The state employee pension reform bill passed by the Alabama Legislature last week provided the latest round of patches for the Retirement Systems of Alabama’s (RSA) low-performing public pension fund – the subject of the latest two-page policy brief released by the Alabama Policy Institute (API).
The Alabama Policy Institute (API), the leading conservative think tank in Alabama, announced today several changes involving staff and the API’s Board of Directors.
Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) had the worst performing public pension fund in the nation in 2008 and 2009, with total losses of approximately $13 billion. As the House of Representatives considers a bill this week to reform Alabama’s state employee pension plan – a bill already passed in the Senate – the Alabama Policy Institute (API) today released Principles for Pension Reform in Alabama: Rethinking the Defined Benefit in Alabama’s Retirement System, a study that examines reasons for the state pension crisis and provides five core principles to address it.
According to API, Alabama should not pursue plans to set up a Health Insurance Exchange (HIX) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), as it would cost $34-50 annually and do little to protect the state from federal overreach. API has released a two-page policy brief that explores the background on the issue, actions taken by Alabama to-date, and negative consequences of imposing a HIX pursuant to the PPACA. The Health Insurance Exchanges brief can be found in its entirety on the Issues page at
Alabama has a rare opportunity to improve the efficiency and fiscal responsibility of state government, but state agencies' recent actions undermine Governor Bentley and the voters who overwhelmingly asked for fiscal restraint and leaner government. In the following 460-word Op-Ed, Alabama Policy Institute Policy Analyst and Grant Coordinator Elizabeth Robinson explores the issue.
According API, laws passed in 2010 to make PAC-to-PAC transfers unlawful are ineffective because they offer no provisions for enforcement. API has released a two-page policy brief that provides background on the issue and explores the need for the law to clarify liability for transmitting and receiving funds, as well as establish clear, substantial penalties. The Strengthening Alabama’s PAC-to-PAC Transfer Law brief can be found in its entirety on the Issues page at www.alabamapolicy.org.
If calling new taxes “user fees” is our state’s solution to fiscal problems, we are in trouble. The Alabama House of Representatives Ways and Means General Fund Committee discussed bills to impose “user fees” on cigarettes by $1 per pack Wednesday with a possible vote as soon as next week. Knowing that Governor Bentley is opposed to raising taxes, Rep. Joe Hubbard (D-Montgomery) and Rep. Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham) have introduced legislation, H.B. 712 and H.B. 725, respectively, that would impose the fee.
According to an American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) study released April 23, Alabama is on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 10 “most wanted” list. In the following Op-Ed, API President Gary Palmer and Policy Director and General Counsel Cameron Smith explain how the Utility Maximum Available Control Technology (Utility MACT) Rule adds to Alabamians’ fiscal burden.
According to API) expansions in Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) could cost Alabama anywhere from $470 million to $693 million from 2014 to 2019. API has released a two-page policy brief that provides background on the issue, as well as the effects of the PPACA to Medicaid and Alabama’s budget. The Facts on Medicaid in Alabama brief can be found in its entirety on the Issues page at www.alabamapolicy.org.
Although our taxes should fundamentally provide revenue for the legitimate purposes of America's federal government, the tax code has become a haven for social and industrial planning. In the following Op-Ed, Alabama Policy Institute (API) Policy Director and General Counsel Cameron Smith explains how the societal planning power of the current tax system has become the greatest obstacle to its reform. You are welcome to share this Op-Ed with your audience or quote and cite API in original content (the Op-Ed is approximately 480 words and can be shortened upon request). You can reach author Cameron Smith for an interview at (205) 870-9900 or camerons@alabamapolicy.org.
Understanding the difference between “negative” and “positive” rights is integral to comprehending the federal government’s deviation from the nature and bounds of the Constitution. The Alabama Policy Institute (API), an independent think tank based in Birmingham, has released a two-page policy brief that provides background on the issue and lays out practical policy considerations.
