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April 6, 2010 businessweek
Bentley's job creation passed by Ala. Legislature
A candidate for Alabama governor got a job creation bill passed by the Legislature. The Senate voted 26-0 Tuesday for final passage of the bill by Republican Rep. Robert Bentley of Tuscaloosa. It passed the House earlier and now goes to Gov. Bob Riley. The governor's press secretary, Todd Stacy, said Riley is expected to sign it into law. The bill, called the "Reemployment Act of 2010," is supposed to help lower Alabama's 11.1 percent unemployment -- the state's highest rate in 26 years. The bill would allow businesses to take a state income tax deduction of up to 50 percent of the gross wages paid to any person currently drawing unemployment benefits or whose benefits have expired. The one-time deduction could be claimed after a worker has been on the payroll for a year. No job paying less than $10 per hour would qualify. more
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April 2010 Montgomeryadvertiser
Robert Bentley: Transparency overriding goal. Recent events in Birmingham are the latest example of the spate of questionable ethical activity in Alabama by public officials at all levels of government. As governor, I will work to pass tough ethics laws which will attract high-quality candidates while reforming our current system. I will make our state's government one of the most transparent in the country by creating a strong executive branch code of ethics for myself, all cabinet officials and our staffs. Additionally, I will never take any gift for being governor, and no member of my family will benefit from my election to the office of governor of Alabama. Furthermore, I will require online reporting of all state spending and revenues. more
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Christian Coalition of Alabama – Legislative Priorities
Adequate Healthcare: By joining with Senator Coleman, chair of the Senate Health Committee, to partner with other organizations dedicated to providing affordable healthcare, we will continue to advocate for accessible healthcare for all Alabamians through this partnership.
Education: The Christian Coalition of Alabama will continue to fight for legislation that ensures that our children are prepared for the future by continually improving performance and standards in our public schools.
Criminal Justice System: We will continue to work to see legislation passed that will further protect against domestic abuse – both against women and children – in our communities.
Tax Reform: The Christian Coalition of Alabama believes that tax policies should create tax equity such that the services rendered by the state are paid by those receiving the treatment.
Protect Life: We will continue to advocate for any legislation that protects the institution of marriage, enforces pro-life practices, and condemns homosexual lifestyles.
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CREATING ALABAMA JOBS
February 18, 2009.
On Wednesday, the House Education Appropriations Committee passed the Reemployment Act of 2010 (HB 260), which was introduced in January. During committee discussion of the bill, Rep. Oden of Cullman said the bill was “one of the best economic bills we’ve had in the last two sessions.” Rep. Graham of Tallapoosa stated that it was “about time somebody stepped up to create jobs” The Legislative Fiscal Office has determined that this bill will reduce state spending while creating new jobs. Based on Alabama’s past experience with the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit program, it is estimated that the Reemployment Act will create over 5,000 jobs for Alabamians.
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Anti-evolution legislation in South Carolina
ncseweb.org May 15, 2008
Senate Bill 1386, introduced in the South Carolina Senate on May 15, 2008, and referred to the Senate Committee on Education, is the newest so-called "academic freedom" bill aimed at undermining the teaching of evolution, joining similar bills currently under consideration in Louisiana, Michigan, and Missouri. Similar bills in Florida and Alabama died when the legislative session in those states ended. The South Carolina bill contends that "[t]he teaching of biological and chemical evolution can cause controversy, and some teachers may be uncertain of administrative expectations concerning the presentation of material on these scientific topics" and that "public school educators must be supported in finding effective ways to present controversial science curriculum and must be permitted to help students understand, analyze, critique, and review the scientific strengths and weaknesses of theories of biological and chemical evolution in an objective manner."
Accordingly, S. 1386 would, if enacted, amend the state's education code to provide: "The State Board of Education, superintendents of public school districts, and public school administrators may not prohibit a teacher in a public school of this State from helping his students understand, analyze, critique, and review the scientific strengths and weaknesses of biological and chemical evolution in an objective manner. This act does not condone the promotion of religious or nonreligious doctrine, the promotion of discrimination for or against a particular set of religious beliefs or nonreligious beliefs, or the promotion of discrimination for or against religion or nonreligion. By no later than September 1, 2008, the State Department of Education shall notify district superintendents of the provisions of this act, and each superintendent shall then disseminate to all employees within his district a copy of the provisions of this act."
