Richard Shelby announces $12.5 million for statewide airport infrastructure upgrades
Senator Richard Shelby announced today that 25 local airports throughout Alabama will benefit from more than $12.5 million in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for various airport improvements to support infrastructure construction and safety advances. “I am pleased that DOT recognizes the importance of investing in these 25 airports,” stated Shelby. “The state of Alabama’s aviation industry is rapidly growing, and these safety and security advancements and infrastructure upgrades will be transformative. I look forward to seeing how this $12.5 million helps many of our airports better serve their communities and contribute to local economies.” The FAA grants are administered through the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which was funded in the FY22 annual appropriations package that was signed into law in March. The 26 grants were awarded to 25 local airports in Alabama, amounting to $12,508,131 for the following airport projects: Huntsville Executive Airport-Tom Sharp Jr. Field, Huntsville, Alabama – $1,575,000 to construct, extend and improve a safety area Greensboro Municipal Airport, Greensboro, Alabama – $1,063,373 to rehabilitate a runway Dothan Regional Airport, Dothan, Alabama – $1,022,974 to reconstruct a taxilane Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, Birmingham, Alabama – $1,003,180 to construct, extend, and improve a safety area Florala Municipal Airport, Florala, Alabama – $850,000 to construct an apron and taxiway Montgomery Regional Airport-Dannelly Field, Montgomery, Alabama – $800,720 to conduct a study and rehabilitate runway and taxiway lighting Southwest Alabama Regional Airport, Thomasville, Alabama – $716,400 to construct a new airport Gulf Shores International Airport-Jack Edwards Field, Gulf Shores, Alabama – $670,000 to conduct a study and reconstruct taxiway lighting Wetumpka Municipal Airport, Wetumpka, Alabama – $560,285 to reconstruct a taxilane Carl Folsom Airport, Elba, Alabama – $540,263 to reconstruct a taxilane Marion County-Rankin Fite Airport, Hamilton, Alabama – $461,827 to install perimeter fencing Thomas C Russell Field Airport, Alexander City, Alabama – $461,238 to expand an apron and reconstruct a taxilane South Alabama Regional Airport-Bill Benton Field, Andalusia, Alabama – $457,163 to seal runway and taxiway pavement surface and pavement joints Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, Birmingham, Alabama – $360,000 to acquire an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle Sylacauga Municipal Airport-Merkel Field, Sylacauga, Alabama – $300,000 to acquire land for development Craig Field Airport, Selma, Alabama – $263,584 to strengthen a taxiway Jackson Municipal Airport, Jackson, Alabama – $210,000 to rehabilitate a taxiway Ozark Airport-Blackwell Field, Ozark, Alabama – $185,571 to seal apron pavement surface and pavement joints Talladega Municipal Airport, Talladega, Alabama – $166,053 to rehabilitate a taxiway H. L. Sonny Callahan Airport, Fairhope, Alabama – $150,000 to acquire land for development Monroe County Aeroplex Airport, Monroeville, Alabama– $150,000 to update the airport master plan Roanoke Municipal Enloe Airport, Roanoke, Alabama $150,000 to install an airport beacon Cullman Regional Airport-Folsom Field, Cullman, Alabama $148,500 to update the airport master plan Anniston Regional Airport, Anniston, Alabama – $108,000 to improve airport drainage and erosion control Foley Municipal Airport, Foley, Alabama – $72,000 to update the airport master plan Bay Minette Municipal Airport, Bay Minette, Alabama – $62,000 to install perimeter fencing
Kay Ivey names Jeff Smitherman as Alabama EMA acting Director
On Wednesday, Gov. Kay Ivey announced she has appointed emergency management veteran and West Point alumnus Jeff Smitherman as Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) acting director. Current AEMA Director Brian Hastings is taking a new opportunity and will lead the agency through Friday, May 20. Smitherman will take the helm Saturday, May 21. “Alabama knows better than most the need to be prepared always and to be ready to respond efficiently in emergency situations, and our Emergency Management Agency plays a major role in that. I thank Director Hastings for his service to the state the last nearly five years and am now proud to appoint Jeff Smitherman to lead the agency,” stated Ivey. “Jeff is no stranger to emergency management, from his time serving our country and state in the Army to his several years at the Alabama EMA, he is more than qualified. I am confident Jeff will bring a steady hand, vast knowledge, and a servant’s attitude to this role.” Smitherman currently serves as the executive operations officer at AEMA. Prior to that, he was the director of operations. Before beginning his tenure at AEMA, Smitherman held leadership positions with the Alabama National Guard. “I am both honored and humbled to be asked by Governor Ivey to lead this agency as the acting director. This agency has a critical mission in the state, and I will strive to continue the great work that this staff performs every day for the citizens of Alabama,” said Smitherman. “The state’s emergency management system, with all its stakeholders, is recognized nationally as one of the best. I will work with the governor, her staff, and the outstanding staff at the agency to continue to uphold the highest standards for the citizens of this great state.”
