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Darrio Melton

News

Melton Sends Open Letter to Governor

SELMA, Ala.–Representative Darrio Melton sent the following open letter to Governor Robert Bentley concerning the closure of Paul M. Grist State Park. Melton is eager to work with the Governor’s office and Dallas County leadership to find a solution to maintain operations at this park. Anyone interested in discussing this issue is invited to join … Continued

Darrio Melton

November 10, 2015

Opinion

I have your silver bullet, Governor

By Rep. Darrio Melton In politics and in life, there is seldom a “silver bullet” solution. Panaceas and cure-alls are typically the talk of snake oil salesmen, while public policy is frequently grounded in realms of give-and-take and cost-benefit analyses. Alabama’s budget crisis has been no different. There have been a number of solutions on … Continued

Darrio Melton

November 3, 2015

Opinion

Rural leadership isn’t playing politics or playing the victim—We’re standing up for our communities

By Rep. Darrio Melton Twentieth Century author Eric Hoffer once pointed out an illogical truth about humans: “People who bite the hand that feeds them usually lick the boot that kicks them.” Such is true with the duality of our political perceptions in Alabama: we lament the Federal government’s role while holding out our hand … Continued

Darrio Melton

October 27, 2015

Opinion

DMV closings put working families between a rock and a hard place

By Rep. Darrio Melton When you open up the pages of a national newspaper or turn to a major news network and see “Alabama,” you can pretty much bet something has gone terribly wrong, and we are, once again, the butt of jokes nationwide. Over the past weeks, Alabama has made headlines from the New … Continued

Darrio Melton

October 13, 2015

Opinion

You Can’t Run The State Like A Business—Voting Isn’t About The Bottom Line

By Rep. Darrio Melton Fifty years ago, American Democracy fundamentally shifted right here in Selma, Alabama. As men and women from all walks of life joined together to march in solidarity for the precious principle of “one man, one vote,” the nation watched and took note. What happened in Selma 50 years ago changed … Continued

Darrio Melton

October 6, 2015

Opinion

Bentley Dares To Selectively Defend His Rights

By Rep. Darrio Melton “We dare defend our rights.” The state motto has been flaunted by politicians across Montgomery to promote partisan agendas for years, however Governor Bentley is taking the motto a step further by asking the Alabama Supreme Court to determine whether certain parts of the state’s General Fund budget are unconstitutional. … Continued

Darrio Melton

September 29, 2015

Opinion

Bentley Needs To Put Away His Stick And Worry About The People of Alabama

By Rep. Darrio Melton “Walk softly and carry a big stick.” President Teddy Roosevelt’s nutshell-theory on foreign policy has become a common political expression, heard in historical context more often than seen used by political leadership. The theory, of course, refers to the use of soft-power in difficult political situations–using words, strategic planning and diplomacy … Continued

Darrio Melton

September 22, 2015

Opinion

The Republicans Missed The Labor Day Memo About Hard Work

By Rep. Darrio Melton This Labor Day was a time for family and friends to come together and enjoy a day off in celebration of the American Labor Movement–the men and women who have worked hard to guarantee honest pay, safe working conditions, and fair treatment for the people who built this country. The labor … Continued

Darrio Melton

September 8, 2015

Opinion

Budgets Show Our Priorities: Where Are Alabama’s?

By Rep. Darrio Melton When families sit down each year to make our household budgets, it’s a negotiating process. It’s an exercise in give-and-take. It’s a time to sit down and evaluate where we are and prioritize our plans for the upcoming year. Yet as we are still in the process of creating our … Continued

Darrio Melton

August 25, 2015

Opinion

Republican’s Fiscal Irresponsibility Could Rob Our Future

By Rep. Darrio Melton Alabama’s voters should be paying close attention to what’s been going on in Montgomery, and what will play out over the next few months. The Governor has called the Legislature back for a Special Session to pass a budget–a task the Republican supermajority was unable to accomplish successfully in the … Continued

Darrio Melton

August 11, 2015