MONTGOMERY–Former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin has today endorsed Judge Roy Moore in his senate run against Luther Strange.

According to recent polls, Strange, who was endorsed by President Trump, is lagging behind Judge Moore by 18 points.

During his legal career, Judge Moore became the first full-time Deputy District [...]]]>

Justice Roy Moore

MONTGOMERY–Former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin has today endorsed Judge Roy Moore in his senate run against Luther Strange.

According to recent polls, Strange, who was endorsed by President Trump, is lagging behind Judge Moore by 18 points.

During his legal career, Judge Moore became the first full-time Deputy District Attorney in Etowah County, Alabama, and served in this position from 1977 until 1982. In 1984, Judge Moore undertook private practice of law in Gadsden, Alabama.

In 1992, Judge Moore became a judge of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama and served until his election as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court in 2000. In 2003, Judge Moore was removed from his position as Chief Justice by a judicial panel for refusing to remove a Ten Commandments monument that he installed in the rotunda of the Alabama Judicial Building to acknowledge the sovereignty of God

From 2003 until 2012, Judge Moore served as President of the Foundation for Moral Law in Montgomery, lecturing throughout the Country and filing amicus curiae briefs regarding the United States Constitution in Federal District Courts, State Supreme Courts, U.S. Courts of Appeal and the United States Supreme Court.

Judge Moore was overwhelmingly re-elected by a vote of the people of Alabama as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court in November of 2012 and took office in January of 2013. In 2016, Judge Moore was suspended for upholding the sanctity of marriage as between one man and one woman. He retired to seek the office of U.S. Senate in 2017.

Judge Moore and his wife, Kayla, have four children and five grandchildren. They are members of First Baptist Church in Gallant, Alabama.

WASHINGTON D.C.–President Donald J. Trump has just endorsed Senator Luther Strange in the special election Senate race to permanently fill the Senate seat opened by Jeff Session’s appointment to US Attorney General.

In a tweet around 8:30 pm, Trump stated, “Senator Luther Strange has done a great job representing [...]]]>

Senator Luther Strange

WASHINGTON D.C.–President Donald J. Trump has just endorsed Senator Luther Strange in the special election Senate race to permanently fill the Senate seat opened by Jeff Session’s appointment to US Attorney General.

In a tweet around 8:30 pm, Trump stated, “Senator Luther Strange has done a great job representing the people of the Great State of Alabama. He has my complete and total endorsement!”

In recent polls, Strange leads the pack followed by Judge Roy Moore and US Rep. Mo Brooks.

The election will be Tuesday, August 15th.

By Jeff Roland

ShoalsInsider.com

This week, Luther Strange Forces began preparing to unleash millions of dollars in negative attack ads against Congressman Mo Brooks and Judge Roy Moore. An Alabama citizen received a brushfire poll by Strange, took notes, and reported its contents to Congressman Brooks. Brushfire polls help a campaign draft attack [...]]]>

US Congressman Mo Brooks

This week, Luther Strange Forces began preparing to unleash millions of dollars in negative attack ads against Congressman Mo Brooks and Judge Roy Moore. An Alabama citizen received a brushfire poll by Strange, took notes, and reported its contents to Congressman Brooks. Brushfire polls help a campaign draft attack ads.

“President Trump campaigned on ‘draining the Swamp’ in DC. Well, ‘The Swamp’ is supporting Luther Strange, and they’re getting ready to unload millions of dollars in attacks on Judge Moore and me. Big Luther needs to tell his ‘Swamp Critter’ friends to stay out of Alabama. We can decide this election just fine on our own,” said Brooks.

After asking questions that promote Luther Strange, the brushfire poll explored potential negative attacks against Judge Roy Moore and Congressman Mo Brooks.

“The Strange Forces understand the threat posed by my unmatched record of proven conservative leadership coupled with my unblemished 30-year public service record of high ethical conduct. My record confirms that I have, and always will, put Alabama and America ahead of my own personal interests.”

MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley announced on Thursday the appointment of Luther Strange to Alabama U.S. Senator. Strange will fill the Senate seat vacated by U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions who was confirmed Wednesday night to serve as United States Attorney General. Previous to the appointment, Strange served as Alabama’s Attorney [...]]]>

Senator Luther Strange

MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley announced on Thursday the appointment of Luther Strange to Alabama U.S. Senator. Strange will fill the Senate seat vacated by U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions who was confirmed Wednesday night to serve as United States Attorney General. Previous to the appointment, Strange served as Alabama’s Attorney General, first elected to office in 2011.

“This is truly a remarkable time in our state’s history,” said Governor Bentley. “Alabama has surely been well represented by Senator Sessions, and I am confident Senator Strange will serve as a fine representative for our people. His leadership on a national level, service as a statewide elected official and long record of taking on tough federal issues are the very qualities that will make him a strong conservative Senator for Alabama.”

Governor Bentley and Strange were both elected in 2010, and often campaigned together as part of a slate of Republicans who swept state elections. After taking office in 2011, Governor Bentley and Strange joined together the forces of the Governor’s Office and The Attorney General’s Office to begin the lengthy process of negotiating a settlement from the unprecedented 2010 BP Oil Spill. In 2015, Governor Bentley and Strange jointly announced the landmark $2 Billion settlement with BP.

