into the ongoing debate over what kind of economic impact expanding Medicaid under ObamaCare would have on the State of Alabama, it was kind of a big deal.

Not only did Beaulier and fellow Troy professor Phillip Mixon lay out in great detail the detrimental impact expanding Medicaid would have on the state, they also placed some of their colleagues at the Univ. of Alabama and UAB directly in their crosshairs.

This wasn’t your typical nerd fight.

For some background, The Alabama Hospital Association commissioned UAB and UA to do studies on what type of impact expanding Medicaid under ObamaCare could have on Alabama.

UAB said the state could gain nearly $1 billion in new tax revenue if the state would expand the program. UA then based their study on UAB’s findings and said that 30,700 new jobs could be created in the state over the next several years, and as many as 51,918 if all eligible individuals enrolled in an expansion.

Gov. Bentley called the studies “bogus” and said he would continue holding the line against an expansion. But the propaganda war continued.

UAB followed up their “study” by releasing a “survey” claiming Alabamians overwhelmingly supported expanding Medicaid. Most of the mainstream media — who ideologically support Medicaid expansion — played along.

Then this week the Troy economists came along and dropped the political equivalent of an atom bomb on the pro-Medicaid expansion campaign.

The Troy study, titled “The Feasibility of the Medicaid Expansion in Alabama,” explains in very simple terms the numerous errors and logical fallacies contained in the UAB and UA studies.

UAB was completely wrong about how Medicaid expenditures are taxed in the state of Alabama. They included local taxes as a funding source for Medicaid, which they are not. And they grossly underestimated the administrative costs of adding 500,000 individuals to the government’s healthcare rolls. Add all of that together and you’ve got a final product that the Troy study asserts doesn’t even come close to reality. To make matters worse, UA then used UAB’s study as the starting point for their economic impact projections.

Yellowhammer caught up with Dr. Beaulier from Troy University earlier this week to find out what compelled him and his team to take on the Medicaid issue.

“All of this came out of frustration with a lot of the mainstream media coverage we were seeing about Medicaid expansion,” Beaulier told Yellowhammer by phone. “This idea that it could increase state GDP by 50 percent — the assumption that taking all of this federal money is a good thing, that it is ‘free money’ — so much of what we were seeing just didn’t meet the standard of basic economic reasoning. When you pick it all apart, Medicaid expansion is not so great for Alabama.”

In fact, the Troy study found that even under the best-case scenario, the revenue gained by expanding Medicaid would only outpace the added costs for the first three years of the expansion when the federal government would be picking up 100 percent of the tab. After that, Medicaid would continue to devour more and more of Alabama’s General Fund Budget, exacerbating its already serious problems. They also found that the state would face a significant shortage of medical professionals, especially in rural areas.

So how could the UAB and UA studies get it so wrong?

“I assume it has to do with who commissioned the study” Beaulier said. “They were well paid and knew what their clients were looking for. I think most economic development studies are biased. What typically happens is a group comes in and they say, ‘Ok, here are our targets. These are the numbers we want to hit.’ They pay in advance and they explain what they are looking for. So the researchers being paid to do the study makes sure they get the numbers to work and hit those targets.”

Yellowhammer asked Dr. Beaulier if Troy had been commissioned by an outside group to conduct their study and he said they had not.

“Look, they could have come in and said, ‘we believe more people should be covered by Medicaid and this is a cost worth baring,'” Beaulier continued. “But that’s not what they did. They said it would be good for Alabama’s budgets, too. That’s absurd. A lot of the things they are saying are unreasonable. The other studies just don’t pass the smell test. They stink.”

Dr. David Becker of the UAB School of Public Health told the Birmingham Business Journal that they stand by their study and downplayed the concerns raised by the Troy economists as simply differences of methodology. If that’s any indication, the debate over expanding Medicaid in Alabama will likely continue to rage on.

This will be a nerd fight worth watching.

Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims

(Above: Gov. Bentley announces Remington is coming to Alabama, Remington CEO George Kollitides says the state’s motto played a role in getting them to come.)

HUNTSVILLE — Dozens of lawmakers, economic development advocates, and members of the press packed into the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce Monday afternoon to welcome the nation’s oldest firearms manufacturer, Remington Outdoor Company, to Alabama.

“I am honored to welcome Remington to Alabama,” Gov. Robert Bentley said. “The Alabama workforce, our business climate and our quality of life continue to make Alabama extremely attractive to companies. Remington will soon experience the same type of success that other companies in Alabama have already experienced. Today’s announcement will create more than 2,000 jobs in Huntsville, and reflects a statewide capital investment of $110 million. Our relationship with Remington is just beginning, and I look forward to a continued partnership with the company.”

.@GovernorBentley presents Great Seal of Ala. to #Remington CEO. "Welcome to Sweet Home Alabama!" pic.twitter.com/cycaM4CHTH

— Yellowhammer (@YHPolitics) February 17, 2014

Monday’s event was the culmination of almost a year’s worth of work.

In the spring of 2013, Remington began looking at locations all over the country that could be potential sites for their massive planned expansion. A couple dozen states pursued the company. Nine sites in Alabama alone were presented as possible locations. But Remington’s CEO said the company decided very quickly that Huntsville, Ala. was the ideal location for their new facility.

For the next 6-8 months, Remington and Alabama officials engaged in a long series of discussions that were so secretive that most people actively involved in the project didn’t even know the name of the company they were pursuing; they only new the project’s code name — “Traveler.”

