David Black/State Legislature Again Out There

On the John McMillan/David Black front, we have had no comments about McMillan either yea or nay. We've had at least two concerning Black, neither favorable. The office of State Treasurer is hardly what springs to mind when one hears the term "political power." Yet, the holder of this office serves the people no less than the governor. 

While it would be a novelty to have such an elected official from northwest Alabama, McMillan has a long-standing political base and is known for his strong family ties. Qualifying won't end for three more weeks. It will be interesting to see who else may toss his toupee into the ring.

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With the new legislative session comes some really, really bad bills. Most of them won't make it out of committee; however, for the sake of entertainment as well as informing the public what insipid individuals hold elective office in our state, we're going to showcase one each day for a few weeks.

Here's a good one to start with: A bill was introduced in the House that would require the state, a county, a municipality or a local board of education to sell at public auction or transfer to the Alabama Land Bank Authority any building owned by such that is unused and has been uninhabited for not less than two years. The bill is pending in the House State Government Committee [HB95 by Representative Jack (JD) Williams].  

Just think, a local school system would be forced to give up land it has plans for if it's waiting on traffic studies/funding for more than 24 months. We're not sure who would take advantage of this law, but we assume an entity...oh, just off the top of our head, say UNA...could force such a sale and take over the property. Insert private individual to replace government entity. How would that go over? There must be an interesting story behind Williams' support of this legislation...well, that or a powerful lobbying interest.

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Remember to bring in your pets tonight. That's unless you live in Lauderdale County; then the DA's office says you can let them freeze. We assume Coty Hand isn't running for office any time soon.