Summary of action in Alabama Legislature

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- A summary of action at the Alabama Legislature on Tuesday, the first day of the organizational session:

HOUSE

-Re-elected Seth Hammett, D-Andalusia, to a third term as speaker.

-Elected Rep. Demetrius Newton, D-Birmingham, to a third term as speaker pro-tem.

-Approved operating rules for the Senate to use for the next four years.

-Observed a moment of silence in memory of Rep. Albert Hall, D-Gurley, who died in November just days after he was elected to an eighth term in the House.

-Also observed moment of silence for former Rep. Allen Layson, D-Reform, who died Jan. 5 and for Hammett aide Eugene Smith, who died recently.

SENATE

-Elected Sen. Hinton Mitchem, D-Union Grove, as president pro tem.

-Re-elected Pat Harris as assistant secretary of the Senate.

-Approved operating rules for the Senate to use for the next four years.

AGENDA

-Senate meets at 9:50 a.m. Wednesday.

-House and Senate have a joint session at 10 a.m. Wednesday to approve election returns. House plans to meet following joint session.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"We're disappointed. We wanted to have a Senate that would be very family friendly - low taxes and pro-life." - Sen. Hank Erwin, R-Montevallo, on the election of the Senate's president pro tem.


Remember Hank Erwin is the same guy who publicly stated that God sent Hurricane Katrina to destroy New Orleans and that women should be denied the right to an abortion even in cases of rape or incest. If he is UNHAPPY with how things went today then the rest of us ought to throw a big ass party because it just about has to be good news. Should you ever find yourself on the same side as Sen. Erwin it will most definitely be time to re-examine your priorities.