So… Riley is cutting funds to education because BP isn’t paying a $148 million claim from the state. The Montgomery Advertiser reports that BP hasn’t handed the money over “in part, because of litigation filed by Alabama Attorney General Troy King against BP.”
I realize that this gives Riley an opportunity to heap ashes on his antagonist King, but some thoughts come to mind here. Let’s see if I can organize them.
- BP has not ruled out eventual payment.
- King tells the Advertiser that other states who have not sued have not received payment either.
- Riley on the suit filed by King: “He did it without consulting me or local officials on our coast.” That definitely speaks to the strained relationship between the two.
- Riley: “No other state’s attorney general has sued BP at this time and King’s lawsuit stopped our ability to recover these tax dollars before the end of this fiscal year.” Here’s what I don’t get. No other state has sued at this time, and those states haven’t gotten their money either. But Riley’s point is that if Alabama had not sued, Alabama would have its money, unlike any other state?
- What in this episode really offers evidence that the lawsuit is a bad idea given that 1) other states who have not sued have not received payment either, and 2) BP has not ruled out eventual payment? BP has given no assurance that they would have otherwise paid if not for the lawsuit.
- I’ll quickly concede that Troy King may have relished filing suit against Riley’s wishes, given the nature of their relationship, but may we assume that Mississippi and Louisiana also appear to be considering filing suit because they are considering the best interests of their citizenry?
Just thinking aloud…
What’s your take?
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