The lead sponsor of S. 1386, Senator Michael Fair (R-District 6), spearheaded a number of previous antievolution efforts in the legislature. In 2003, he tried to amend a bill dealing with instructional materials and textbooks to require a disclaimer about the origin of life as "not scientifically verifiable"; withdrawing the amendment, he then successfully amended the bill to establish a nineteen-member South Carolina Standards Committee to "(1) study science standards regarding the teaching of the origin of species; (2) determine whether there is a consensus on the definition of science; (3) determine whether alternatives to evolution as the origin of species should be offered in schools." The Greenville News (May 1, 2003), reported that Fair "said his intention is to show that Intelligent Design is a viable scientific alternative that should be taught in the public schools." The bill died, however, when the legislature adjourned.
Fair was quickly at it again, however, introducing a bill in the next legislative session that would have established the South Carolina Standards Committee. The language about "alternatives to evolution" was removed from the bill in committee, however. Regrouping, Fair then introduced S. 909, a bill modeled on the so-called Santorum language stripped from the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. If enacted, S. 909 would have required, "Where topics are taught that may generate controversy, such as biological evolution, the curriculum should help students to understand the full range of scientific views that exist, why such topics may generate controversy, and how scientific discoveries can profoundly affect society." The bill failed, but Fair won himself a description as "the dominant voice advocating for S.C. schools to teach more than Charles Darwin's theories of evolution," according to The State (June 17, 2005).
In 2005, Fair also launched a campaign against the treatment of evolution in the state's science standards. As a member of the state's Education Oversight Committee, he pressed for the expansion of "critical analysis" language already present in the standards dealing with evolution, despite the criticism of then State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum, who told The State (February 13, 2006), "'Critically analyze' is not just wordsmithing ... It carries with it a whole campaign against evolution." After a seven-month delay during which Fair and his confederates unsuccessfully lobbied for insertion of "critical analysis" language into all of the evolution indicators, the EOC approved the standard as submitted. But even here Fair claimed victory, telling AgapePress (June 15, 2006) that it was a precursor to allowing the teaching of "intelligent design" in South Carolina's public schools.
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Sunday, May 04, 2008. Al.com By Dr. Randy Brinson 'Uniformity' on state gambling is needed. more
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CCA Commends Representative Grimes on Fighting for Faith
Legislation introduced last week by Representative David Grimes (R-Montgomery) will provide protection to all science educators, including those who happen to be Christians, from being discriminated against if they teach students about both the scientific strengths and weaknesses of evolution.
This legislation will provide a safe, comfortable environment for all educators in Alabama, even those who discuss dissenting scientific views from neo-Darwinian evolution because it protects the rights of teachers to teach about scientific problems with Darwin's theory.
Representative Grimes has shown great leadership in protecting the rights of teachers to teach the scientific truth about the weaknesses of evolution in the classroom, and for opening an important dialogue that has been missing in the classroom. Christians who support Academic Freedom make up the majority of our nation's population, especially here in Alabama, yet Big Science's relentless suppression of Academic Freedom continues to be accepted. Representative Grimes' legislation is an important first step in seeing that a fair discussion surrounding evolution theory is made possible for all educators.
A recently released Ben Stein documentary film titled, "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" explores Academic Freedom, or the lack thereof, in our nation's classrooms. In the film, Ben Stein meets with many world-renowned scientists, philosophers, and educators who describe the discrimination they have faced because they are scientifically critical of Darwinian evolution. Many have been intimidated, denied tenure and even fired by Big Science for questioning aspects of neo-Darwinism.
I would encourage everyone to see this movie. It's important for us to better understand why we believe what we believe, rather than just go through the motions without any real meaning. Many of the issues raised in this movie would be prevented, at least here in Alabama, with the passage of Representative Grimes' bill. I would also encourage you show your support for Academic Freedom by signing the Academic Freedom Petition at www.AcademicFreedomPetition.com. Signing this petition will help show that thousands of people in Alabama, and other states, support the rights of teachers to discuss scientific dissent from Darwinism without having to fear losing their jobs.
