Senate Gambling Showdown, Charter Schools, Jobs, and Judicial Elections

Published: March 8, 2010 - Printer Friendly Update -  Send This Article To A Friend

BIRMINGHAM, AL - This week's edition of Inside Montgomery features key lawmakers on the record addressing issues pending before the Alabama Legislature.

With the legislative session more than half over, operating budgets for state agencies and education have yet to be addressed. One factor that is holding up the crafting of the General Fund budget is whether the Obama Administration will continue a program with enhanced federal matching funds for Medicaid. House Speaker Seth Hammett expects work to begin on the budgets when the Legislature returns from their spring break.

Senate Minority Leader Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, shares his views on the critical gambling vote that was a major setback for gambling advocates, for the time being at least. Also, Sen. Waggoner believes the Senate leadership is spending more time addressing the special interests' legislation rather than addressing bills which would create jobs and help businesses grow.

Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin, R-Pelham, is a long-time supporter of charter schools and the House sponsor of the Alabama Innovative Charter Schools Act. Rep. McClurkin talks about charter schools and how Alabama is not among the finalists for federal education funding known as Race to the Top. Rep. McClurkin has reworked her bill and vows to continue the fight for allowing a public charter school option in Alabama.

Rep. McClurkin, as a leading House conservative, explains why a change in the election of judges by party affiliation to non-partisan affiliation would have been a false choice for voters.  This key bill was defeated in the House Constitution and Elections Committee. 

Michael Ciamarra makes the following statement about Alabama not being selected as a first-round finalist in Race to the Top:

"The Alabama Policy Institute has consistently supported charter schools since 2001; therefore, when Sen. Steve French and I began the work late last fall to develop charter school legislation and communicate the promise and potential of charter schools to state policy makers, we had no illusions that the education union would be unalterably opposed to the bill. I recognized the uphill battle we would have in the Legislature this year and how the outcome would impact Alabama's potential $181 million in federal funds. Not unexpectedly, Alabama didn't make the first cut as a finalist in Race to the Top. We appreciate Governor Riley and State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton for their support of charter school legislation and their work against the clock to be in the running for Race to the Top.

"Despite this temporary setback, we will continue our advocacy of public charter schools this year and next year. With a new governor and newly-convened Legislature in 2011, we believe charter schools will have a more thoughtful and receptive debate. Ultimately, I believe a public charter school law will be adopted - it is now just a matter of when. 

"API commends the very hard work of Sen. Steve French, Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin, Rep. Phil Williams, and Rep. Mac Gipson for the courage and determination in moving charter schools from an abstract policy discussion to arguably front and center as a real, 21st century education reform.

"API is finalizing a timely, new publication that explores public charter schools and we will announce the release soon."

The Alabama Policy Institute is an independent, non-profit research and education organization. As a resource to federal, state and local government, the media, and citizens, we research the issues being debated in Montgomery and Washington and provide our analysis and ideas through our publications and reports.

Note: This is a copyrighted feature distributed free of charge by the Alabama Policy Institute. Permission to redistribute in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and API are properly cited. For information or comments contact:    Michael Ciamarra, Vice President of the Alabama Policy Institute, 402 Office Park Drive, Suite 300, Birmingham, Alabama 35223, (205) 870-9900, or e-mail michaelc@alabamapolicy.org.