"Project Traveler" was the Alabama economic development team's code name for the #Remington project. Started 8 months ago. #alpolitics

— Yellowhammer (@YHPolitics) February 17, 2014

Commerce Sec. @gregcanfield says Huntsville, Ala. beat out sites in 24 other states to land #Remington. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/dOPNpIVIYu

— Yellowhammer (@YHPolitics) February 17, 2014

Gov. Bentley says Gov. Perry called, said he wished #Remington had chosen TX, but congratulated Ala. for the big win pic.twitter.com/s7AXFR6oSb

— Yellowhammer (@YHPolitics) February 17, 2014

“With the acquisition of this facility, we plan to create 2,000 jobs in Huntsville over the next decade,” George Kollitides, Chairman and CEO, Remington Outdoor Company said. “This additional capacity is essential to fulfill demand and introduce new products. Having watched our Company grow from 2,400 employees in 2008 to 4,200 employees by the end of 2013, a five year, 75 percent increase, it is easy to see why we’re investing now.”

Remington had a record breaking year in 2013, expanding its ammunition facility, increasing its firearm capacity, winning numerous military and law enforcement contracts, launching its 1816 lifestyle brand and introducing a series of new products.

“2013 was an outstanding year during which we grew by every key measure,” Kollitides said. “We are capitalizing on this momentum by strengthening our positions across the board. With demand for our products at an historic high and more new product launches planned for 2014 than ever before in our 200-year history, we are investing in the future.”

Following facility upgrades, ROC is expected to begin operations in Alabama within the next 18 months.

Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley was elected in the great Tea Party wave of 2010, an election cycle when the calls for reductions to the size of government were louder than ever. The first-term governor responded with a plan he dubbed the “Road to a Billion Dollars in Savings,” which sought to “right size” Alabama’s state government.

A new study released Tuesday by Conservative Intelligence briefing found that of the 26 new governors elected nationwide in 2010, Bentley has managed to reduce the size of his state’s bureaucracy at the third fastest pace.

Here’s a chart that shows the ten states that have reduced their number of state government employees between Jan. 2011 and Nov. 2013.

But Alabama’s bureaucracy still has some room to shrink. As you can see in the chart below, Alabama continues to have a relatively high number of state employees compared to the state’s population.

Alabama has one state employee for roughly every 47 residents. That’s more than any other state on the list below with the exception of Hawaii, which has a bloated bureaucracy of one state employee for approximately every 20 residents.

“Republican Gov. [Robert] Bentley promised to save $1 billion by the end of his first term with a plan that involved ‘right-sizing’ Alabama’s state employee workforce through attrition,” David Freddoso of Conservative Intelligence Briefing said. “He got it done a year early… So far, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says he’s shed about 8,100 state workers. Alabama is still well-staffed with one state employee for every 47 residents.”

Unfortunately, less than half of governors elected in 2010 have less state government employees today than they did the day they were elected.

“The few governors who downsized in hard times are defying a political law of gravity,” Freddoso concluded. “They deserve credit.”

Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims

The question of whether or not incentives packages to lure big businesses pay off for taxpayers in the long run is a debate that has been simmering in Alabama for years now.

Over a decade after Alabama lawmakers offered Mercedes-Benz an incentives package worth $253 million to locate in Vance, Ala., it’s still difficult to tell whether or not the deal has paid off. Certainly it has for the thousands of Alabamians Mercedes has employed. And the rising property values and overall economic growth in the area has positively impacted many thousands more. But economists are conflicted as to whether or not Alabama taxpayers have actually seen a net return on their investment in Mercedes. I personally think they probably have.

But whether they have or not, Mercedes is an undeniable success compared to the $1 billion in incentives Alabama gave ThyssenKrupp. The beleaguered steel manufacturer recently sold its south Alabama operation for a fraction of what it cost to build. By some estimates, the state of Alabama spent a whopping $400,000 per job. Taxpayers got the short end of the stick on this one.

The only thing that anyone is certain about is that incentives aren’t going away any time soon.

For one, the political windfall that comes with landing a huge economic development project is too much for politicians to ignore. On top of that, when a state lands a project that works, the benefits are huge — both in terms of direct jobs and overall economic impact.

Boeing is the latest industry heavyweight that states are chasing.

Huntsville, Ala. is one of 15 sites vying for an enormous new Boeing facility. At its peak, the operation will employ approximately 8,500 people directly and thousands more through suppliers that would locate nearby and even more through the overall impact the development would have on the region’s economy.

Gov. Bentley’s team at the Alabama Dept. of Commerce worked through the weekend to craft an incentives package to present to Boeing by their deadline on Tuesday.

Missouri is another state vying for the aerospace giant.

Rep. Jay Barnes, a Republican in the Missouri House, recently voted against an incentives package passed by the Missouri legislature that would give Boeing billions of dollars in subsidies to locate their new manufacturing facility in St. Louis.

He followed up his vote with an article on why he voted against the proposal. His post gives some insight into the thought process of a conservative weighing the costs and benefits of giving economic incentives to big corporations.

