Democratic Candidate for Governor Parker Griffith Speaks to Retired State Employees
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Who will make the best governor for retired state employees? That’s the question candidates are trying to answer for members of The Alabama Retired State Employees’ Association and Alabama Public Employees’ Advocacy League.
Wednesday is the second day of the annual convention. On Tuesday, incumbent Governor Robert Bentley spoke to the crowd. Wednesday, it was his challenger’s turn to take the podium.
Parker Griffith says the state is not doing enough for retired state employees.
“Some of you have not received a rate increase in six or seven years. You can’t grow the state on the backs of retirees. You must grow this state on a vision, for jobs,” Griffith said.
Tuesday, Governor Robert Bentley told conference-goers retirees hadn’t gotten raises because the state doesn’t have enough money. Griffith says Bentley isn’t making state workers a priority. Griffith told the crowd he’s running on three issues: job growth, a state lottery for education, and Medicaid expansion.
Candidates for more than a dozen other statewide offices took to the podium with messages tailored to retirees.
“There’s been so much confusion over what our pay status will be, and it’s enlightening to know that we will be able to still be stabilized in our retirement years,” said Beatrice Smith.
“Also it gives you a chance to see and hear the unfiltered version of what comes across in TV ads, news interviews, those sorts of things. So they have full accessibility to them,” said Steve Griffin.
Elections for statewide offices are November 4th.
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