Candidate Paul Sanford Commends Governor Riley for 2009 Agenda
02/04/2009

Republican Senate candidate Paul Sanford said today that Governor Riley’s State of the State address last night focused on much-needed proposals to get the state’s economy back on track and on clearing the ethics cloud hanging over some elected officials. Sanford said the Governor touched on themes that he could and would support when elected to the state senate.

"In the current economy, we all must do our part to keep people off of unemployment rolls," Sanford said. "Offering tax credits to businesses hiring unemployed Alabamians is a creative first step," he added. "We also must overhaul our budget process so that we don’t come up short of revenues in the future." Sanford was referring to his proposal to institute "prior-year budgeting" when the Legislature drafts spending plans each year, which he says will avoid shortfalls and proration.

Mr. Sanford also said legislation proposed by Governor Riley to give the Alabama Ethics Commission subpoena power sends a strong message to public officials. "If this legislation is enacted, Alabama will finally join the mainstream in granting subpoena power to the Ethics Commission," Sanford stated. "When you can't subpoena people, you can't get all the facts needed to render a fair decision," Sanford said.