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Bob Riley

Sec. of Commerce Uses AIDT No-Bid Contract to Build Website Costing Almost $100K

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—A no-bid professional service contract was awarded to Big Communications that included building a website for the Alabama Department of Commerce that alone cost almost $100,000. However, the Department of Commerce does not have a contract with Big Communications. According to Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield, the contract with Big … Continued
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July 24, 2013

Love From Backdoor To Revolving Door: The Lure Of Education Dollars

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—When Rep. Jay Love helped push through the Alabama Accountability Act (AAA) favored by for-profit charter school companies, he may have already been planning his departure for the more lucrative world of “education reform from the private sector.” Love (R-Montgomery) announced last week that he is resigning his house … Continued
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July 15, 2013

Hubbard PAC’s: Who’s Helping To Protect The Incumbents?

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—In late June, Alabama Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard told Young Republicans gathered in Birmingham that he had raised $10 million to protect GOP incumbents in the 2014 primaries. Mandatory June campaign filings show that Hubbard doesn’t have even a fraction of this amount in his possession. In … Continued
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July 8, 2013

Chapman resigns SOS to join lobbying firm

Staff Strong MONTGOMERY—Secretary of State Beth Chapman announced Monday that she would be resigning her post effective August 1. The Associated Press is reporting that Chapman is taking a position with a government and public relations consulting firm. With only 17 months left in are elected office Chapman says she is leaving office for a … Continued
July 1, 2013

YOUNG WOMAN’S SEXUAL HARASSMENT CLAIM AGAINST SPEAKER HUBBARD’S HIGH-PAID AIDE COST STATE TAXPAYERS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—A decade-long rumor of sexual harassment involving Speaker Mike Hubbard’s key communications consultant and a young state employee can finally be laid to rest. Rumor had it that David Azbell – who is currently paid an $8,000-per-month state salary by Hubbard – used his position at the time, Communications Director to … Continued
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May 8, 2013

Who will develop Gulf State Park?

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—On Wednesday Governor Robert Bentley announced that Alabama will receive nearly $100 million in funding as part of the ongoing coastal restoration projects following the BP Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. And today, the state House of Representatives is expected to pass a bill allowing construction of a … Continued
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May 2, 2013

Pave Paradise? The Gulf State Plan

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Gulf State Park is described as a place where, “white sun-kissed beaches, a surging surf, seagulls and seashells greet you.” If certain legislators and business interests have their way you will also be greeted by a valet, and doorman at a new 5-star, luxury hotel. Opponents of the plan … Continued
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April 1, 2013

Charter Schools: All Riley’s Men

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Perhaps it is no coincidence that Bob Riley’s two former chiefs of staff became the lobbyist for the two most powerful groups pushing charter schools in Alabama. Riley said when he announced that he was becoming a lobbyist that he wanted to continue to work on education and economic … Continued
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February 26, 2013