Kay Ivey’s office evaluating Trump unemployment plan
There are many unknowns about the Trump’s plan announced over the weekend, including if he has the power to extend benefits by executive order.
Legislature approves Kay Ivey plan for $1.8 billion COVID relief cash
Legislative leaders will get advance notice of large expenditures but have no power to stop it.
Ivey administration inches forward on plan to lease prisons
Ivey’s office said they are now in a “confidential proposal evaluation period.”
Marsh’s office: COVID-19 money won’t be used for Statehouse
Spending $200 million for a new Statehouse was on a wish list.
Del Marsh: New statehouse with COVID cash should be discussed
Marsh said the Statehouse construction idea isn’t a priority but could be discussed if funds are left over.
No votes on virus liability, health officer power bills
Lawmakers agreed to limit the abbreviated legislative session to state budgets, local bills and a school bond issue.
Lawmakers return for shortened session
Only 60 members of the 105-member House answered roll.
Del Marsh seeks COVID-19 money for broadband
Marsh said that he hoped to put $800 million from an estimated $1.7 billion in federal relief dollars for broadband access.
Dozens of VA home virus cases; State loses abortion appeal
Appellate judges ruled Alabama, at least for now, cannot limit abortions during the virus outbreak.
Lawmakers break session; Group urges state to resume paroles
Lawmakers met briefly in Montgomery in order to approve the break until April 28.
Kay Ivey kicks off 2020 Census
Governor Kay Ivey kicked off the 2020 census today with Alabama Counts! Chairman Kenneth Boswell, Senate Pro Tempore Del Marsh, House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, State Sen. Bobby Singleton, and Marilyn Stephens of the Census Bureau’s Atlanta Region Research. For the first time in the nations history, the Census is now live online at my2020Census.gov. Additionally, invitation letters have begun and will continue to arrive across the state through March 20. Alabamians can participate in the 10-question Census online, by phone or via traditional paper form. All participants’ information is protected by strict federal law. Ivey said, “Since I took office in 2017, it has been a priority to ensure Alabama is accurately counted in the census because of the significant impacts on our state in areas of congressional representation and critical federal funding. Whether you are filling out your census online at my2020Census.gov, answering by phone or on the traditional paper form, I urge everyone to be counted! The future of our state depends on Alabamians taking just a few minutes to participate in the 2020 Census.” According to the governors office, “Speakers reiterated what the state stands to lose if Alabama’s count fails to reach a maximum level and falls shy of the 72 percent participation rate in the 2010 Census. Potential low-participation effects including the loss of millions of dollars in Census-derived community funding, loss of potential economic development opportunities, and reduced state representation in Congress.” Chairman Boswell added he and 2020 Census Committee Members statewide encourage participation as soon as invitation letters are received and by April 30; however, there will be a second push for participation in the months following for those Alabamians who have yet to engage. “The impact of this census will be felt for 10 years, so it is imperative that we all do our part and participate for our children, grandchildren, communities and schools,” said Boswell, who is director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. “We are counting on all Alabamians to participate in the 2020 Census.” “The census asks very basic demographic information and only takes about six minutes to complete, so we encourage everyone living or staying in Alabama to complete the census as soon as you receive your invitation from the Census Bureau,” Boswell said. “By filling it out as soon as possible, you can fulfill your civic duty and help our state.” Additional information on Census 2020, Alabama-specific statistic, local community resources and Alabama Counts! campaign assets can be found at census.Alabama.Gov.
