DOCSLIB.ORG

1990S Redistricting Case Summaries Alabama

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
1990S Redistricting Case Summaries Alabama 1990s Redistricting Case Summaries This publication summarizes legislative and congressional litigation resulting from the 1990 Census. The major issues and resulting judicial decisions have been provided for each case. Case citations have been provided to enable readers to locate cases of particular interest. The summaries were written by the State Contacts of NCSL’s Redistricting Task Force in each of the 50 states. The summaries were edited for publication by Peter S. Wattson, Senate Counsel for the State of Minnesota, and NCSL staff, and were reviewed for accuracy and completeness by members of the Redistricting Task Force. NCSL wishes to thank all of these individuals for their important contributions to this project. A paper version of this document was published by NCSL in June 1998. An electronic version, maintained by the Minnesota Senate, was published at the same time and updated as follows: New York, November 1999; Tennessee and Florida, November 2000; North Carolina, July 2003; Alabama, October 2008; Montana, January 2012. Hyperlinks were last updated November 8, 2017. Alabama Wesch v. Hunt, 785 F. Supp. 1491 (S.D. Ala. 1992), aff’d sub nom. Camp v. Wesch, 507 U.S. 902 (1992)(mem.); refusal to modify plan aff’d sub nom. Figures v. Hunt, 507 U.S. 901 (1993) (mem) The district court declared unconstitutional an Alabama statute defining existing congressional districts based upon 1990 census information and following the Legislature’s failure to adopt and preclear a plan in time for the 1992 elections. The court adopted (with minor court modifications) one of six plans submitted by the parties, which the court determined to best satisfy the required considerations for redistricting plans and that best achieved population equality. The court specifically noted that the criteria for any redistricting plan must consider "compactness/contiguity; preservation of political subdivisions; maintenance of communities of interest; and preservation of the core areas of existing districts." 785 F. Supp. at 1498. The court noted the Legislature’s opportunity to adopt a plan and that the court’s intervention was due only to the Legislature’s failure to timely perform a fundamental state task. The court further noted a report, not in evidence, that at the time of the opinion, the Legislature had adopted a plan that had not been precleared. The court determined that it was without legal authority to consider the Legislature’s belatedly adopted plan and if that plan complied with constitutional requirements, to adopt that plan as the court’s plan. The court held, however, that if the Legislature’s plan was expedited and timely precleared, then the Legislature’s plan, rather than the court decreed plan should take effect. The court enjoined the defendants (state officials with significant duties in the administration of congressional elections in Alabama) from conducting congressional elections under the existing unconstitutional districting plan and from failing to conduct the 1992 congressional elections in accordance with the court plan if the legislative plan was not timely enacted and precleared to proceed without delay. The court further ordered that the court ordered redistricting plan remain in effect until the Alabama Legislature replaced it with a valid plan. Wesch v. Hunt, No. 91-0787, 1993 WL 468747 (S.D. Ala. July 13, 1993), aff’d sub nom. Wesch v. Folsom, 6 F.3d 1465 (11th Cir. 1993), cert. denied sub nom. Sinkfield v. Wesch, 510 U.S. 1046 (1994) Wesch filed to stay the proceedings in a state-court matter (Sinkfield v. Camp, Civil Action No. 93-689, Cir. Ct. Montgomery County) to the extent that such proceedings involved claims related to congressional redistricting previously litigated. The district court, in an opinion released July 13, 1993, and not reported, granted Wesch’s motion, enjoining prosecution of the state court action seeking redistricting. A primary contention of Wesch was to enforce the injunction entered on March 9, 1992, in Wesch v. Hunt, 785 F. Supp. 1491 (S.D. Ala. 1992). Subsequently, on July 21, 1993, (1993 WL 468669) the district court denied a motion to stay the injunction pending appeal filed by the Sinkfield/Intervenor-plaintiffs. The court expressly noted that the three-judge decision (and the court ordered redistricting plan) in Wesch v. Hunt, 785 F. Supp. 1491 (S.D. Ala. 1992) had been resolved by the United States