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	<title type="html"><![CDATA[Save Alabama PACT Discussion Forum - Proposed Legislation]]></title>
	<link rel="self" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/feed-atom-topic35.xml"/>
	<updated>2009-05-09T12:51:24Z</updated>
	<generator>PunBB</generator>
	<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic35-proposed-legislation.html</id>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: Proposed Legislation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post327.html#p327"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[Late yesterday, Senator Bedford (Originated SB581) tried to bring the PACT bill up out of order and there were several Republican Senators that objected,  we were not able to get the bill to the floor.

Thanks Senator Bedford for not taking no for an answer....Bedford gets my vote for the things I have heard him say this week!!!]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[tenrocdoc]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user4.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-09T12:51:24Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post327.html#p327</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: Proposed Legislation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post304.html#p304"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[The only way this will work is if we rise up. Call all you know and ask them to call their senators. If folks get a request from someone they know they are more likely to call. It does make a difference to the elected, if they hear from the voters that put them in office.]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[PARENTSofTWO]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user107.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-08T00:50:47Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post304.html#p304</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: Proposed Legislation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post303.html#p303"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[With a vote of 14 yeas and 12 nays the Senate stands in adjournment until 11:00 next Thursday.

NO WORRIES ABOUT HB747 hitting the Senate this week...all take a breath and get ready for the next wave!!]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[tenrocdoc]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user4.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-07T23:22:55Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post303.html#p303</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: Proposed Legislation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post301.html#p301"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[At least someone in the Senate tried...by the rules, no bill may be brought up that is not already on the rules special calendar except by unanimous vote at this time...time ran out Wed...bet that ain't gonna happen!]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[tenrocdoc]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user4.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-07T23:01:36Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post301.html#p301</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: Proposed Legislation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post283.html#p283"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[Donna, you don't have to...did you see the post that God ran everyone out of the State House this morning due to flooding!!!

I haven't laughed so hard in a week!!!]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[tenrocdoc]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user4.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-07T18:38:28Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post283.html#p283</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: Proposed Legislation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post281.html#p281"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[i would LOVE to give Alvin Holmes a piece of my mind! 
(this is uttered in all capital letters).]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-07T18:29:57Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post281.html#p281</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: Proposed Legislation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post275.html#p275"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[It is absolutely critical that we reach out and touch members of the Legislature TODAY!  If not, the money-hungry universities and the teachers union will KILL this legislation and the PACT program will be dissolved.   Please call, write, email your House and Senate member today and urge them to save ALL PACT contracts.]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[Patriot]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user105.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-07T11:52:04Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post275.html#p275</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: Proposed Legislation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post273.html#p273"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[This bill may never get read on the Senate floor but if it does...IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE...THAT IS OUR STAND...anyone what to disagree, please speak up...

email your senators today to keep alert for the bill HB747, I did

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Senator Benefield, 

Rumors and fear are running rampant early this morning. I have 18 emails just on this information in my Inbox. Don’t these people understand they are causing more harm than good. My people are literally crying. Help stop this nonsense before this session ends. With all this jockeying in both houses, we need a statement from the top that continues to assure us that PACT contracts will be upheld…this type press as reported in the B’ham News ( [url]http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/05/house_oks_tuition_rescue_plan.html[/url] ) is disastrous. This is why I have been calling you every day to try to help keep the truth out there that our Legislature is truly for helping us…it is getting harder this morning!!! 

If it comes your way in the Senate today, amended as it was by Rep. Holmes, the supporters of SaveAlabamaPACT.com

say to you that this bill  HB747 is NOT ACCEPTABLE as amended

The core of most of my emails this morning:

Are you aware that the House passed a PACT bill (#747) about 5:30 this
afternoon?  There was an amendment by Alvin Holmes that excluded those PACTS purchased 1995 or later because, according to him, they were publicized as a 'risk' just like his investments.
 
Representative Ford didn't agree with his amendment, but voted in favor of the bill with the amendment so that it will go on to the Senate.  I'm not
sure there's enough time for it to make it to the Senate floor.  Ford's
comment was that it could go to the Senate and they could work with it there to make revisions.......
 

We stand for one goal and one goal alone….ALL PACT CONTRACTS ARE TO BE HONORED FOR OUR CHILDREN…ANYTHING LESS IS UNACCEPTABLE
 
Best Regards, 
Dr. Richard Huckaby
Cofounder, SaveAlabamaPACT.com]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[tenrocdoc]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user4.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-07T11:07:25Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post273.html#p273</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: Proposed Legislation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post269.html#p269"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[Another messsage from another of our emailers:
Donna, thought you may want to know that on WSFA 6:00 news tonight Gov. Riley was interviewed....said he walked across the street today to the senate with concerns that there was still much work to be done and only 4 days left.. He did say his main concern was for the bil that would support  PACT.... Personally, I was glad to hear him finally make a stance again, publicly....Still, he did say that there were 13 senators who were not in favor of saving the program.... We need to find out exactly WHO these are, which district they represent and make the PACT contract holders in their district aware of this.... Probably would take some doing but I think it could even be valuable for us, should we need it down the road... Feel sure this is still on the WSFA website. Just really glad to see it on our local news......Wanted to share !!!]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-07T03:36:52Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post269.html#p269</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: Proposed Legislation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post268.html#p268"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[The following is from one of  our emailers:
 Are you aware that the House passed a PACT bill (#747) about 5:30 this afternoon?  There was an amendment by Alvin Holmes that excluded those PACTS purchased 1995 or later because, according to him, they were publicized as a 'risk' just like his investments.
 
