GOP House member pre-files bill to nix waivers for able-bodied SNAP work requirements
On Alabama state rep is working to get more able-bodied Alabamians off of the government rolls and back to work. Ahead of the 2018 Legislative session, State Rep. Tommy Hanes (R-Bryant) pre-filed HB6, which prohibits the Alabama Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources from requesting a waiver of federal work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents who are applicants or recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as food stamps. In 2009, the Obama administration passed a stimulus bill that allowed states to apply for waivers from regulations requiring able-bodied adults without dependents to work. Throughout former President Barack Obama‘s tenure, food stamp usage soared. In 2017, Alabama implemented laws requiring food stamp recipients work at least 20 hours per week, enroll in school, or take part in state-approved job training if they receive benefits for more than three months. Turns out the work requirements worked and the state saw large decreases in SNAP enrollment as a result of the work requirements. According to National Review, after Alabama reinstated food-stamp work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, the rolls dropped by 85 percent. Now, Hanes is looking to drop the ability to ask for waivers, to require all SNAP recipients, who don’t have dependents, to meet work requirements to continue to receive benefits — which will hopefully encourage more Alabamians to go back to work. This bill requires all able-bodied adults without dependents who are applicants or recipients of SNAP benefits to participate in minimum work requirements, provide documentation of engaging in work training, or participate in volunteer community service and would provide limited exemptions from these work requirements. If passed, it will become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by Governor Kay Ivey.
Personnel note: Rachel Burchfield joins BBA as Communications Specialist
Rachel Burchfield has joined the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) —the lead economic development organization for the Birmingham region — as a Communications Specialist. Burchfield will have a wide range of responsibilities including writing and compiling content for the BBA’s weekly and monthly newsletters and social media accounts, media relations, and creating copy for marketing materials to promote Birmingham and the activities of the BBA. Prior to her appointment at the BBA, Rachel had a career in higher education, serving as Coordinator of Greek Affairs at the University of Mississippi, Coordinator of Leadership Programming and later as a counselor for the Biomedical and Health Sciences program in the School of Health Professions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and most recently as Director of Student Engagement at Belhaven University. She has also been a freelance writer for years, writing for a variety of newspapers and magazines across the Southeast. “We are excited that Rachel has joined our team to help us market Birmingham to the world,” said Lauren Cooper, vice president of communications for the BBA. “Her experience in writing, leadership and higher education are great assets that we’ll be able to utilize in our economic development, workforce development, public policy and image enhancement efforts.” Burchfield received a BS in Journalism and Mass Communications with a minor in Leadership Studies from the University of Kansas in 2009. She went on to receive her MA in Higher Education from the University of Mississippi in 2011.
Taylor Dawson: It’s time for New Year’s resolutions
Ah, January, the make-or-break month for New Year’s resolutions. Don’t you think that our elected officials—members of the legislature, state school board, executive branch, and others—should adopt some resolutions? I’ve got a few ideas for them. 1. Commit to protecting taxpayers. Want to raise taxes? Meet them with an offset elsewhere. Want to accept additional federal funding? Ask your constituents what they think, and make sure the program for which you’ll be accepting funding won’t put the taxpayers on the hook for an additional financial burden down the road. Want to help more Alabamians find jobs and start businesses? Consider doing something about burdensome occupational licensing restrictions. Fiscal responsibility and standing strong against policies that hurt taxpayers requires resolve, but it isn’t difficult. 2. When we’re talking about matters of education, put schoolchildren first. For the longest time, matters of education in Alabama have been far too political. This year, as we look for a new state superintendent of education and the state school board continues to make decisions on programs and curriculum in our public schools, remember that the needs of our schoolchildren should come first before political games. Children’s education is one of the most important things our state can give them. Their futures deserve to be taken seriously, not sacrificed in the interest of politics. 3. Think long-term. Alabama’s elected officials are historically really good at kicking the can down the road in terms of the problems facing our state. Short-term “fixes,” like the lottery proposal to “solve” the budget “crisis” in 2016, just aren’t going to cut it anymore. Alabama is my home, and it’s a place where I want to raise my children and grandchildren. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that for those of us who share that sentiment, we’re not too happy with the idea that our future generations might have to be saddled with financial burdens that we created—or allowed to persist—during our time. 4. A year without a scandal would be the dream. I’ve sure had enough for a lifetime. Haven’t you? This is an election year, so I think—or at least I hope—that most folks in public office will use that, if no other reason, to keep their noses clean this year. We’ve all seen and learned that Alabamians are none too fond of scandals. Every state has their problems, so let’s let the national media focus somewhere else for a bit, shall we? And for the rest of us? We should resolve to ask our candidates and elected officials the tough questions, expect more from them, and hold them to the values they claim. ••• Taylor Dawson is Director of Communications for the Alabama Policy Institute (API), API is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit research and educational organization dedicated to strengthening free enterprise, defending limited government, and championing strong families. If you would like to speak with the author, please e-mail communications@alabamapolicy.org or call (205) 870-9900.
Personnel note: Todd Stacy leaves Martha Roby’s office, start news media company
Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby‘s longtime Communications Director Todd Stacy has moved on to a new business venture. Stacy had worked in Roby’s Washington, D.C. office since Sept. 2012 where he oversaw a wide range of communications activities, including daily interaction with local, state, and national media organizations. His last day was on Friday, Dec. 22, ahead of the Christmas holiday. Rather than moving over to the private sector in D.C., Stacy is heading back home to Alabama where he’s starting a news media company called the Alabama Daily News. “I appreciate all the kind words of support upon the inception of this new venture. This is something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m excited to get started!,” Stacy posted on Facebook of his new enterprise. Before joining Roby’s office, Stacy was the Communicators Director for former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard for nearly two years. Prior to that he served as Press Secretary to former Alabama Governor Bob Riley.