Supreme Court in two separate appeals, each favorable to the district court’s decision. The court noted that the primary purpose of the injunction issued on July 13, 1993, was "to halt needless and repetitive litigation in state court of an issue, which has been already settled in a federal court." The court expressly noted that the congressional elections scheduled for 1994 were not in danger of being conducted under an unconstitutional plan and that no harm would result from conducting further elections under a plan held valid by the Supreme Court. Noting the delicate balance between the federal and state judicial systems, the appeal was affirmed in a published opinion, see Wesch v. Folsom, 6 F.3d 1465 (11th Cir. 1993), and the Supreme Court denied certiorari without publishing an opinion. Hunt v. Morris, 591 So. 2d 83 (1992), appeal dismissed and remanded to trial ct. 628 So. 2d 1080 (1992). In December 1991, the Barbour County Circuit Court ordered the Governor to issue a call to the State Legislature to convene in special session for the purpose of considering congressional redistricting. In January 1992, in a per curiam decision without citing authority or reasoning, the Alabama Supreme Court granted a motion to stay that order pending appeal. In a special concurrence, Justice Houston indicated that this appeal called upon the court to determine whether the judiciary had the power to direct the Governor to call a special session. He further voiced that probably no one in the State judiciary had that power. In March 1992, the Alabama Supreme Court dismissed the appeal and remanded it to the trial court without issuing an opinion. Brooks v. Hobbie, 631 So. 2d 883 (Ala. 1993) The U. S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama, certified a question to the Alabama Supreme Court substantially as follows: Does the Montgomery County Circuit Court have 2 subject matter jurisdiction to enter tentative and final implementing orders for a redistricting plan? The Alabama Supreme Court responded affirmatively by first recognizing that apportionment is primarily a legislative function and that the true question was whether the redistricting issue is a justiciable one. Stating that the Constitution required judicial intervention to ensure constitutional protections of every citizen and that when a court invalidated an apportionment statute, it could not be left without the means to order appropriate relief, the Court held that the circuit court had jurisdiction to order a redistricting plan. The Court further noted that the judiciary must act when other branches of government are remiss in their constitutional duties. Peters v. Folsom, No. 93-T-124-N (M.D.Ala); Brooks v. Camp, No. 93-T-364-N (M.D.Ala) In these consolidated cases, the plaintiffs alleged that the legislative district lines violated their constitutional rights by violating the one person, one vote principle and discriminating against Black voters. The proceedings were stayed on the ground that the legislative process had not run its course. During the stay, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Growe v. Emison, 507 S. Ct. 25 (1993) reaffirming the principle that federal courts should defer to state courts regarding apportionment of state legislative districts where the State (via legislature or judiciary) had begun to address the task itself. Arguing that the federal court should not defer because the Alabama state courts lacked subject-matter jurisdiction to redistrict or reapportion the State Legislature, the Peters plaintiffs argued that the federal court should independently reach their claims. The federal court certified the question regarding jurisdiction to the Alabama Supreme Court, which held that the state circuit court had jurisdiction to enter its orders. These cases were dismissed and the motion of the Peters plaintiffs for attorneys’ fees and expenses was denied. Sinkfield v. Bennett, No. CV-93-689-PR (Cir. Ct. Montgomery Co., Aug. 13, 1993) The Montgomery County Circuit Court entered a Consent Decree between the Sinkfield parties and the Secretary of State approving a redistricting plan for the Alabama Legislature. The plan was precleared by the U. S. Attorney General. The court retained jurisdiction until an acceptable redistricting plan might be enacted by the Legislature. Sinkfield v. Bennett, No. CV-93-689-PR (Cir. Ct. Montgomery Co., Nov. 20, 1997) In 1997, pursuant to a federal district court direction, see Rice v. Smith, 988 F. Supp. 1437 (M.D. Ala. 1997), John Rice and Camilla Rice filed as intervenors in this action on issues regarding the Consent Decree Plan from 1993. The Rice contentions were that under the Plan, underpopulation in one district violated the one-person, one-vote right; that the Plan contained districts that were unconstitutional racial gerrymanders under the line of cases from Shaw v. Reno, 509 U.S. 630 (1993); and that several districts were designed to intentionally overpopulate majority White districts, thus, diluting their voting strength. 