The sleepy little state capital of Montgomery, Alabama was a quaint introduction to the intricacies of American-style politics for the Ontario legislative interns. Throughout the weekend and every weeknight, Montgomery’s deserted downtown streets illustrated the sprawling suburb and donut-hole-downtown epidemic that plagues medium size cities across the United States. Although Montgomery is rich with civil-rights era historical sites and has a preservation society that works diligently to protect and display them, few Alabamians reside nearby to appreciate their significance. Robert Putnam was right – not only are Montgomery residents, students & professionals ‘bowling alone’, but if they pleased, they could do so straight down the main street after five.
Despite an overarching sense of inertia after business hours, during the day the interns were privy to eye-opening meetings with state dignitaries. First and foremost, one had to keep in mind that these State Representatives, Senators and administrators are part-time employees who maintain ‘regular’ jobs throughout the year (according to the Speaker Seth Hammett, the Representatives in the House come from forty-six different professions). This part-time status is difficult to comprehend, and is even more incomprehensible after numerous Senators and Representatives calmly admitted that hundreds of thousands of dollars was invested in their election campaigns.
While some present this part-time status as a grounding agent that discourages ‘career politicians,’ in reality it encourages the independently wealthy and late-career lawyers to achieve social status and increase the legitimacy of their business or firm. Speaker Hammett conceded that many Representatives regularly ‘plug’ their law firms, and utilize their public profile to benefit their businesses. Shortly thereafter, while watching the House procedures, a local basketball team was recognized for their achievements by a Representative who couldn’t resist remarking offhandedly that his law firm offers a sports agency service.
The most jarring procedural practice of the House of Representatives was that a Bill’s sponsor regularly discourages others from voting. Although Speaker Hammet was quick to criticize the Canadian/British Parliamentary members’ tradition of voting along party lines, “That should make you nauseous…you might as well stay home,” he saw no harm in the very strong presentation of Bills by Representatives, “This is a District X matter, don’t worry about the vote…abstain,” and their “special projects.” The State Senate was very similar in its members’ single-mindedness on Bills and overall camaraderie. A guide described the Senate as being “more like a lodge meeting than a legislature.” In both houses, phones were installed at each desk, laptops were provided with electrical and internet connections, and few members paid attention to the proceedings until it was time to punch in their vote (or their absent neighbor’s), although in the Senate only a few younger members brought laptops.
Alabamian politicians frequently referred to “victims’ rights.” Both Republicans and Democrats from the State Supreme Court, the House of Representatives and the Senate created VOCAL (Victims of Crime and Leniency). At a meeting with the state’s Attorney General, Republican Troy King, I asked him to define this concept. In perfect soundbite style, he replied “Our criminal justice system was just that – for criminals not victims.” Behind this succinct reply are significant changes to state law: a plea of ‘no contest’ is equivalent to a guilty plea in criminal courts, pedophile offenders are sentenced to live with mandatory GPS tracking equipment, drug offenders are charged with additional felonies if a child is in their residence and charged with serious felonies if the child is injured. Unfortunately, King did not mention any preventative or rehabilitation services for drug and sex offenders.
Alabama was one of the hardest hit states for methamphetamine use and production. King’s swift legislation was impressive. Upon his election, he created a task force of doctors, educators, police and community members. Their comprehensive plan included educational materials for schools and police forces, legislation that required retailers to put products that contain meth’s vital ingredient behind the counter and to submit purchasers’ information to a new state registry. Meeting with the Attorney General was the highlight of the Montgomery trip, in my opinion. Although I disagree with many of his political views, and am frightened by the ‘unborn rights’, ‘victims’ rights’ and ‘traditional marriage’ discourse that he spouts, he was unapologetic and determined in his views, and provided the group with an accurate overview of Alabama’s political climate.