“I am greatly honored and humbled to accept the appointment to Alabama’s Senate seat vacated by Senator Jeff Sessions,” said Attorney General Luther Strange. “Senator Sessions’ commitment to public service is nearly unparalleled in Alabama history and his departure from the Senate leaves tremendous shoes to fill. I pledge to the people of Alabama to continue the same level of leadership as Jeff Sessions in consistently fighting to protect and advance the conservative values we all care about.”

The Senate selection process began last fall following Senator Sessions’ appointment to US Attorney General by President Trump. Governor Bentley received hundreds of surveys with recommendations from members of the Alabama Republican Party Executive Committee and conducted more than 20 hours of interviews with candidates.

The Special election for the U.S. Senate seat will take place in 2018.

(MONTGOMERY) – With the onset of the tax season, Attorney General Luther Strange warns Alabamians to be vigilant against income tax fraud and he offers tips to keep from falling prey to certain tax preparers with potentially deceptive offers.

“Between late January and early April, when almost all American households have to [...]]]>

(MONTGOMERY) – With the onset of the tax season, Attorney General Luther Strange warns Alabamians to be vigilant against income tax fraud and he offers tips to keep from falling prey to certain tax preparers with potentially deceptive offers.

“Between late January and early April, when almost all American households have to file an annual tax return, can be open season for unscrupulous tax preparers whose objective is to harm consumers’ bottom line, and identity thieves attempting to steal tax refunds,” said Attorney General Luther Strange.

“Most tax preparers provide honest and reliable services, but unfortunately we have to be on guard for those who do not. Advertisements about tax preparation and filing abound during this time, and some of the ads seen on television, heard on the radio, or read online can be tempting.  Some tax preparation companies claim to be able to get your tax refund money the next day or even before you file. These offers, however, can be deceptively expensive.  Another serious problem is identity theft, with criminals just waiting to steal your personal information and file phony tax returns in an effort to claim the refund due to you.”

Attorney General Strange offers the following tips for consumers to avoid becoming victims of tax schemes:

• Do it yourself: You can file your own tax return electronically or on paper. Filing online is free with the IRS.

• You may qualify for free preparation: Lower-income consumers can use free tax preparation software found at www.irs.gov through Free File. If your income is $54,000 or less, you can get free tax preparation assistance at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) location near you.
• Safeguard your refund:
  • pay your tax preparer before filing – many preparers charge higher fees when deducting the cost of preparation from your refund. Avoid paying extra for this supposed convenience.
  • Avoid refund advances – no one can guarantee to obtain your refund from the IRS faster than you can. Tax refund advances are actually loans from your preparer, and like almost any loan, will cost you additional fees to receive.
  • Consider direct deposit – if you file electronically and choose to have your refund directly deposited into your bank account, the IRS does not charge additional fees and is often able to provide your refund sooner.
• Responding to tax-related identity theft.  A surprising letter or notice from the IRS, or the rejection of your return filing, could be an indication that your Social Security number was used to file a fraudulent tax return. If you think this may be the case:
  • Contact the IRS immediately
  • Place a fraud alert on your credit reports with: TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax
  • Create an identity theft report at www.identitytheft.gov
  • File a police report

To report suspected consumer fraud or abuse, Alabamians may call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-5658.  You can also visit the Attorney General’s website at www.ago.alabama.gov and click on “Consumer Protection.”  To file an online complaint, use the link: http://www.ago.alabama.gov/Page-Consumer-Protection-File-a-Complaint-01.

(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange said the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear petitions by three Alabama death row inmates challenging the constitutionality of the State’s capital sentencing law is another victory for the rule of law.

“The U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of certiorari petitions [...]]]>

Alabama’s Death Chamber

(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange said the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear petitions by three Alabama death row inmates challenging the constitutionality of the State’s capital sentencing law is another victory for the rule of law.

“The U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of certiorari petitions from Thomas Arthur, Jerry Bohannon, and Aubrey Shaw, challenging Alabama’s death penalty system in light of the 2016 Hurst v. Florida case, is a reaffirmation that Alabama’s death sentencing law is constitutional,” said Attorney General Luther Strange.

“Convicted murders have repeatedly challenged Alabama’s death penalty sentencing system because it allows for judicial override similar to Florida’s law. However, Alabama law also holds that a jury must unanimously find an aggravating factor at either the guilt or sentencing phase—such as when the murder was committed during a robbery, a rape, or a kidnapping – before determining a death sentence. This is a significant distinction between Alabama law and Florida’s law which was ruled unconstitutional last year by the Supreme Court.

“Alabama’s death penalty law was specifically upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in Harris v. Alabama in 1995, and, as we witnessed again today, the High Court has consistently declined to take challenges to Alabama’s law based on the same grounds in which Florida’s law was contested.

“It should, therefore, be clear to all that Alabama’s death penalty sentencing system is constitutional.”

