Congressman Davis Responds To Governor

A war of words continues between Governor Bob Riley's office and an Alabama Congressman.
It started with a letter sent to the governor's office by Artur Davis Friday, May 29th. Davis says his constituents are hearing about stimulus money coming in but not getting enough information on how to get it into their communities. The governor's press secretary responded by saying this was campaign move by Davis. The secretary says Davis’s letter reached the media before the governor and Riley already met with Davis on this issue. Speaking to News 5 in Mobile today, May 30th, 2009 Davis says he was acting in his capacity as a member of the US House of Representatives, not as a candidate for governor.

“Governor Riley can't run for reelection so by definition this isn't political and it was unfortunate and I think frankly beneath the governor for his press secretary to send out a very partisan press release,” says Davis. Davis says he's inviting the governor and community leaders to a meeting on June 22nd. He says he wants people to exchange ideas on how to access federal funds.

6:15 PM Update: The governor's press secretary Jeff Emerson says the administration is being transparent with the stimulus funds. He says the news release they issued yesterday was in response to Davis’s letter. Emerson says the governor has yet to receive an invitation to the gathering in Selma. More information from the governor’s office is here.