Hubbert leads lobbying power

MONTGOMERY -- Alabama Education Association Executive Secretary Paul Hubbert has been called the 800-pound gorilla of state politics even though he probably weighs no more than 180 pounds.

Hubbert, 71, is in his fifth decade building relationships with House and Senate members. Most insiders in Montgomery concede that he swings the most powerful stick when it comes to influencing the legislative process.

"People believe in education and that makes (my job) a lot easier,'' Hubbert said.

Opponents might say he's no good for education, but no one doubts his effective advocacy for the 99,000 or so active, retired or college student AEA members.

Those who know him say he effectively represents teacher issues in the Legislature and defends members with lawyers as part of their dues.

"He has the ability to see what's coming around the corner or he knows when to start building the roadblock to stop what's coming around the corner,'' said Rep. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia.

"He has dues-paying teachers and school support workers in every geographical pocket of the state and in households throughout the social strata,'' said Athens State University government professor Jess Brown.

House Republican Minority Leader Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, who is also chairman of the state Republican Party, said education would be better off without the influence of Hubbert, who he considers a capable and smart man based on his legislative success.

"It is clear that the Alabama Education Association is not dedicated toward improving public education, as its name suggests,'' Hubbard said. "It is simply a labor union dedicated toward protecting the interests of its membership, no matter what the cost to the public good.''

Legally, the AEA is an association, but for all practical purposes it does act as a teachers' union except it cannot by law engage in collective bargaining.

Hubbard is not alone in his thoughts about Hubbert. The state Republican committee has passed resolutions in recent years essentially declaring war against Hubbert and AEA.

Hubbert doesn't have to bargain with 130-plus school superintendents for teacher raises and benefits; he lobbies the Legislature.

Hubbert's political action committee has money, spending $8 million during last year's election. He said his organization's bread and butter is the Legislature, where education-friendly bills and pay raises live and die.

On occasion, he said he has solicited and trained pro-teacher candidates to challenge an incumbent who is perceived as being anti-AEA.

"We've got to have an ample supply of candidates and we try to make sure we choose someone in education,'' Hubbert said. "When they come down here and oppose education, we try to support their opponent.''

Perhaps no one outside his family knows him better than former two-term AEA President Nancy Worley, a retired classroom teacher and former secretary of state.

"I've always said Paul's strength comes from his incredible vision and organizational skills,'' said Worley, who, like Hubbert, is a vice chairman of the State Democratic Executive Committee.

Worley said Hubbert was able to meld the white and black teachers organizations into one super-effective group that includes former Alabama State Teachers Association head Joe Reed as the AEA's associate executive secretary.

"It's a strength, too, that he and Joe Reed came to the AEA and were able to work together so well,'' Worley said. "That's a definite positive force for Alabama that other state affiliates have not had.''

Hubbert says he's been effective representing teachers since 1969 because he understands the system in subtle ways, knows the process, has a dedicated staff and because he doesn't lobby for anyone else.

"I simply do the job I was hired to do,'' Hubbert said.

Hubbert could have retired long ago. In 1989, he had liver transplant surgery. When he woke he told his wife, Ann, he would run for governor. He did, but lost to incumbent Republican Guy Hunt. He ran again in 1994 but lost the primary.

Hubbert has worked with seven governors. His relationship with current Gov. Bob Riley has gone stale.

"We were close the first year,'' Hubbert said their relationship in 2003. "I personally enjoyed talking with the guy, I used to anyway, but I haven't had a conversation with him for three years.''

The last conversation was during the Amendment 1 debate that Riley pushed. Voters overwhelmingly defeated the proposal to increase taxes. They both supported Amendment 1.

"But this is a new four years and he doesn't have to run again,'' Hubbert said. "We have the opportunity to work together.''

Hubbert and Riley are liable to butt heads in the upcoming session over teacher merit pay that Riley supports. Hubbert says merit pay causes discord among teachers.

Dana Beyerle can be reached at (334) 264-6605 or dtb12345@aol.com.