21 MAR 07: THE MONEY STORE

Wouldn't it be great to have a job where you could give yourself a raise anytime you wanted? I dreamed of something like that last year - only to be reminded that a majority of all new businesses fail within two years.

But the Alabama Legislature has no such worries. Lawmakers officially voted themselves a pay raise Tuesday - and a raise of 62 percent at that. Professional athletes usually need a hard-driving agent to do that well.

The salary of Alabama House and Senate members will jump from about $30,000 to almost $50,000. For the people who serve in Montgomery, that may not seem like much. But c'mon, this is Alabama - where new poultry processing plants are considered a major economic victory.

A Birmingham radio talk show host tried to organize a protest of the 62-percent raise. The "March on Montgomery" attracted about 200 people Tuesday -- proving civil rights leaders sometimes really do have more clout and supporters.

Tuesday's vote for the 62-percent raise actually was a replay, because the original vote was vetoed Tuesday by Governor Bob Riley. If the legislature had thought to include even a ten-percent raise for him, things might have been different....

Governor Bob Riley said the state legislature should have a raise, but such a big raise should occur over a period of several years. That way, it would work like some sports contracts - giving voters an option to pick up their "contracts" after the 2008 season.

Some Alabama lawmakers say it's time they received a 62-percent raise, because the legislature hasn't had one since 1991. You know, this pay increase could have been even worse - because haven't gas prices tripled since 1991?

The Alabama State Employees Association even thought the lawmakers were going too far. An executive director said to keep up with other state workers, the legislature's raise should be ONLY 41 percent. Obviously there aren't enough conservatives in Montgomery these days....

Some critics also are appalled by this big pay raise becomes it comes only two weeks into the regular legislative session. Maybe Governor Riley should share the blame after all. The lawmakers finished his special session in a week, and thought they could reward themselves.

This 62-percent raise did seem to occur in a big hurry. Alabama lawmakers first approve the increase one week into their session - while money to rebuild storm-damaged Enterprise schools is still under debate. It's almost as if the legislature is trying to show it's as fast as a tornado.

But to keep things in perspective, some people still make much more than the $50,000 part-time lawmakers will receive in Alabama. A shareholders' filing by Synovus Tuesday revealed Chairman Richard Anthony had total compensation of about four million dollars last year. So if Columbus Bank and Trust staff members say they can't afford to give you a loan, ask to see the bosses.

BLOG SPECIAL EVENT: Our search for a name for the Aflac duck ended Tuesday night - and the outcome admittedly amazed us. More people preferred NO name, than any of the four names we offered in our poll! This may explain why the Columbus Civic Center still doesn't have a corporate name on it.

Half the voters in our poll said the Aflac duck should remain nameless. The other half split their opinions between our idea of "Amos" (as in the corporate family) and "Dinkles" (as in the nickname some people have given TV meteorologist Derek Kinkade). Only one of those is likely to work, if the duck develops a love interest.

OVERHEARD OVER HERE: A group of men is talking about current movies, when someone joins the discussion

"I read that the Spartans really were an offshoot of Christians - in '300,' the movie...."

"Oh, is that what that movie is about?!"

"Yeah."

"It's not about bowling?"

Now we roll along to other Tuesday news headlines:

+ Columbus Council gave the final approval to a big land swap between the city and the Muscogee County School District. Let's hope the two sides don't get mixed up in all this - and try to stock library books at the bottom of the natatorium pool.

(The big political winner in this land swap seems to be Mayor Jim Wetherington. It's the first big victory of his administration - and I can't wait to see him in swimming trunks, once the natatorium is finished.)

+ WRBL reported the Muscogee County Library Board is thinking about adding a children's area, at the back of the main library. Isn't there a children's area there already? Or are the stuffed animals at the entry going to be replaced by humans, doing background checks on the parents?

+ Phenix City's assistant police chief was honored by the City Council, for recent success in a sniper-shooting contest. We're pleased to report he did NOT have to use his skill during the council meeting, toward either the Mayor or City Manager.

+ The Georgia Senate voted 25-23 against a proposal to allow limousine drivers to sell alcohol. So much for SafetyCab drivers changing careers anytime soon....

(Can't you see the sales gimmicks limousine drivers would use, if this had become law? "Long cab, long ride, long-neck.")

+ The Columbus Cottonmouths edged Jacksonville 5-4 in overtime. With one win in the final two road games, the Snakes can clinch the Southern League regular-season title. Why do I get this deep-down feeling the Columbus Lions are going to pull for Richmond and Jacksonville this weekend?

+ Auburn University fans rolled Toomer's Corner, to celebrate the men's and women's swimming teams winning national championships. I'm assuming for this particular event, the toilet paper had to be super-absorbent....

+ Instant Message to whomever posted a sign on the Riverwalk at Tenth Street saying, "Announce intentions to other bikers": The last time I jogged by there, I did that. Is "I'm coming" good enough?

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