House Democratic leader Craig Ford says caucus will support most of the special session bills urged by Gov. Bob Riley

Published: Wednesday, December 08, 2010, 8:09 PM ??? Updated: Wednesday, December 08, 2010, 8:25 PM

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, the minority leader of the 39 Democrats in the House of Representatives, said tonight that the Democratic House caucus will support six of the seven bills that Gov. Bob Riley asked lawmakers to pass in this special session that started at Riley's request today.

The exception: Senate Bill 2 by Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, which is designed to ban state and local governments and school boards from deducting from employees' salaries dues for unions or other membership organizations or contributions to political action committees.

[RELATED STORY: AEA, teachers speak out against Gov. Bob Riley's ethics proposals on payroll deductions for dues]

Ford said some private companies deduct union dues or other deductions from employees' paychecks and he thinks the bill discriminates against employees of governments and public schools by not allowing dues check-offs for them too.

''The bill of concern to us is the check-off bill. I feel personally that it discriminates against them,'' Ford said.

Referring to the other six bills, Ford said, ''We've read them. We're definitely in support of the ethics bills. We've told the (Republican legislative) leadership we're willing to work in a bipartisan manner.''

The other six bills, among other things, would give subpoena power to the state Ethics Commission and ban transfers of money between political action committees, which can hide a candidate's source of campaign money.

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Top helps Ron Sparks, Glen Zorn and forestry former association leader, John McMillan, to be Commissioner of agriculture

Published: Sunday, October 24 2010 5 H.

MONTGOMERY - Top of page help agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks and Republican John McMillan, a former leader of the forest Association of Alabama, Glen Zorn, Democrat run November 2 to replace Sparks, Commissioner of the State, the Ministry of agriculture and industries.

Zorn, 66, is co-owner of Zorn Brothers Inc. of Florala, which grows cotton, cereals and peanut farmers buys and sells along with fertilizers, pesticides, feed and seed. "I understand, firstly, the agricultural production. "I understand the economy need it," said Zorn.

Zorn has worked for Sparks as Deputy Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner since 2003. "The bottom line, I was there for seven year and a half." "I have the experience to go forward," said Zorn.

He said it provides funding for the Department to keep falling in the next few years and wants the Ministry to team with the universities and other organizations to share resources. "For too long."¤.¤.each department wanted to be there as an island in soi.Le time came that we must work together.?

McMillan, 69, lives in Stockton, 1986-2006 was Alabama, lobby for businesses mill and sawmill paper, Forestry Association Executive Vice-President landowners and other interests forestiers.Sa family is owner of agricultural land and forestry in the County of Baldwin.Il was Commissioner of the Department conservation status from 1981 to 1983.

McMillan said his work at the Department of conservation "demonstrated an ability to perform a much larger government agency."

He also told his work on the status of staff, where he has held since 1997, help him manage employees.

"Fiscal and personnel questions are really important, the overall financial situation of the State," says McMillan, who agreed with Zorn that support from the State for the Department of agriculture will probably be tight in the years to come.

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