Here’s an excerpt from his article:

I voted no because the actual cost of the package is a bad deal for Missouri taxpayers. Gov. Nixon proposes spending too much over too many years to expect a positive return on the investment. As a result, the bill will make it more difficult to enact broad-based tax relief to benefit the small business owners, entrepreneurs, and working families who drive economic growth in our state…

Gov. Nixon has claimed and the press has reported that the Boeing package is for $1.7 billion and is “paid for” because it only comes out of new payroll taxes collected for jobs created at Boeing. The devil, however, is always in the details. Gov. Nixon’s financial projections hide $707 million in additional benefits that the legislation quietly authorizes, leading to a true grand total potential subsidy package of $2.4 billion for Boeing, which is far more than the anticipated payroll taxes for new Boeing employees. In addition, despite Gov. Nixon’s claims that the subsidies are “paid for,” the subsidies authorized are, in fact, nearly four times higher than the expected state income taxes to be collected from new Boeing employees.

In total, Boeing could receive more than $21,000 in subsidies for every new employee… The tax gap between Gov. Nixon’s proposed subsidies and income taxes collected from new Boeing employees is nearly $16,000 per employee. Thus, the only way this subsidy package makes sense for Missouri taxpayers is if enough non-Boeing jobs are created to close this gap — and a sober analysis shows this is unlikely.

For taxpayers to “break even” on a $2.4 billion subsidy package, more than 30,000 non-Boeing jobs would have to be created and kept in the next 15 years as a result of the subsidies…

Instead of picking winners and losers, I believe the best way to grow our economy is to cut taxes for everyone… Broad-based tax relief would help every Missourian. The more deals we cut like this one with Boeing, the further away we get from serious tax reform. It’s time for Missouri government to change its economic development model. Rather than a top-down focus aimed at companies like Boeing, we should aim to grow our economy from the ground up with lower taxes for everyone.

As a state with a much more business-friendly climate than Missouri, Alabama isn’t as in need of broad-based tax relief on the state level. But the question remains, is Alabama’s business-friendly, pro-economic growth climate enough?

The fact is, the state cannot land the Mercedes-Benzes, Airbuses and Boeings of the world without offering incentives. But is it worth the cost?

Let us know what you think in the comment section below, or on Facebook or Twitter.

Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims

Will Ainsworth, R-Guntersville, and his family

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. — First-term state representative Wes Long recently announced that he will not seek re-election to his House District 27 seat. Today, Republican Will Ainsworth threw his hat in the ring to become Long’s successor.

Ainsworth operates a well known hunting and fishing lodge in Guntersville called Dream Ranch.

If elected, he says economic development and job creation would he his immediate focus.

“As a legislator, I will pledge to work with Gov. Robert Bentley and his team to recruit much needed jobs and industry to the Marshall County area,” Ainsworth said. “It’s no secret that our area is still suffering the effects of the economic downturn, and I believe that I have the energy, vision, and drive necessary to help bring some long overdue relief.”

Ainsworth also noted his desire to help protect the fundamental rights of Alabamians from continuing attacks by Democrats on the federal level.

“Since Obama has taken office, our gun rights, our religious freedoms, and even the fundamental right to life have been under constant assault,” he said. “I understand that the state legislature is the last line of defense against these attacks and can create roadblocks that prevent ObamaCare and other liberal policies from taking root here.”

Prior to founding Dream Ranch, Ainsworth was the full-time youth director at Albertville’s Grace Fellowship Church. In addition to the ranch, he also operates a commercial cattle farm.

Ainsworth is a co-founder of the Tennessee Valley Hunting and Fishing Expo, which he says has grown into one of the largest trade shows of its kind in the southeast, with more than 30,000 attendees annually.

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“I understand.”

That was Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley’s message to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama after their decision to not reinstate thousands of insurance plans that do not comply with ObamaCare.

President Obama tried to quell the public outcries against his beleaguered healthcare law by telling insurance providers they could continue offering such plans for another year. However, Alabama’s largest insurer said they simply could not revert to previous policies after spending several years preparing to comply with thousands of pages of ObamaCare regulations.

“I do not like the Affordable Care Act,” Bentley said. “I understand why Blue Cross Blue Shield did what they had to do.”

More than 5.4 million Americans have been informed that their current individual health insurance plan will be cancelled to comply with ObamaCare — 87,000 of those live in Alabama.

Bentley, a doctor by trade, has been outspoken against the president’s healthcare law since its inception, at one point calling it the worst piece of legislation he’s ever seen.

But Bentley said insurance companies cannot be expected to do a “180” in a couple of weeks after spending years preparing to implement ObamaCare’s demands.

“Insurance companies, they’re a business, and they already had things set up,” Bentley told Yellowhammer. “I want everyone to be able to purchase insurance. I would like to have more bare bones policies out there that are less expensive.”

“What I think we need to do is repeal the act completely,” the governor continued. “We should bring together those who are involved — whether its medical [professionals], insurance companies and other stakeholders, including individuals — bring those good minds together and we can come up with a solution for this.”

Bentley went on to say that the problem must be solved in a bipartisan manner, and that the solution must be based on free market principles that protect the patient-doctor relationship.

The governor also noted that access to healthcare is a major concern, in addition to the issues with the health insurance marketplace. According to the Association of American Medical colleges, the United States could face a shortage of more than 91,500 physicians by 2020.

“I believe we will need to use more physician extenders and nurse practitioners working with their collaborative agreements that we have in place, and producing more primary care doctors,” Bentley said.

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State School Board member Mary Scott Hunter

In a 6 to 2 vote on Thursday, the Alabama Board of Education approved a resolution to reaffirm that Alabama — not out-of-state entities — has control of their College and Career Ready standards, also know as Common Core.

The board voted to end a 2009 Memorandum of Agreement with the National Governor’s Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, the developers of Common Core.

State School Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice told Yellowhammer News today that the vote means that Alabama will continue to participate in Common Core, but that the Alabama Board of Education will maintain total control of the state’s education standards.