The latest brief in the Alabama Policy Institute's Guide to the Issues series lays out carefully-researched recommendations to more effectively deter illegal gaming operations.
Friday April 6th, the Alabama Policy Institute (API) filed an Amicus brief in support of Alabama’s actions to defend the state’s elimination of financial transfers between Political Action Committees (PAC) on appeal before the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
Public charter schools may be our only chance to change the lives of students at high-risk to drop out of school, yet the AEA's campaign to discredit charter schools has resulted in the spread of deliberate misinformation. In the following Op-Ed, Alabama Policy Institute President Gary Palmer tells the facts Alabamians need to know.
While charter school students generally outperform those in traditional public schools, opponents of charter school legislation in Alabama point out that some charter schools are not effective. The Alabama Policy Institute (API), an independent think tank based in Birmingham, has released a two-page policy brief that provides background on the issue and lays out carefully-researched recommendations for effective charter schools.
In the past few days, three Republican presidential candidates have campaigned in one of the most conservative sections of the country - two states at the heart of the Deep South.
Presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum spoke about his �Vision for America� and took questions on fiscal and social issues from a distinguished panel at the Alabama Policy Institute (API) Presidential Candidate Forum Thursday at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center.
API President Gary Palmer talks about Mobile's high density of Republican voters prior to the Institute's 2012 Presidential Forum featuring Rick Santorum.
Republican presidential candidate former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum speaks during the Alabama Policy Institute Presidential Candidate Forum March 8, 2012 in Mobile, Alabama.
Demand is surging for tickets to see Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum speak in Mobile, according to organizers.
Santorum is scheduled to speak and take questions from a panel at a candidate forum hosted by the Alabama Policy Institute, a Birmingham-based conservative think tank.
MOBILE - Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum has scheduled a visit to Alabama before the state's primary March 13.
Santorum's campaign announced he will speak to the Alabama Policy Institute in Mobile at 6 p.m. Thursday. The speech is at the Arthur Outlaw Convention Center.
Twenty-five more Alabama schools may have to borrow to maintain school operations, according to reports. But it might not be for the reasons you think.
Often, our state legislators and the governor appear to tackle the urgent, politically expedient and routine issues without a focus on the long-term...
An ongoing federal investigation into alleged vote buying during the legislative debate on bingo has put greater scrutiny on the practice of lobbying in Alabama...
BIRMINGHAM, AL - The Alabama Policy Institute presents Illegal Gambling: "It's Not Encouraging to See It Come Back" in an ongoing effort to present the facts about gambling. From both an historical and a contemporary vantage point, former Governor John Patterson (D-AL) describes illegal gambling's return to Alabama and discusses current state law concerning gambling...
In a hotly-contested campaign in which casino gambling became an issue, the candidate who took a solid position against gambling won an overwhelming victory over the candidate who proclaimed he was for "letting the people vote." In a special election that drew an unusually high number of voters...
Today, Alabama Policy Institute President Gary Palmer released the following statement regarding the public hearing on Senate Bill 380 and House Bill 507 which are pending in the Alabama State Legislature...
The issue of whether the state should pass charter school legislation this year pitted two of the most powerful factions in the state -- business and education -- against one another. Proponents and opponents of charter schools packed the auditorium of the Alabama...
The troops on both sides are arming for a fight over a bill that would allow private casinos to offer the same games as Indian operations until November, when supporters hope an amendment will be on the ballot to...
It comes at no surprise that Alabama's taxes are still the lowest in the nation, primarily because of relatively low property and income tax rates, according to the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. PARCA regularly compares...
A charter school bill that could help Alabama be more competitive in applying for federal education funds is being prepared for the 2010 legislative session that begins Jan. 12. The Alabama Policy Institute...
MONTGOMERY | Gov. Bob Riley will ask the Legislature to pass a charter school law to boost Alabama’s chances at getting some of the $175 million in federal stimulus money that will be competitively available beginning next month...
