Government
Corruption and the Economy
Over the last several years, Birmingham and Jefferson County have experienced a tsunami of political corruption. From the HealthSouth accounting scandal to the convictions of several former county commissioners. And, of course, next month Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford goes on trial in a 101-count federal bribery and conspiracy case. Les Lovoy reports on the toll political corruption takes on the our local economy and what the local business community people are plan to do about it.
What’s the Deal: Whistleblowers
The movie The Informant took second place at the box office over the weekend. It's the story of a corporate whistleblower who works with federal investigators to take down an agriculture price fixing scheme. The movie is a real case turned into a dark comedy, but off screen whistleblowers are a serious tool for law enforcement when it comes to investigating corruption. There are laws designed to protect whistleblowers and thus encourage them to come forward. As we continue our weeklong series looking at corruption in Alabama, WBHM's Andrew Yeager examines if such protections, may be overblown.
What’s The Deal: Ethics Commission
Ethics is something that usually comes from within, but sometimes public officials need a little outside coercion to keep their ethics in check. For nearly 40 years, the Alabama Ethics Commission has worked to keep state employees and elected officials honest. As we begin a week of reports on corruption in Alabama, WBHM's Bradley George examines some of the challenges facing the commission and some of the proposal for ethics reform.
City Council Elections
Voters in Birmingham head to the polls tomorrow to pick who'll represent them on the city council for the next four years. But with all that's been happening in Birmingham area politics, from a financial crisis in Jefferson County to a mayor set to go on trial for corruption, it can be difficult to cut through and figure out what's going on with the city council races. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke to a number of political observers to gauge what might happen at the polls.
Civil Rights Pardons
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford has issued a blanket pardon to those arrested in the city during the 1960s civil rights protests. Some 2,500, including children and the Reverend Martin Luther King Junior, were jailed during that era of fire hoses and police dogs. But as WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports, the move seems more about reconciling the past than altering the record books.
Jefferson County Layoffs: Wes Gregory’s Story
News headlines are filled with stories about Jefferson County's budget crisis. But behind the public headlines, there are the personal stories of nearly a thousand county employees who've been laid off and find their lives turned upside down. Wes Gregory is one of them.
On The Line: Jefferson County Budget Crisis
Jefferson County faces a massive budget shortfall. County leaders and state legislators are looking for solutions, but will they be long-term or just a bandaid? Join WBHM for our live call-in program "On The Line: Jeffco Budget Crisis" Friday at noon.
Foreign Policy Priorities: A Local Perspective
What would make the world safer? What should America's foreign policy priorities be? They're not simple questions. They're meant to spark dialogue. And this week, that discussion comes to Birmingham.
Collins & Carns: Occupational Tax
Jefferson County officials are still waiting to hear whether they'll be allowed to spend occupational tax money while the legal battle against the tax winds its way through the courts. Earlier, a judge ruled the tax illegal. The county has appealed, saying if it loses the $75 million a year, the county will be financially devastated. WBHM's Tanya Ott talks with Commissioners Bettye Fine Collins and Jim Carns.
Collins & Carns: Jeffco Sewer Hearing
Jefferson County officials are scrambling to determine how they failed to bill St. Vincent's Hospital, UAB and others large facilities for nearly three-million dollars in sewer services. The problem came to light Monday in a federal court hearing over whether a receiver should take over management of the county's sewer system. WBHM's Tanya Ott talks with county commission president Bettye Fine Collins and commissioner Jim Carns.
Whitmire on Budget Woes and Kid One Transport
Birmingham's proposed 2010 operating budget is about $6 million dollars less than the current budget. It includes major cuts to some outside groups such as the downtown revitalization organization Operation New Birmingham and Child Care Resources. Mayor Larry Langford says times are tough and the cuts are necessary. But some of the groups being cut from the budget say they were given no warning.
Occupational Tax: An Overview
Jefferson County department heads have until June 1st to come up with a plan to cut their budgets by 33%. This comes on top of 10% they cut last month. The belt-tightening is all because of the occupational tax. And if that makes your eyes glaze over, you're not alone. The occupational tax and its legal limbo is complicated. We thought we'd break it down for you. We've got three reports -- the first, from WBHM's Tanya Ott.
Legislative Review and Preview 2009/05/18
The 2009 Alabama legislative session is underway and lawmakers face steep challenges this year. A economic slump means tax collections are down, social service needs are high and money concerns will overshadow all that's happening in Montgomery. Each week we'll update you on activity from the state house with our political expert, Dr. Natalie Davis from Birmingham-Southern College. She joins WBHM's Andrew Yeager.
War of Words
Facebook, Twitter and blogs are abuzz today with news of a showdown between Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford and local tavern owner Jerry Hartley. Langford and Hartley verbally sparred at Wednesday's meeting of the Five Points South Merchants Association. Hartley tells WBHM's Andrew Yeager the confrontation erupted during a conversation about regional cooperation to address the problem of "brain drain."
More Budget Cuts?
There are just five more work days left in the Alabama legislative session and Jefferson County commissioners are anxiously watching what happens to a bill concerning the county's occupational tax. A judge declared the tax illegal earlier this year, meaning the county could miss out on about $70 million in revenue. That and other financial uncertainty prompted county officials to tell department heads to prepare for massive budget cuts. WHBM's Andrew Yeager reports on how those cuts could affect one county department.
