Personhood Bill Fails

I am glad to report that, as far as I can tell, the "personhood" bill (SB301) was NOT approved by the House and will NOT go to the Governor for his signature. This is a good thing, but it should never have even gotten this close. Is this really what we want from our Legislators, passing laws that satisfy their own religious conviction? Not I... You decide for yourself.

In other news, the anti-illegal-immigration bill was signed by Governor Bentley yesterday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/09/us-immigration-alabama-idUSTRE7584C920110609

Republican Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday signed into law a crackdown on illegal immigration in Alabama that both supporters and critics consider the toughest in the nation.

The measure will require public schools to determine the citizenship status of students -- a provision not included in an Arizona law that has been at the forefront of actions by several states to curb illegal immigration.

Senator Scott Beason maintained his "contest" on the House bill to grant "limited home-rule" powers (in other words, enhanced taxing authority) to Jefferson County. That means the bill failed, and JeffCo doesn't get its new taxes at this time.
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/06/alabama_sen_beason_kills_jeffe.html

A plan to give the Jefferson County Commission power to raise sales taxes or other levies of its choosing to a suggested target of as much as $50 million a year was defeated in the Legislature Thursday night.

Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, said shortly after 7 p.m. Thursday that he would not let the full 35-member Senate vote on the bill.

Personally, I think this is a good thing, regardless of the eventual consequences. I mean, look at it. The county has been incredibly irresponsible and have gotten themselves into a bad financial position, and then their occupational tax was thrown out by courts (TWICE!) as unconstitutional. A note to supporters: After having two illegal taxes tossed, maybe the best thing to do is NOT to let them levy more taxes. Maybe?

The Alabama Healthcare Freedom Act was passed by the Senate yesterday, which means on Presidential election day in 2012 we get to vote on the Constitutional amendment which opts us out of ObamaCare. Not bad, but I think the vote should come sooner, during the already scheduled 2012 primary election. Let's use a regularly scheduled election, yes, but balance turnout with time considerations.
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/06/alabama_lawmakers_ok_public_vo.html

State lawmakers today approved a plan that will let voters decide whether to rewrite the state constitution to say that people and employers in Alabama could opt out of the federal health care overhaul passed by Congress last year.

Under the plan, voters will decide in November 2012 whether to rewrite Alabama's constitution to say "a law or rule shall not compel, directly or indirectly, any person, employer or health care provider to participate in any health care system."

So that's it, the 2012 Legislative session is a wrap. Unless, of course, Bentley decides to call a special session... which shouldn't happen but may well. We'll see, though, in time.