Bice also said that Alabama will work with other states to ensure that students are receiving the same level of education across the nation. In other words, Bice believes Common Core will ensure that students leaving Alabama will not be behind or ahead in their studies when enrolling at another school outside the state. Bice said this standard especially helps children in military families who move to a different military base every few years.

Some Board members said Thursday’s vote will diminish federal intrusion into state education policy, but skeptics said the vote will have little to no impact at all.

“We have got to get kids ready for college and careers, “ school board member Mary Scott Hunter of Huntsville said. “We have a giant hill to climb.”

Board Member Ella Bell of Montgomery agreed and said that having Common Core in place gives minority students a chance to receive a better education.

“I fully support Common Core, it gives children an opportunity for quality education,” Bell said.

Jeff Newman of Millport and Betty Peters of Kinsey were the two board members who voted against the resolution.

Peters said voting on the resolution was pointless because the 2009 agreement is not currently legally binding. Newman added that allowing Common Core standards to continue in the state will cede more control of Alabama’s education system to the federal government.

“We were heading in the right direction before Common Core,” Newman said. “The Common Core allows federal intrusion.”

If Peters’ and Newman’s comments are any indication, today’s vote will do very little to ease concerns among conservative activists who have made the repeal of Common Core their top priority.

Common Core standards have been approved by 45 states and Washington, D.C. Common Core’s stated goal is to “level the playing field” for students around the country, bringing uniformity to education standards across the U.S.

State Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, said he will file legislation to repeal the Common Core standards during the upcoming legislative session, but Alabama Senate Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said he will not allow the issue to come up for a vote.

“The State Board of Education is an elected body responsible for setting education policy and we are seeing them take action to alleviate concerns over Alabama’s College and Career Ready Standards,” Marsh told Yellowhammer today. “I applaud their efforts thus far.”

A spokesperson for Gov. Bentey said he remains opposed to Common Core.

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Gov. Robert Bentley, R-Tuscaloosa, in February tasked Forensic Strategic Solutions (FSS) with investigating potential fraud at Alabama State University. Earlier this week, Bentley released the findings of the audit, which indicate that “multiple acts of fraud, waste and abuse are occurring and/or have occurred at ASU.”

ASU Board of Trustees Chairman Elton Dean, Vice Chairman Judge Marvin Wiggins, and former member Dr. Lawrence Lemak were all named in the assessment.

ASU President William Harris shot back, saying that the portions of the assessment he read are “false and misleading.”

“Our university is under attack by a governor who wishes to control the destiny of this historic place,” Harris said. “The governor uses as his justification a flawed document that he released without keeping his promise to ASU that we would have the opportunity to review and respond to him before it was issued, so as to point out clear and glaring inaccuracies.”

Here are 5 things we learned about the investigation’s findings, using quotes pulled directly from the 36-page report:

1. Folks don’t like being investigated

FSS has concluded that ASU has failed to produce critical documents. FSS has no confidence that the documents produced by ASU are complete and reliable. Instead, FSS has had to rely on third party information, publicly available information, research, identification of relationships, and other indirect methods of investigation to perform it’s assessment.

2. It pays to be a family member

ASU trustee Judge Marvin Wiggins had many relatives involved with “Camp Eagle,” a two week summer program for youth hosted by ASU. Namely Wiggins’ wife, Zina Wiggins was the director of Camp Eagle for several years. Also allegedly involved were Wiggins’ brother-in-law, Kenneth Williams; Wiggins’ mother-in-law, Florence Catledge; Wiggins’ sister-in-law, Michelle Crawford; and Devo’n Williams (whose exact relationship to Wiggins is unknown but he shares the same home address with Kenneth Williams, Florence Catledge, and Michelle Crawford). All these individuals were paid by ASU under the Camp Eagle project, but were not all identified by ASU as being paid under the Camp Eagle project in all instances.

3. Administrative costs can be costly

Dr. Lawrence Lemak reportedly served as ASU team physician. FSS found no payments from ASU directly to Lemak for his services. FSS determined that Lemak’s non-profit foundation, The National Center for Sports Safety had a cooperation agreement with ASU for the period October 2007 through September 2012. ASU provided funding to NCSS through appropriations from the State of Alabama for the PREPARE program. ASU received 20% of the allocations to NCSS as an ‘administration costs,’ despite the fact that ASU has produced no documentation or information demonstrating that ASU performed any administrative functions of NCSS.

4. Everyone loves those inflatable games

ASU Trustee Elton Dean had relatives involved in a business that violates the conflict of interest policy for ASU as codified in the Alabama Code of 1975. Dean has a daughter, Dawnese Bowen and son-in-law, Allen Bowen, who are the only two members of The Space Walker, LLC. Space Walker rents out large inflatables, such as slides and moonwalks, for parties and events. Space Walker received multiple payments from ASU yet Dean failed to disclose either Dawnese Bowen or Allen Bowen on his Conflict of Interest form and on his Statement of Economic Interest form.

Warranting further investigation is Dean’s relationship to one Falicia Rhodes and payments to Rhodes from the CLPP totalling $78,000.00.

5. There’s a lot more investigating to be done

ASU spent over $200 million on construction work at the university from approximately 2007-2013. FSS was preparing to investigate these expenditures and was scheduled to interview Dr. Freddie Gallot, ASU’s Vice President of Business and Finance, on September 5, 2013 regarding the construction contracts and payments. However, the interview with Gallot was cancelled by WAD (law firm White, Arnold, & Dowd, P.C.) because Gallot’s personal attorney was unable to attend.