3 The court held that the intervenors could not prevail on the equal protection claim by finding that there was no evidence that an underpopulation in one district, resulting in a 10.2 percent total deviation, caused any injury given other factors, i.e., that the district was limited to one entire county and that it was the only district in the Plan that exceeded a five-percent deviation. The court limited the racial gerrymander claim to the districts where the intervenors resided and found that race, while a factor, was not a main or predominant factor that subordinated traditional, race-neutral districting principles.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Alabama Legislature Details
    Alabama Legislature WHERE IS THE ALABAMA STATE HOUSE LOCATED? The Alabama State House is located at 11 South Union Street in Montgomery. The House of Representatives chamber is on the 5th floor and the public viewing gallery for the House is located on the 6th floor. The Alabama Senate chamber is on the 7th floor and the public viewing gallery for the Senate is located on the 8th floor. WHAT ABOUT LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS? The 2021 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature will convene on February 2. The Legislature convenes in regular annual sessions on the first Tuesday in February, except (1) in the first year of the four-year term, when the session will begin on the first Tuesday in March, and (2) in the last year of a four-year term, when the session will begin on the second Tuesday in January. The length of the regular session is limited to 30 meeting days within a period of 105 calendar days. There are usually two meeting or “legislative” days per week, with other days devoted to committee meetings. Special sessions of the Legislature may be called by the Governor, with the Proclamation listing the subjects which the Governor wishes considered. These sessions are limited to 12 legislative days within a 30 calendar day span. In a regular session, bills may be enacted on any subject. In a special session, legislation must be enacted only on those subjects which the Governor announces in his proclamation or “call.” Anything not in the “call” requires a two-thirds vote of each house to be enacted Every four years (quadrennium), the members of the House and Senate must reorganize the Legislature, i.e.
    [Show full text]
  • In the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama Northern Division
    Case 2:12-cv-00691-WKW-MHT-WHP Document 203 Filed 12/20/13 Page 1 of 173 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA NORTHERN DIVISION ALABAMA LEGISLATIVE ) BLACK CAUCUS, et al., ) ) Plaintiffs, ) ) CASE NO. 2:12-CV-691 v. ) (Three-Judge Court) ) THE STATE OF ALABAMA, et al., ) ) Defendants. ) __________________________________ ) ) ALABAMA DEMOCRATIC ) CONFERENCE, et al., ) ) Plaintiffs, ) ) CASE NO. 2:12-CV-1081 v. ) (Three-Judge Court) ) THE STATE OF ALABAMA, et al., ) ) Defendants. ) MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER Before PRYOR, Circuit Judge, WATKINS, Chief District Judge, and THOMPSON, District Judge. PRYOR, Circuit Judge: “There’s no perfect reapportionment plan. A reapportionment plan depends on what the drafter wants to get, and he can draw them many, many, many ways.” Dr. Joe Reed, Chairman, Alabama Democratic Conference. (Trial Tr. vol. 2, 155, Aug. 9, 2013). Case 2:12-cv-00691-WKW-MHT-WHP Document 203 Filed 12/20/13 Page 2 of 173 The Constitution of Alabama of 1901 requires the Alabama Legislature to redistrict itself following each decennial census of the United States, Ala. Const. Art. IX, §§ 199–200, but for a half century—from 1911 to 1961—the Legislature failed to fulfill that duty. Then the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that this abdication could be tolerated no longer, and it affirmed the judgment of this Court that the Alabama Legislature had to be apportioned after each census based on the principle of one person, one vote. Reynolds v. Sims, 377 U.S. 533, 568, 586, 84 S. Ct. 1362, 1385, 1394 (1964).
