Republicans seeking the nomination for governor begin the week with competing news conferences.

Already, Rep. Robert Bentley has come out with his pledge to not accept an annual salary as governor until Alabama reaches full employment.

Bentley couples that pledge with introducing the Reemployment Act of 2010. The bill would provide a tax deduction for businesses that hire Alabamians receiving unemployment or whose benefits have ended. Bentley claims the bill will create 4,500 jobs.

Friday’s announcement from the Department of Industrial Relations that state unemployment has hit a 26-year-high at 11+ percent launched several candidates into job creation.

Last week, Tim James unveiled a jobs plan with a focus on Birmingham. Today James unveils a “6 Point Plan for Saving Taxpayers’ Dollars” in Montgomery.

State Treasurer Kay Ivey planned to detail a “peoples’ audit” of state government, but has postponed the event.

Rick Journey

Filed under: Elections