Earthquake on Goat Hill -- How the Alabama Accountability Act passed and what it meansAlabama would provide income tax credits to help subsidize private or religious school tuition for parents of children zoned for "failing schools" beginning this fall if Gov. Robert Bentley signs the plan into law. The House and Senate approved the measure, known as the Alabama Accountability Act, mere hours after it was first introduced on Feb. 28, 2013. Bentley declared his intention to sign it, but a state trial court on March 6, 2013, issued a temporary restraining order to prevent the bill from going to him. This paper by ACPP policy analyst Chris Sanders assesses the backdrop from which the Alabama Accountability Act emerged, summarizes its main provisions and considers its impact on the state's public education infrastructure. Join us for Lobby Day -- Thurs., March 79:30 a.m. Registration (Capitol Auditorium) 10:00 a.m. Issue briefing (Capitol Auditorium) 11:00 a.m. Lobbying (State House, 5th-7th floors) Noon New conference (State House steps) 12:30 p.m. Membership meeting (Capitol Auditorium) 1:30 p.m. Adjourn (Capitol Tunnel) We can make Alabama better. Please come help us put democracy in action! Arise Daily News Digest 3-6-2013AL.COM - Judge blocks school choice tax credit bill from going to governor. AL.COM - Tracking the 2013 session: State House mostly quiet after judge delays signing of tax credits bill. AL.COM - Alabama House Democrats pledge to repeal tax credits bill if they reclaim majority. AL.COM - Sen. Del Marsh says GOP committee members did not violate Open Meetings Act. AL.COM - In new report, SPLC says militia, antigovernment groups at all-time high due to gun control talk. AL.COM - Alabama Accountability Act would punish higher-ed for failing K-12 schools. AL.COM - Rep. Mike Rogers calls for resignation of ICE director in wake of release of illegal immigrants. AL.COM - U.S. Rep. Martha Roby questions FCC chairman about phone-service program. AL.COM – OP-ED: Republicans bumfuzzle everyone, including themselves. AL.COM - Contributor Charlotte Meadows: Alabama Accountability Act gives parents a choice for their children. AL.COM - Columnist Joey Kennedy: GOP Chair Bill Armistead says Republicans are actively seeking more diversity. SENATE SKETCHES - “Senate Sketches,” Sen. Hank Sanders’ (D-Selma) weekly message to his constituents. JACKSONVILLE NEWS – Columnist Steve Flowers’ Inside the Statehouse: Flexibility bill is dividing Alabama’s legislature. ALABAMA POLITICAL REPORTER - Chief Moore Raises Alarm on Court Funding AL.COM - Gov. Robert Bentley vetoes bill allowing volunteer school security forces in Franklin County. (FLORENCE) TIMES DAILY - Economists: Expand Medicaid or miss out. GADSDEN TIMES - Summary of action in Alabama Legislature. GADSDEN TIMES - Ala. Democrats express displeasure with bill. GADSDEN TIMES - Ala. governor endorses abortion clinic regs. ANNISTON STAR - Judge delays signing of school tax credit bill; question raised over fed vs. state jurisdiction ANNISTON STAR – The Anniston Star: Unintended consequences. OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS - Macon County receives CSX Select Site. DOTHAN EAGLE - Tax credit bill may cost between $59 million-$367 million. WASHINGTON POST - Seeking a budget deal, Obama reaches out to Republican rank and file. WASHINGTON POST - Gun advocates split with NRA on background checks. WASHINGTON POST - GOP senators reaffirm citizenship path plan, despite Jeb Bush comments. NEW YORK TIMES - Financing for Colleges Declines as Costs Rise NEW YORK TIMES – The New York Times: Two Enlistees in the Climate Wars Weak PSC oversight benefits Alabama Power at customers' expense, report findsAlabama Power earns higher profits than most utilities nationwide while leaving customers paying more for their electricity than customers in all Southern states but Florida, according to a report released today by Arise Citizens' Policy Project. "The outdated way Alabama sets electricity rates is hurting families and businesses," ACPP executive director Kimble Forrister said. "It's not just numbers on paper. When people are living paycheck to paycheck, having to spend so much of their income on electricity bills really hurts." Arise legislative update: Advocates assemble at State House to support interest rate caps for payday, title loansA large coalition gathered Thursday at the State House in Montgomery to urge legislators to pass legislation limiting high-interest lending in Alabama, notably payday and auto title loans. The Alliance for Responsible Lending in Alabama made its debut, and several presenters spoke eloquently on the harms of predatory lending. This legislative update highlights the various proposals to rein in payday and title loans in Alabama. Read ACPP policy analyst Stephen Stetson's legislative update here. Arise legislative update: Committees OK military payday loan rate cap, TANF drug testsAlabama would enforce a federal interest rate cap on payday loans to military families if a bill approved by a Senate committee Wednesday becomes law. Senate committees also signed off on a proposal to require drug tests for certain TANF applicants, a plan to sell bonds to buy K-12 career tech equipment, and a bill to increase the state income tax credit for rural doctors. This legislative update highlights committee action and debate on those measures. Read ACPP policy analyst Chris Sanders' legislative update here. |