Anti-gambling coalition urges Kay Ivey to reject gambling legislation for any 2022 special sessions
This year, the Alabama legislature considered but did not pass any bills to expand gambling in the state. This year Gov. Kay Ivey told 1819 News that her greatest regret of the 2022 Alabama Regular Session was that gambling legislation did not pass. “I was disappointed that they did not get the gambling bill passed,” Ivey said. “Not that I am so much for gambling, but I do think the people of Alabama ought to have the right to make that decision. I wish that had passed the legislature so that people could vote it up or down in November.” That statement prompted an anti-gambling coalition to urge Gov. Ivey to avoid bringing the gambling issue up during any special sessions in 2022. According to a press release from the group, it has been reported that $1.5M “dark money” has recently been contributed to Governor Ivey’s re-campaign for governor. The group says it’s been rumored that at least half of that money was donated by pro-gambling organizations. In April, WBRC reported that Ivey’s largest donor, Get Families Back to Work, contributed two $750,000 contributions to her campaign. It’s the largest single donation Ivey’s received since 2013. Additionally, the group pointed out that PCI (Poarch Creek Indians) never stopped advocating or advertising for gambling expansion, even though the regular legislative session ended April 8th. The Alabama Legislature and Alabama voters have rejected gambling at the ballot box. Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Glenn Murdock stated, “Our founders understood how destructive gambling is for families and communities and included a blanket prohibition against it in Alabama’s constitution. As a legal and practical matter, if that clause is removed from our constitution to allow a lottery, it will open the door to all forms of Las Vegas-style gambling throughout Alabama.” The group is calling on Ivey to resist pressure from big-money donors and gambling operators who are currently breaking state law and enforce the gambling laws that prohibit state-sponsored games of chance. The anti-gambling group includes: Eagle Forum of Alabama AL Conservative Coalition AL Christian Education Association SE Law Institute Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP) Christian Citizen Task Force Thatcher Coalition Citizens for a Better Alabama Alabama Policy Institute
AG Steve Marshall calls on Merrick Garland to enforce law prohibiting efforts to intimidate Supreme Court Justices
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is calling on U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to enforce federal law against attempts to intimidate U.S. Supreme Court Justices by protesting outside the Justices’ homes. Marshall spearheaded a letter co-signed by 23 other state attorneys general demanding that Garland take action to protect Supreme Court Justices who are increasingly the target of groups of protestors gathering outside the Justices’ homes. On Monday, the Senate passed legislation to beef up security for Supreme Court justices, as the court deliberates abortion access and whether to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. The letter states, “Following last week’s leak of a draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, pro-abortion activists have begun protesting not just outside the Supreme Court, but outside the Justices’ homes, in the hope of pressuring the Justices to change their votes. As a former federal judge and the current head of the Department of Justice, you must surely appreciate the unique risks to both judges and the rule of law when judges are targeted at their homes. That is why Congress has long barred ‘picket[ing] or parad[ing]’ near a judge’s home ‘with the intent of interfering with, obstructing, or impeding the administration of justice.’ We the undersigned Attorneys General act daily to uphold the rule of law. These remarkable recent events provide you an opportunity to do the same.” The attorneys general argued that Garland was not shy about using his authority to address parents voicing their opinions to school boards. Yet, when U.S. Supreme Court Justices and their families are being illegally harassed at their homes, he has remained silent. “You were quick to respond to the purported ‘threat’ of parents speaking out at local school board meetings (though the basis for your threat assessment was shaky to say the least). Here, in the face of escalating extremism directed at the judicial branch, you have an obvious role to play,” the letter states. “Congress recognized that pressuring judges to change their votes by protesting outside their homes directly threatens the rule of law. You profess to share those concerns, having unequivocally stated that attacking a courthouse ‘to prevent judges from actually deciding cases’ plainly constitutes ‘domestic extremism, domestic terrorism.’ You can and should act accordingly by faithfully executing federal law to prevent protestors from attempting to intimidate the Justices of the Supreme Court, both to protect the Justices and to safeguard the rule of law.” Attorney General Marshall was joined by attorneys general from Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Katie Britt campaign releases newest ad titled ‘Monopoly Money’