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding the Alabama Legislature
    A Primer on Alabama’s Legislative Process By: Lori Lein, General Counsel, Alabama League of Municipalities One of the prime functions of the Alabama League of Municipalities is to represent the interests of municipal government at the legislative level by informing members of legislation introduced that might affect municipal government and by presenting bills to the Legislature on behalf of Alabama’s municipalities. This article briefly explains the workings of the Alabama Legislature and how legislation is passed by that body. Constitutional Provisions Article IV of the Alabama Constitution of 1901 (Sections 44 through 111) establishes the legislative department of state government. Section 44 states that the legislative power of the state shall be vested in a legislature composed of a Senate and a House of Representatives. Section 44 has been construed by the Alabama Supreme Court to give plenary power to the state legislature. State v. Lane, 181 Ala. 646, 62 So. 31 (1913). According to the Court, the Alabama Legislature possesses all of the legislative power which resides in the state under the United States Constitution, except as that power is expressly or impliedly limited by the Alabama Constitution. This differs from the powers granted to the United States Congress in that Congress can exercise only those powers enumerated in the Constitution of the United States or implied therefrom. Article IV prescribes the manner of drafting bills, the organization and qualifications of members of both houses, authorizes each house to determine the rules of its proceedings and establishes procedures for the enactment of laws. Due to space limitations, only the provisions most applicable to the interests of municipalities will be discussed in this article.
    [Show full text]
  • GA-0063 Chair, House Committee on Redistricting Texas House of Representatives Re: Whether the Texas Legislature Is Required P-0
    ATTORNEY GENERAL OF TEXAS GREG ABBOTT April 23,2003 The Honorable Joe Crabb Opinion No. GA-0063 Chair, House Committee on Redistricting Texas House of Representatives Re: Whether the Texas Legislature is required P-0. Box 2910 to undertake congressional redistricting for the Austin, Texas 787682910 electoral period 2003-2010 (RQ-0017-GA) Dear Representative Crabb: You ask about the Texas Legislature’s legal rights and responsibilities in connection with congressional redistricting following the 2000 census.’ The Seventy-seventh Legislature failed to enact a redistricting plan for the United States House of Representatives, and a three-judge federal court therefore created a plan used for the 2002 general election. See Balderas v. Texas, No. 6:01-CV-158, slip op. (E.D. Tex. Nov. 14,2002) (per curiam), afyd mem., 122 S. Ct. 2583 (2002).* You first ask whether the map drawn by the three- judge panel was “a de novo map for the 2002 elections,“3 because the legislature had not acted. Request Letter, supra note 1. You also ask whether the Texas Legislature has a “mandated responsibility to enact a permanent map for the electoral period 2003 through 20 10.” Id. The United States Constitution provides that “Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State,” U.S. CONST. amend. XIV, 8 2, as determined by the decennial census, id. art. I, 8 2, cl. 3.4 The states have the primary duty and responsibility to redraw their congressional districts in ‘See Letter from Honorable Joe Crabb, Chair, House Committee on Redistricting, to Honorable Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General (Feb.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding the Alabama Legislature
    The Alabama State Capitol, Montgomery, AL Alabama State Capitol, Montgomery, The Inside: • Members of the Alabama Senate and House • 2003 Senate and House Committees Municipal Employees Alabama’s • Military Leave for Alabama League of Municipalities Presorted Std. Understanding the Alabama Legislature Understanding the Alabama Legislature Understanding the Alabama Legislature Understanding the Alabama Legislature Understanding the Alabama Legislature PO Box 1270 U.S. POSTAGE Montgomery, AL 36102 PAID February 2003 60, Number 8 Volume Montgomery, AL CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED PERMIT NO. 340 ADD PEACE OF MIND By joining our Municipal Workers Compensation Fund! • Discounts Available • Directed by Veteran Municipal Officials • Accident Analysis from Alabama • Personalized Service • Over 550 Municipal Entities Participating • Monthly Status Reports Write or Call TODAY: Steve Martin Millennium Risk Managers Municipal Workers P.O. Box 26159 Compensation Fund, Inc. Birmingham, AL 35260 P.O. Box 1270 1-888-736-0210 Montgomery, AL 36102 334-262-2566 Contents President’s Report ....................................................................... 5 Attend the 2003 Congressional City Conference Official Publication, Alabama League of Municipalities Municipal Overview ................................................................... 7 February 2003 • Volume 60, Number 8 Understanding the Alabama Legislature • OFFICERS Members of the Alabama Senate .......................................... 11 GEORGE ROY, Mayor, Calera, President DAN WILLIAMS, Mayor,
    [Show full text]
  • The Alabama Municipal Journal Municipal March/April 2015 Volume 72, Number 5 Employees Matter!
