![]() ![]() Other progressively-minded non-profit groups supported this plan, including many organizations that had sought changes in the Alabama tax system for many years. This included support from pro-business organizations, including the Business Council of Alabama and many Chambers of Commerce, as well as prominent education organizations, including the Alabama Education Association. This plan also included provisions for a scholarship program for Alabama students to attend college and funding of other education initiatives.īoth support and opposition to this plan came from traditionally opposing forces in Alabama, crossing party lines. The plan also included accountability reforms, including changes to teacher tenure policies, accountability for school systems, and bans on pass-through pork. The plan was estimated to yield an overall state revenue increase of $1.2 billion per year. Part of the problem that this plan sought to address was the strong dependence the Alabama tax system placed upon sales tax, which makes the state budget dependent upon the economy in the state. The plan essentially consisted of income tax breaks for lower brackets, offset by various tax hikes on consumption, property and income from higher brackets. ![]() In the first year of his administration, Riley proposed " Amendment One", which would have made swift changes to the state's tax system. Riley claims he is merely following the language of the law, and the advice of his attorneys. Riley's opponents claimed that by doing so, he raised taxes without a vote of either the Legislature or the people. Because property values tend to increase over time, making appraisals more frequent has the indirect effect of increasing the taxes paid by property owners. Property tax appraisals became a major campaign issue with Riley's opponents claiming that Riley, acting through his revenue commissioner, ordered that property tax appraisals be made annually, rather than the quadrennial reappraisals that were established practice. Moore challenged Riley in the June 6, 2006, GOP primary. Riley stated there was nothing he could do to prevent Moore from being removed from office by a judicial ethics panel. Riley reportedly supported Moore, but ultimately did not play a large role in the dispute. In 2003, Alabama state politics gained national attention when the chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, Roy Moore, refused to remove a monument of the Ten Commandments from the rotunda of the court building. By August 2006, his approval rating was at 62% with a disapproval rating of 35%. ![]() By February 14, 2006, Riley's approval ratings had slightly decreased, with 52% approving and 43% disapproving of his job as governor. Analysis of this increase seems to indicate that it may be attributed to the public's perception of Riley's response to Hurricane Katrina. By September 20, 2005, Riley's approval ratings had increased substantially to 58% approving and 38% disapproving. On May 10, 2005, Riley's approval ratings were 36% approving and 52% disapproving of his job as governor. The result was controversial, as the initial election night count showed a 2,000-plus vote victory for Siegelman.įirst term Approval ratings Riley did not run for re-election to the House in November 2002 (as a supporter of term limits, he imposed a three-term limit on himself), instead running for governor of Alabama and defeating the Democratic incumbent Don Siegelman by approximately 3,000 votes - the narrowest margin in the state's history for a gubernatorial race. ![]() Main article: 2002 Alabama gubernatorial election ![]()
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