Legislative Week in Review
We review the week in the Alabama Legislature with Rep. Merika Coleman (D-Midfield) and Rep. Paul DeMarco (R-Homewood).
City Councilwoman Miriam Witherspoon Dies
Birmingham City Council President Pro Tem Miriam Witherspoon is dead after a sudden illness. Jeff Underwood of the Lakeshore Foundation remembers the passionate disability rights activist.
Anniston Update
Every month we'll hear from the staff of The Anniston Star about an issue of importance to the community around Anniston and Calhoun County. Join WBHM's Andrew Yeager for these engaging conversations.
New Lead Laws Affect 2nd Hand Clothing Stores
New consumer safety rules go into effect next week, aimed at making children's products safer. After a flood of imported toys came ashore with high lead levels, Congress moved quickly last year to make children's products safer. Maybe too quickly. The new 'Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act' takes effect Tuesday and there are more questions than answers. WBHM's Tanya Ott reports.
Book Hill Pulls out of County Contract
The Washington DC lobbying firm that was to represent Jefferson County in its efforts to secure federal aid for sewer debt says it's turning down the contract. In a letter made public today, Book Hill Partners says the 'toxic political landscape' in Jefferson County would undermine the firm's ability to get political support for the county. WBHM's Tanya Ott spoke with partner Rob Housman.
Jim Carns on County’s Lobbying Contract
New details are emerging about the Jefferson County Commission's plan to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on Washington D.C. lobbying firm Book Hill Partners. The commission approved the plan Tuesday in a meeting that commissioner Jim Carns describes as a cross between 'The Twilight Zone' and 'One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest'. Carns talked with WBHM's Tanya Ott about the meeting and new allegations of corruption.
The Inauguration and the Magic City
While the eyes of the country turned to Washington D.C. today, the inauguration of Barack Obama is tempered with deep significance for many here in Birmingham. The city which saw the brutality of civil rights - fire hoses, police dogs, even bombings - can now witness the United States' first black president. Thousands marked the occasion today in a city-backed celebration at Boutwell Auditorium. WBHM's Andrew Yeager takes us there.
Councilman Johnathan Austin
The newest member of the Birmingham City Council is young, just 29, and a newcomer to politics. He says he's eager to bring positive change to the city. But in his first few weeks on the council, Johnathan Austin has faced a number of questions -- most notably questions surrounding a 2003 guilty plea for a misdemeanor marijuana charge. That fact didn't emerge until after Austin was appointed to the council. He says the council never asked him about it, but WBHM's Andrew Yeager asked Austin why he didn't volunteer the information.
Anniston Update
Every month we'll hear from the staff of The Anniston Star about an issue of importance to the community around Anniston and Calhoun County. Join WBHM's Andrew Yeager for these engaging conversations.
John Archibald: Plugged
Our weekly segment features The Birmingham News columnist John Archibald, discussing the city politic (and county and state politic too). Instead of being unplugged as he is in the newspaper, we offer him a bullhorn. Sort of.
Considering Faith: Judge Roy Moore Update
When you think about religion in public life, it's hard not to think about Roy Moore and his refusal to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the federal courthouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The former Alabama Chief Justice's fight captivated international audiences. We've got a look back at that controversy and an update on what's Roy Moore is doing these days.
Considering Faith: Pulpit Politics
One principle which has shaped American democracy is the separation of church and state. Thomas Jefferson used the phrase a "wall of separation" and through the years courts and legislatures have shaped what that wall looks like. Now one group has made a specific challenge to that boundary, saying the federal government is preventing pastors from speaking their minds on politics. One part of that battle is in an Alabama church as we hear in the first installment of our series Considering Faith. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports
Mayor Langford Arrested
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford is free on bond after being arrested on a 101 count federal indictment alleging conspiracy, bribery, fraud, money laundering and filing false tax returns. He pleaded not guilty to what U.S. Attorney Alice Martin says was a "classic pay to play scheme". WBHM's Tanya Ott has more.
Election Day Tips
It almost seems like it would never come. We're finally just a day away from the 2008 election. Record turnout and long lines are expected in Alabama. So before you go to cast your ballot, WBHM's Andrew Yeager has a few things to keep in mind for the occasion.
2008 Constitutional Amendments
When voters go to the polls tomorrow, they'll get to choose who will be in the White House for the next four years, as well as congressional, local government and judicial seats. In Alabama, there are also a number of constitutional amendments to consider. We have an overview from WBHM's Andrew Yeager and Tanya Ott.
Electing Judges?
Alabama has a history of expensive and nasty races for the state supreme court. This election cycle has done nothing to change that reputation. But Alabamians will select other judges on this year's ballot too, leaving some to wonder if these men and women personifying fairness and impartiality should even be elected. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
Jefferson County Bankruptcy Update
Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy became part of federal law in 1934, during the Great Depression, when towns and cities nationwide faced massive drops in tax revenues. Since then, there've been less than 500 municipal filings. But that number may tick up during the current economic crisis. Vallejo, California, has already filed for bankruptcy protection and Jefferson County, Alabama, is on the brink of filing the largest municipal bankruptcy in U-S history. WBHM's Tanya Ott has an update.