Alabama local/state Coronavirus updates (March 12)
This is our third in a series of collective Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates from around the state. You can find the first here and the second here. This update includes statements from Secretary of State John Merrill, the state senate, and from Auburn University and Samford We will update this post throughout the day as more notices become available. For up to the minute and detailed information from the Alabama Department of Public Health please visit their resource center here. For information from the Center for Disease Control that includes mitigation strategies visit their website here. Download full CDC Mitigation Strategy pdf here. Download CDC at home care guidance for those who have coronavirus but do not require hospitalization here. As of 2:40pm central there are still no confirmed cased of coronavirus in Alabama. However, the big caveat to this is also that there has been limited testing. State Senate: On Thursday the Alabama Senate approved a $5 million supplemental appropriation to the budget to combat the spread of COVID-19, commonly referred to as Coronavirus, in Alabama. These funds will help supplement the Federal funding which totals $8.1 million to this date. The money is for health care professionals to use as they see fit to stop the spread of the disease in Alabama including helping set up local centers for testing, covering expenses related to telehealth and covering the costs for the uninsured for testing and treatment. Currently there have been no positive tests for Coronavirus in Alabama, however after meeting with professionals in the healthcare industry and public health officials, legislative leadership determined it was important to be proactive and work to get the situation under control should any tests in Alabama come back positive for the disease. Both Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh (R-Anniston) and Senate Majority Leader Greg Reed (R-Jasper) emphasized that if someone is not feeling well, they should contact their physician to administer next steps and determine if further testing is necessary. “I want to thank Governor Ivey and her team for taking this issue head on. One of the biggest problems we have seen from this disease is simply a lack of preparation,” Marsh said. “It is important for everybody to know that Alabama has a solid plan to combat Coronavirus. I cannot stress enough that if someone feels as though they need to be tested for Coronavirus they should contact their doctor to work through the next steps.” “Over the past several days legislative leadership has held a series of meetings with the Governor and her Coronavirus Task Force, as well as with health care professionals who are on the front lines of combating this pandemic,” Reed said. “It is important to know that we have test kits and tests are being administered and we have excellent health care professionals who are prepared to act. One important thing to note is that we are setting up the ability to contact doctors with telehealth so that next steps can be decided over the phone or video chat to limit the potential of exposure to this illness,” Reed said. “In response to the pandemic that has been going around the nation and the world, this supplementary spending bill is a way for the State of Alabama to be proactive and show our citizens that we are serious about fighting the spread of the coronavirus,” said Alabama Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro). “Although we have not had a positive test in the state, we understand that this highly contagious virus could be potentially deadly for those with compromised immune systems. Therefore, we are moving forward in setting up crisis centers to protect our citizens.” Auburn University statement: Auburn University will transition from on-campus instruction to remote delivery beginning Monday, March 16 and continue through April 10 in response to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). University officials ask that students refrain from returning to campus after spring break. University officials will subsequently determine if students will return to campus for the remaining weeks of the spring semester. Auburn faculty will contact students on steps they should take to continue their academic coursework. The university will continue normal operations, although departments and units should utilize remote work and “social distancing” as appropriate. “The Auburn Family faces many unknowns about this virus,” said Auburn University President Jay Gogue. “We are taking these unprecedented steps based on our utmost concern for the health and well-being of Auburn students, faculty and staff. In the meantime, we continue working with public health and emergency preparedness officials to make decisions in the best interest of the campus community and to help stop the spread of COVID-19.” Other university actions: All university events, including sporting events, are canceled through April 10, ensuring appropriate “social distancing” and helping prevent the potential spread of the virus. All university domestic and international travel is suspended through April 10. Dining facilities, libraries and residence halls will be closed through April 10. University officials will make arrangements for international students and others who are unable to return home. Students who have specific questions should contact the Division of Student Affairs. Decisions have not yet been made on spring commencement, summer study abroad programs or other events and activities beyond April 10. The university medical clinic remains open. Those exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should immediately call the Auburn Medical Clinic at 334-844-9825 before visiting the clinic. University officials will make arrangements for students who do not have access to the technology needed for remote instruction. Students who live on campus and believe it necessary to return to campus to collect personal items should first contact the Office of University Housing at housing@auburn.edu. John Merrill, Secretary of State: Our plan for changes in the elections process, if necessary, will be revealed at the appropriate time. Our intentions are to ensure a safe and secure election and provide accountable results in a manner that is transparent to the people of our state. We will continue to do so as we
