Houston County DA “withdraws invitation” to Gambling Task Force

By Bob Howell – WSFA 12 News Anchor, Montgomery, AL
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Hold the phone!  There’s been yet ANOTHER development in the bingo battle in southeast Alabama.  Tonight, WSFA 12 News obtained a copy of a letter faxed to Governor Bob Riley from Houston County District Attorney Doug Valeska.  The DA had asked the governor for assistance in [...]

Federal judge denies request to stop Country Crossing raid

By Bob Howell – WSFA 12 News Anchor, Montgomery, AL
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Score a second round for Governor Riley in the “bingo battle” with Country Crossing near Dothan.  First, the State Supreme Court gave the green light for the governor’s Illegal Gambling Task Force to raid the electronic bingo operation at Country Crossing.  The high court voided a circuit [...]

Sparks: Riley and others hypocrites over gambling

By Bob Howell – WSFA 12 News Anchor, Montgomery, AL -
Democratic gubernatorial hopeful and current Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks blasts Governor Bob Riley and others opposed to gambling in the state.  Read Sparks’ remarks regarding the resignation of the governor’s gambling task force here:
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“Just yesterday I asked Governor Riley if he were going [...]

Gambling Task Force leader quits after MS. casino win

By Bob Howell – WSFA 12 News, Montgomery, AL.
Governor Bob Riley has accepted the resignation of his Illegal Gambling Task force commander David Barber after he won a big payoff at a Mississippi casino.  Here’s the brief statement from the Governor’s Office and an excerpt from Barber’s resignation letter.
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MONTGOMERY – Governor Bob Riley has accepted the [...]

Tim James responds to Riley’s SOTS….

By Bob Howell – WSFA 12 News Anchor, Montgomery, AL
Here’s the latest response to the governor’s State of the State Address – 1/14/10
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Dependence on federal bail-outs to balance state budget won’t solve Alabama’s fiscal woes
Tim James, Republican candidate for Governor of Alabama, today said dependence on federal bail-outs to balance Alabama’s state budget won’t solve [...]

Governor’s Office Defends Budget Proposal…Again

Reporters are finding an email defense of Gov. Riley’s budget proposal this morning.
Here are the bullet points from the Governor’s Press Office:

Governor Riley’s budget proposals do not rely on $1 billion from the federal government in order to be balanced.  Roughly $500 million of the [...]

Ron Sparks responds to Riley’s SOTS speech

By Bob Howell – WSFA 12 News Anchor -
For those of you folliwing the State of the State, here is a statement from Democratic gubernatorial candidate and state Ag Commissioner, Ron Sparks:
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“Last night’s performance by Bob Riley was shameful. At a time when our working families are struggling under the weight of an 11 percent [...]

Riley pulls financial rabbit from Congressional hat…

By Bob Howell – WSFA 12 News Anchor, Montgomery, AL

Some rambling thoughts after the start of the regular session of the Alabama legislature and the governor’s State of the State address.
On the first legislative day, a shocking pronouncement! Governor Bob Riley declared there is no financial crisis in Alabama. In fact, during his State of the [...]