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		<title><![CDATA[Save Alabama PACT Discussion Forum]]></title>
		<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The most recent topics at Save Alabama PACT Discussion Forum.]]></description>
		<lastBuildDate>Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:03:25 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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			<title><![CDATA[Sen. Roger Bedford letter]]></title>
			<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic64-sen-roger-bedford-letter-new-posts.html</link>
			<description><![CDATA[An emailer provided this today:

"  Tried to bring our bill as a possible solution up in Senate  on Thursday and Sen.Pittman and Figures objected.
 

  Later met with Gov.R and Lt.Gov.Folsom about PACT and Gov. said had a good meeting with Dr. Bronner who agreed to do a Act. study and come back with some sound financial options.
 

 We must find a solution.
 

  Thanks,
 

  Roger"]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Ruth Gray)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:03:25 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic64-sen-roger-bedford-letter-new-posts.html</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Hand-Written Letters to Legislators Work-Encourage your child to write]]></title>
			<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic188-handwritten-letters-to-legislators-workencourage-your-child-to-write-new-posts.html</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Both of our sons sent hand-written letters along with a picture of themself to our senator, representative, Lieutenant Governor Folsom and others on Tuesday.  Yesterday they received letters in the mail back from Senator Dixon and Lt. Governor Folsom.  The hand-written letters from contract holders definitely got their attention!!  Please encourage your child to take the time to write (or draw a picture) and send it to your legislator.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (WALTON32)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:12:40 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic188-handwritten-letters-to-legislators-workencourage-your-child-to-write-new-posts.html</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Representatives McCutcheon & Williams]]></title>
			<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic149-representatives-mccutcheon-williams-new-posts.html</link>
			<description><![CDATA[The following very good email from a Madison County contract owner, Paul Pettit,  was received today as a result of the "Call Out":

"Our government really works! I've had conversations with Rep McCutcheon and Rep Williams this week over the phone. Both have displayed the appropriate amount of dismay and, as of today, most I've heard is (relatively) positive. They both expressed an intent to vote to help us ALL (not just the pre disclaimer) participants. When asked how we got here, Mac said (paraphrased) the problem with PACT goes back to
inception and that the treasury should have begun to correct this long ago. There should have been adjustments early to compensate fo ballooning tuitions at the major colleges and warning flags should have gone up long before they had to start investing in non conservative markets. Phil says much the same but he can't quite understand (like me) how they let it continue on in shaky investments until the loss was 50%
of the existing principal ($450M).

Both Reps were concerned that the perception at the Alabama Capital is that the program should be OK for the next year or 2 and that PACT may not even come up in session this year (the new session starts 1/12/10). They both stated they would push the issue and that we should keep up the pressure. If WE don't, we'll lose out. I must admit that hearing
nothing from Treas. Ivey doesn't give me a warm fuzzy but I will follow up with her again this week and see if I can get a response. I have both Rep. McCutcheon's and Rep Williams' personal contact numbers and they know I've got close to 60K invested in this mess so we'll all be talking quite a bit.

I must say I greatly respect both these gentlemen for responding. Again, both guys seemed very concerned and responded as both citizens and public officials. CALL THEM. I'm not a great judge of sincerity but I'd say they're both really concerned and want to honor the pact we made
with the State. I'd like to publicly thank both gentlemen for their personal responses and will continue to speak to them as new issues arise.

This proves absolutely that you and I do have a voice, that we're not just yelling down a pipe as I originally feared. These folks are very concerned that we're concerned. The only way to get this moving is to be relentless in your contacts with Reps, Treasurer, Governor and Congress. If you don't get an answer, contact them again. If they still won't respond, tell the Save Alabama PACT folks and we'll go after answers
together. We need every official from Reps on up anywhere within Alabama's borders to know we're upset and aware. Please take the time to make calls in your area. It really, really matters."

Paul Pettit]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (dhpeacher)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:37:30 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic149-representatives-mccutcheon-williams-new-posts.html</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Sen. Paul Sanford]]></title>
			<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic148-sen-paul-sanford-new-posts.html</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Donna,

You have my support as I stated at the PACT meeting held at the Huntsville/Madison
County Library.

Paul L. Sanford]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (dhpeacher)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:45:12 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic148-sen-paul-sanford-new-posts.html</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[More From Sen Butler]]></title>
			<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic101-more-from-sen-butler-new-posts.html</link>
			<description><![CDATA[In response to a follow up letter from me, I received the following:

From: SENBUTLER@aol.com [mailto:SENBUTLER@aol.com] 
Sent: Friday, June 12, 2009 4:12 PM
To: xxxxxx@knology.net
Subject: Re: Upcoming vote supporting PACT

Robert,
Thank you for the e-mail about the PACT program. I fully agree that the State of Alabama should honor all PACT contracts. To me it is a moral obligation. At the request of the Retirement Systems of Alabama - the group we want to manage the PACT program - has asked for time to review the program. I expect a special session on the PACT program to be called by the governor in the fall and I will be supportive legislation that honors the PACT contracts. Keep me posted.
Best wishes,
TOM BUTLER
 
In a message dated 5/14/2009 5:52:01 P.M. Central Daylight Time, xxxxxx@knology.net writes:
Senator Butler:

I hope you will do everything within your power to ensure the passage of the upcoming bill in support of providing funding to the PACT Program.  This program was purchased in good faith by thousands of families in Alabama and the very credibility of the Alabama Legislature and Government is at stake.