Follow Adam on Twitter @AdamYHN

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley has raised almost $2 million for his re-election campaign, according to campaign finance reports filed this week.

The reports show the Republican incumbent raised more than $547,000 in September, making it his second-highest fundraising month of the 2014 election cycle, so far. Since June, Governor Bentley’s re-election campaign has raised $1,965,453 in total contributions.

For comparison, Bentley raised roughly $3.3 million for his entire 2010 campaign. He’s already two-thirds of the way there in his first four months running as the incumbent.

Bentley says his administration’s efforts to create jobs and downsize government have led to the outpouring of support.

“We work hard everyday to create jobs for the people of this state”, Bentley said. “Alabama’s unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the southeast and lower than the national rate, we’ve worked hard to right-size government, without raising taxes. I think the people of this state see how hard we’ve worked the last three years, and I thank them for their support of my re-election campaign.”

Bentley’s campaign reported an ending balance of $1,891,595 cash-on-hand for the month of September. On average, Bentley has raised roughly $500 thousand per month since the fundraising window opened on June 3, 2013.

Here is a breakdown of the past four months of Bentley campaign fundraising:

June 2013- $422,915.50
July 2013 – $587,094.75
August 2013 – $401,476.52
September 2013 – $553,966.28

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MONTGOMERY — Alabama Governor Robert Bentley announced today that the state will be able to repay $260,388,971 to the Alabama Education Trust Fund’s Rainy Day Account by the end of the fiscal year.

The state transferred $437.4 million from the Rainy Day Account to support the Education Trust Fund in 2009. Alabama repaid $14.4 million dollars last year. The Governor said the more than $260 million repayment shows significant progress in the state’s commitment to repaying the fund.

“We’re able to make this large repayment because of conservative budgeting and an improving economy,” Gov. Bentley said in a statement. “More people are going back to work. Unemployment is down. Revenues are stronger than projected for the years. We are committed to building on these improvements and fully restoring the Rainy Day Account.

The debt has to be fully repaid by September 30, 2015.

The Rainy Day Account is part of the Alabama Trust Fund. Governor Bentley said the formal Fiscal Year 2013 repayment will be made in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2014, which starts October 1, 2013.

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Sources close to Bentley campaign say he will report over $1 mill raised in June & July, over $1 mill cash on hand – @Cliff_Sims #alpolitics

— Yellowhammer (@YHPolitics) August 1, 2013

Governor Bentley’s re-election campaign continues its strong fundraising effort, now showing over $1 million cash on hand in spite of not yet having any legitimate opposition.

Yellowhammer reported at the beginning of July that Bentley’s first campaign finance disclosures of the 2014 election cycle showed the governor raking in an impressive $433,500 in cash contributions in June, the first month of fundraising. The campaign ended June with $544,877.66 in cash on hand.

They have continued their brisk pace, raising $586,770 in July. The campaign now has $1,066, 236 in the bank after spending just over $65,000 last month.

“Governor Bentley is very appreciative of the support and encouragement he has received this early in the campaign season,” Bentley campaign communications director Rebekah Mason said. “The fact that he’s received over a million dollars in contributions in two months is a vote of confidence from the people of this state. They recognize that he’s worked hard to create over 40,000 jobs since he’s taken office, that unemployment has dropped from 9.3% to 6.5% percent, and that he has worked successfully to right-size state government, all without raising taxes.”

The Bentley campaign’s first campaign finance disclosures of the 2014 election cycle show the governor raked in an impressive $433,500 in cash contributions during his first month of fundraising. The campaign currently has $544,877.66 in cash on hand.

“Governor Bentley is very pleased with the direction of his re-election campaign. The amount of money he’s raised in such a short amount of time is a response to what he’s been able to accomplish in his first three years in office,” campaign spokesperson Rebekah Mason told Yellowhammer Tuesday night.

Mason attributed much of Bentley’s fundraising success to his track record of attracting new jobs to the state, as well as his efforts to shrink the size of state government.

“He’s worked hard to recruit over 40,000 new jobs and he’s reduced the size of state government, all without raising taxes,” Mason said.

Poll after poll has shown Bentley to be a popular incumbent, but questions about his fundraising ability have lingered in political circles — mainly because of the shoestring campaign he waged as a major underdog in 2010. The Governor has had recent successes in the fundraising arena, most notably the marketing pushes behind several ballot initiatives he supported. But this month’s campaign haul will go a long way toward putting to bed any remaining questions about his ability to raise big money as a statewide candidate.

State candidates have a clear fundraising advantage over federal candidates because there is no limit to the amount and individual donor can give to a state campaign. With that in mind, the first $1 million or so will likely be low-hanging fruit for Governor Bentley.

On the flip side, some major donors who have made significant contributions to statewide campaigns in the past may be waiting for the cap on corporate donations to be lifted on August 1 so they can make their contribution through their company instead. That will be something worth watching. A campaign finance reform bill passed on the final day of the 2013 session included a provision lifting the $500 limit on corporate donations.

Keeping with Governor Bentley’s low-key style, his spokesperson characterized the campaign’s fundraising success as an unfortunate but necessary part of winning elections.

“Unfortunately it costs money to run a campaign,” Rebekah Mason said, “but Governor Bentley knows that raising money is necessary for him to be able to share his message that he’s sincere about helping create well-paying jobs for the people of this state and wants to continue that work.”

