http://www.lscu.coop/content/download/22324/262267/LSCU%20State%20Legislative%20Voters'%20Guide_AL

Know Before You Vote!

2010 Alabama State Legislative Issues Voter’s Guide on Key Credit Union Issues

2010 Alabama State Legislative Issues As not-for-profit financial institutions owned entirely by the members they serve, credit unions are not just structured differently than other financial institutions, they are different. That difference can be measured by lower rates on loans, higher rates on savings, fewer and lower fees, and a mentality of treating the people they serve like an owner, not just an account number. This focus on members, rather than profits, has generally kept credit unions safe while other types of financial institutions face significant problems and seek government bail-outs.

Throughout the recent economic crisis, consumers, the media, and lawmakers have seen credit unions as the bright spot in an otherwise gloomy picture. However, this positive image does not insulate credit unions from the threat of onerous legislation and regulation, either of which can hinder our ability to serve our members. Nor does our success guarantee the ability of credit unions to make changes to existing laws in order to improve how we serve members.

The League of Southeastern Credit Unions (LSCU) Governmental Affairs Department, along with the Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC), is working to develop a proactive legislative agenda for 2011. Ultimately, our success depends on how lawmakers view our issues, and whether they are willing to support them. Although we can never know every issue that may be raised during a legislative session, we do know what some of the bigger issues may be.

Based on that, the League sent questionnaires to all incumbents and candidates for the state House and Senate, asking for their position on some of our bigger issues. The next page outlines the questions we asked and an explanation of why the question was important. Each incumbent or candidate who responded has had their responses listed, so you can see where they stand on some of our priority issues. We have also included an answer key to better understand each answer.

The LSCU is the credit union trade association, formed by joining the Alabama and Florida Credit Union Leagues into one association representing credit unions in both states. We represent over 300 credit unions who serve more than 6.5 million members.

In addition to the candidate surveys for the State House and Senate, the LSCU has also compiled a scorecard of our Congressional delegations in Washington. This allows you to quickly see how your member of Congress voted on issues that are important to credit unions. You can find the scorecard on the LSCU website at www.lscu.coop/Governmental-Affairs/ Campaigns-and-Elections. We hope you find both voter guides useful as you head to the polls November 2.

Patrick La Pine President/CEO League of Southeastern Credit Unions

2010 Alabama Leadership Spotlight Representative Marcel Black (D-3) was elected in 1990, and serves as the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. As an attorney in the Shoals area, Representative Black has worked with credit unions for years, assisting them with a number of legal and operational issues, and understands and appreciates the unique position of credit unions and how they serve members. In the Legislature, Representative Black is a leader often bringing together different sides of issues to create a reasonable and effective legislative environment.

Representative Jack Page (D-29) was elected in 1993 and is the Vice Chairman of the House Government Appropriations Committee which writes the state’s General Fund Budget. Representative Page has successfully sponsored legislation protecting credit unions from increased taxes. In Committee and on the House floor, he has spoken out on the unique nature and structure of credit unions, and how that difference means credit unions should not be treated the same as for-profit financial institutions.

Representative Greg Wren (R-75) is serving his third term in the Alabama House of Representatives.

He served from 1994 through 2002 and was elected to his current term in 2005. Outside the Legislature, Representative Wren is the Vice-Chairman of the Commerce, Financial Services and Communications Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), which develops model legislation affecting credit unions around the country. Representative Wren is always accessible to credit unions, and understands our issues, and has been very supportive of the ability of credit unions to best serve their members.

Representative Lesley Vance (D-80) was elected in 1994 and serves as the Chairman of the House Banking and Insurance Committee, which is of key importance to credit unions. As Chairman of the Committee, Representative Vance has always been accessible to credit unions, understands our issues, and successfully guides the committee through a number of important and complex financial industry issues. He ensures that all sides of issues are heard, understands how the legislative process affects credit unions and our members, and has worked to prevent unnecessary and harmful legislation, while promoting bills that allow financial services to best serve consumers.

Representative Tammy Irons (D-1) was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in a special election held in 2006. Representative Irons is an attorney in the Shoals area who works closely with credit unions and small businesses, and understands the challenges they face. In the House of Representatives, she authored important legislation heavily supported by credit unions to ensure that the private data on credit and debit cards is protected from hackers and other criminals, helping prevent consumers from fraud and identity theft.

Senator Roger Bedford (D-6) is serving his sixth term in the Senate, and is the Chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee, and serves on the Senate Banking Committee, as well as the Commerce Committee, among other important committee assignments. In the Senate, he sponsored the credit union supported data security legislation to protect sensitive debit and credit card information to prevent fraud and identity theft. He has worked to prevent raids on the Alabama Credit Union Administration’s budget, which is completely funded by credit unions, not tax dollars, and has been a strong proponent of a fair and reasonable legal and regulatory environment for credit unions.

