Alabama Constitution Amendments

Vote No to Constitutional Amendments on November 4

The past 10 days, I've been on the road meeting with groups large and small as well as local newspaper editors and reporters concerning the proposed raid on the oil trust fund in the guise of state constitutional Amendment One on this November's ballot.

What amazes me is that informed Alabamians are, by and large, unaware of this proposed raid on the trust fund, also known as the Alabama Trust Fund, currently valued at $3.35 billion. If someone planned to pull money out of your account, you would want to know about it, wouldn't you? The same should be the case for the money in the oil trust fund.

From our meetings in recent days in Mobile, Baldwin, Etowah and Tuscaloosa Counties, I have gotten the same reaction from people. They are against bailing out the politicians in Montgomery who have over-spent and over-budgeted and now have their sights on the trust fund for a quick budget fix.

One young man in Gadsden told me, "Mr. James, this is a trust fund, not a slush fund. We can't let the politicians get away with raiding it."

I agree 100%. The Alabama Trust Fund was established a generation ago to provide for our children and grandchildren.

In fiscal year 2007, over $100 million from the trust fund went to the state general fund plus another $32 million to other trust accounts for Alabama counties, cities and state wildlife conservation. It's the largest non-tax source of state revenue, providing a cushion to help stave off unwarranted tax hikes.

Alabamians I've talked to want to keep the trust fund intact and out of the reach of the politicians. Once the politicians break open the trust, they tell me, it's only a matter of time when they take the rest of the $3.35 billion. And, when that happens, we'll be even more vulnerable to tax hikes.

Those who favor Amendment One are saying that the law requires the state to pay back the "loans" from the trust fund within five years. What they don't tell you is that every time the state raids the trust fund, under this new law, an additional 25% of the amount withdrawn is deposited into the County and Municipal Government Capital Improvement Trust Fund. And they don't have to pay any of it back.

The devil truly is in the details with Amendment One.

If the Governor calls proration, under Amendment One, up to $248 million can be taken from the Alabama Trust Fund's Educational Trust Fund Rainy Day Account. Add another $50 million for counties and cities, and we have reached a point where there's more money being taken out of the trust fund than going into it. You can see the scenario, and it's not one that bodes well for our future.

What people tell me is that it's time for the politicians to live within their means. Fiscal discipline is the order of the day, especially as we face uncertain economic times ahead. The days of a flush state treasury may well be behind us and not return for some time. State officials tell us tax revenues are declining and we may well be facing proration in 2009, setting up a massive raid on the trust fund, IF voters approve Amendment One this November.

Please write your local newspapers and tell them your stand on this issue that affects everyone in Alabama.

Thanks for your time and let me hear from you.

TIM JAMES http://www.timjames2010.com/ Tim James

BY TIM JAMES 2010, Inc. - 8138 Seaton Place - Montgomery, Alabama 36116 - 334-213-2332 - Fax 334-213-2524

Alabama Constitutional Amendments - Recommendations from conservative columnist John Killian:

This Tuesday, Alabama voters will decide on six constitutional amendments. Also, a local amendment for Jefferson County will be on the ballot. Musings from Maytown recommends the following on the amendments:

Amendment One: Musings from Maytown recommends a NO vote. During the first administration of Gov. Fob James, a huge quantity of oil was discovered off the coast of South Alabama, reaping a great windfall for Alabama government. Gov. James wisely urged that the monies be placed in trust so that the interest would benefit Alabama interests for generations to come. When Gov. Wallace was in office, additional oil windfalls were also placed in trust.

Now, Montgomery is asking us to free up principal to spend on current needs. Tim James is leading the opposition to this amendment (click link for information). Musings from Maytown believes that the temptation to spend the principal is unwise and makes it easy for Montgomery politicians to spend at the expense of future generations. Vote NO on Amendment One.

Amendment Two: Vote Yes to create a Judicial Commission for Shelby County as already operates in Jefferson and Madison Counties. This commission would present a slate of three candidates to the Governor for appointment. However, the appointee would serve only until the next election, and must stand for election to a full term. This keeps a future liberal Governor from making a purely political appointment in a heavily Republican county.

Amendment Three: Vote No on raising taxes for schools in the Madison section of Limestone County. With government too big and taxes taking an excessive amount of our economy, Musings from Maytown uniformly opposes new taxes at any level. Amendment Four: Vote YES to require Blount County voter approval before a city outside Blount County to annex a portion of Blount County. This amendment is a reaction to Birmingham's past effort to annex areas in Blount County, without voter approval. This amendment does allow for an annexation of Woodhaven Lakes, on the county line, into Pinson--a plan already in the works.

Amendment Five: Vote Yes to allow Russell County to ask for local legislation to set court costs.

Amendment Six: Vote Yes to allow Tuskegee to make the office of Utilities Board an elective post.

Jefferson County Amendment: Vote YES to require that tenants are liable for sewer bills.
Jefferson County has had a rash of unpaid sewer bills and has been seeking payment from owners, rather than the ones who caused the sewer bill. In the past, the county has excused the tenant and sought payment from the owner of the property.

To recap, Musings from Maytown recommends the following:

Amendment One NO
Amendment Two YES
Amendment Three NO
Amendment Four YES
Amendment Five YES
Amendment Six YES

Jefferson County Amendment YES
http://www.johnkillian.blogspot.com

Alabama Constitution Reform

Senator Parker Griffith

Parker Griffith and the Huntsville Hospital. A Parker Griffith

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