• Look for live tweets from inside today's joint House & Senate Education Appropriations committee public hearing on Charter Schools. #
• Today's joint meeting includes ACCESS distance learning. The committee is connecting with 16 different schools across the state. #
• The public hearing on Charter Schools has come to order. Two bills for discussion HB189 and SB202 http://bit.ly/bZe750,, #
• Senator Steve French, sponsor of SB202, says the legislation is based on the best practices of other states who have Charter Schools. #
• French: A charter school is a public school and it can not charge tuition. #
• French: Charter Schools are a proven innovative approach. #
• Dr. Lockwood, School Superintendent: We oppose this bill because we do not think it is an effective bill to help local school systems. #
• Lockwood: Charter schools would take students away from other public schools. #
• Lockwood: Charter schools drain funds from other schools. #
• Lockwood: Charter schools are a distraction on the road to success for our schools. #
• Bennett White, lawyer in Birmingham: This legislation does nothing more than empower local boards. #
• White: This bill cherry picks the best practices and the best laws for Charter Schools. Its the best of both worlds. #
• White: Charter schools work, they are effective and proven. #
• Dennis Cole, Superintendent of Henry Co., speaks in opposition of charter schools in Alabama. #
• Cole: Charter schools could place a huge economic burden on our school system. #
• Bob Power, BCA, speaks in favor of charter schools legislation in Alabama. #
• Powers: We in the business community are interested in our students being successful. We would rather hire them than pay for social costs. #
• Dr. Freeman, school superintendent: I am concerned that the economy is making us make short term decision that have long term effects. #
• Roy Nichols, superintendent of Mobile Co., speaks against charter school legislation in Alabama. #
• Mark Dixon, Education Adviser to Governor Bob Riley: Governor Riley sees Charter Schools as the next logical step for the state. #
• Dixon: The Governor doesn't see this as a silver bullets and he certainly doesn't think its right for every district. #
• Dixon: This is just one more tool for superintendents to have in their arsenal. #
• Todd Ziebarth, National Alliance for Charter Schools: Charters serve about 3% of students across the country. 62% are students of color. #
• Ziebarth: To get charter schools in states it usually takes legislators taking political courage and standing up against strong opposition. #
• Brent Whitehead, Tuscaloosa school board: Don't take the money from the federal government in haste. #
• Whitehead: Lets not waste our time mulling over this issue during the rest of the legislative session. #
• Tyron Williams: (Proponent) This is not a republican or democrat issue, nor is it a black or white issue. #
• Williams: What is being done in the classroom, we must take a good look and make changes. #
• Caroline Novak, A+ Education Partnership: Where some see problems, we see promise. #
• Novak: Demography is not destiny. #
• Dwight Hester, AL Association of School Boards: I project that charter schools will be a lightening rod for litigation. #
• Dr. John Hill, Alabama Policy Institute, speaks in favor of charter schools and says API has been in favor of charter schools since 2001. #
• Hill: Charter schools are not a threat to traditional schools, however they are a beneficial option. #
• Michael Carpenter: Charter schools can provide a tool for urban renewal and community development. #
• Tommy Ledbetter, principal in Madison County: The High School Athletic Association opposes charter schools in Alabama. #
• Ledbetter: The timing is completely wrong for us to add any new programs. #
• Dr. Joe Morton, State Superintendent, charter schools are an opportunity to increase public participation in our schools. #
• Paul Hubbert, AEA: Its a crazy time to even be considering bills like this. I encourage you to give this bill years of study. #
• Hubbert: Charter schools are not the answer to our problems. #
• Rep. Mac Gipson: I have learned that the teachers and associations are very resistant to change. #
• Gipson: Charter schools are a vehicle, lets bring this vehicle to Alabama. #
• Rep. Terry Spicer: I think we can get to where we want to go but we do have a considerable distance to go. #
• Look for live tweets inside the House Tourism & Travel committee meeting. Public hearing on the brewery modernization act today. #
• The House Tourism & Travel committee listens to songs to identify a new state anthem. #
• @CamWard address the T&T committee and says he is the first legislator to bring a bill that doesn't pertain to alcohol or gambling. #
• @CamWard explains his bill, HB376 http://bit.ly/97jGwU,, which establishes a trails commission. #
• HB376 receives a favorable report from the House T&T committee. #
• House T&T committee takes up HB406 http://bit.ly/besKHR,, the Brewery Modernization Act. Sponsor, Oliver Robinson speaks on the bill. #
• This legislation would allow Brew Pubs and Breweries to sell their bill on premises and to sell beer to wholesale retailers. #
• This legislation would put the brew pubs and breweries on the same level as wineries. #
• John Little, Southern Farmhouse sales: speaks in favor of HB406. #
• Joe Godfrey, ALCAP, speaks against HB406: This bill expands the use and sale of alcoholic beverages. #
• Godfrey: Every time you turn around there is always somebody that wants to manufacture and sell more alcohol. #
• @freethehops: This bill is pro business, its pro small business. #
• @freethehops: This bill will allow people to pursue their dreams. #
• Dan Ireland, ALCAP, notes that the legislation says it would promote the growth of the state's brewing industry. #
• Ireland: The fee of $100 is low. All drinking is wrong, I have never tasted alcohol in my 80 years. #
• Dan Roberts, @freethehops, speaks on the economic impact of HB406. #
• Braden Pittman, @FreetheHops, tells the committee this bill will promote tourism. People will travel to try Alabama's home brewed beers. #
• Joseph Baker, @FreeTheHops, this bill would put us on the level with most of the country. #
• Baker @FreeTheHops, this is about leveling the playing field. #
• Baker @FreetheHops: I do not believe it is the government's place to legislate morality. #
• Rep. O. Robinson says there will be an amendment to HB406 that he is working on with the ABC board. #
• HB406, Brewery Modernization Act, received a favorable report from the House Tourism & Travel committee. @freethehops #

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