Why is the vote on Sept 18th to raid the Alabama Trust Fund a Con Game by guess WHO? Add it up for yourself!
1. We are being told all sorts of horrible repercussions if we vote NO but yet Nov elections will contain moves for payraises for state employees (dire times indeed?)" href=""> Listen to this interview.
2. There is $650,000 in the state’s unbalanced budget for Weight Watchers programs for state employees and teachers! Page 152. Read this article.
3. $100,000,000 (100 Million) for Ipads/electronic tablets for 9th-12th grades. Did you hear about this? Read this bill--click on twice. Hear why this is a bad idea from Silicon Valley Parents-see bottom video.
4. It asks voters to approve using Alabma Trust Fund 437.8 million to balance the General Fund budget for the next THREE years, not just for 2013 — by $145.8 million each year. (3) The $437.8 million effectively redirects the repayment of $437.8 million owed by the Education Trust Fund to the Education Trust Fund Rainy Day fund within the ATF. As this Education Trust Fund Must BE Repaid within 3 years? Is this what all the shuffle is about?!***!!!!
READ And DEMAND WHAT IS RIGHT BY VOTING NO ON SEPT 18TH and Don't Bust The Trust. It is the only thing propping up the General Fund and when it is gone--more taxes will take its place and in this dire economy who can afford that?
On Sept. 18, one of the most important votes in the history of Alabama will be decided by the people of this state. The Southeast Sun/Daleville Sun-Courier has never taken a position politically in 31 years of publishing, but we feel the present and future well-being of our state is at stake and it is too critical for us not to let our readers know how we stand on this issue.
Originally, under the law, the Legislature in Montgomery could only spend 99 percent of the interest earned on our oil and gas reserves that go into the trust with the remaining 1 percent going to the conservation and lands division. Small changes were made over the next few years to increase the re-investment to 10 percent on the interest. We were using our money wisely, earning interest on interest already earned.
Then along came amendments 666 in 2000 and 709 in 2002. These amendments were approved, making the first moves on the capital, or principal, funds. Under the former law, only the interest on our oil and gas reserves that go into the trust could be spent but these two amendments started to chip away at the fund. Now don’t get us wrong. Amendment 702 created the Education Trust Fund Rainy Day Account , which was a good thing, but in the event funds were withdrawn for our education systems, an additional amount equal to 25 percent of the withdrawal had to be transferred from the principal in the Alabama Trust Fund to the County and Municipal Government Improvement Fund. What this fund had to do with education is beyond us except to provide another carrot for our politicians to wave in front of voters in their districts.
Don’t ever forget one rule: politicians will spend every cent we send them and come back for more to support or start new programs. Remember the tobacco settlement of the late 1990s? From 1998 until 2001, the state received $254 million and is continuing to receive funds from the big tobacco companies. Have our politicians banked this money? No. They’ve propped up Medicare, created new programs, expanded current programs and found ways to use the money to get re-elected through photo opportunities. The programs created will still require funding when the settlement ends in 2025. Where will this money come from? The taxpayer’s pockets.
Here is a letter that many of us need to be thinking of sending:
To: Rep. Hal Rogers HHS Appropriations Sub Committee Fax # 202-225-3509
From: Barbara Moore, Wiregrass Round Table Group Tea Party and Retired Teachers
Re: Defunding the Ad Council
We are outraged American citizens who have had enough of the corrupting television commercials aimed at our youth that are aired continuously on every channel throughout the days and nights. They feature young lovers trying to find a position in which to have sex and trying to take their clothes off while a voice says, “You didn’t give up on sex, why give up on birth control?” Enough of it already. This is totally unacceptable and we do not want our tax dollars going to pay for this morally objectionable trash programming our children and grandchildren. The Ad Council has obviously outlived its’ usefulness and relevance. Smokey the Bear warning against recklessly starting forest fires (ads many years ago) is one thing but this is something far different. These are not good for America. Please defund the Ad Council.
There are many women today that still see a war against women and there are those who do not. Personally the war that I believe quite a few women perceives is a war within herself. Women now have a right to vote, have a right to be heard, have a right to be whoever and go wherever they want to go. I do believe there are many today who truly seek freedom to commit sin freely (and they know it) and who they are really trying to change is "us".
In a country whose foundation is embedded with Christian values--those who do not believe in such values are constantly at war with those values. There seems to be a desire to be rid of the foundational norms such as marriage between a man and a woman, honoring and protecting life even in the womb, and most importantly the acknowledgment of God.
Here is a New York Times interview that gives a glimpse of what some women think on the so called "war on women." Very interesting indeed and I am rather struck at the fervency some women feels for the procedure which ironically they see as their freedom at a price of the loss of human life--at its most innocent state. But this happens more often than not because there is a war within them and if there is no Counselor within then sadly self will win at the price of a child.
Strange how there are laws that would move mountains to protect animals and their habitats-- yet if you are a human the place where your life starts is the most dangerous habitat of all. Makes one pause and think that the war truly is a war on silencing "us" so that evil can be perceived as acceptable and even to the point of helpful. Many would rather help find a kitten or a puppy a home than a babe a parent willing to save its life and adopt. The most important aspect is who does it really matter to? There will be a reality check coming and the God of the Universe, the God who watched the birth of this nation is looking at America today. He is watching and He will be judging...I hope you can see truth and be ready and may He have mercy ...
We are grateful for the fact that Dawn Wildman (one of our friends of City on a Hill) was a part of the discussion--her perspectives are always--superb!