What else is going on?
1. Did the Huntsville Stars and Minor League Baseball cave to liberal pressure?
2. PSC approves rate and revenue reductions for Mobile Gas
3. Alabama ‘Stand your ground’ law remains in spotlight
4. Secretary of State Beth Chapman resigning
5. House Republicans push for ‘all-of-the-above’ energy policy

Several highly placed sources in north Alabama have recently been teasing the possibility of a well-funded Republican primary challenger to Governor Robert Bentley in 2014. While I considered the sources extremely reliable, their unwillingness to get into details made me question whether they had hard information, or were just speculating.

This morning I received a phone call from one of those sources who said they were finally willing to give me a name. “It’s Mary Scott Hunter,” the source said. “She’s being encouraged to get into the race by major players with significant financial resources.”

Hunter is a Huntsville-based member of the Alabama School Board representing District 8, which includes Limestone, Madison, Jackson, Dekalb and Etowah county. She also has deep ties to south Alabama after growing up in Baldwin County.

Her prior experience includes a decade in the U.S. Air Force as a Judge Advocate General, ownership of a small technology firm, and her current role as corporate counsel for Intuitive Research and Development in Huntsville.

I spoke to Mrs. Hunter this afternoon and she did not rule out the possibility of challenging Governor Bentley.

“I have very much enjoyed my work on the board. I’ve found it to be deeply satisfying,” she said. “But I’m not ruling out any options.”

She has posted several tweets recently that are critical of Alabama’s current economic situation, further fueling speculation that she may be eyeing an office other than the State School Board.

Of 5 U.S. metros that saw income decline, 2 were in Alabama…these signs worry me, & we must reverse. bit.ly/15ZrV4L

— Mary Scott Hunter (@MaryScottHunter) June 13, 2013

Ouch!Alabama GDP grew at half the pace of U.S. economy in 2012, ranked 39th | al.com al.com/business/index…

— Mary Scott Hunter (@MaryScottHunter) June 9, 2013

AL’s economic recovery flat since early 2011, markedly slower than US recovery | al.com al.com/business/index…

— Mary Scott Hunter (@MaryScottHunter) May 19, 2013

What do you think? Would you vote for Hunter for governor, or do you plan on supporting Governor Bentley’s re-election effort?

What else is going on?
1. Shelby: the cyber threat is increasing, our adversaries grow bolder and more capable
2. Sessions: Can anyone explain how this immigration bill will help struggling Americans?
3. Republican Danny Garrett running to succeed Arthur Payne in Alabama House
4. Mo Brooks rails against White House for undermining national security
5. Roy Moore picks his candidate in AL01 race

Monday is the final day of the 2013 legislative session. Both budgets have already passed, which would normally indicate there could be a lot of action Monday. But Senate Democrats have been using every dilatory tactic in the book lately. Whether or not much work actually gets done depends on whether or not Senate Republicans can reach an accord with the Democrats.

Local bills will be up first when the Senate goes into session at 9 a.m. There are 84 local bills on the calendar. The Senate will likely spend the entire morning up to lunch getting through them. After that everything is up in the air. The ensuing special order calendar would probably contain about 50 bills. But if Democrats stall, the Senate may only get to a couple of them.

Here are a few things to look out for in the Senate:

1. Campaign finance reform
Senator Bryan Taylor’s campaign finance reform bill (SB445) would implement numerous changes to make Alabama’s campaign finance laws clearer and more enforceable — including removing the $500 cap on donations a corporation can give to a candidate.

Governor Bentley has said he will veto the bill if it allows any form of PAC to PAC transfers. As of right now it looks like this bill will probably go to conference committee where they will tweak it to the point it would be acceptable to the Governor.

2. Religious Liberty Act
This bill was a part of the House Republicans’ “We Dare Defend Our Rights” agenda, and would allow religiously affiliated or motivated employers to opt out of the ObamaCare contraceptive mandate. This is a bill that Senate Democrats may go out of their way to kill.

3. Spay/neuter bill
Rep. Patricia Todd’s Veterinary Practice Act (HB188) passed the House in early April after an organized lobbying effort by animal rights activists.

According to AL.com, “Under current Alabama law, only licensed veterinarians may hire other veterinarians and only a licensed Alabama veterinarian may be the owner of a veterinary practice. [The Veterinary Practice Act] would add an exemption to allow the non-profit clinics to hire veterinarians.”

Word is that this is one of the bill’s Senate Republicans and Democrats have both agreed to bring to the floor for a vote.

4. Voter registration deadline
Rep. Wes Long’s bill to move the voter registration deadline from ten days before an election to seventeen days before an election has sparked the usual cries from Democrats that Republicans are working to suppress the votes of minorities. On the other side, the Alabama Association of the Boards of Registrars is on fire about this bill, and have been pushing hard for its passage. The changes would have to be approved by the Department of Justice under the Voting Rights Act. The bill passed the House in late April.

5. Confirmations
There are a pile of confirmations that the Senate has not yet been able to get to. If Democrats slow Senate business to a crawl on Monday, dozens of appointments could go unconfirmed. Some boards and commissions could potentially not have enough members to have a quorum. Governor Bentley has indicated that he would consider calling a special session if that was the case.

Down in the House, Governor Bentley’s executive amendment to the Accountability Act will be the main thing to watch. As of a little before midnight on Sunday, the vote count on the amendment was very close. Democrats are planning to vote with the Governor. Most Republicans — with a few, mostly expected exceptions — are sticking to their guns.

