Katie Britt and Pete Ricketts want Senate to remain in session until all appropriations bills are passed
On Thursday, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) announced that she has joined Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska) and 15 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) to keep the U.S. Senate in session until all 12 of the appropriations bills have been debated on the floor and passed. To this point, Schumer has resisted bringing the appropriations bills to the floor even though they have all passed out of the Appropriations Committee. The federal government narrowly averted a shutdown at the end of the fiscal year last weekend with a 45-day continuing resolution (CR) that will run through November 17. “We urge you to modify the Senate calendar so that we remain in session Monday through Friday every week until all 12 fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills are passed in the Senate and House and signed into law by President Biden,” the Senators wrote. “The House of Representatives has already taken the step to forgo their October recess, and the Senate must follow suit. While valuable work is done while Senators are back in their home states, it is imperative that we remain in D.C. until our appropriations work can be completed. That is what the American people expect and deserve of us.” “The continuing resolution extended government funding until November 17,” the Senators continued. “That allows seven weeks for the Senate to consider the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bills. The past nine weeks make it clear that we cannot afford to take a weekday off, much less a weeklong recess, with so much work to be completed in such a condensed time.” “My colleagues and I have worked hard this year to advance all 12 individual appropriations bills out of committee through regular order,” the Senators continued. “However, in order to enact judicious, strategic, transparent, and accountable spending measures that benefit the American people, it’s incumbent on Senator Schumer to utilize a novel concept – actually making the Senate work,” said Senator Britt. “Alabamians know this is simply common sense, but that is unfortunately uncommon in Washington, D.C.” Joining Senators Britt and Ricketts in sending the letter were Senators Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), John Thune (R-South Dakota), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi). The 2023 fiscal year ended on September 30, and Congress still has not passed the 2024 budget. If the current 45-day CR runs out without Congress having passed a budget or another CR, then the federal government will have to shut down non-essential services. Majority Leader Schumer has scheduled the Senate to be in recess until October 16. The Senate was also not in session the entire month of August, even though budgets had not been passed. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com
EPA announces investigation of possible racial discrimination over Alabama’s distribution of sewer funds
The Hill is reporting that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Wednesday that it has opened an investigation into possible racial disparities in how the state of Alabama’s Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has distributed federal sewer dollars. The complaints specifically allege that ADEM failed to conduct proper outreach to disadvantaged communities. The accusation is that ADEM deprives Black residents of “an equal opportunity to compete for federal funding.” ADEM and the State of Alabama have denied committing any wrongdoing and say it has “made addressing the wastewater and drinking water needs of disadvantaged communities a priority” in awarding federal funds. While claiming to be small government conservatives, the state has eagerly gobbled up billions of dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and infrastructure bills, much of it ostensibly to address failing drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater system problems. When the State Legislature appropriated the ARPA money, they tasked ADEM with allocating the money for the specific projects – most of it through a competitive grant program that cities, counties, and public utilities could apply for. In 2021, there was an investigation into Lowndes County’s longstanding wastewater problems, which left some residents with sewage in their yards. That case was settled earlier this year and required Alabama’s Department of Public Health to create a plan to improve access to adequate sanitation in Lowndes County. Taking federal funds usually comes with “federal strings attached,” and the state of Alabama has a poor working relationship with the Biden Administration, so an investigation by the Biden EPA – which is also challenging the state and ADEM over ADEM’s plan to bury coal ash ponds – is tinged with political undertones. The EPA gave little information about the investigation outside of the announcement that the EPA has launched an investigation and that ADEM denies any wrongdoing. This is a developing story that Alabama Today is closely following. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Jim Hill endorses Supreme Court candidate Chris McCool
