Editorial: Extra Special Session - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: Extra Special Session

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By John Shryock - bio | email

  • Editorials

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;

  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:20:07 GMT
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 

  • Thursday, May 9 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-09 23:20:06 GMT
    What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer.  Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. What
    What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer.  Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. What
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MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - State government will now be much more transparent thanks to the work of The Alabama Legislature.   

Legislators deserve accolades for accomplishing more this week to enhance the perception of Alabama as a place where corruption won't rule than has been accomplished in decades. 

It is the ultimate Christmas and Hanukah gift to Alabamians. 

Unlimited gift giving by lobbyists is history.  Legislators will no longer be able to hold another state job, ending the double dipping of taxpayer dollars. 

Pass-through pork spending is banned.  So is transferring money between political action committees.  We will know who is funding the ads you see. 

The Alabama Ethics Commission now has subpoena power.  Until now, Alabama has been the only state in the nation that didn't grant authority to its ethics panel to subpoena people and documents to probe misdeeds. 

The coming months will bring more drama as some legislators accused of wrongdoing battle those charges and they will likely not be the last legislators ever charged with violating the law. 

But Montgomery, Alabama should no longer be considered a corrupt capital city.

It will be a very good New Year!

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