    The Alabama Municipal Journal Municipal March/April 2015 Volume 72, Number 5 Employees Matter! Special Legislative Edition Active Members (452) Abbeville, Adamsville, Addison, Akron, Alabaster, Albertville, Alexander City, Aliceville, Allgood, Altoona, Andalusia, Anderson, Anniston, Arab, Ardmore, Argo, Ariton, Arley, Ashford, Ashland, Ashville, Athens, Atmore, Attalla, Auburn, Autaugaville, Avon, Babbie, Baileyton, Baker Hill, Banks, Bay Minette, Bayou La Batre, Bear Creek, Beatrice, Beaverton, Belk, Benton, Berry, Bessemer, Billingsley, Birmingham, Black, Blountsville, Blue Springs, Boaz, Boligee, Bon Air, Brantley, Brent, Brewton, Bridgeport, Brighton, Brilliant, Brookside, Brookwood, Brundidge, Butler, Calera, Camden, Camp Hill, Carbon Hill, Carrollton, Castleberry, Cedar Bluff, Center Point, Centre, Centreville, Chatom, Chelsea, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Childersburg, Citronelle, Clanton, Clay, Clayhatchee, Clayton, Cleveland, Clio, Coaling, Coffee Springs, Coffeeville, Coker, Collinsville, Colony, Columbia, Columbiana, Coosada, Cordova, Cottonwood, County Line, Courtland, Cowarts, Creola, Crossville, Cuba, Cullman, Cusseta, Dadeville, Daleville, Daphne, Dauphin Island, Daviston, Dayton, Deatsville, Decatur, Demopolis, Detroit, Dodge City, Dora, Dothan, Double Springs, Douglas, Dozier, Dutton, East Brewton, Eclectic, Edwardsville, Elba, Elberta, Eldridge, Elkmont, Elmore, Emelle, Enterprise, Epes, Eufaula, Eutaw, Eva, Evergreen, Excel, Fairfield, Fairhope, Fairview, Falkville, Faunsdale, Fayette, Five Points, Flomaton, Florala, Florence,
    [Show full text]
  • Alabama Law Institute
    Alabama Law Institute REPORT TO THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE AND INSTITUTE MEMBERSHIP 2019-2020 HONORABLE CAM WARD, PRESIDENT REPORT TO THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE AND INSTITUTE MEMBERSHIP 2019-2020 Alabama Law Institute The Law Revision Division of Legislative Services Agency www.lsa.state.al.us Alabama State House Law Center Suite 207 Room 326 11 South Union Street P.O. Box 861425 Montgomery, AL 36130 Tuscaloosa, AL 35486 (334) 261-0680 (205) 348-7411 Alabama Law Institute ROOM 326 LAW CENTER SUITE 207, STATE HOUSE TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA PHONE (205) 348-7411 PHONE (334) 261-0680 WWW.LSA.STATE.AL.US FAX (334) 242-8411 February 2020 TO: The Alabama Legislature and Alabama Law Institute Membership It is my pleasure to submit the Alabama Law Institute’s Annual Report to the Alabama Legislature and ALI Membership. The Alabama Law Institute is the official law revision and reform agency for the State of Alabama. Its purpose is to aid the Legislature in proposing and drafting clearer, simpler, and more up-to-date laws. Next year the Legislature will be asked to consider a number of ALI bills on subjects such as government procurement, court costs, subdivisions, non-disparagement agreements, trusts, and child custody. A copy of these drafts and pending bills in the Legislature will be available at the Law Institute office in Suite 207 of the State House. We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the more than 175 lawyers representing communities all across Alabama who have served on Law Institute committees this year and have donated more than 3,100 hours of their time to these important projects.
