MONTGOMERYCiting controversy over Sen. Roger Bedford’s financial actions involving state funds, the Democratic floor leader for the Alabama Senate called on Bedford Wednesday to reconsider one of his leadership positions.
Sen. Jeff Enfinger, D-Huntsville, told Bedford he needs to reconsider his chairmanship of the Senate Finance and Taxation- General Fund Committee because his funneling of state funds to projects in his district had undermined the credibility of state government and the committee.
Enfinger made the remarks at the beginning of the committee’s Wednesday meeting.
“I think the state will move forward better if you were not chairman of the committee,” Enfinger said. “… I respect the rules of the Senate, but the credibility of this committee, the credibility of the Senate is at stake. And this (question of credibility) will extend past this year … I want the public to understand we aspire to a higher standard and I want the chairman, for the good of the state, to consider his position.”
Bedford, D-Russellville, thanked Enfinger for his comments and dismissed them, saying he understands Enfinger had to make them because Bedford himself has made similar politically correct speeches before.
No other committee members added any remarks and the matter was dropped.
Bedford has chaired the committee since 1999. At the same time, he has channeled millions of dollars through various state agencies to his district — an action known as “pass-through-pork.”
Enfinger’s comments follow a letter he sent to legislators earlier this year, saying Bedford should resign his chairmanship position.
Enfinger told Bedford in committee Wednesday that there would be other opportunities for him to continue as a leader in the Senate, suggesting that substitute budgets and other bills would be before all senators on the floor for debate.
Last year, senators upset with Bedford’s actions worked out a deal whereby he will share his leadership role on the committee with Sen. Hinton Mitchem, D-Albertville, who would serve as chairman for 2003 and 2006, and Bedford would lead the committee in 2004 and 2005.
In response to Enfinger’s earlier letter, Senate President Pro Tem Lowell Barron, D-Fyffe, told the Associated Press that the agreement worked out for Bedford to share leadership of the committee would continue.