This past year in Alabama politics was surprisingly more interesting than was expected. The judicial inquiry commission removed Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore from the bench for telling the probate judges in the state to not perform marriage ceremonies for gay people. He said marriage should [...]]]>

Alabama’s leading Political Columnist Steve Flowers

This past year in Alabama politics was surprisingly more interesting than was expected. The judicial inquiry commission removed Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore from the bench for telling the probate judges in the state to not perform marriage ceremonies for gay people. He said marriage should be between a man and a woman, as do most people in Alabama. This removal by this vague panel of former lawyers and judges has caused legislators to call for an investigation of who this panel is and how they have this much power.
More importantly, Judge Moore’s views and martyrdom has catapulted him into an early frontrunner position for the governorship of Alabama in next year’s upcoming election. He is prohibited from running for the Court again because he is 72 and Alabama law does not allow someone to run for judgeships after age 70. Therefore, it was expected that he was going to run for governor. However, his expulsion has propelled his polling numbers to strategic levels.
Our good ole Dr. Gov. Robert Bentley’s saga played out over the year. It is titillating and fun to follow. However, it has pretty much rendered him somewhat irrelevant as governor.
Donald J. Trump’s victory for the presidency is of course the biggest political story of 2016. It overshadows our shenanigans in Alabama. Trump is very popular in Alabama. His victories in our GOP primary and in the November General Election were record setting vote tallies for the Heart of Dixie.
As we enter 2017, the beginning of the Trump presidency will be the news. His administration will and has already affected Alabama politics significantly. His Attorney General will be our own Senator Jeff Sessions.
Our Senior Senator Richard Shelby has had one seat for 30 years and Sessions has been in the other seat for 20 years. Therefore, this open seat is a rarity and will be coveted. By law, the Governor appoints the holder of the vacant seat, which will be for an interim time. The election for the seat will probably occur at the same time as the governor’s race, which will be 17 months from now in the GOP primary in June of 2018.
The most qualified person to take the seat would be someone from our state congressional delegation, especially someone who has served in Congress from Alabama for a decade or more. The two who fit that bill and who are the most imminently qualified are Congressman Robert Aderholt and former Congressman Jo Bonner.
Aderholt, who hails from Haleyville, has represented the 4th Congressional District for 20 years. That district runs from the Mississippi line to the Georgia line across north central Alabama and includes Jasper, Cullman, Gadsden and Tuscaloosa. Aderholt got to Washington at the amazingly young age of 31. Therefore, he is only 51 years old and is our most senior and thus most powerful congressman. He is a ranking member of the powerful Appropriations Committee and is in line to be chairman soon. He would be risking a lot and probably has the same power as a freshman U.S. Senator. He is on course to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Tom Bevill, who was referred to as Alabama’s third senator.
Jo Bonner represented Baldwin and Mobile in the 1st District for over a decade. He left a couple of years ago to accept an Economic Development position at the University of Alabama. He is very well-liked and respected in Washington and was positioned for a leadership post in the GOP Congress. His erudite and sincere demeanor would make him an effective Senator immediately; he also served in the House with a third of the Senators.
The most likely to win the seat in the 2018 Election is Attorney General Luther Strange. He has run statewide three times successfully and has over a three million dollar head start name identification wise.
None of these three men have or will seek Bentley’s appointment. They all realize how unpopular Bentley is and know the history of appointments in Alabama politics. Bentley could redeem some respect and relevance if he went hat in hand to President Donald Trump and offered Trump his appointment. In that case, the governor’s choice would be Trump’s choice. The best choice to bridge the gap may be Perry Hooper Jr., who trumped for Trump in Alabama.
See you next week.

“Americans’ ability to exercise their religious beliefs – a fundamental right enshrined in the [...]]]> Attorney General Luther Strange announced that Alabama has joined 19 other states in filing a friend of the court brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the right of religious nonprofit organizations to follow their religious beliefs.

“Americans’ ability to exercise their religious beliefs – a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution – is unfortunately under assault from a federal government determined to sacrifice our rights to further its political goals,” said Attorney General Strange.

“By compelling religious nonprofit groups to provide contraceptive coverage, the president’s Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, forces them to institute practices that are at odds with their deeply-held religious beliefs. These groups, which perform vital public services, have a constitutional right to exercise their religious beliefs just as surely as any individual citizen.”

As the brief notes, “Religious nonprofits serve their communities in a variety of ways, from caring for the youngest members of society, to serving the elderly with compassion, to providing educations that allow individuals to pursue their own contributions.” “Erecting impediments to their adherence to their religious beliefs can threaten such religious nonprofits’ continued work, which is driven and shaped by those beliefs.”

On January 11, 2016, the states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin filed the amicus brief in the case of Zubik v. Burwell.

The State of Alabama has previously joined amicus briefs supporting religious nonprofits from Obamacare’s contraception coverage mandates in the cases of Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged v. Burwell; East Texas Baptist University v. Burwell; and the Eternal Word Television Network v. Burwell. The Eternal Word Television Network, (EWTN), is an Alabama-based Catholic nonprofit. In June 2014, after a federal court ruled against EWTN, Alabama supported EWTN’s appeal to the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. EWTN was granted a stay from federal fines for failing to provide contraceptive coverage while its case is under review.