Notes from trip to Alabama State House
Richard Huckaby / Patti Lambert
5/14/09
• Our initial visits with Senator Bedford and committee, Lt. Gov. Folsom and staff were productive in getting our two top points across: Short term goal is to assure PACT holders that Summer/Fall 2009, Spring 2010 and Summer 2010 tuitions will be paid as customary while long term solutions have time to be explored and implemented by the legislature early in the next session
• Bedford’s committee passed the second reading of HR747 removing the House (Holmes) amendment that only guaranteed contracts up to 1995…this was removed and passed. This bill is not expected to pass either the Senate or House by tomorrow and that is our wish. It requires a popular vote Constitutional amendment.
• Senator Roger Bedford is a very strong supporter of PACT…he reviewed his resolution with us prior to submission to the Senate body today.
• We spoke with Treasurer Kay Ivey at length today regarding many facets of Alabama politics and the future of the PACT program. We expressed concerns to her about overall perception of the public about where they think she is leading the PACT program. She has assured us that:
1. She is committed to save the PACT program if she can get support from the Alabama Legislature
2. She will redirect the Official Alabama PACT website back to its original version. The current website automatically goes to Contract Options rather than their original home page, with the perception by many on our site that she is recommending bailing out of the PACT program.
3. She will reiterate at the Board of Directors meeting next Wednesday that she is in full support of saving the PACT program not eliminating it…another misconception she believes.
4. She has assured us that all PACT contract holders will be notified soon in writing as to position the PACT board is taking for the near future...
• Senator Roger Bedford called on all Senators to cosponsor the SJR150 posted on our site now… every senator cosponsored the resolution to show support for the PACT holders. It was passed unanimously by the Senate with minimum discussion other than support.
• We understand that SJR150 is in the Rules committee of the House for hopefully a favorable vote to send it to the House floor for immediate voice tomorrow. We will be watching closely.
We want to thank the Senators Bedford, Holley, Orr and Benefield and their staff for their time, hospitality and use of their offices today.
We want to thank Lt. Gov. Folsom, Chip Hill and Gerry Sasnette (Folsom Staff) for their generous hospitality today.
We also want to thank the news media at large for their positive support of SaveAlabamaPACT.com!
In conclusion, we hope we took the message to Montgomery that you as the body of supporters of SaveAlabamaPACT and contract holders wanted. We feel we accomplished a lot today…we will see in weeks to come how things continue to progress.
Patti and my thoughts are that we are in this for the long haul and we did not want our constituents to just jump on the first life raft that came along. We need a solid plan…this plan will take at least some time…for now we believe the PACT payments to contract holders will be available as attested by many today…
But be sure, our fight is not over; we still have miles to go…increasing tuitions, politics, and budget shortfalls, continuing lawsuits…say tuned and stay close…we will see what tomorrow brings…for tonight…good night
Best Regards,
Dr. Richard Huckaby and Patti Lambert
SaveAlabamaPACT.com
Einstein once said, 'The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.'