The campaign for Senate hopeful Katie Britt announced the release of her latest video ad titled “Monopoly Money.” The 30-second ad underlines what Britt calls her commitment to combatting wasteful spending and balancing the federal budget. Britt has previously released a policy memo regarding tackling the national debt and slashing careless spending. “Joe Biden’s radical agenda and disastrous decisions are crushing Alabama families, small businesses, farmers andretirees,” stated Britt. “Inflation has skyrocketed, and Democrats’ out-of-control spending continues to pour fuel on the fire. We need to take some Alabama common sense to Washington by working to balance the budget and stop driving down the value of Alabamians’ hard-earned money. In the Senate, I’ll fight to end the reckless spending, achieve American energy independence to reduce fuel costs, and put more money back in the pockets of people in every corner of Alabama.” Britt has been endorsed by the Home Builders Association of Alabama, the Alabama Farmers Federation’s FarmPAC, the Alabama Retail Association, Manufacture Alabama, the Automobile Dealers Association of Alabama, the Alabama Forestry Association, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama, the League of Southeastern Credit Unions, the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association, University of Alabama Crimson Tide legend Siran Stacy, and Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson. Britt is a first-time candidate and grew up working at several small businesses. She has spent the majority of her career in the private sector. She is a native of Coffee County, and her husband, Wesley, is from Cullman County. They now live in Montgomery with their two children, Bennett and Ridgeway.
Senate bid to save Roe v. Wade falls to GOP-led filibuster
The Senate fell far short Wednesday in a rushed effort toward enshrining Roe v. Wade abortion access as federal law, blocked by a Republican filibuster in a blunt display of the nation’s partisan divide over the landmark court decision and the limits of legislative action. The almost party-line tally promises to be just the first of several efforts in Congress to preserve the nearly 50-year-old court ruling, which declares a constitutional right to abortion services but is at serious risk of being overturned this summer by a conservative Supreme Court. President Joe Biden said that Republicans “have chosen to stand in the way of Americans’ rights to make the most personal decisions about their own bodies, families, and lives.” Biden urged voters to elect more abortion-rights lawmakers in November and pledged in the meantime to explore other ways to secure the rights established in Roe. For now, his party’s slim majority proved unable to overcome the filibuster led by Republicans, who have been working for decades to install conservative Supreme Court justices and end Roe v. Wade. The vote was 51-49 against proceeding, with 60 votes needed to move ahead. Congress has battled for years over abortion policy, but the Wednesday vote to take up a House-passed bill was given new urgency after the disclosure of a draft Supreme Court opinion to overturn the Roe decision that many had believed to be settled law. The outcome of the conservative-majority court’s actual ruling, expected this summer, is sure to reverberate around the country and on the campaign trail ahead of the fall midterm elections that will determine which party controls Congress. Security was tight at the Capitol where Vice President Kamala Harris presided, and it has been bolstered across the street at the Supreme Court after protesters turned out in force last week following the leaked draft. Scores of House Democratic lawmakers marched protest-style to the Senate and briefly watched from the visitor galleries. Harris can provide a tie-breaking vote in the 50-50 split Senate, but that was beside the point on Wednesday. One conservative Democrat, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, voted with the Republicans, saying he supported keeping Roe v. Wade but believed the current bill was too broad. “The Senate is not where the majority of Americans are on this issue,” Harris said afterward. Over several days, Democratic senators delivered speeches contending that undoing abortion access would mean great harm, not only for women but for all Americans planning families and futures. