After over a week of confusion, lawsuits, court rulings and general chaos, Governor Bentley on Thursday morning signed into law the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013. Speculation that Bentley would send the bill back across the street with executive amendments was quickly put to rest as the Governor wasted no time in affixing his signature to the GOP’s landmark education reform bill.
The Alabama Accountability Act is now signed into law. #HB84 #alpolitics
— Gov.Robert Bentley (@GovernorBentley) March 14, 2013
“For the first time ever, we’re giving all public schools the flexibility they need to better serve their students,” Governor Bentley said in a written statement. “This also gives flexibility to children and parents by providing new options for students who are stuck in persistently low-performing schools. All children deserve access to a quality education, no matter where they live. This provides a new option to help children receive the best education possible.”
Bentley tell reporters: “this is historic.”
— Kim Chandler (@StatehouseKim) March 14, 2013
Bentley added that the flexibility portion of the legislation shows his level of trust in teachers who he says will innovate and develop new programs to reach children. Additionally, he believes parents will see how committed Republican leaders in Montgomery are to making sure children have access to a quality education.
“Let’s not lose sight of the fact that the flexibility part of this bill is the most important part.” – @governorbentley
— Yellowhammer (@YHPolitics) March 14, 2013
“Passage of this law provides school systems across the state with the tools they need to implement innovative ideas and escape from the tired, cookie-cutter approach that has plagued education in Alabama for decades,” Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard said. Senator Del Marsh, who was the architect of the plan to pass the Accountability Act, said that the legislation “unlocks the doors of school choice for parents with children in failing schools.”
The Supreme Court of Alabama last night overturned a ruling by a Judge Charles Price that temporarily blocked the Clerk of the House from transmitting the bill to the Governor for his signature. Chief Justice Roy Moore made it abundantly clear that the judicial branch was to not involve themselves in the legislative process. But the legal fight for school choice is far from over. According to several members of the capitol press corps, teachers’ union boss Henry Mabry vowed Thursday morning to continue taking his fight to the courts. A new suit is expected to be filed as soon as tomorrow.
In the mean time, Alabamians can be proud of their GOP leaders for bringing lasting education reform to the state for the first time decades.
What else is going on?
1. Polling Shows Strong Public Support for GOP School Choice Legislation
2. This week’s Rumors & Rumblings
3. Accountability Act: When a Judge Becomes a Super Legislator
4. INTERVIEW: Senator Scott Beason Discusses Education Reform
5. Sessions Demands Changes as Welfare State Balloons to Record Size
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