OLIP - Nashville Trip: Synopsis by Meghan
Visiting Nashville, Tennessee was an amazing experience that renews one’s faith in American cities. Immediately after picking us up at the airport (where the welcoming committee was waving Canadian flags and wearing their Southern hospitality-hearts on their sleeves), our host drove us through the downtown area, and proudly pointed to Nashville’s hotspots, historical sights and new developments. This is a vibrant and bustling city that reminded me of Austin, where live music permeated the downtown, tourists mingled with locals, and the business district was far less conservative than Toronto. Nashville’s downtown is regenerating with numerous new lofts, apartments, businesses and modern financial towers that inspire unexpected discussions on the merits of innovative urban design. Most outstanding are two architectural gems that double as tourist/sports/concert attractions, the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Gaylord Entertainment Complex.
The main drag, Broadway, is littered with wood-fronted, well-kept honky-style taverns and clubs, all within walking distance of State Capital buildings. One of our first meetings in these buildings was with Lieutenant Governor John Wilder, the Speaker of the Senate. To say that this was a surreal experience is an understatement. His office, shrouded in cigarette smoke, was littered with religious paraphernalia, oil paintings of Jesus, crosses, and Tennessean knick-knacks. Barely intelligible, Mr. Wilder mumbled, with his feet perched on his desk and his pivoting chair leaning back, at length about his enemies in President Bush’s circle, his length of time in office and other random thoughts. Already disoriented and jet-lagged from a four a.m. wakeup, the Ontario interns emerged from this meeting visibly stunned.
Thankfully, Wilder was an exception to the rule among Tennessee politicians. Most were coherent and capable professionals eager to engage the group in a discussion. House Representative Brooks was a firecracker, a middle-aged black woman who left teaching to pursue politics; she described her Memphis constituency as one that faces the same urban issues plaguing every American city. She frankly discussed her ‘politically incorrect’ preference for giving poorer families education vouchers so that they may send their children to black-only charter schools. When asked about the ‘victims’ rights’ discourse, she wholeheartedly agreed that is was an unbalanced approach towards the criminal justice system, and a further distancing of state resources from prevention and rehabilitation programs, which are much-needed in poorer communities. “We are living in a post-traumatic slave syndrome” she exclaimed of her black constituents, “based on our ancestors’ experiences, we are trapped in a cycle of poverty.”
Brooks was one of many strong Southern women willing to meet with the Ontario interns. Two members of the Tennessee Women’s Political Caucus, Representative Janis Sontany (Democrat) and lobbyist Leslie Hafner (Dell, Cingular, more) spoke honestly about their personal and professional difficulties advancing women’s interests in both Houses. Before meeting with this Caucus, House Republican Leader Representative Bill Dunn ‘warned’ us of the misinformation that was within the women’s proposed wage parity legislation. This certainly increased the legitimacy of the Bill in my eyes, and I was especially intrigued to hear more about this organization, especially since it included members of the private sector (Overall, lobbyists are very well liked, well treated and openly recognized by politicians in both of the Southern states’ legislatures. Politicians often introduced them to the group eagerly by their name and company.).
The most recent legislation projects undertaken by the women’s caucus are regarding breastfeeding in public, post-divorce insurance coverage, custody arrangements, domestic violence protection orders and wage parity. To dismiss this group as one that is only seeking unmerited wage and salary increases for women is ridiculous. Women’s caucus’ basic human-rights-themed Bills are admirable, if not saddening. In Tennessee, it is impossible to receive an order of protection against an attacker if the attacker is also the victim’s spouse. This completely condones domestic violence and offers no recourse to women while they are attempting to leave an abusive relationship, even if they are common law. Also, women are often left without health insurance after divorcing their spouse, and the women’s caucus is hoping to introduce a leniency period or an option to buy-out a portion of that protection after separation occurs.
Overall, Nashville was a whirlwind of exciting concerts, events, sports, and sightseeing. While the nights were fantastic, I will surely remember days spent talking to impressive, driven politicians and I will continue to admire the steep climb that many women and minorities face to achieve equity in the Southern United States.