If we want to answer the questions, “What does Alabama have to do to succeed in the next five to 10 years?” and “What do we want our education outcomes to look like in five to 10 years?” with bold vision, it is obvious we need to take dramatic actions. Preparing our students for meaningful lives and 21st-century challenges cannot be accomplished within the constraints of our current one-size-fits all public school model.
With the promise of massive amounts of federal funds pressing a decision on whether the state should have charter schools, some legislators and education groups are urging the state to slow down...
tarting November 9th, Alabama Policy Institute vice president Michael Ciamarra will appear on Trinity Broadcasting Network public affairs show Joy In Our Town, hosted by Gary Hodges...
Health care bill mark-ups continue in the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and expect to see action very soon in the US House of Representatives Rules Committee.
A recent health care "summit" held in Birmingham gave us pause to consider how the debate is being framed -- either there is a "public plan" or no plan. That proposition has not been helpful to widen the debate.
About 30 people rallied in front of the Birmingham offices for Alabama's two U.S. senators Thursday, calling for health care reform that includes a new public insurance option.
Social networking Web sites connect millions of people around the world, but city and state politicos are using them to connect with constituents a little closer to home.
TUSCALOOSA | A couple of weeks ago Michael Ciamarra, the vice president of the Alabama Policy Institute, a Birmingham think tank that is heavily involved in political reform in the state, was by the office to talk about that bane of political campaigns, PAC-to-PAC transfers.
The 2010 campaign year officially begins Monday, when candidates who will be running in their party primaries for a long list of offices can legally begin soliciting and accepting contributions. But API Vice President Michael Ciamarra has another term for it.
A quiet, yet bold movement is sweeping across the nation. That movement, which transcends political boundaries, is to have tax and fiscal transparency through information technology.
As we work to create an even cleaner, greener environment, we must also support continued economic development and prosperity for the people of Alabama.
The Alabama Policy Institute (API) recently featured API President Gary Palmer, API Sound Science Director David Sawyer and Dr. John Hill, author of An Alabama Citizen's Guide to the Environment in statewide presentations on the environment and environmental policy.
Alabama Policy Institute officials visited Mobile on Monday to warn against efforts to reduce carbon emissions, casting doubt on the view that manmade carbon dioxide is creating harmful global warming and saying controls would harm the economy.
“That is certainly a problem,” said Ciamarra, referring to elected commission members voting on issues where they had received campaign contributions from an applicant before them. “While it’s not illegal, it certainly raises some eyebrows.”
Some lawmakers hope maybe this will be the year ethics reforms make it through the Legislature. Michael Ciamarra, vice president of the non-profit Alabama Policy Institute, has been working with Rep. Paul DeMarco on this legislation.
A bill has been introduced in the Alabama House of Representatives that would abolish the state's Certificate of Need program.
The proposed legislation would do away with the regulatory review process that requires health care providers to get state approval before adding new health services, such as building or renovating hospitals or nursing homes.
Sixth-grade girls could have to bring information home from school about vaccines against a cancer-causing, sexually transmitted disease, under a proposal in the Legislature.
I am therefore pleased to embrace the good work of Michael Ciamarra, the vice president of the Alabama Policy Institute, with which I seldom agree, and state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, and state Rep. Mike Ball, R-Madison, with whom I also have many differences but who I respect professionally and personally.
I am excited about a new report entitled "Alabama's Public Education Dilemma: Does Funding Influence Outcomes?"
This report, structured on a similar study in Kentucky in 2006, is available on the Web site of the Alabama Policy Institute. In brief, the report examines Alabama schools that are giving the greatest return per dollar spent on students.
Power plant and manufacturing emissions are taking center stage in Alabama as state environmental officials clash with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over permissible emission levels.
To the Readers of the Anniston Star:
The Saturday, September 13th editorial column entitled “Scripted Answers: Twisted Look at State’s Schools” is based on a fundamental misinterpretation and a significant misrepresentation of Dr. John Hill’s study released by the Alabama Policy Institute on September 9th entitled Alabama’s Public Education Dilemma: Does Funding Influence Outcomes?
