The Alabama Legislature has found a compromise that shores up the state’s prepaid college tuition plan with nearly $548 million over the next 17 years. It also keeps the state’s promise to pay tuition for 44,000 students.  The Senate approved the plan 23-8 Wednesday and the House agreed 85-7 Wednesday night. Democratic state Sen. Ted Little of Auburn says the legislation saves Alabama’s Prepaid Affordable College Tuition plan.  But Democratic Rep. John Knight, who is chief operating officer of Alabama State University, predicted the bill will be challenged in court because it caps tuition increases for PACT participants at regional universities. (Source WSFA)

Sorry, but wasn’t this the right thing to do?  The state takes taxpayer dollars for their kids college and then defaults! Sure, bad investments over the past two years, uh, we’ve all lost some of our retirement, but a promise from the state is a promise.  Join the conversation and make a comment.

Gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis will unveil his plan to create jobs and transform Alabama’s economy at a press conference in Auburn on Thursday.  Davis’ plan, “Securing Our Economic Future,” will outline policies to grow Alabama manufacturers and small businesses, invest in small towns and rural communities and attract the high-tech, high-wage industries of the future to Alabama.

Davis will meet with members of the media at J & M Bookstore at 115 South College Street at 9:30AM

As politics heats up in coming weeks and months, I’ll start sharing some of the emails and press releases being sent over to the Opelika Daily News.  Today from the Republican Camps!

A poll conducted last week commissioned by a Montgomery political consulting and public relations company indicates the races for Governor and Attorney General in the Republican primary are very open, with many voters still undecided.

At a news conference today, Public Strategy Associates announced the results of the poll conducted February 3-4 by Baselice & Associates, Inc., an Austin, Texas polling company. PSA brought Mike Baselice, CEO of the polling company, to Montgomery to explain the details of the survey of 1,007 likely Republican primary voters.  (more…)

From Congressman Mike Rogers, On Wednesday, January 6th from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., I hope you’ll join me in Opelika at Jimmy’s for a “Congress on Your Corner” event. Feel free to stop for a visit. The location is 104 South 8th Street in Opelika.  Bring your concerns, your ideas and any issue you may need assistance with. I hope to see you there. For more information, please call my Anniston office at (256) 236-5655.  (Source: Rogers Newsletter)

Alabama Assistant Attorney General James Thrash has announced his candidacy for Lee County Circuit Court Judge, Place 2, a position being vacated by retiring Circuit Court Judge, John Denson. Thrash has been serving as an Assistant Attorney General for the last four years representing the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. He had previously been in the private practice of law in Lee County for nineteen years.

“I am uniquely qualified to serve the citizens of Lee County as its next Circuit Court Judge because of my diverse business background, broad range of legal experience and a commitment to public service.” Thrash graduated from Opelika High School in 1979 and then earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alabama in 1983. In 1986 he graduated from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama. Thrash was in the private practice of law in Lee County where his practice consisted of business, corporate, banking, creditor, real estate, workman’s compensation, domestic relations, criminal defense, bankruptcy, social security disability and probate matters. He has practiced in all the trial courts of Alabama and has tried hundreds of cases during his career.

Among his cases were several jury trials including trials for capital murder, medical malpractice, automobile collision cases, condemnation cases, and wrongful termination. He served as Judge Richard Lane’s referee in the Family Court of Lee County where he presided over child support and juvenile trials and would make recommendations to Judge Lane for disposition of the cases. He currently serves as an Assistant Attorney General representing the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Alabama Scrap Tire Commission. He has tried enforcement cases throughout the State and has tried cases before the Environmental Management Commission. He is a member of the Alabama State Bar and serves on the Environmental Sections Executive Committee, and as its Treasurer. James and his wife, Cindy Henderson Thrash, reside in Opelika with their teenage son, James Ray Thrash.