Senate Minority Leader J.T. “Jabo” Waggoner (R-16) has served five terms in the Alabama State Senate. He was elected as Minority Leader in for the 2002 – 2006 term and again for the 2007 – 2010 term. As the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Waggoner sits on all Committees of the Senate, and is someone credit unions work with closely on a number of issues. In his leadership position, Senator Waggoner has consistently worked on behalf of credit unions and their members to ensure fairness and to create a system under which credit unions can effectively meet the financial needs of their members.

2010 Candidate Survey Questions The following are four questions that were posed to candidates for the State House of Representatives and State Senate, along with some background information on the issue. The incumbents’/candidates’ answers are listed, along with an answer key detailing what the different answers mean. Some candidates indicated support for issues, but stated they needed additional information on specifics of any legislation, while some did not answer specific questions, citing the need for additional information before they would make a determination. We have indicated such responses through the legend at the bottom of this page.

Question 1 If elected, would you support maintaining the corporate income tax exemption for state-chartered credit unions?

Background - Credit unions are not-for-profit, financial cooperatives owned by their members. All money not needed to operate the credit union is returned to members in the form of lower rates on loans, higher rates on savings, lower fees, and dividends paid to members.

Because of their unique structure and operation, credit unions are exempted from paying corporate income taxes, although they do pay other forms of State taxes including payroll and property tax. Because they are owned by their members, any new tax on credit unions would be a tax on the individual members. An answer of YES means the candidate supports the credit union position.

Question 2 If elected, would you support additional statutory changes to eliminate unnecessary regulations as well as allow credit unions to expand the products and services they can offer their members?

Background - Like other financial institutions, credit unions are highly regulated on the State and Federal level. Some of these laws and regulations ensure safety and soundness of credit unions, while others are designed to ensure consumer protection. However, many laws and regulations are out-of-date, duplicate other requirements, or create unnecessary barriers to the ability of credit unions to meet the needs of members with flexibility. When credit unions first began to offer checking accounts to their members in the 1970s, there was much opposition from banks who claimed credit unions should only be able to offer deposit accounts, and credit unions have had to pass legislation to be able to offer their members many of the services that are now commonplace. It is important that credit unions be allowed to update their services to keep pace with the advances in financial services and meet members’ needs.

An answer of YES means the candidate supports the credit union position.

Question 3 If elected, would you support data security legislation to make those responsible for a data breach be responsible for the costs associated with the breach?

Background - Each year, credit unions and other financial institutions pay millions of dollars that are lost as a result of some merchants mishandling sensitive consumer information found on debit and credit cards. These losses are often caused by companies failing to follow required security measures, yet it is the credit union and the consumer who end up paying for the problems. The LSCU supports legislation that would prohibit the storage of card data; PIN numbers; and security codes from credit or debit cards.

Merchants could be required to reimburse financial institutions for the cancellation or re-issuance of cards, closing of accounts, fraud losses and notification of cardholders. These proposals give retailers added incentive to protect consumers’ information. An answer of YES means the candidate supports the credit union position.

Question 4 If elected, would you support efforts to include credit unions as permissible depositories [of public funds]?

Background - As local units of government look to minimize fees and increase their return on deposits and investments, credit unions are well positioned to offer competitive rates. Credit unions are financially sound, historically offer better rates on deposits, and are federally insured. However, under current State law, the State, local units of government, and school districts are prohibited from depositing funds in State-chartered credit unions. This removes an important option for State and municipal agencies, which could benefit from increased choices and the competitive rates of credit unions. An answer of YES means the candidate supports the credit union position.

Answer Key * by Name Indicates an incumbent. If neither candidate is shown as an incumbent, it indicates an open seat race.

NR

Indicates no response to the question.

YES Indicates support for the credit union position.

Yes* Indicates support for the credit union position, but qualified answer, or stated that it would depend on specifics of possible legislation.

NO Indicates lack of support for the credit union position.

No* Indicates lack of support for the credit union position, but qualified answer or stated that it would depend on specifics of possible legislation.

Info

Indicates candidate did not answer one way or the other, citing the need for additional information on the issue.

Alabama State Senate Information Alabama Political Structure

By the Numbers

House Members

105

Senate Members

35

Term

4 Years (No Term Limits)

To be eligible for the office of state Senator, a person must be at least 25 years of age; for the office of Representative, at least 21 years of age. Both Senators and Representatives must be qualified voters and must have been resident citizens of Alabama for three years.