Here are a couple of other bills to lookout for:

1. Drug testing for welfare recipients
Senator Trip Pittman’s bill would require drug testing for welfare recipients with a history of drug abuse. The bill passed the Senate in late April and shouldn’t have any problems getting through the House.

2. Omnibus Gun Bill
After being debated, tweaked and sent to conference committee, the Senate passed the NRA-backed omnibus gun bill the first week in May. The House will be taking it up today and should pass it with no problem.

What else is going on?
1. Rubio Out-raising Paul 2 to 1
2. Shelby Sees Similarities Between Obama & Nixon Administrations
3. Alabama Should Push Forward with School Choice
4. Scandals Engulf D.C.
5. Rumors & Rumblings

“Rumors and Rumblings” is a weekly feature that runs each Wednesday. It includes short nuggets of information that we glean from conversations throughout the week. Have a tip? Send it here. All sources remain confidential.

Wiregrass Senate Maneuvering

Two weeks ago in Rumors & Rumblings we discussed rumors that Dothan Young Republicans Chairman Brandon Shoupe is considering a run for State Senate in District 29. Since that post we’ve had a flood of calls about the potential candidates who could unseat Sen. Harri Anne Smith.

Some Dothan-area political insiders told Yellowhammer that while Shoupe has a big future ahead of him, his name recognition in the community may not have quite reached the the point where he would a viable candidate to take on Smith.

Dothan businessman George Flowers, who was beaten by Smith in 2010, is said to still be mulling over whether or not to run in 2014.

But the potential candidate who is garnering some early enthusiasm from the wiregrass Republican faithful is Houston County Commissioner Melinda McClendon.

“She took on four candidates in the primary and won without a runoff,” a Dothan-area Republican told Yellowhammer. “She would be a formidable candidate. George Flowers would probably give some consideration to jumping in behind her rather than running himself. That’s how highly we all think of her.”

Smith has not yet announced her intentions for 2014. She has one of the poorest attendance records in the Senate and speculation around the State House is that she’s at least considering leaving the legislature after this term — her fourth.

“Smith and [Jimmy] Holley (R-Elba) are big buddies,” a lobbyist told Yellowhammer Monday morning. “They’re both thinking about hanging it up after this quadrennium.”

If they were both to leave, the wiregrass area senate delegation would look drastically different in 2015 after a decade and a half of stability.

Another Republican eyeing secretary of state

Former Montgomery County Probate Judge Reese McKinney is making the rounds, testing the waters for a possible run for Secretary of State. Joe Reed’s Democrat political machine unseated McKinney in his bid for a third term in 2012. He was one of the last remaining Republicans in a deep blue county.

McKinney is highly thought of in Republican circles. he would start with an established electoral and fundraising base. He raised half a million dollars for a probate judge’s race. That makes him a formidable candidate in a lower ballot statewide race like Secretary of State. McKinney’s niece is U.S. Representative Martha Roby, so he would likely benefit some from her network as well.

Crenshaw County Probate Judge, and new Republican, Jim Perdue is said to still be angling for a potential run, too. And State Representative John Merrill remains the only official entrant into the race. Merrill has been beating the bushes statewide working to shore up early support.

Top Tax & Spender eyeing mayoral race?

The legislature’s top tax & spender, Democrat Rep. Joe Hubbard, has found himself in a tough spot. With Montgomery’s population shrinking, his House district will be eliminated in 2014.

A lot of folks in Montgomery have speculated that Hubbard might make a run at Rep. Jay Love’s seat. Hubbard has taken numerous opportunities to take shots at Rep. Love at the mic on the House floor since the new district lines were revealed.

But one insider told Yellowhammer over the weekend that Hubbard is now weighing a possible run for mayor of Montgomery instead.

“He knows he can’t beat Representative Love,” the insider said. “Jay has too much money and his name ID is too high. That’s made him take a look at mayor. But to be honest, that’s just about as crazy as taking on Love.”

On the flip side, sources say Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange is not going to seek reelection, so it will likely be an open seat.

One more day to go

All eyes will be on the Senate on the final day of the 2013 legislative session. Here are a few things that insiders are watching:

1. With both budgets already passed, there is no longer a need to pass a Budget Isolation Resolution before tackling a bill. But when it gets right down to it, how much work actually gets done on Monday will depend on whether or not Senate Rs and Ds come to an agreement to work together. Lobbyists will be pressuring both sides to work things out, but it won’t be easy.

There are almost 100 local bills and sixty confirmations pending in the Senate. How did it get to that point? Without getting too far down into the weeds, Senate Republicans made a decision early in the session with regard to Sunset bills that spread them out over weeks rather than just hammering through them in a few days. It’s debatable whether that was a good or bad idea, but it prevented them from pursuing the regular order of business which is designed to make the process work.

The result is that House messages, committee reports, confirmations and local bills all got backed up to the point that there are a ton of them left and barely any time left to pass them.

As a result, Democrats now have a pretty significant amount of leverage. It will be interesting to see how both Republicans and Democrats respond to the pressure that will be on them to get some work done on the final day.

2. Anybody who has a bill left that they’re trying to pass is concerned with the governor saying he may send the Accountability Act back for a third go-round. That would burn a lot of time in both houses.

3. Sen. Bryan Taylor’s campaign finance reform bill will likely be sent to conference committee where it will be tweaked before final passage in both Houses. The PAC to PAC transfer tweaks are one portion of the bill that is expected to be taken out. The AEA hates this bill with a passion and will be maneuvering to block it if at all possible.

