• Registered: 03-28-2009
  • Posts: 257

Topic: Representatives McCutcheon & Williams

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

Last edited by dhpeacher (09-21-2009 4:14:16 pm)

  • Registered: 03-28-2009
  • Posts: 31

Re: Representatives McCutcheon & Williams

Paul - great work - and good to hear that you had such genuine interest in your concerns.

I'm thinking we need to compile a list of all senators and representatives.  As we get responses from them, we can compile a roster of who supports what.  We need a quick guide of who is listening to us - and who isn't.

  • Registered: 03-28-2009
  • Posts: 257

Re: Representatives McCutcheon & Williams

A further email was received from Paul Pettit as follows:

Donna

Again, our system works. I spoke today directly with Treasurer Kay Ivey.She took time between meetings to call me. Our conversation was centered on how she intended to proceed with the program. I will have a better understanding later but from her notes and the notes I attempted to take, there were 5 poles in the tent. 1. Solution; All kids in the pipe
get covered. 2. Solvency; Self explanatory. 3. No new tax to fix PACT 4.  Prudence; No raid on AL Trust Fund.
5.  Pragmatism; No new taxes at all.
Again this is rough and I'll hopefully get some clarification via email.  She also told me to go out to the PACT website 800alapact.com where we can find the numbers of PACTs owned in any given Zip and also where she says is the only place you can get facts about what's going on within the Statehouse about PACT. I messed up and didn't ask her if she would make sure it was addressed in this session. Again, like Rep. McCutcheon and Rep. Williams she was honest, straightforward and easy to talk to. I urge every member of our group to contact their Representative, Treasurer, Governor, Senator and Congressmen directly, BY PHONE and get the answers you need. The only way this will be solved in any positive way is to make our problem as real to them as it is to us.

I want to personally thanks Treasurer Ivey for speaking with me and I'll follow up with an email thanking her. All these folks want to know what your issues are. Please, start dialing and don't stop until you get a response. Always show respect for the office and the person in that office. It is the best and proper method. THE SYSTEM WORKS if you just
start flipping the switches.

Thanks all, now start dialing.

Paul Pettit

Last edited by dhpeacher (09-23-2009 11:41:31 am)