2010 Alabama State Senate Candidate Information

DISTRICT Candidate

2010 Alabama State Senate Candidate Information

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

Tammy Irons (D) Gerald Freeman (R)

YES Info

YES Info

YES Info

YES Info

Tom Butler (D)* Bill Holtzclaw (R)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

3

Arthur Orr (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

4

Zeb Little (D) Paul Bussman (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

5

Brett Wadsworth (D) Greg Reed (R)

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

6

Roger Bedford (D)* Jim Bonner (R)

YES YES

YES YES

7

Paul Sanford (R)* Jeff Enfinger (D)

YES NR

8

Lowell Barron (D)* Shadrack McGill (R)

DISTRICT Candidate

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

20

Linda Coleman (D)*

YES

Info

YES

YES

21

Phil Poole (D)* Gerald Allen (R)

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

22

Mar Keahey (D)* Danny Joyner (D)

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

23

Hank Sanders (D)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

24

Bobby Singleton (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

YES Yes*

25

Dick Brewbaker (R) Doug Smith (D)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

YES YES

YES YES

26

Quinton Ross (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

27

Ted Little (D)* Tom Whatley (R)

YES NR

Info NR

YES NR

YES NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

28

Bill Beasley (D) Kim West (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

9

Tim Mitchell (D) Clay Scofield (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

29

Jennifer Adams (D) George Flowers (R) Harri Anne Smith (I)

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

10

Larry Means (D)* Phil Williams (R)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

30

Wendell Mitchell (D)* Bryan Taylor (R)

NR YES

NR YES

NR Info

NR Info

11

Jerry Fielding (D)

YES

YES

YES

YES

31

Jimmy Holley (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

12

Del Marsh (R)* Wallace Wyatt

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

32

Trip Pitman (R)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

13

Greg Varner (D) Gerald Dial (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

33

Vivan Figures (D)* Brad Moser (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

Cam Ward (R)

YES

YES

YES

YES

34

Rusty Glover (R)

14

YES

YES

YES

YES

15

Slade Blackwell (R)

NR

NR

NR

NR

35

Ben Brooks (R)* Scott Buzbee (D)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

16

Jabo Waggoner (R)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

17

Scott Beason (R)* Tommy Hudson (I)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

18

Roger Smitherman (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

19

Priscilla Dunn (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

1 2

Alabama State House Information 2010 Alabama State House Candidate Information

DISTRICT Candidate

2010 Alabama State House Candidate Information

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

1

Greg Burdine (D) Quinton Hanson (R)

NR YES

NR Info

NR YES

NR Yes*

2

Mike Curtis (D)* Lyn Greer (R)

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

3

Marcel Black (D)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

4

Mickey Hammon (R)* Vaughn Goodwin (D)

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

5

Henry White (D)* Dan Williams (R) Jerry Hill (I)

YES YES NR

YES YES NR

YES YES NR

YES YES NR

6

Phil Williams (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

7

Jody Letson (D)* Ken Johnson (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

8

Bill Dukes (D)* Terri Collins (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

9

Ed Henry (R) Kathy Goodwin (D)

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

10

Mike Ball (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

11

Jeremy Oden (R)* Joe Perry (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

12

James Fields (D)* Mac Buttram (R)

NR YES

NR YES

13

Tommy Sherer (D)* Bill Roberts (R)

NR YES

14

Ken Guin (D)* Richard Baughn (R)

15

DISTRICT Candidate

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

24

Todd Greeson (R)* Nathaniel Ledbetter (D)

YES YES

YES YES

YES Info

YES Yes*

25

Mac McCutheon (R)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

26

Randall White (D) Kerry Rich (R)

YES YES

YES Info

YES Info

YES Info

27

Jeff McLaughlin (D)* Wes Long (R)

Yes* NR

Yes* NR

Yes* NR

Yes* NR

28

Craig Ford (D)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

29

Jack Page (D)* Becky Nordgren (R)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

30

Blaine Galliher (R)* Wally Burns (D)

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

31

Barry Mask (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

32

Barbara Boyd (D)* Ron Stuzik (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

33

Ron Johnson (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

34

Elwyn Thomas (R)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

NR NR

35

Steve Hurst (D)* Steven Dean (R)

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

NR YES

NR YES

36

Rand Wood (R)* Garry Bearden (D)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR YES

NR Info

NR YES

37

Richard Laird (D)* Bob Fincher (R)

YES NO

YES YES

YES YES

YES Info

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

38

Duwayne Bridges (R)* Huey Long (D)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

Allen Farley (R)

NR

NR

NR

NR

39

Richard Lindsey (D)* Tim Sprayberry (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

16

William Thigpen (D)* Donald Bowman (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