    [Show full text]
  • Greater Birmingham Ministries, Et Al. V. Secretary of State for the State Of
    USCA11 Case: 18-10151 Date Filed: 04/09/2021 Page: 1 of 96 [PUBLISH] IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT No. 18-10151 D.C. Docket No. 2:15-cv-02193-LSC GREATER BIRMINGHAM MINISTRIES, ALABAMA STATE CONFERENCE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, GIOVANA AMBROSIO, ELIZABETH WARE, SHAMEKA HARRIS, Plaintiffs - Appellants, versus SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA, Defendant - Appellee. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (April 9, 2021) USCA11 Case: 18-10151 Date Filed: 04/09/2021 Page: 2 of 96 Before BRANCH and ED CARNES, Circuit Judges, and GAYLES,* District Judge. BRANCH, Circuit Judge: We sua sponte vacate our previous opinion and substitute the following in its place. * * * At the end of 2015, advocacy groups and individual Plaintiffs filed this lawsuit against Alabama’s Secretary of State, John Merrill, challenging Alabama’s 2011 Photo Voter Identification Law (hereinafter, the “voter ID law”), passed by the Alabama legislature as House Bill 19 and codified at Ala. Code § 17-9-30. The voter ID law took effect in June 2014 and requires all Alabama voters to present a photo ID when casting in-person or absentee votes. Plaintiffs allege the law has a racially discriminatory purpose and effect that violates the United States Constitution and the Voting Rights Act (the “VRA”). Specifically, Plaintiffs claim the law violates the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments of the Constitution; Section 2 of the VRA, 52 U.S.C. § 10301; and Section 201 of the VRA, 52 U.S.C.
    [Show full text]
  • The Perceptions of the Alabama Legislature Toward Higher Education
    The Perceptions of the Alabama Legislature Toward Higher Education by Willard Hazley Ammons III A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Auburn University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Auburn, Alabama May 5, 2019 Keywords: Alabama legislature, higher education, perceptions, politics Copyright 2019 by Willard Hazley Ammons III Approved by James Witte, Chair, Professor, Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology George Flowers, Dean, Graduate School and Professor, Mechanical Engineering Jane Teel, Assistant Professor, Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology Maria Witte, Associate Dean, Graduate School and Professor, Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology Abstract With state legislatures across the nation decreasing funding in higher education, many higher education administrators are seeking new and creative ways to increase funding and decrease waste in colleges and universities. Since the Great Recession, very little research has been conducted toward the Alabama Legislature and its important link to higher education. This research was conducted to examine the perceptions of the Alabama Legislature toward issues in higher education. Specifically, the study focused on the perceptions of the Alabama Legislature towards duplication of programs, financing of private and public higher education, athletics, and admissions standards. Also, this study observed the similarities/differences in Parker’s (1985) study. This study used quantitative research measures in its design through the use of an electronic online survey. The survey, focused on the members of the 2008 Legislative Session, was used to measure responses to each of the research questions. The sample for this study consisted of one independent variable which was the Alabama Legislature; the dependent variables were the issues in higher education: duplication of programs, financing of private and public higher education, athletics, and admissions standards.