4. The Omnibus Gun bill has one more hurdle to clear before heading to the Governor. The House should get it out with no problem. There are only about forty bills on the House calendar, roughly ten of which are local bills. The House appears to be in pretty good shape to sprint to the finish line.

Richard Shelby one-on-one

Yellowhammer spent some time late last week with Senator Richard Shelby discussing his economic vision for the state of Alabama. Be on the lookout in the next few days for an exclusive write up of our conversation.

What else is going on?
1. Luther Strange weighs actions over IRS-tea party scandal
2. Campaign finance reform to get a shot on last day of session
3. Media bias laid bare
4. Roby Makes Her Move
5. IRS Admits to Targeting Conservative Groups

The Alabama Education Association has filed a lawsuit and petition for a temporary restraining order to prevent Governor Bentley from being able to sign the GOP’s landmark education reform bill as planned on Tuesday.

Democrats have been threatening to file suit since the moment the Accountability Act of 2013 made it to the Senate floor, so this is hardly a surprise.

But it’s clearer now that it’s ever been: the AEA will do absolutely anything to regain their power and control in Montgomery, even if it means forcing children to stay in failing schools, some of which have graduation rates below 50%.

Here’s what we’ve heard as of right now:

1. The AEA has launched a hail mary attempt to stop conservative reform and signed up a who’s who of far leftwing lawyers to represent them

According to Montgomery County Circuit Court records, the AEA late last night filed a complaint and petition for a temporary restraining order. The attorneys currently involved include the following:

James Anderson:
Anderson is a well-known liberal trial lawyer who has represented the Democrat Party and has been heavily involved in bingo proceedings. He was the Democrat Party’s nominee for Attorney General in 2010 against Republican Luther Strange.

Bobby Segall:
Segall is well-known to Yellowhammer readers as one of the AEA’s go-to hired guns. He’s one of the state’s top trial lawyers and has long been an attorney for the uber-liberal ACLU.

William Patty:
Patty is James Anderson’s law partner and has represented the AEA numerous times in the past.

Edward Still:
Still was general counsel to the Alabama Democrat Party for six years. In the past he represented former Democrat Attorney General Bill Baxley and numerous other Democrat elected officials. He has worked literally hundreds of cases under the voting rights act.

2. Parties named in the complaint are as follows:

Plaintiff: Lynn Pettway
Pettway is a Montgomery area AEA UniServ Director.

Defendants: Sen. Del Mash, Rep. Chad Fincher, Sen. Gerald Dial, Rep. Jay Love, Speaker Mike Hubbard, Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, Clerk of the House Jeff Woodard, and Gov. Robert Bentley

The Clerk of the House is named because they are seeking a restraining order to keep him from sending the bill to the Governor for his signature. The rest of the defendants are named because the suit claims they either violated open meetings laws or the rules of the legislature.

3. Here’s what the AEA has cooked up in their lawsuit:

Count 1: Unannounced Private Meeting of a Quorum of the Conference Committee

This count claims the four Republicans on the conference committee met in private during a Senate recess to discuss HB84 and therefore broke open meetings laws.

Count 2: Violation of Rule 21 Requirements Governing Appropriation Bills

Without getting too down in the weeds, this count claims House Speaker Mike Hubbard and Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey broke legislative rules in the way they presided over the votes on the bills.

Count 3: Invalidating the Adoption of HB84

This count seeks to invalidate the Accountability Act of 2013 based on the allegations above.

UPDATES:

11:13

Judge granted the temporary restraining order and has blocked the Clerk of the House from transmitting the bill to the Governor for his signature.

Judge has granted the temporary restraining order preventing Bentley from signing Ed Reform bill into law. #alpolitics

— Yellowhammer (@YHPolitics) March 5, 2013

This is truly ludicrous. Judge can’t tell the legislature & Gov. what bill they can pass/sign. Who is this clown? #alpolitics

— Yellowhammer (@YHPolitics) March 5, 2013

TRO needs proof that changes would be immediate and irreversible. Tell me how this meets that threshold? #alpolitics

— Yellowhammer (@YHPolitics) March 5, 2013

11:25

House Speaker Mike Hubbard just released this statement:
“Union boss Henry Mabry will use whatever tactic, no matter how frivolous, to preserve the broken status quo that has failed our state for decades. An effort to ensure a quality education for every children is something that deserves support, but Mabry’s misguided priorities have led him to believe failing schools are acceptable. This is a lawsuit against every Alabama student and parent who wishes for a better future and a better public education.”

The AEA has finally jumped the shark & gone into full #WarOnChildren mode @mattmurphyshow @thedalejackson @ftwes @flashpointblog #alpolitics

— Yellowhammer (@YHPolitics) March 5, 2013

Yellowhammer Founder Cliff Sims interviewed by Matt Murphy this morning on the AEA Lawsuit

4:12

Senator Del Marsh just released the following statement:

“Unfortunately union bosses are attempting to disrupt the legislative process in order to serve their own selfish interests – to the detriment of every child trapped in a failing school.

“While this judicial hail mary may delay the process today, it will not deter our commitment to providing parents and children in failing schools with better educational options. These stalling tactics are a sham by the same special interest elite that have held our state back for far too long.

“We are very confident that the passage of this bill was consistent with both the House and Senate’s governing rules. We look forward to standing with Governor Bentley as he signs the Alabama Accountability Act into law – marking a day when no child has to be stuck in failing schools without options for a better education and a brighter future.”