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said that most American women have only known a world where abortion access was guaranteed but could face a future with fewer rights than their mothers or grandmothers. “That means women will not have the same control over their lives and bodies as men do, and that’s wrong,” she said in the run-up to Wednesday’s vote. Few Republican senators spoke in favor of ending abortion access, but they embraced the filibuster to block the bill from advancing. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, an architect of the effort to install conservative justices on the Supreme Court — including three during the Trump era — has sought to downplay the outcome of any potential changes in federal abortion policy. “This issue will be dealt with at the state level,” McConnell said. Some other Republicans, including Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, argue that the House-passed bill is more extreme than Roe and would expand abortion access beyond what is already the law. About half the states already have approved laws that would further restrict or ban abortions, including some trigger laws that would take effect once the court rules. Polls show that most Americans want to preserve access to abortion in the earlier stages of pregnancy, but views are more nuanced and mixed when it comes to late-term abortions. The draft court ruling on a case from Mississippi suggested the majority of conservative justices are prepared to end the federal right to abortion, leaving it to the states to decide. Whatever the Supreme Court says this summer, it will almost guarantee a new phase of political fighting in Congress over abortion policy, filibuster rules, and the most basic rights to health care, privacy, and protecting the unborn. In recent years, abortion debates have come to a political draw in Congress. Bills would come up for votes — to expand or limit services — only to fail along party lines or be stripped out of broader legislative packages. In the House, where Democrats have the majority, lawmakers approved the abortion-rights Women’s Health Protection Act last year on a largely party-line vote after the Supreme Court first signaled it was considering the issue by allowing a Texas law’s ban to take effect. But the bill has languished in the Senate, evenly split with bare Democratic control because of Harris’ ability to cast a tie-breaking vote. Wednesday’s failure renewed calls to change Senate rules to do away with the high-bar filibuster threshold, at least on this issue. The two Republican senators who support abortion access — Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who faces her own reelection in November, and Susan Collins of Maine — were also no votes, having proposed their own more tailored approach to counter the Supreme Court’s potential action. Both of the Republican senators, who voted to confirm most of former President Donald Trump’s justices, are in talks over alternatives. But Democrats have largely panned the Collins-Murkowski effort as insufficient. “I plan to continue working with my colleagues on legislation to maintain – not expand or restrict – the current legal framework for abortion rights in this country,” Collins said in a statement. Pressure is building on those two senators to join most Democrats in changing the filibuster rules, but that appears unlikely. Five years ago, it was McConnell who changed Senate rules to selectively do away with the filibuster to confirm Trump’s justices after blocking Barack Obama’s choice of Merrick Garland to fill a Supreme Court vacancy at the start of the 2016 presidential campaign, leaving the seat open for Trump to fill after he won
Novelis to build $2.5B aluminum plant near Alabama coast
An Atlanta-based company said Wednesday it plans to build a $2.5 billion aluminum plant near the Gulf Coast in southwest Alabama, where it will mainly produce metal for drink cans. Novelis Inc. said the recycling and rolling plant in Bay Minette, Alabama, will use low-carbon processes, and more than half of its capacity will go towards aluminum sheets that are used to produce beverage cans in North America. It will also produce aluminum for vehicle production. The company described the project, located about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Mobile, as the first fully integrated aluminum mill built in the United States in four decades. It will create about 1,000 jobs in Alabama’s primary beach county, Baldwin. Work has already started at the site, located near Interstate 65, and the company said it expects to begin production in 2025. Novelis, with more than $17 billion in net sales, is a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited and the main metals company of the Aditya Birla Group, a multinational conglomerate with headquarters in Mumbai. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
