Rep. Terri Sewell introduces Disaster Reforestation Act of 2021
U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell and Buddy Carter introduced H.R. 4210, the Disaster Reforestation Act of 2021. This legislation aims to help family and private timber growers recover from the loss of timber destroyed by natural disasters and reforest their lands. Rep. Sewell stated in a press release, “Alabama’s beautiful forests keep our economy, our environment, and our people healthy, but when disaster strikes, our private forest owners are often left devastated and without the ability to quickly recover. By fixing our tax code, the Disaster Reforestation Act offers a helping hand to Alabama’s private forest owners as they work to reforest after natural disasters. I am so proud to introduce this legislation and urge my colleagues to support it.” On Twitter, Sewell stated, “Our beautiful Alabama forests keep our economy, environment, and people healthy. We must ensure that our tax code helps forest landowners recover after devastating natural disasters. My Disaster Reforestation Act would do exactly that!” Our beautiful Alabama forests keep our economy, environment, and people healthy. We must ensure that our tax code helps forest landowners recover after devastating natural disasters.🌳 My Disaster Reforestation Act would do exactly that! Read more here: https://t.co/yZSgcK8OcL pic.twitter.com/vBi1hqg1Oi — Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) June 29, 2021 Rep. Carter commented, “Forestry is a vital part of rural economies all across our country. Unfortunately, the current tax code provides no recourse for working forests struck by natural disasters. I’m proud to work with Congresswoman Sewell and our partners from across the country to address this issue. The Disaster Reforestation Act will ensure timber farming is a viable way of life, protecting the many jobs and consumer products it supports and its positive impact to our environment.” Alabama’s private forest landowners face immense financial burdens when needing to reforest their lands after a natural disaster, especially families and small timber companies. The Disaster Reforestation Act would reduce this financial burden by providing for the equitable tax treatment of casualty loss of their timber crop when disaster strikes. In doing so, it would foster stability and growth in one of Alabama’s key industries and promote environmental wellness through reforestation. “This legislation is key in helping family forest owners recover after natural disasters and keeping Alabama’s forests as forests,” stated Gray Skipper, Alabama Landowner and VP of Scotch Plywood Company. “This will ensure the forest products consuming mills have trees in the future to maintain local economies. It will also ensure these forests, some of which are the most biologically diverse in the country, can continue sequestering carbon, supporting at-risk species, providing the clean water supply, and recreation for Gulf communities.” Chris Isaacson, President and CEO of Alabama Forestry Association commented, “Alabama’s 23 million acres of healthy forests supply the raw material for the state’s $28 billion forest industry that creates jobs for 123,000 Alabama workers. The investment required by forest landowners over the decades from planting to harvest is at constant risk from natural disasters. Under the current tax code, when disaster strikes landowners lose twice. They lose their timber and they lose the ability to deduct the value of the timber damaged. We are grateful that Congresswoman Sewell recognizes this inequity and applaud her for taking a leadership role in helping landowners and their local communities recover.” “America’s forest landowners have been waiting for this vital fix in the tax code and are appreciative of Representative Sewell and Carter’s efforts to introduce the Disaster Reforestation Act,” said Scott Jones, CEO of the Forest Landowners Association.“The legislation will not only help timber owners recover from natural disasters but will stimulate rural economies and support our nation’s domestic timber supply.” The Disaster Reforestation Act has received support from national forestry stakeholders including: The Forest Landowners Association The Southern Group of State Foresters The American Forest Foundation The National Association of State Foresters The Society of American Foresters F&W Forestry Services The Association of Consulting Foresters The National Alliance of Forest Owners
Jeff Sessions picks up key state and national endorsements in US Senate run-off
Jeff Sessions picked up multiple endorsements over the last several days in his bid to win back his old U.S. Senate seat in the run-off between he and Tommy Tuberville. We have included some below. The Alabama Forestry Association: The Alabama Forestry Association, a noted, leading conservative group in Alabama, today announced its endorsement of Jeff Sessions for the United States Senate. “We are proud to endorse former Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the United States Senate race. He served the people of Alabama in this seat for 20 years. He represented the people of Alabama’s interest and values then and we feel confident that he will do the same this go around,” said AFA Executive Vice President Chris Isaacson. “I am proud to be endorsed by the Alabama Forestry Association. They have been stalwart partners in the fight to protect and defend Alabama’s conservative values. This is a time of great peril for Alabama and the nation, and we must have a Senator representing us who knows every inch of this state and who can vigorously defend Alabama’s interests,” stated Sessions. In its statement, the Alabama Forestry Association notes that it has been proud to stand with Senator Sessions in conservative battles through the years. Over the past 25 years, the Association has endorsed Senator Sessions for every political office that he has sought. The Association made the decision on Wednesday, March 11th, to endorse Senator Sessions. Please see attached for the Alabama Forestry Association’s letter of endorsement. Eagle Forum PAC: Eagle Forum Founder Phyllis Schlafly repeatedly called Jeff Sessions “our favorite Senator”. Eagle Forum PAC is honored to endorse him in the Alabama run-off election for the U.S. Senate on March 31, 2020. Eagle Forum President Eunie Smith stated, “For twenty years Eagle Forum actively worked with then Sen. Jeff Sessions on issues affecting the family, such as pro-life, immigration, national defense, and religious liberty measures. In every case we watched Sen. Sessions use his legal expertise and his legislative experience in agreement with Eagle Forum’s positions. He was a leader for Constitutionalist judges, against amnesty and for constructive immigration reform.” Mr. Sessions has served the people of Alabama in various roles throughout his lifetime. His career in law significantly prepared him for his role as a U.S. Attorney, Alabama Attorney General, U.S. Senator, and his most recent position as Attorney General of the United States. As Attorney General, Mr. Sessions again welcomed our input. He actively championed Constitutional principles through, for example, task forces and directives upholding religious liberty and confronting human trafficking. At this critical time when America is so divided, we need Jeff Sessions’ reliable voice to champion sound policy for the future of our state and our nation. America needs this proven public servant, this seasoned statesman, who not only knows Alabama as a lifelong resident, but has a working knowledge of conservative issues, the process, and the players in Washington, D.C. so he can hit the ground running.