The Christian Coalition of Alabama is proud to support legislators like Representative Grimes who protect our rights as Christians, and the rights of all teachers to teach the scientific truth in the classroom. With leaders like him, we will continue to make progress in a way that allows our beliefs to be a part of the critical dialogue over Darwinian evolution in our classrooms, a theory that is considered unbelievable and unproven by many scientists.
In his service,
Randy Brinson, MD
Chairman, Christian Coalition of Alabama
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Quotes from Joseph Hollis:
Joseph Hollis, is a member of the board of Christian Coalition of Alabama
and member of Fresh Anointing Church, in Montgomery Al
Regarding: Christian Coalition of Alabama
The absolutely NEW Christian Coalition (of Alabama) has begun the business of breaking stereotypes and solidifying the tone for the conducting of business in Alabama. As walls are broken, real Christians will emerge with a single, real voice that will permeate culture and motivate social revival and renewal.
Regarding: Dr. Randy Brinson
Dr. Randy Brinson has accepted the call to guide the winds of change in the State of Alabama. His practical display of the gospel of Jesus Christ through public policy will revolutionize American thinking and challenge all Americans to live both righteous and just lives.
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Congressional candidates debate in Dothan
Tuesday, Apr 29, 2008
By Lance Griffin
While the nine candidates seeking Alabama's 2nd Congressional District seat fielded questions Tuesday about what the government can do for the people, the majority of the candidates said the best thing the government can do is stay out of the way.
Six Republicans maintained traditional party lines during the candidate forum, held at Troy University-Dothan's Sony Hall. They vowed to lower taxes and curtail government regulation and supported drilling for oil in Alaska and off the Gulf Coast to ease the country's dependence on foreign oil.
Two of the three Democratic candidates also spoke out against taxes and regulation. Only Cheryl Sabel, state president of the National Organization for Women, said she would support tax increases if elected.
The debate marked the final of three debates sponsored by WSFA Television, Troy University, the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the AARP. The crowded field provided few opportunities for candidates to address each other, although a couple of candidates used part of their allotted time to address others.
State Sen. Harri Anne Smith, R-Slocomb, left the forum at 10:56 a.m., only one hour into the two-hour debate. The forum's moderator told the audience that the Legislature was in session and that some candidates may need to return to Montgomery.
State Rep. David Grimes, R-Montgomery, took the opportunity to note the departure.
"I wonder why it takes longer for a senator to drive to Montgomery than it does a representative?" Grimes asked. Grimes and fellow State Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery, stayed for the entire debate.
After the debate, a spokesperson for Smith's campaign said she did return to Montgomery, but that the campaign has a policy of not commenting on scheduling.
According to the official Web site of the State Legislature, the Senate convened at 2 p.m. and the House at 1 p.m.
During closing statements, Sabel questioned Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright's democratic credentials.
"I'm unashamedly a yellow dog democrat and I think we need to elect yellow dog democrats, not pretend democrats," Sabel said.
Bright responded to Sabel and Republican candidates by saying the race was not about parties.
"We have too much of this partisan bickering in Washington," Bright said. "I don't see any party out there having the majority on Christian values. We don't have to make this a Democrat or a Republican thing."
The candidates answered a series of questions similar to the ones asked in previous debates in Montgomery and Troy. Some of them, however, were able to expand on their answers to previous questions.
-- Republican John Martin of Dothan would propose eliminating the Federal Department of Education and pass the money used to fund it to the state and local level.
-- Republican Craig Schmidtke of Dothan suggested "incentivizing" additional learning by paying school students to attend evening study halls as an alternative to minimum-wage jobs. He also suggested offering two learning tracks beginning in the seventh or eighth grades, one a vocational track and one a university track.
-- Republican Jay Love said, if elected, he would put together a farm advisory committee made up of farmers from the district in order to educate him on farm-related issues.
-- Democrat Cendie Crawley said she would support eliminating the federal gas tax in the short term to ease the burden of rising gas prices.
-- Sabel said she is exploring the use of wood chips as a possible alternative fuel.
-- Smith said she would support using Iraqi oil to fund the war in Iraq.
-- Bright said he would support "double tax credits" for the purchase of health insurance when not provided by an employer.
-- Republican David Woods said he would support small businesses' use of pre-tax dollars for the cost of health insurance.
