Foster's Auditorium

I pass by this place every morning on my way to work. Its the location where Gov. Wallace, in 1963, made his infamous stand on the schoolhouse steps in order to bar Vivian Malone and James Hood's entry into the school because they were black. This stand didn't exactly come as a surprise, he was making good on his governorship campaign promise "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever". John F. Kennedy, in anticipation of George Wallace's stand, deployed the national gaurd.

Wallace may have been many things, but he certainly wasn't a visoinary. While people are still segregated and racism still lingers, the stated policies of the University have changed to be inclusive. With a changed policy, now, it seems to me that the University of Alabama is not sure what to do about this place that represents an old policy. Although the outside of the building looks respectable, unlike other buildings, it hasn't been renovated on the inside. I've gone inside to use the restroom once, and I felt like I was stepping back into the 60s. As far as I could tell, the building was empty. I started to go upstairs, and I found some ripped caution tape hanging from the railing and old newspapers scattered on the floor. It was pretty eerie... all the lights were on but it looked as if no one had used the building in awhile.

I can see why the University is not sure what to do with this place. To celebrate the building is a constant reminder of what role the University had in the civil rights era. But you do want to celebrate the role of Malone and Hood and countless others who took the opposite stand. And you don't want to forget -- many people can't forget. But it seems that the University if anything, is erring on the side of forgetting. There is a plaque on front of the auditorium remembering the schoolhouse stand -- but this was placed on the building until 2006. The building is not being remodeled to keep up with the rest of the school. Maybe one day it will, but right now it looks rather lonely and forgotten. The UA Website says that women's athletics used to be in Fosters until 1980, and then the Department of Kinesology was in Fosters until 2006. Did the Kinesology department leave the building when the plaque went up? What is the University planning on doing with this place? I don't think they can tear the building down because it is on the historic registry. But if they could, should they? Shouldn't they use the building as more than storage? It seems that remembering, while painful, is necessary. But how to remember is beyond me and my understanding.

My Tuscaloosa area to-do list

Oftentimes I complain with others about how there isn't much to do in Tuscaloosa. But -- maybe I just like to complain. Because in actuality, I am never bored (other than when I'm at work or in class, but that unescapable -- I'm sure students from Paris to Las Vegas experience classroom boredom). Here is my current 'to do' list of the fun variety. This list doesn't include things that I have done already -- only things I'm still wanting to do. Some of these things have been on my list for awhile now -- waiting for me to find the time to go!

• Moundville Archeological Museum. Apparently, back in the day Moundville used to be one of the largest cities in North America. I've done some research on Moundville for my job and want to see what it is all about.
• 8 minute speed dating at Capture coffee shop. I think that this would be excellent practice for interviews. I think Craig only pretends to roll his eyes at me.
• Birmingham Civil Rights Museum. I've lived here how long and still haven't seen this?
• Tuscaloosa contradancers. They meet monthly or so for do-si-dos and whatnot. I somehow got on their facebook group and get updates. Seems like fun.
• Spirits Wine Shop wine tasting. Thursdays - aparently 5 bucks lets you try a bunch of wine and get 5 dollars off a bottle.

Alabama Senate Passes the Alabama Taxpayer Protection and Assistance Act

Hurah! I am excited that the AL Senate has passed this act (unanimously!) and have high hopes that the House will do the same. This Act seeks to ensure that 1) if you are paying someone to do your taxes for you, they are qualified and licensed to do your taxes... so hopefully they will do your taxes correctly, and 2) tax preparers making refund anticipation loans make written disclosures to their clients.

I've been doing taxes for SaveFirst, along with Craig and several hundred other students, for two years now. Last year, I was a volunteer and certified by the IRS at the basic level, this year Craig and I (along with many others) are certified at the intermediate level and supervise tax sites. We each spend about 12 hours a week doing taxes for low-income Alabamians. It's actually pretty fun and one of my favorite things going on this semester. The goal of SaveFirst is to provide free tax preparation to low income Alabamians.

Currently, anyone can charge a fee for doing taxes in Alabama. Some businesses capitalize on the likelihood of lower income people to get a large tax rebate check, and go into the tax preparation business with the hopes of charging people exhorbitant interest rates for a "refund anticipation loan (RAL)". You get your taxes done, the preparer tells you that you are set to get back 3k from the government, and it might take the IRS awhile to mail them the check, but they can get it to you immediately. This refund anticipation loan generally has very high fees and interest rates. Also, it is a loan -- there is no guarantee that the unlicensed person doing your taxes is correct in the amount you are supposed to get back.

Refund anticipation loans capitalize on the federal government's earned income credit. The Earned Income Credit (EIC) is the federal government's largest welfare program. But most people don't see it as a welfare program because it ties in the money received with income earned. It would make sense that our society, with its value on work and personal responsibility ties in welfare payments with a tax credit. Basically, as an individual or family's income rises, the amount of EIC they get back also rises until they earn the income "cap". This year, for a family of four (two children), the income cap is 42k. On average, families get back between 2 and 3k from the federal government a year. This isn't refunded taxes, it is, essentially, a large portion of the refund is a welfare program.

Of course, I see nothing wrong with the EIC, I think it is a good system that the government has come up with -- it provides financial assistance but doesn't have a stigma associated with it like other welfare programs have. Because I'm now 25 and as a student making under the single person limit (12k), I will receive an EIC this year (though as a single person without children my EIC will be much much lower than the 2k average).

Many "entrepreneurs" target these large EIC payments with their tax preparation services. Basically, these companies or entrepreneurs are capitalizing on the federal government's welfare program at the expense of the people who are actually entitled to it.

Hopefully, this legislation will make this practice more difficult. Although it doesn't prohibit refund anticipation loans, it requires more disclosure. (However, my cynicism wonders how many people actually read the fine print in the first place?). It also requires tax preparers to be licensed.

We'll see.