Benjamin Franklin--one of our great Founders had this to say:
Benjamin Franklin's Prayer
In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection.- Our prayers, Sir, were heard, graciously answered....
I see of this truth- that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that "except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel...
I therefore beg leave to move- henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business...
By the way--it is never too late to pray and ask Him for help for God is able!
Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
And remember the priceless value in the Word of God
Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Also ask yourself if this was such a gut wrenching --end of the road decision then why was it placed at the start of the legislative session on February 7th?
Also ask yourself if this was to save this year--why are they raiding the Alabama Trust Fund for 3 years?
We have this "sky is falling" tactic as before with Amendment 1--let's not let them get away with it as the next time it will be your pocketbook as the Alabama Trust Fund will be emptied!!!
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The Answers To Why--please note CA stands for Constitutional Amendment and ATF is Alabama Trust Fund:
SYNOPSIS: The State General Fund (GF) budget for FY 2012‐2013 of $1.67 billion is short $145.8 million. The State must either cut more spending or find funds to cover this deficiency. The Legislature voted to balance the 2013 GF by taking money from the Alabama Trust Fund (ATF), CONTINGENT on voters passing a Constitutional Amendment (CA) on Sept. 18. The CA has become controversial for several reasons:
(1) It takes money from the principal but there is no legal obligation to repay it.
(2) It asks voters to approve using ATF funds to balance the GF budget for the next three years, not just for 2013 – by $145.8 million each year.
(3) The $437.4 million effectively redirects the repayment of $437.4 million owed by the Education Trust Fund to the ETF Rainy Day fund within the ATF. This ETF debt must be repaid over the next three years.
ANALYSIS: SEPTEMBER 18, 2012 SPECIAL ELECTION to Amend the Alabama Constitution SHOULD THE STATE USE THE ALABAMA TRUST FUND TO BALANCE THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS? The proposed Constitutional Amendment would take $437 Million from the Alabama Trust Fund CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT Q & A:
Why does the State want to raid the principal of the ATF since the ATF has a General Fund Rainy Day Account? This account is depleted due to borrowing to bail out General Fund budgets in past years, and these funds have not been repaid.
Why is a Constitutional Amendment necessary? To change the formula for distributing ATF funds and to amend the Constitution which currently requires repayment when Rainy Day Funds are transferred to the GF. This Constitutional Amendment allows the State to transfer $437.4 million without repaying the money.
Read complete analysis from Elois Zeanah (Pres of AFRW) here.
Here's a short video to share from SGP:
And another from nationally acclaimed journalist Quin Hillyer:
Vote No on Sept 18th and tell the Legislature you know the truth and it's time to do it right. Stealing from the future of Alabama's children is not the acceptable way to go. They must do better.
How State in Fear Pours More Money But It's Unbalanced Budget--Keeps on Tipping To The Breaking Point
Alabama like most states are being pushed by fear--it comes from everywhere from fears for the health of its citizens (hence the need for Obamacare) or for better education for children (hence the call for the common core standards also known as federalized take-over of education) etc.
Here is an example on education:
1. Alabamians have tried to show their love for children by pouring more money. " Alabama's fiscal year begins in October and ends in September. Alabama's budget is unique in that 84% of tax revenue is set aside by the state constitution or state law for specific purposes, which is the highest percentage of any state budget in the nation." Read more...
2. Alabama has a General Fund Budget of $1.67 billion and an Education Budget of 5.4 billion "Lawmakers approved both a General Fund budget (the operating budget spends $1.67 billion from the General Fund) and a $5.4 billion education budget for FY2013 on May 17, 2012. "
3. "Alabama has a total state debt of $60,412,502,000, when calculated by adding the total of outstanding official debt, pension and other post-employment benefits (OPEB) liabilities, Unemployment Trust Fund loans, and current budget gap." Read more...
The education budget provides enough money for state-funded teachers to maintain class sizes in elementary and secondary schools at current levels. It would spend $5.42 billion from the Education Trust Fund in fiscal 2013, a cut of $208 million, 3.7 percent, compared to this year's expected trust fund spending.
4. "Besides the Education Trust Fund, the education budget next year also appropriates $7.77 billion in federal grants, other state taxes and other funds." (more).
5. Alabama feels the loss of stimulus funds: The loss of federal money includes $313 million in stabilization money that will be spent this year and definitely won't be available next year: $185 million for public kindergarten through 12th grade, $19 million for public two-year colleges and $109 million for public universities, according to the Legislative Fiscal Office. Also $149.5 million directly to Alabama's K-12 public schools, for the schools to spend this year or next year (more...)
6. What does Alabama's Education Budget buy? Where state-by-state rankings are concerned, however, the Quality Counts report by the magazine Education Week may offer the most reliable single overall score. The organization takes a number of factors and gives each state’s schools a letter grade. In 2011, Alabama gets a C-plus. Some of that score is derived from areas like school finance — important for a school system’s health, but not the nitty-gritty most parents care about. On K-12 Achievement, Alabama gets an overall D, ranking 43rd. But a few years ago, Alabama hovered around 47th place. Read more...
7. Reality check--how much money is enough and when will Alabama voters stop the path of hoping more money will fix the education system?---Apparently another 100 million more is needed for tablets for 9-12th grades as approved in HB 165--Alabama Ahead Act. The legislature felt it would save money by buying tablets, computers vs textbooks. Unfortunately they have not fullly weighed both sides of the story.
Monday, September 17, 2012 at 08:50AM 