Representative Ford didn't agree with his amendment, but voted in favor of the bill with the amendment so that it will go on to the Senate.  I'm not sure there's enough time for it to make it to the Senate floor.  Ford's comment was that it could go to the Senate and they could work with it there to make revisions.......
 
I haven't found a copy of it with revisions yet -- 
There was also talk in the Senate today that the Governor wanted PACT to be handled..... but no activity there to my knowledge......

ps from dp:  My opinion of Alvin Holmes can't  be printed here.]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-07T03:23:52Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post268.html#p268</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: Proposed Legislation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post267.html#p267"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[Feeling very discouraged... sent the following to Folsom's man, Chip Hill after reading his response to Dr. Huckaby...

While I appreciate your comments, I wanted to share my concerns that they raise. I hope you will in turn share them with Mr. Folsom.

While you may consider the PACT problem a short term crisis, those of us who have children currently attending college are not in a position to share that view. It will be a major crisis for families depending on PACT to pay tuition in the upcoming shool year.

Yes, I understand that members of the Legislature believe the PACT program has the money to cover current expenses. However, I am worried that if action is not taken, the lawsuits will come and the funds will, in fact, NOT be available when my feshman at UA needs them. We are among those who actually hold a contract, purchased in 1991, that does say GUARANTEED. How can the legislature guarantee that these funds won’t be locked down by the courts leaving thousands of families floundering in the very  financial mess that we tried our best to avoid by purchasing a PACT contract.  

While I appreciate the Lt. Governor’s commitment to meeting the obligation of a program that he helped develop and promote, I would like to understand how, as you wrote, “we remain in a position to adequately remedy any short-term crisis…”   Please explain how a “strongly worded resolution” accomplishes this?

You say “the law restricts the financial commitments that a legislature can impose on future legislatures.”  In theory that is true, but the Legislature consistently funds programs that effect small groups and are funded year after year. Unlike these program, to fund PACT is to fund education of the next generation— this will only reap rewards for this state for years to come. 

Parents are beginning to fear that the rhetoric of February and March by PACT leaders and other politicians was just for show. We are not stupid; we understand that the comments about our “whining over making a bad investment” come from failure to understand the difference between an investment and a contract. However, we PACT holders also know that we signed a contract that our STATE put its stamp on and has continued to promote.

At times like this, a Friday posting on the official PACT website leaves a lot to be desired. We are dependent on the Lt. Governor and others to keep us informed. Please keep us posted]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[BamaPactMom]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user30.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-07T00:36:22Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post267.html#p267</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: Proposed Legislation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post266.html#p266"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[Al.com has story this afternoon summing up where we are this afternoon...waiting and wondering]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[tenrocdoc]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user4.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-06T20:22:02Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post266.html#p266</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: Proposed Legislation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post265.html#p265"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[It's too bad that we can't have a debate in the senate about SB581 as heated as the one going on this afternoon about firearms and booze.  I guess they are are a lot more important than our children.]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[dhpeacher]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user23.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-06T19:23:35Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post265.html#p265</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: Proposed Legislation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post264.html#p264"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[Late Wed. morning apparently Gov. Riley went to the Senate and advised them that something was going to be done about the PACT program this session...listening to the audio it appears that this may be some form of a resolution...that's all I know for now...  (I initially said Lt. Gov. Folsom, but he was already there)]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[tenrocdoc]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user4.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-06T17:32:54Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post264.html#p264</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: Proposed Legislation]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post262.html#p262"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[Per my Senator Benefield's quote this Wed. morning:

"I am supportive of the bill by Senator Bedford as passed out of committee.
I believe this is a good bill and it has many good points.  
However,  I do not believe the votes are here to pass the bill as there are several in this body that do not believe this is the appropriate approach.  I can't speak for those that are opposed. Starting today, if a bill should pass, any one person in the senate can object to the transmittal of the bill to the house, thus, killing the bill.  That is not to say that nothing can be done.  I am just not optimistic in the legislature passing Senator Bedford's bill."

Thanks Senator for your words...we need them all right now]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[tenrocdoc]]></name>
				<uri>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/user4.html</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2009-05-06T15:47:24Z</updated>
			<id>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/post262.html#p262</id>
		</entry>
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