UPDATE 5:33pm: Senate passes House version of the bill.
UPDATE 5:19pm: House passes Senate version of the bill.
UPDATE 4:50pm: House passes its version of the bill.
UPDATE 4:22 pm: Senate passes its version of the bill.
The bill to compensate Arthur Whitfield has reported out of the House Appropriations committee with a substitute bill. The single bill encompasses those of Bob Tata, Sal Iaquinto and Kenny Alexander. Basically, the bill calls for total compensation of $632,867, with a lump sum payment of $126,573 and an annuity of $506,294. The annuity term, originally set for 25 years, has been changed to:
with the terms of such annuity structured in Mr. Whitfield’s best interests based on consultation between Mr. Whitfield or his representatives, the Office of the Attorney General, the State Treasurer, and other necessary parties.
If I understand this correctly, this means that, while a lump sum was not offered, the annuity could have large sums paid out. And the annuity will “contain beneficiary provisions providing for the annuity’s continued disbursement in the event of Mr. Whitfield’s death.”
The dollars are not quite as large as I had hoped, but the annuity term and the beneficiary provision are good. The legislature is to be commended for getting this bill this far.
I will continue to watch the developments here and update this post as more information becomes available.
NOTE: The Senate bill is the same as the House bill.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Thank you for your insight and vigilance on this matter. It had a tremendous impact.
Glad to help!
Bloggers don’t make policy or pass laws. When will you learn this?
Uh, Andrew, what the heck are you talking about?
Your comment is seriously out of line and off-topic.
Quit being rude.
I have no idea what Andrew is referring to.
After all of the comments on this blog on the subject of Mr. Whitfield, and several of us expressing concerns that we must work within the current statutes, I must say the legislature came up with a bill that I believes addresses all of our concerns. While not perfect, I think this bill is probably the best we can do under current statutes.
I would have liked to see the maximum $$$ amount for Mr. Whitfield, because I think his case is as bad as it gets, but I suppose we will have to be satisfied with the amount.
There are a number of changes that should be considered to the law, in light of this case, but this is a good result.
And, at the risk of offending anyone, I am praying that Mr. Whitfield lives long enough to cash each and every check, and a good number of years beyond that.
I believe Andrew was trying to say that he’d be happier if he were to stomp his feet, huff & puff, make hissing sounds and hold his breath!
Clearly he has missed the last few years, where bloggers have had an enormous influence over policy and the way legislators vote! That pillow case over his head and not paying attention at the Klan meetings can really confuse some of its members!