40

Koven Brown (R)* Lindsay Ford (D)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

17

Mike Millican (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

41

Mike Hill (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

18

Johnny Morrow (D)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

19

Laura Hall (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

42

Jimmy Martin (D)* Kurt Wallace (R)

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

20

Howard Sanderford (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

21

Randy Hinshaw (D)* Jim Patterson (R)

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

22

Buch Taylor (D)* Wayne Johnson (R)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

23

John Robinson (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

Alabama State House Information 2010 Alabama State House Candidate Information

DISTRICT Candidate

2010 Alabama State House Candidate Information

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

DISTRICT Candidate

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

43

Mary McClurkin (R)* Virginia Sweet (D)

YES YES

YES Info

YES Info

YES YES

73

David Grimes (R)* Joe Hubbard (D)

YES NR

YES NR

Yes* NR

YES NR

44

Arthur Payne (R)*

YES

Yes*

YES

YES

74

Jay Love (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

45

Owen Drake (R)* Charlene Cannon (D)

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

75

Greg Wren (R)* Glenn Allen (D)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

46

Paul DeMarco (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

76

Thad McClammy (D)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

47

Jack Williams (R)* Chip McCallum (I)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

77

John Knight*

NR

NR

NR

NR

78

Alvin Holmes (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

48

Greg Canfield (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

79

Mike Hubbard (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

49

April Weaver (R)

NR

NR

NR

NR

50

Jim McClendon

Info

Info

YES

Yes*

80

Lesley Vance (D)* Melvin Dudley (R)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

51

Allen Treadaway (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

52

John Rogers (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

81

Betty C. Graham (D)* Mark Tuggle (R)

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

53

Demetrius Newton (D)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

82

Pebblin Warren (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

54

Patricia Todd (D)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

83

George Bandy (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

55

Rod Scott (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

84

56

Lawrence McAdory (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

Betty Forte (D) Joyce Perrin (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

57

Merika Coleman (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

85

58

Oliver Robinson (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

Dexter Grimsley (D) Jody Singleton (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

59

Mary Moore (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

86

Benjamin Lewis (R)* Merrit Carothers (D)

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

60

Juandalynn Givan (D)

NR

NR

NR

NR

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

87

61

Alan Harper (D)* Frank Chandler (R)

Vickie Moore (D) Danny Chesteen (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

88

Paul Beckman (R)

YES

YES

YES

YES

62

Ed Patterson (D) John Merrill (R)

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

89

Alan Boothe (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

63

Bill Poole (R) Susan P. Hammill (D)

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

90

Charles Newton (D)* Jerry Hartin (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

64

Harry Shiver (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

91

Terry Spicer (D)* Barry Boore (R)

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

65

Elaine Beech (D)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

66

Alan Baker (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

92

67

Darrio Melton (D)

NR

NR

NR

NR

David Darby (D) Mike Jones (R) Don Cotton (I)

NR YES NR

NR YES NR

NR YES NR

NR YES NR

68

Thomas Jackson (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

69

David Colston (D)

NR

NR

NR

NR

70

Chris England (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

71

A.J. McCampbell (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

72

Ralph Howard (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

Alabama State House Information 2010 Alabama State House Candidate Information

2010 Alabama State House Candidate Information

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

DISTRICT Candidate

DISTRICT Candidate

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

93

Steve Clouse (R)* Ronnie Helms (D)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

100

Victor Gaston (R)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

101

Jamie Ison (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

94

Joe Faust (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

102

Chad Fincher (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

95

Steve McMillan (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

103

Joseph Mitchell (D)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

96

Randy Davis (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

104

Jim Barton (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

97

Yvonne Kennedy (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

105

Spencer Collier (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

98

Napoleon Bracy (D) Sharon Powe (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

99

James Buskey (D)#

YES

Yes*

Yes*

YES

Answer Key * by Name NR

Indicates an incumbent. If neither candidate is shown as an incumbent, it indicates an open seat race.

Indicates no response to the question.

YES Indicates support for the credit union position.

Yes*

Indicates support for the credit union position, but qualified answer, or stated that it would depend on specifics of possible legislation.

NO

Indicates lack of support for the credit union position.

No*

Indicates lack of support for the credit union position, but qualified answer or stated that it would depend on specifics of possible legislation.

Info

Indicates candidate did not answer one way or the other, citing the need for additional information on the issue.

For any questions regarding the candidate survey, the state scorecard or credit union issues, contact: Patrick La Pine, President/CEO 866.231.0545 x1002 Will McCarty, SVP of Governmental Affairs 866.231.0545 x2137 Robbie Gordon, Grassroots & Political Action Coordinator 866.231.0545 x2164