    [Show full text]
  • 2021 Legislative Update Week 5
    2021 Legislative Update: Week 5 Overview Though the Alabama Legislature typically meets for two days each week during session, Representatives and Senators just wrapped up their fourth three-day week of the 2021 Regular Session. The session’s 10th, 11th, and 12th legislative days saw passage of two large packages of bills; a debate over hot topics such as marijuana, broadband internet, and the privatization of alcohol sales; the swearing-in of a new Senator; and the state’s mask order being extended at the same time bills restricting the Governor’s powers are being debated. Military Bills The House on Thursday gave final passage to a 12-bill package of legislation designed to strengthen Alabama’s identity as a military-friendly state. The bills touch on a wide variety of subjects and were drafted by the Alabama Military Stability Commission, which was created in 2011 to bring together a variety of stakeholders interested in the state’s military population and properties. Several of the bills focus on making it easier for professional licensees, such as Psychologists, Physical Therapists, and Speech-Language Pathologists, to practice in Alabama while stationed here. Other bills relate to educating military students; providing pistol, hunting, and fishing licenses to veterans; and increasing the survivor and education benefits provided to members of the National Guard. The bills enjoyed bipartisan support in both chambers. Sunset Bills While the House was considering the Military Package, the Senate was granting final passage to 25 bills that will allow certain public boards, agencies, and commissions to continue operating. Each year, a list of public agencies will cease to exist, or “sunset,” unless their operation is continued by the Legislature.
    [Show full text]
  • 52 Experiments with Regulatory Review the Political and Economic Inputs Into State Rulemakings
    52 Experiments with Regulatory Review The Political and Economic Inputs into State Rulemakings Jason A Schwartz Report No. 6 November 2010 Copyright © 2010 by the Institute for Policy Integrity. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Institute for Policy Integrity New York University School of Law 139 MacDougal Street, Third Floor New York, New York 10012 Contents Executive Summary .................................................................................ii Introduction .............................................................................................1 PART ONE: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Trying To Go 1. Weighing the Options ...................................................................................10 2. History and Models .......................................................................................31 3. Previous Studies on State Practices ............................................................44 4. Lessons from Federal Practice .....................................................................54 5. Principles for Evaluation and Comparison ...............................................67 PART TWO: Where We Are Now 6. Research Methodology .................................................................................73 7. Grades and Comparative Charts .................................................................79 8. State-by-State Summaries ...........................................................................146 PART THREE: Where to Go and How to Get
    [Show full text]
  • Contacting Your Elected Officials
    Contacting Your Elected Officials When members of Congress, the State Legislature and other elected officials are deliberating about policy issues, correspondence from constituents often plays a significant role. Letters and emails from the public can influence a policymaker’s decision, especially if the letters are timely and provide relevant input. Identifying yourself as a community college student can be particularly impactful, given a college’s place in the community. However, also keep in mind that in Congress mailed letters must go through a lengthy security process. Therefore, it is advisable to transmit correspondence via email whenever possible, though this can be followed up by written correspondence. When a vote is imminent on an issue, telephone calls may be the best option, and if you can’t get through to a member or his/her staff, an email message can be used. Tips for Effective Written Correspondence • Use the correct title, address, and salutation for your elected official. Wallace State government relations staff also can help you with this. Sample letters are included below. To find the contact information, use the Contact Your Member section of this website to look up your Congressperson or State Legislator’s office contact information. Congress can be located easily online on the U.S. www.House.gov or www.Senate.gov websites. For Alabama State House and Senate members, www.legislature.state.al.us, or if you aren’t sure which district you fall into, visit http://capwiz.com/state-al/home/. The President of the United States can be contacted here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ or For local elected officials in Cullman County, visit www.co.cullman.al.us; for the City of Hanceville, visit www.cityofhanceville.net; for the City of Cullman, visit www.cullmanal.gov/government; for Blount County, visit www.blountcountyal.gov; and Oneonta City, www.cityofoneonta.us.
    [Show full text]