This month brings budget forecasts and unemployment numbers. Gov Asks for Long-term Budget Plans: The Alabama Legislature is expected to face yet another shortfall in the General Fund when they return next year, and Governor Bentley is asking for long-term solutions. Senate Pro Tem Del Marsh said that bold changes are
The state school board recently extended the contract of Superintendent Tommy Bice through 2017 and granted a 25 percent salary increase. School board vice-president Ella Bell said the system is headed in the right direction, and Bice has done a good job. She added that the salary increase brings Bice
The Wetumpka City Council recently approved the hiring of a new city clerk. Mayor Jerry Willis announced earlier that longtime clerk Janice Whorton is retiring September 1 after 20 years. She has been appointed by Governor Bentley to complete the term of Anne Robinson as chair of the Elmore County
In keeping with the summer heat, some hotly contested runoff elections are decided. Plus, two new important appointments. Runoff Results: In the spirited campaign for the open congressional seat in District 6 Gary Palmer received 64% of the vote to Paul DeMarco’s 36%. Gary receives the Republican nomination, which is likely
The Bloom Group would like to congratulate our friend Blake Hardwich on her new position as Deputy Chief of Staff, Administration to Governor Robert Bentley, where she will handle the governor’s internal affairs and work under Chief of Staff Seth Hammett. Blake joins the governor’s team after serving seven years as
Rep. Jack Williams (HD47) was recently named National Legislator of the Year by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), an organization that works to advance limited government, free markets and federalism at the state level through a nonpartisan public-private partnership of America’s state legislators, members of the private sector and the
Manufacturing continues to grow across the Southeast, but the rate of growth has slowed to the national average. Manufacturing in the region fell in June for the second consecutive month dropping 4.5 points to 55.3. Activity across the nation fell at a slower rate in June, dropping one-tenth of a
In this week’s elections, Mac Buttram (HD12) was defeated in his bid to return to the Alabama House of Representatives by Corey Harbison. Harbison was heavily supported by the AEA, and with no opponent facing him in the general election, he’ll be representing the Cullman area. Buttram’s professionalism and integrity will
That the message from the leader of the Alabama Senate. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said recently he would look at proposals to close the gap in the state’s $1.8 billion General Fund budget, which pays for most non-education programs in the state. Marsh said he believed an additional
At least for the state’s highest offices, the recent primary elections yielded no surprises. 2014 Primary Elections: Alabama Governor Robert Bentley coasted to the Republican nomination for a second four-year term as governor. In November, he will face Democratic challenger, retired physician and former state senator Parker Griffin, who easily won