While I realize tomorrow is the last day for such action, I have no doubt that you and your contemporaries will ‘do the right thing’ and stay in session until this vital bill passes.

Sincerely

Robert B. Hxxxxxx
xxx  xxxx xxxxx 
Madison, AL 35758]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Ruth Gray)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:28:29 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic101-more-from-sen-butler-new-posts.html</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Representative Richard Laird from Roanoke is a supporter.]]></title>
			<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic98-representative-richard-laird-from-roanoke-is-a-supporter-new-posts.html</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I have spoken with him personally and he assures me that the state has in his words a "legal obligation" to the PACT contracts.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (bamabuyer)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:49:26 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic98-representative-richard-laird-from-roanoke-is-a-supporter-new-posts.html</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Supporter Senator Kim Benefield, District 13]]></title>
			<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic52-supporter-senator-kim-benefield-district-13-new-posts.html</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Senator Benefield supports PACT legislation. This is her direct quote following the Senate not addressing SB581 on Tuesday, May 5, 2009

"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."]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (bamabuyer)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:45:16 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic52-supporter-senator-kim-benefield-district-13-new-posts.html</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Sen. Scott Beason Dist. 17 Supports the PACT]]></title>
			<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic67-sen-scott-beason-dist-17-supports-the-pact-new-posts.html</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I spoke with Sen. Beason at length last Friday. I told him that I oppose HB747 which places limits on contracts that will be honored to those purchased before Dec. 31, 1995. I said that all PACT contracts should be honored. I asked him to vote against the bill if it should make it to the Senate for a vote. We talked for some time about the bill Sen. Beason has sponsored, SB601. This bill has provisions to establish some funding for the PACT by (1) repealing the 50 mi. radius non-resident in-state rate and (2) increasing tuition for out of state students. Sen. Beason proposes a "stablization fund" into which increased funds from each of these actions would be deposited to fund the PACT. He also includes other provisions for funding. I asked him point blank if he supports SB581 which has had the most activity in the Senate. He has resvervations about the lack of specifics for where the funding will come from for this bill. He suggested that he would support an ammendment to this bill which would include the provisions he has proposed for funding. I asked him if there were time left in this session to get any bill passed. He did not think so. He gave me a similar answer as the one I received from Rep. McClendon last week when I asked him that question. He said there is funding in the PACT to cover tuition until this can be addressed in the next regular session. There seems to be a pattern of no sense of urgency with our Rep. and Sen. to get some legislation in place for the PACT for this session. This is troubling.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (tenrocdoc)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2009 00:36:46 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic67-sen-scott-beason-dist-17-supports-the-pact-new-posts.html</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Rep. Jim McClendon Supports the PACT]]></title>
			<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic66-rep-jim-mcclendon-supports-the-pact-new-posts.html</link>
			<description><![CDATA[I spoke with my Rep. for St. Clair Co. last week. He is very supportive of legislation for the PACT. He said that he believes that all contracts should be honored. I told him that I oppose HB747 because of the limitation to only PACT contracts purchased prior to Dec. 31, 1995. I expressed my concern that there was not enough time left in the current session to pass a bill through the House and Senate. He asked when my student would begin college (fall 2009) and said that I shouldn't be concerned because there is funding in the PACT to cover tuition expenses for the next year if this is not addressed in this session. I told him that we all want this resolved sooner rather than later.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (Karen Gandy)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2009 20:08:04 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic66-rep-jim-mcclendon-supports-the-pact-new-posts.html</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Sen. Ben Brooks supports PACT]]></title>
			<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic63-sen-ben-brooks-supports-pact-new-posts.html</link>
			<description><![CDATA[An emailer wrote today:
"This was only one of two responses I got from my e-mails last week... At least he's willing"

The emailer had written the following to  Senator Brooks on May 4, I'm writing to plead for your help in getting the bill passed TOMORROW to help save PACT. We have one daughter who is a junior at Auburn and another daughter about to enter Alabama this fall. 
 
Our PACT contract has been paid in full for several years and we just want what this State program promised. I'm begging you and all of the other legislators to work out a plan to save this program. 
 