The Etowah County Commission recently voted to proceed with the development of an electronic bingo casino in that county, following the example of the Houston County Commission, which voted to allow an electronic bingo casino to be built near Dothan. It should be emphasized that the losers are the ones who provide or will be providing these so-called financial gains.
MONTGOMERY - Although Alabama's education system is well funded, its academic results are some of the lowest in the nation, according to a report released Tuesday by the Alabama Policy Institute.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The percentage of blacks and women on state government's boards and commissions hasn't changed much during the last five years of Gov. Bob Riley's administration.
A new report by the state Examiners of Public Accounts shows most boards, commissions and authorities are still dominated by white males.
One study finds that more money alone may not be enough
Alabama has made great strides in recent years in its public schools, and those improvements must be preserved. But a new study questions one aspect of the conventional wisdom: the notion that how much you spend on schools always affects the quality of education the state's children receive.
MONTGOMERY — Spending more money in the classroom won't solve the state's education woes, but incorporating merit pay and charter schools into public education might, according to an Alabama Policy Institute study.
MONTGOMERY | Alabama spends a lot of money on education but doesn’t get a good return from some schools, a new study released Tuesday showed.
The study on education funding by the conservative Alabama Policy Institute asks whether spending influences outcomes. In some cases, the answer is no, the study found.
MONTGOMERY | Alabama collects the fewest dollars per person in state and local taxes in the nation, according to a study by the Tax Foundation released Thursday. In some respects, however, the state's individual tax burden is not the lowest.
Today, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a measure recommended by the Alabama Policy Institute to require ethics law training and education for elected officials.
According to a new report released by the Alabama Policy Institute (API), Alabama’s environment is improving, not worsening as many would believe. New statistics published in API’s Environmental Indicators 2007 reveal areas of real progress.
A key proposal from the Alabama Policy Institute passed unanimously in the Alabama Senate yesterday. API recommended a commission that will gather facts and issue a report on what can be done at the state level to address illegal immigrants and how they impact society.
In case you missed this opinion piece by State Representative Paul DeMarco and API Vice President Michael Ciamarra printed in the Birmingham News, Tuscaloosa News, Anniston Star and Press-Register…
Michael Ciamarra, vice president of the Alabama Policy Institute and Alabama’s team leader for American Solutions for Winning the Future, invites you to participate in the Solutions Day workshops in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, September 29th.
Michael Ciamarra, vice president of the Alabama Policy Institute (API) will testify before the Alabama Board of Education. Ciamarra will speak in favor of Chancellor Bryne’s proposal on flex-time for two-year college employees and the policy that will prohibit Alabama’s two-year college system from hiring legislators after the year 2010.
In case you missed it in The Birmingham News, Mobile Press-Register and the Montgomery Advertiser: Between 12 million and 20 million illegal immigrants live in the United States and the number grows by a half-million each year....
In case you missed it in the Huntsville Times: The president of a conservative think tank says it's time for Alabamians to wake up and start making changes in the state's government if they don't want to lose their constitutional republic....
In case you missed it in the CBS 42 Birmingham evening news, API’s Michael Ciamarra was interviewed on the critical issues surrounding immigration reform at the Eagle Forum of Alabama Leadership Conference this past Saturday.
In case you missed it in the Montgomery Advertiser:
Let's face it. Most resolutions introduced in the Alabama Legislature are inconsequential in the grand scheme of public policy. They are interesting devices used to honor people or bring attention to some special-interest cause. Occasionally, a resolution is introduced to highlight a topical issue and serve more as an educational piece...
In case you missed it from The North Jefferson News:
A press release issued last week from the Alabama Police Institute praised Beason’s efforts.
“We commend Sen. Scott Beason or his absolute commitment to get this bill passed,” said Michael Ciamarra, vice president of API and author of the legislation. “We believe the commission approach is inclusive of all stakeholders and can develop thoughtful, clear proposals that all can agree on before the next legislative session begins.”