Judge Chris McCool spoke recently at a meeting of the St. Clair Republican Party meeting. McCool, a Republican, presently serves on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. He is running for an open spot on the Alabama Supreme Court. State Representative Jim Hill (R-Odenville), a former circuit judge and the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced McCool. “He lives on the same farm he grew up on,” Hill said of McCool. “He has been married for thirty years and has four children. He is a former District Attorney.” “He graduated from the University of Alabama summa cum laude,” Hill said. “With those kinds of credentials, he could have gone to any of the biggest law firms in the country or gone to Wall Street. He didn’t go to Wall Street; he went back to Gordo.” “I wholeheartedly endorse him to be on the Alabama Supreme Court,” Rep. Hill said. McCool serves on the Court of Criminal Appeals with former St. Clair County District Attorney Richard Minor and former Jefferson County Judge Bill Cole. Cole was also in attendance, asking voters to reelect him to the Court of Criminal Appeals. “Judge Cole, Judge Minor, and I ran together for the Court of Criminal Appeals. Now they are three of my best friends,” McCool said. McCool said that Associate Justice Sara Stewart is running for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Tom Parker cannot run again because of the state’s judicial age limits. McCool explained, “Justice Sara Stewart is running for chief justice. I am running for the open associate justice position she is vacating.” “I was born on a farm ten miles north of Gordo,” said McCool. “I ran it when my daddy got sick. I still manage it.” “I started out in private practice in Gordo,” McCool said. “I was the only attorney in Gordo.” “I was a prosecutor for 24 years,” McCool explained. “I have prosecuted everything from capital murder to hunting from a public road.” McCool said that the game wardens insisted on bringing the hunting from a public road case to trial against his advice. They lost. “You aren’t going to win one of those in Lamar County,” McCool said. McCool said that his experience as a district attorney and an appellate judge means that when a criminal case comes before the Supreme Court, “We know what we are looking at. If I am elected, I will have the most expertise of any justice up there in the criminal system.” “This is why I am running,” McCool said. “I believe it is important that we have judges and justices that have a conservative judicial philosophy.” “You don’t need judges that go up there that will legislate from the bench,” McCool said. “The United States Supreme Court is kicking issues back to the state that should have been in the state legislatures from the beginning. One of these is the Dobbs decision.” “I believe in standing on what the law says – the black words on the page,” McCool said. “We have a good Supreme Court with a conservative judicial philosophy, and I want to keep it that way,” Republican qualifying begins on October 16. Contact Chairman Freddie Turrentine if interested in qualifying to run for a county office in 2024. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the St. Clair County Republican Party is in January. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Jared Norrell: A solution for Alabama’s biggest challenge
Home to the civil rights movement, the Crimson Tide, a robust agriculture industry, and much more, Alabama has left an indelible mark on the history and future trajectory of the United States. While we are deeply proud of our leadership and contributions to America here in the Yellowhammer State, our public health is lagging. Only three states have a higher disease frequency and mortality rate than Alabama, and just two states have a lower life expectancy. We also suffer from extremely high rates of heart disease and opioid abuse. Moreover, we have one of the worst healthcare systems in the nation, and we spend less on healthcare per resident than any other state in the country. Altogether, this makes Alabama particularly vulnerable to public health emergencies like COVID-19 and the opioid epidemic, which overwhelmed our healthcare providers and wreaked havoc on thousands of our families. While I am concerned about our state’s capacity to adequately respond to future public health emergencies, I am optimistic we can be prepared if we take advantage of the new resources at our disposal. Philips and the Department of Defense (DoD) have successfully harnessed the power of artificial intelligence to develop an algorithm that can detect COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses days before symptoms arise. The Rapid Analysis of Threat Exposure (RATE) algorithm has already been commercialized into conveniently worn devices like off-the-shelf wearables, with more products being developed as we speak. Through RATE, countless individuals can finally be proactive as opposed to reactive against extremely dangerous and unpredictable viruses. Imagine being able to quarantine before you have had the opportunity to spread the virus to your loved ones. RATE’s benefits are so profound that the United States Military is already relying on it to detect and suppress the spread of infections across personnel. In addition, RATE has been instrumental in informing troop readiness for deployments, helping officers further understand the health and preparedness of personnel before making tactical deployment decisions. These factors have contributed to Congress’ recent announcement of an additional ten million dollars for Philips and DoD to continue expanding RATE’s capabilities. This is a welcome first step, but more is needed, and we have one of the best Representatives in Congress to build on this momentum. For 20 years, we have been represented by Congressman Mike Rogers, a consistent force who has delivered for this community time after time. Congressman Rogers has been a great friend of Southern Preparatory Academy, the official military school for the state of Alabama, which I was proud to lead for so many years. As Chair of the Armed Services Committee and former Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, you will not find a member of Congress more dedicated to public safety and bolstering our military than Congressman Rogers. I am confident he will use his platform in D.C. to ensure innovative programs like RATE and others that support the military and our public health receive the support they need to reach their full potential. Alabamians are resilient, a trait we have demonstrated over a deep history of leadership and perseverance. Improving our state’s public health is the next great challenge at our doorstep, and I know we can overcome it, achieve a healthier state, and provide another reason we are the greatest state in the nation. Jared Norrell is a retired Lt. Colonel from the United States Army and the former President of Southern Preparatory Military Academy in Camp Hill, Alabama.