As a family, they worship in the fellowship of First Baptist Church of Opelika. The primary for Lee County Circuit Judge, Place 2, is scheduled for June 1, 2010, with the general election following in November.

Lee County attorney Melissa B. “Missy” Thomas has announced her candidacy for Lee County Circuit Court Judge, Place 3 – a position being vacated by retiring Family Court Judge Richard Lane in 2010. Thomas has practiced family law in Lee County for the last 16 years, specializing in cases related to domestic law. “I feel I am uniquely qualified to serve the citizens of Lee County in this capacity – as a working mom, I understand what it is like to balance work and family,” says Thomas. “And as a family law attorney I have seen firsthand the impact family court decisions have, not only on the families involved, but also on the community as a whole. My years of practice have given me not only the opportunity to represent husbands, wives, mothers, and fathers in divorce actions and child support cases, but also parents, children, grandparents, and other relatives in juvenile cases. Additionally, I have practiced in other areas including civil litigation and criminal defense which, combined with my family court experience, give me the necessary background to be an effective judge. ”

“Family Court cases are particularly gratifying to me because it allows me to help people when they are in the very worst of personal circumstances. If elected Family Court Judge, I will focus on running the Family Court docket as effectively and efficiently as possible, and bringing proven and effective programs and ideas to Lee County in order to continue helping people in their times of need,” says Thomas. “Of particular interest to me are the children who pass through the doors of Family Court in the juvenile system, and I am a firm believer in the Court playing an active role in the guidance of juvenile offenders so that they may become responsible citizens of this county.”

Thomas, an Opelika native, graduated from Opelika High School in 1986 and then earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting) in 1989. In 1992, she graduated from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. She worked as a legal assistant/secretary in various law offices in the Auburn and Opelika area while a student at Opelika High School and Auburn University from 1985 until 1992. Thomas began her law practice in Phenix City, Alabama approximately 17 years ago. She previously was an instructor in Business Law at Southern Union State Community College. She currently has law offices located in Opelika and in Phenix City. She resides in Opelika with her husband of almost ten years, Thomas McEntire, and their three-year-old son, Bryan. Her parents, Fred and June Thomas, and sister, Cyndi Thomas, have been residents of Lee County for more than 40 years. Thomas is a member of the American Bar Association, Alabama Bar Association, Family Law Section of the Alabama Bar Association, Certified Mediator by Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution, Alabama Certified Guardian Ad Litem, Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association, Lee County Republican Executive Committee, Lee County Republican Club, Republican Women of East Alabama, Auburn University Campus Club, Opelika Chamber of Commerce, and Auburn Chamber of Commerce. She and her family are members of First Baptist Church of Opelika.

More information about Thomas and the campaign is available at www.electmelissathomas.com. The campaign office can also be contacted at electmthomas@aol.com, or by phone at 334-749-1099. The primary for Lee County family court judge is scheduled for June 1, 2010, with the general election following in November 2010.

Lee County Assistant District Attorney Margaret Mayfield announced her Republican candidacy for family court judge during an early evening family barbeque on Sunday, Sept. 20.  Hundreds of friends and supporters gathered at the home of Drs. Allen and Shirley Lazenby in Opelika to support Mayfield’s candidacy, including Don Roberts, Bill Samford, Pep Melton, Bill Kelly, and Shirley Lazenby – all who offered personal words of endorsement. Auburn’s ultimate ska band Blame Sydney entertained the crowd between endorsements. “I am ready to apply my education, work experience, and attention to efficiency for the families of Lee County,” Mayfield told friends.  “I look forward to the support from, but more importantly, the privilege to serve, the citizens of Lee County.”

An Opelika native, Mayfield’s education in the Opelika public school system included her selection as senior class president in 1977.  She went on to academic distinction through earning a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University, an MBA from Samford University, and a juris doctorate degree from Cumberland School of Law.  Her academic and professional training also includes coursework at The National College of Juvenile Justice and The National Institute on Child Sexual Abuse Victims. (more…)