State population rose 7.5 percent
Tuscaloosa News – Dec. 22
…The state’s growth of 7.5 percent since 2000 is respectable, said Annette Watters, manager of the State Data Center at the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research. “Over the course of 10 years, we have not suffered as badly as some other states, and the same showed true in these population estimates,” she said. “Alabama is a good place to live.”… Alabama was the 29th most dense state, compared to other states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Watters said the density index is an area where it’s good to be in the middle. “We’re not as intensely populated at New York City, but we are not as sparse as Montana. We are just about right. In Alabama you can find rural and urban settings nearby,” Watters said. As for the accuracy of the Census, Watters said she would have estimated fewer people than were actually counted, but was pleased with the growth rate. In its annual population estimates release earlier this year, the Census Bureau estimated Alabama’s population to be 4,708,708 on July 1, 2009.
Trust binds judge, Bentley
Tuscaloosa News – Dec. 22
… William Stewart, retired professor of political science at the University of Alabama, said a governor’s chief of staff is foremost a gatekeeper. “Unfortunately, he or she needs to control access to the boss, so the boss can deal with matters,” Stewart said. “A chief of staff also should have the antenna out and keep the governor advised so he won’t be caught off guard and he needs to make sure the staff is functioning properly…