Wes Allen says legal portion of redistricting process is not completed
On Thursday, the three-judge panel announced Alabama’s new congressional district map they selected for the state. Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen responded to the three-judge panel’s selection of map number three. Map three partitions the Wiregrass, Mobile County, and even Mobile City. Map one, also partitioning Houston County, had been the most popular among the plaintiffs, while two was the least popular choice. The State of Alabama opposed all three of the maps. Allen and Attorney General Steve Marshall have vowed to continue to appeal. “The Office of the Secretary of State will facilitate the 2024 election cycle in accordance with the map the federal court has forced upon Alabama and ordered us to use,” said Allen. “It is important for all Alabamians to know that the legal portion of this process has not yet been completed. A full hearing on the redistricting issue will take place in the future, and I trust Attorney General Marshall to represent Alabama through that process. In the meantime, I will keep our state’s elections safe, secure, and transparent because that is what I was elected to do.” The three-judge panel ruled that the map passed in the July 2023 special session did not allow Alabama’s Black minority to select their own representative, thus violating the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The three-judge panel then appointed Richard Allen as a special master to draw new maps. The three maps all radically redrew the First and Second Congressional Districts. Republican incumbent Congressmen Jerry Carl and Barry Moore both now live in Congressional District One. Carl has announced that he will run for reelection. Moore, on the other hand, has said that he is going to wait before deciding on his future plans. The three-judge panel ordered that the maps be redrawn so that two of the seven congressional districts are majority-minority districts “or something close to it.” The Legislature refused to draw a map that complied with the court’s order, resulting in the court rejecting the state legislature’s map. The state has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court; however, both the three-judge panel and the Supreme Court have refused to stay the court-ordered redistricting while the state appeals the ruling of the lower court, citing their belief that the state is unlikely to prevail in its appeal. Thursday’s announcement brings clarity for voters and candidates. Democratic qualifying began last Friday, while Republican qualifying does not begin until October 16. The major party primary will be on March 5. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Gov. Kay Ivey awards grant for child safety campaign involving vehicles
Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $127,780 grant to prevent the accidental death and injury of children left in hot vehicles. The grant will enable Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham to conduct a statewide campaign to remind parents and caretakers that leaving children alone in vehicles, even for a short time, can have severe consequences. “The loss of a child’s life due to being carelessly left alone in a hot vehicle is an unspeakable tragedy that sadly continues to occur across this nation,” said Gov. Ivey. “This grant will perform a vital role in enabling Children’s of Alabama to conduct a public awareness campaign to drive home the critical message that children must never be left unattended in vehicles. Young lives are at stake.” According to Children’s, pediatric vehicular deaths due to heatstroke are a leading cause of vehicle-related deaths in children in the United States. The medical center, through its Health Education and Safety Center, will conduct safety and public awareness campaigns to reinforce its message. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey and Children’s of Alabama in this life-saving campaign,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, victim programs, economic development, water resource management, energy conservation, and recreation.
Federal judges select new congressional map for Alabama
By Steve Wilson | The Center Square A three-judge panel chose the new congressional map for Alabama in an order issued Thursday that creates a second Black majority district. The three U.S. judges – Stanley Marcus, Anna Manasco, and Terry Moorer – picked the third of three potential remedial plans drawn by a court-appointed special master and a cartographer. They also ordered Alabama to use the map to conduct its 2024 elections. “We conclude that Remedial Plan 3 completely remedies the likely Section Two violation we identified while best preserving the State’s legislative preferences, as expressed through the 2023 Plan, and otherwise complies with the requirements of the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965,” the order read. In the order, the judges said voting in Alabama is “extremely racially polarized,” acknowledging that the minority “opportunity” district will likely be a pickup for Democrats in 2024. The plan will carve a new 2nd District that will stretch the width of the state from from northern Mobile County to the Wiregrass region of southeastern Alabama. The remainder of Mobile and Baldwin counties will remain together in the 1st Congressional District. The judges said in their order that this district will have a Black voting age population of 48.7%, smaller than the 7th District (the state’s existing minority-majority district) with a Black population of 51.9%. Also, the judges said “splitting the Gulf Coast is necessary to remedy the vote dilution we identified.” In a previous order that compared the three plans, the court said the third plan “is the most compact of the three plans” and “has only six county splits.” They also said the third plan “retains the largest portion of the population of the city of Mobile (90.4%) and the city of Birmingham (93.3%) within a single district.” The state tried to keep maps drawn during July’s special session that kept the state with one majority Black district, but the three-judge panel (with two judges appointed by former President Donald Trump) rejected those claims last month. On June 8, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Allen v. Milligan that said Alabama’s previously-drawn map violated the Voting Rights Act and ordered new maps that create an “opportunity district” for minority voters to cast ballots for the candidates of their choice. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