A key recommendation by the Alabama Policy Institute (API) to address illegal immigration in Alabama passed on the final day of the 2007 regular session...
English has never been the only language in America. However, it has been and should remain our primary language and the official language of our government at all levels...
In case you missed it in the Birmingham News
By James Frogue and Michael Ciamarra
Medication errors kill 7,000 Americans annually, injure 1.5 million people and cost billions of dollars in emergency room visits and other complications, according to the Institute of Medicine. That is the equivalent of 100 Alabamians killed, 22,000 injured and tens of millions of dollars wasted each year. Virtually all of this pain and cost is unnecessary...
In case you missed it in the Huntsville Times
By Michael Ciamarra
With the legislative session more than two-thirds complete, and the Senate at an impasse, the time to end the partisan finger-pointing and immediately take up the people's business has come...
By JAMES FROGUE and MICHAEL CIAMARRA
Special to the Press-Register
The race is on.
No, it's not a NASCAR event or a regional marathon. What we're proposing is a race between Alabama and Georgia to see which state can be the first to arrive at 100 percent "e-prescribing."
Many legislative “solutions” are based on or incorporate research, scientific studies or other technical information. Without a background in the subject, how can a decision-maker separate facts from factoids?
In case you missed it, the Birmingham News ran an article on the front page of their Sunday paper (“Graduated, but not ready,” December 17, 2006, p. A1) featuring a study published by the Alabama Policy Institute in 2004...
The Alabama Policy Institute wishes to express its sympathy to the family, friends and world-wide supporters of the legendary free-market economist Milton Friedman
In case you missed it, API’s director of research, Dr. John Hill, was on Birmingham talk radio 101.1 FM this morning discussing the finding from API’s new study, Cultural Indicators 2006.
In case you missed it, the Montgomery Advertiser (New report another mirror for Alabama, 9/27/06) editorial page cited the Alabama Policy Institute’s (API) study Cultural Indicators 2006.
API has joined other conservative groups by signing a letter that will be presented to Congress in support of a bill that will allow cable subscribers the option to choose programming packages.
This Father's Day, perhaps the greatest gift a family can give a dad-and that a dad can give his family-is the commitment to love their family and stay together through good times and bad.
Michael Ciamarra praised the Senate Judiciary Committee for reporting out Sen. Wendell Mitchell's bill (by 9-0) removing two inoperative, unconstitutional provisions relating to poll tax and segregated schools.
Alabama Policy Institute Vice President Michael Ciamarra issued the following statement Tuesday on the addition of equity funding to schools as part of Amendment Two...
A new study by the Alabama Policy Institute concludes that one out of every three graduates from Alabama’s public high schools receives a diploma without possessing basic reading, writing, or math skills.
Michael Ciamarra, vice president of the Alabama Policy Institute, released the following statement Wednesday, after HB313 died in the House of Representatives...
Michael Ciamarra, vice president of the Alabama Policy Institute, released the following statement Wednesday, after HB391 was reported out of the House Education Committee...
Birmingham - Alabama Policy Institute President Gary Palmer on Wednesday praised a decision by the Senate Judiciary Committee to send the nomination of Alabama Attorney General Bill Pryor for a seat on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to the full Senate. Senators on the Judiciary Committee voted along party lines, 10-9...
Birmingham - Alabama Policy Institute Vice President Michael Ciamarra on Thursday dismissed media reports that a felony voting bill was "linked" to a separate bill on voter identification, both of which passed on the final day of the 2003 regular legislative session...
Birmingham - Alabama Policy Institute Vice President Michael Ciamarra on Monday applauded action by the Alabama Senate in passing legislation that will streamline the Alabama Constitution and remove racist language...
Birmingham - Alabama Policy Institute Vice President Michael Ciamarra urged the Alabama Senate to place a priority on election reform during the last five days of the 2003 regular session of the Alabama Legislature...
