[NicoleC]

California's laws about what is and is not sales taxable are positively byzantine. The state also doesn't charge tax on things like seeds and fertilizer plus a patchwork of other items. Good concept, but the state really doesn't need to export the details.

"Snack tax" was passed in '91, I think, then repealed in '92 by Proposition 63 (my first election, which is why I remember). So I guess that would be Pete Wilson (R) but possibly influenced by Deukmejian (R) who left office in 1991. I can't recall when it was put back in place but someone is always trying to repeal it or tinker with it.

Something AL did which I felt was odd was the sales tax holiday on many items of clothes and school supplies right before school started. I am not sure what the original rationale was, but it doesn't really help lower income families, since they won't have a few hundred bucks to blow in one single weekend to get their kids outfitted for school. We were on a very tight budget as a kid and we got bits and pieces all year round as we needed things, not a brand new wardrobe in the fall. It seemed to be more of a retail gimmee to boost the middle class Back-To-School shopping spree than real tax relief. But, better than nothing.

[Bravo35223]

Once again Nicole, you are preaching to the choir about the tax issue...there are many who want to see our taxation system reformed...it needs to be.

[AnyDayNow]

There are a lot of things that we could change in Alabama, and everyone has an opinion on what they are.

One thing that is certainly a statewide hot-button issue is a lottery. Proponents say that AL residents go to other states to spend their money on lottery tickets, why not let them do it here? Naysayers say it's gambling and is a sin.

[Reactionary]

zenjenn - here are some state political blogs:

Probably the best in the state (mostly balanced, but leans Dem); state Reps. Randy Hinshaw (D-Meridianville) and Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) post there:

Alabama Politics in Doc's Political Parlor

Really good (leans Libertarian); state Rep. Mike Ball (R-Madison) posts there sometimes:

Daily Dixie

Huntsville's own (leans GOP libertarian):

Flashpoint

Gov. Riley was solidly re-elected in 2006 (platform of Ethics, Education, Economy), despite his support for 'Amendment One' (tax increase Bravo mentioned). Ironic that after the tax increase failed (2002 or so?), the state posted a tax surplus. Riley performed well after Hurricane Katrina, especially compared to Gov. Blanco of LA. Riley has run "the most ethical administration in my lifetime" (according to Dem Rep. Davis), possibly in Alabama history (admittedly a very low bar). He cannot run again next cycle for Governor.

Alabama does not have Initiative and Referendum (I&R), but most GOP and some Dems support it.

I disagree with Bravo's statement:

Alabama has a poorly performing legislature that is dominated by (taking off the gloves here) white Democrats who refuse to advance progressive issues.

The black Democrats (ADC - Alabama Democratic Conference) are in the dominant faction.

IMO "progressive issues" aren't advanced because most Dems in Alabama aren't 'progressive' (read Liberal). For example, the Dem majority legislature passed laws supporting 'one man - one woman' marriage and to make sure, Alabama passed a Constitutional Amendment 80 / 20 defining marriage.

Another example: the Dem majority legislature passed the sex toy ban, recently upheld by the US Supreme Court.

The automotive jobs to which Bravo referred are here because Alabama is a 'right-to-work' state. They are not unionized.

Alabamians HATE TAXES.

Heh.

[Reactionary]

Statewide elected offices: Governor (Bob Riley - R), Lt Gov ('Little Jim' Folsom - D), Attorney General (Troy King - R), Sec of State (Beth Chapman - R), State Auditor (Samantha Shaw - R), State Treasurer (Kay Ivey -R), and Ag Commissioner (Ron Sparks - D).

Alabama elects PSC (3) and State Board of Education (8).

Alabama elects bi-cameral legislature (35 Senators (23 D and 12R), 105 Representatives (62 D and 43 R)).

Alabama elects judges. Supreme Court judges (9 - 1 D and 8 R).

[Reactionary]

Alabama doesn't require party registration. You can vote in either party's primary (but not both You can vote in one party's primary and another party's run-off (but they don't like it).

Madison County elects County Commission (Chairman Mike Gillespie (D), Mo Brooks (R), Jerry Craig (D), Faye Dyer (R), Bob Harrison (D), Roger Jones (D), and Dale Strong (R).

Huntsville conducts 'non-partisan' elections for mayor (Loretta Spencer - probable D) and five city council members (Glenn Watson p(R), Bill Kling p(R), Mark Russell p(R), Richard Showers p(D), and Sandra Moon (don't know her party).

[Reactionary]

zenjenn - for a history of Huntsville and Madison County, find a copy of the late County Comm. Chairman James Record's "A Dream Come True". I think that the 'Booklegger' used book store at Patton Rd (AL53) and Holmes Ave (close to UAH) may have a copy. Regardless, it's a great store. You can trade-in books or buy gently used books at good prices (like $5 to $8).

[Socal2Bham]

Originally Posted by NicoleC

I also find it very strange that AL charges sales tax on both medicine and food, not even a reduced rate like some states.

Okay, I'm not crazy then. I just noticed this a few months ago when looking closely at a grocery receipt. I thought something was wrong because they charged tax on everything and I didn't think essential food items were ever taxed. Strange.

[Bravo35223]

Originally Posted by Socal2Bham

Okay, I'm not crazy then. I just noticed this a few months ago when looking closely at a grocery receipt. I thought something was wrong because they charged tax on everything and I didn't think essential food items were ever taxed. Strange.

It's a terrible law...taxing food.

[zenjenn]

One thing I will be interested to see is how my views develop on a state level. I, too, do not register to a political party. However I have noticed my voting trends tend to generally favor the Democrats when it comes to local politics and Republicans for less local candidates. This still had me leaning Republican on a state level in California, mostly because California is such a HUGE state. I just don't think Sacramento can reasonably look after the interests of such a huge state, so I wanted to see smaller state government. I wonder if this will change for me living in a smaller state.

There's also the issue of California democrats being much farther to the left than dems in other states, kwim?

Reactionary, thanks to you too for the very helpful posts.