Thank you for your time"

Sen. Brooks responded as follows:

"I have your note and understand your very justified concerns.  I believe there is substantial support in Montgomery for a plan to make sure the tuition obligations are paid. In fact, I personally met with 
the Governor yesterday about this and other issues. I expect that alternative ideas will be evaluated so that the right bill is passed.  If this requires a special session, I will support such a session. Please call if you would like to discuss details. My Mobile office number is 
#251-344-7744." 
Ben Brooks 
Alabama State Senate 
District 35 (Mobile)]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (dhpeacher)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2009 00:53:13 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic63-sen-ben-brooks-supports-pact-new-posts.html</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Senator Tom Butler]]></title>
			<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic61-senator-tom-butler-new-posts.html</link>
			<description><![CDATA[One of our emailers wrote the following very good letter to Sen. Tom Butler:

What is the status of PACT legislation? Who is preventing SB 581 from going through? What is your position on the state’s obligation toward PACT contract holders? It may be too late for this session but we still need your help.

 State elected officials started this with promises, guarantees; they pushed and marketed PACT intensively to the citizens of Alabama. Many of us believed and bought-in.

 Litigation will be expensive and bring much negative publicity to the state and elected officials but we will be heard.

 I appreciate and thank you for anything and everything you have done to support PACT people. (see below)



Sen. Butler wrote the following response to our emailer:

SB581 will not pass this session. Thursday was last day for senate bills to pass to the house. The committee is still working on a funding source and the final agreement. Everyone I have talked to in the senate is supportive of the PACT contracts and the holders of those contracts. I firmly believe that a solution will be found. I am supportive of a solution for the PACT contract holders. I will urge the Governor to call a special to deal with PACT. Keep me posted too.

Best wishes,

Tom Butler]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (dhpeacher)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 May 2009 23:07:25 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic61-senator-tom-butler-new-posts.html</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Supporter Senator Roger Bedford, 6th District]]></title>
			<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic59-supporter-senator-roger-bedford-6th-district-new-posts.html</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Keep an eye on this guy...he is a winner! I have heard him in the Senate this week not take NO for an answer...

Bedford is probably one of the strongest allies we have in the Senate and is the cosponsor of SB581 that passed subcommitee but did not get to the floor...Bedford has not given up. He challenged the Senate again late this week to take up the bill but two other Senators objected that it be brought up...

Per Senator Bedford himself today via blackberry:

Dr.Huckaby,
 
I will keep trying !! Sen. Pittman and Figures objected !!
 
Had a good conversation w/ Gov. and Lt.Gov. after this and we think Dr.Bronner is willing to run a true [actuarial] study and help with solution. We must find a solution.
 
You have my full support !
 
Roger


In a message dated 5/9/2009 9:18:35 A.M. Central Daylight Time, [huckaby] writes:

Senator Bedford
I hope you are getting a little rest and relaxation this weekend…you deserve it. 
Thanks for attempting to get SB581 back on the floor late this week. I understand you even tried to bring the PACT bill up out of order and there were several Republican Senators that objected. I understand at that time a unanimous vote is required to bring it up…thanks for not giving up because of procedure.]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (tenrocdoc)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 May 2009 04:02:14 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic59-supporter-senator-roger-bedford-6th-district-new-posts.html</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA["Rant" Response]]></title>
			<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic49-rant-response-new-posts.html</link>
			<description><![CDATA[The following note from my representative, Randy Hinshaw, in response to my "rant" came today:

"You are not forgotten and we are still working towards protecting PACT participants."

rh]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (dhpeacher)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:26:25 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic49-rant-response-new-posts.html</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[CALL Our SUPPORTERS!]]></title>
			<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic44-call-our-supporters-new-posts.html</link>
			<description><![CDATA[RALLY! CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS NOW TO GET THEM COMMUNICATING WITH US! FACEBOOK GROUP IS RALLYING NOW! CALL, EMAIL, MAIL - ASK THAT YOUR LEGISLATOR JOIN FORUM AND COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY!

Here is the contact information that I can find for the two sponsoring the latest legislature in the article today...   
Sen. Scott Beason [url]http://www.legislature.state.al.us/senate/senators/senatebios/sd017.html[/url] 

Rep. Robert Bentley: [url]http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/representatives/housebios/hd063.html[/url]   

They should be willing to discuss with other PACT participants/supporters right??]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[pattilambert@charter.net (pattilambert)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:58:29 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic44-call-our-supporters-new-posts.html</guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Senator Larry Dixon]]></title>
			<link>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic30-senator-larry-dixon-new-posts.html</link>
			<description><![CDATA[Thank you very much for your email.  I am working very hard to solve this problem and have been in touch with the Director of the PACT Program almost on a daily basis.  Hopefully we will reach a solve soon.

Sincerely,

Senator Larry Dixon]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[dummy@example.com (tenrocdoc)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sun, 05 Apr 2009 21:14:28 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>http://www.savealabamapact.com/forum/topic30-senator-larry-dixon-new-posts.html</guid>
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