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Jerry Fielding

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Terminal corruption and its accomplices

There is at present a deliberate, brazen unraveling of the Republican’s signature 2010 legislation on ethics. Bastardization of the laws are not only happening at the so-called Alabama Ethics and Reform and Clarification Commission, but it’s also taking place at the state’s Ethics Commission where a group of appointed individuals are interpreting ethics and campaign … Continued
October 8, 2018

Ethics Commission gives itself more power to reduce penalties for campaign law violators

The Alabama Ethics Commission is again making it less burdensome to violate campaign reporting laws. In a 3-0 vote on Wednesday (with two abstentions), the Commission voted to give itself the authority to reduce the number of offenses levied against candidates and political action committees (PACs) that violate campaign finance reporting rules. Typical violations occur … Continued
October 4, 2018

AG, commerce secretary hide real problem with economic development bill

During a hearing on Wednesday to discuss the controversial economic development bill, HB317, not a soul present addressed the critical problem with the bill — the gaping loophole created by allowing individuals to work as part-time economic development professionals. Of course, the bill doesn’t use the words part-time. Instead, it calls this individual a “less … Continued
March 16, 2018

Marsh to meet with Gov. Ivey to decide fate of economic developer bill

Senate President Del Marsh, R-Anniston, asked the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee to hold over a bill Wednesday to exempt economic developers from the state’s lobbying requirements until after he meets with Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on the matter today. House Bill 317, titled The Alabama Jobs Enhancement Act, is sponsored by State … Continued
March 15, 2018

Secretary Merrill: Ethics Commission undermined campaign finance law

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter The law doesn’t matter if you try harder not to break it the next time, according to the Alabama Ethics Commission. Earlier this week, the five-person commission voted 4-1 to dismiss fines levied by the Alabama Secretary of State’s office for the late filing of required campaign finance reports … Continued
December 6, 2017

McClendon announces he will run for re-election to State Senate

By Brandon Moseley  Alabama Political Reporter Monday, August 28, 2017, State Senator Jim McClendon, R-Springville, announced that he will seek a second term in the Alabama Senate. McClendon was elected to the seat in 2014. Sen, McClendon represents Senate District 11, which covers portions of Shelby, St. Clair and Talladega counties. McClendon said in a … Continued
August 29, 2017

What can we learn on the Plains of Weehawken?

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter “If we had an Attorney General, there’d be a Grand Jury,” said a retired judge referring to revelations in APR’s exit interview with Ethics Commissioner, Dr. Stewart Tankersley. Examples of collusion, questionable opinions, and other suspect activity, he said, “should be before a Grand Jury, and we should ask … Continued
August 9, 2017

Tankersley Exit Interview: Final 

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter “Somebody should do something.” After nearly five years of being rebuffed for his common-sense stance on the Ethics Commission, Dr. Stewart Hill Tankersley is doing something significant: Exposing institutional corruption and the particular failings of the Commission, sworn to hold every public official to the letter of the law. … Continued
August 7, 2017

What’s the going rate?

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter What are we to make of an Attorney General who takes campaign donations from a lawyer/lobbyist who would gut the State’s Ethics laws? In the political world, friends give campaign donations, but political action committees, lawyers, lobbyists, and businesses invest; and they expect a return on their investment. So, … Continued
July 27, 2017

Some are using a stalking horse to undermine ethics laws

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter The greatest challenge before the Alabama State Legislature when it returns in February is not the budget, schools or Medicaid. It is the slight of hand chicanery used to undermine the State’s ethics laws. Since the conviction of former Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard on 12 felony ethics … Continued
January 10, 2017