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Dear Legislator,
I watched briefly some of the debate over HB 350 last week and learned that late Thursday that a compromise had been reached. In order to get republican support for the bill and make it retroactive, that part of the proceeds would go to a bill that would give a state tax deduction for businesses and individuals to get in addition to tax treatment for health insurance premiums.
The problem with this approach by Rep Love, although well meaning, is embelmatic of the basic problems with the delivery of health care in Alabama. A 5% tax deduction is not going to encourage a business or individual to purchase a health care plan that will cost 10,000 dollars a year, particularly when there is no disencentive to not have health insurance.
A better approach would be to build a public private partnership such that we can begin to get utlization of health care down and modify the behavior of those consumers of healthcare. Another example would be to increase taxes cigarettes and tobacco products and use the proceeds to reduce smoking and wellness programs. Health care is being covered and utilized by both public employees and PEEHIP to such a degree that it is endangering the viability of these programs, taking a larger chunk of the state budget. Much of this spending is due to poor health habits that lead to a less healthy workforce. Increasing tax deductions only will do nothing to the costs of health care.
Finally, those who have healthy lifestyles must stop subsidizing those that don't. Diabetes, obesity and hypertension and tobacco use are all the major contributors to health care spending and those that have chosen not to smoke, drink and exercise moderately should not be penalized for taking care of themselves. This is a problem of epidemic proportions. State funds need to be used to change behavior, not give as a poorly conceived tax break.
In closing, pass HB 350 and use the proceeds to really make a difference in health care spending, not political patronage.
Randy Brinson, MD
Chair, CCA
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March 26, 2008, The Brewton Standard
Preference vote good for Alabama
The decision to move our presidential preference primary up to Feb. 5 has been considered by most observers to have been good for our state. Leaders of both political parties have hailed it as a success and well worth the cost. It was a public relations plus in two ways. It shed a positive image and gave us deference from the candidates for the first time in modern history. In addition, it gave us a relevant say in the nominating process. In short, we became players in the presidential race.
An Alabama physician has quietly become a player himself, not only in Alabama politics but nationally in this year's presidential contest. Dr. Randy Brinson, a Montgomery physician, recently became Chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama. Brinson quickly gave the organization renewed confidence and credibility it had lost after it was revealed that they were the conduits for a massive amount of money from out-of-state Indian gambling interests.
Brinson moved into the national political picture early this year. Brinson and his wife, Pam, founded Redeem the Vote during the 2004 Presidential Campaign to register faith oriented young people to vote. The organization is bipartisan and it is estimated that they registered 100,000 new voters in 2004. That number has doubled this year.
Brinson and his wife leased a red, black and gold bus and traveled throughout the country stopping at university campuses to register young voters and educate them on the process and issues. In Alabama the Redeem the Vote bus stopped at Alabama State, Auburn and the University of Alabama.
Brinson has received national publicity for his efforts. In fact, the Washington Post credits him with helping start Mike Huckabee's roll, momentum and ultimate victory in Iowa. Huckabee got involved with Brinson when he began his Redeem the Vote effort.
However, Brinson's power nationally is derived from another source. Brinson is the keeper of the most massive email list of Christian voters in America. Dr. Brinson used his list to guide Huckabee to victory in every evangelical state in America, including Iowa, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kansas. Brinson's list includes 70 million contacts, with 25 million identified as being between “25 and 45, upwardly mobile, right of center, conservative households.”
How did Dr. Brinson build this impressive, massive and target rich list which has made him such an important figure? In February of 2004 Brinson was at a meeting of national religious broadcasters when he met a group of people doing the early marketing efforts for Mel Gibson's film, “The Passion of the Christ.” Brinson, who has been involved in politics for much of his life, had been searching for ideas about how to build a list to reach the Christian community. In conversations with producers of the movie a trust was formed. Their bond began the production of the list. However, it was not until Jim Caviezel, the actor who played Jesus in the film, taped a promotion for Redeem the Vote that the list really took off.
Brinson has become an important mastermind in presidential politics. His counsel, and more importantly his list, will be very much sought after in years to come. Dr. Randy Brinson may not be a household name in Alabama politics, but if I were running for a statewide office in Alabama he would be the first visit I would make and hope I made a friend.
Steve Flowers served 16 years in the State Legislature. He may be reached at www.steveflowers.us
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Local Christian Leaders Gather to Protest Bingo
Posted: March 13, 2008 08:09 PM CDT WSFA Channel 12
Updated: March 13, 2008 08:09 PM CDT
Dothan, Al (WSFA) -- New controversy over the Country Crossings entertainment district announcement in Houston County.
Local religious and business leaders along with the Alabama Christian Coalition rallied expressing their concern over projects proposed charitable bingo.
Rev. Tom Anderson is concerned. He's fighting bingo but not for himself.
"So I got a cause, I got a cause. I believe this for my grandchildren and the people of the this community," said Anderson.
Anderson and others meet on the steps of the Houston County courthouse to hear Christian Coalition chairmen for Alabama Dr. Randy Brinson.
They rallied in protest of bingo machines being at Country Crossings. Dr. Brinson told the crowd, they need the help of politicians to make a difference.
"In order to stop this we must have a legislative solution to this," said Dr. Brinson.
Their issue is with bingo. They support the project, it's just the fact that it would have bingo at the site. That's what they have a problem with.
"I believe it needs to be modified and I believe gambling needs to be left out," said Rev. Anderson.
County Commissioners say they are aware of the communities concerns. They want to stress, that bingo is just a tiny part of a greater whole.
"It's about entertainment, it's about an amusement park, and an RV park, it's a huge complex," said Houston County Commission chairman Mark Culver.
The commission has been assured that $2 million dollars will go to charities every year.
The first phase of Country Crossings is expected to open July of 2009.
Reporter: Daniel Curtis
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Christian Coalition Of Alabama Visits Houston County
Posted: 7:12 PM Mar 13, 2008, WTVY Channel 4
Last Updated: 10:27 AM Mar 14, 2008
Reporter: Rhiana Huckins
Email Address: rhiana@wtvy.com
http://www.wtvynews4.com/home/headlines/16660206.html
Officials with the Christian Coalition of Alabama drove from Birmingham and Montgomery to stage the protest against electronic charity bingo, which is slated to be part of the multi-million dollar Country Crossing project.
The Christian Coalition of Alabama made phone calls to residents in the Wiregrass area asking them to attend the protest Thursday.
In all, about 40 people showed up to listen to the chairman of the organization. The leaders of the protest were not from Houston County. In fact, they made the trip from Montgomery and Birmingham.
Houston County residents have been receiving phone calls and seeing advertisements to support Country Crossings and electronic bingo, or not to support?
Thursday, several citizens attended a protest outside the Houston County Courthouse opposing electronic bingo.
The Christian Coalition of Alabama organized the rally, and one local organization wants it to be known they were not involved.
Jerry Grandstaff, director of Missions, CBA, said, "It’s not only what we oppose that is important to me, it’s how we oppose it. I want Columbia Baptist to be sure that our name is respected, and when we do take opposition stance to moral issues, I want people to know we do it the right way and friendly way."
Dr. Randy Brinson, chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama spoke about the dangers he feels may come from having electronic bingo in Houston County.
"Chairman Mark Culver publicly stated that the regulations were necessary to provide for ‘more stringent regulation to prevent the expansion of gambling’; unfortunately, the regulations do just the opposite. They allow for a Class C operator to own and conduct bingo through the same type of high speed machines and gambling that goes through Victory Land and Green Track," Dr. Brinson said.
Dr. Brinson also spoke about proposed House Bill 577 and how it would put an end to the spread of gambling in Alabama.
Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver said, "The issue I have with them pushing the bill is that they're saying charitable bingo isn’t good in our part of the state, but it authorizes it in two other parts of the state. So to me, that’s a mixed message."
The bill would allow Mobile County and Birmingham to keep bingo legal on approved sites.
Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright was also in attendance Thursday afternoon, supporting the Christian Coalition’s position.
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March 19, 2008, MyFox, Birmingham
Bingo Protestors Gather at Walker County Courthouse
The chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama and other supporters gathered at the steps of the Walker County Courthouse to protest bingo operations. Dr. Randy Brinson said most places with bingo operations have an increase in crime. The protestors were joined by some bingo supporters.
Video: http://www.myfoxal.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=6078401&version=1&locale=EN-US
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