City of Dothan closes fiscal year with rise in sales tax
The final numbers are in and officials say the city of Dothan has experienced a 10.7 percent increase in sales tax revenue growth in the 2019 fiscal year. Overall, the city collected $74.1 million from October 2018 through September 2019— an increase of almost $7.2 million more than the previous fiscal year. The figures beat officials’ budget projections by $11.9 million. Strong sales in August bolstered remittances as business submitted more than $6 million in sales tax revenue in September. The tally represented an 11.1 percent increase over the same time frame in the 2018 fiscal year The Dothan Eagle reports Hurricane Michael’s impact played a role in the overall gains. The Category 5 storm heavily damaged several communities in adjacent counties, causing multiple hotel stays and increased shopping in Dothan. Information from: The Dothan Eagle, https://www.dothaneagle.com. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Daniel Sutter: The house that survived the hurricane
Last October, Hurricane Michael slammed the Florida panhandle with 155 mile per hour (mph) winds. Mexico Beach was largely destroyed, except for one exceptional, and now much reported on, house called the Sand Palace. Does it offer a guide for building for the future? Strengthening buildings to reduce damage from natural disasters is called mitigation, and is a topic I have researched. I can’t tell anyone how much they should spend to strengthen their home, but I can help you think about this question. Engineers can design buildings to pretty much withstand nature’s extremes.The Sand Palace was built to withstand 240 mph winds. It is built on 40-foot pilings with one foot thick concrete reinforced walls. Steel cables anchor the roof. Florida’s 2001 building code requires construction to withstand 120 mph winds, and existing homes were not required to be brought up to the code. The Sand Palace was built to survive a hurricane like Michael, while surrounding structures were not. How much extra did the hurricane-proof design cost? Owners Lebron Lackey and Russell King of Tennessee think that it added 15 to 20 percent to the cost. Let’s round up and say 20 percent. The 20 percent is added “only” to the cost of the structure, not total property value. The home for a $700,000 listing might only cost $400,000, so the added cost would be $80,000. The full cost of mitigation, though, exceeds $80,000. Hurricane-proofing altered the Sand Palace’s design, reducing the number of windows, scrapping a planned balcony, and only a small roof overhang. The design diminished the enjoyment provided by the residence and is part of the cost. Still, spending $80,000 to prevent destruction of a $400,000 home (and protect the contents and residents) sounds like a good deal. Especially if we knew the home would be struck by 155 mph winds within a year of construction. Yet hurricanes as powerful as Michael, rated at the very top of Category 4 of the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind intensity scale, are rare. Only three highest-rated Category 5 hurricanes have hit the continental United States since 1900, with only Camille striking the Gulf Coast. The Sand Palace’s engineering primarily prevents destruction from a really powerful hurricane. Yet since World War II, only two parts of the Atlantic and Gulf coast have experienced winds stronger than Michael’s. Spending $80,000 to prevent a disaster likely to never happen is less attractive. Timing also matters. While the return on the Sand Palace’s construction occurred within a year; the owners might have waited fifty years for a Michael-type storm to hit. Time is money. The money invested in mitigation, if invested in stocks or real estate, could easily have yielded enough money to replace the home after a monster hurricane fifty years in the future. Valuing mitigation involves even more details. The design will likely reduce losses from weaker hurricanes, storm surge, and tornadoes. We would also need the exact cost of hurricane-proofing for homes of different sizes and designs plus hurricane landfall probabilities by Saffir-Simpson category. The calculations can only tell if the investment is worthwhile given all the assumptions made. The value of mitigation depends on how we value protecting ourselves, our loved ones, and our possessions. Two people can reasonably disagree about whether a hurricane-proof design is worth the cost. Neither is wrong, because the values are personal. This is why building codes, I think, provide a poor way to encourage natural hazards mitigation. Building codes don’t encourage; they force everyone to build to the specified level of wind resistance. Mr. Lackey and Mr. King decided that the Sand Palace’s resilience was worth the cost, and many others will likely follow their example. Yet Florida’s 120 mph building code likely already makes many homeowners spend more on mitigation than they desire. Just because we can build homes to resist the strongest hurricanes does not mean that we should. No single level of protection is right for everyone when the values at stake are personal. ••• Daniel Sutter is the Charles G. Koch Professor of Economics with the Manuel H. Johnson Center for Political Economy at Troy University and host of Econversations on TrojanVision. The opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of Troy University.
Martha Roby fights for farmers’ inclusion in hurricane recovery efforts on House floor
A little over month ago Hurricane Michael tore through parts of Alabama, leaving devastation in its wake. On Thursday, Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep Martha Roby took to the House floor to discuss the devastation to the counties in Alabama’s Second District that were impacted by the storm. She also appealed to her colleagues to include farmers in all in hurricane recovery efforts. “Just over a month ago, Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall on the United States mainland, ravaged areas of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia… Alabama’s Second District was badly impacted in several counties in the Wiregrass region,” Roby said. She continued, “… agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Throughout my time in Congress, I have made it a priority to fight for our farmers of all commodities. I will continue to advocate for them, especially during this time of uncertainty. I want the people I represent to know that my offices stand ready to help during this challenging time… We must get this right, and we must ensure Alabama’s farmers are included in all recovery efforts.” Representative Roby recognized the agriculture community in particular and encouraged those who still need recovery assistance to contact her offices. Watch Roby’s floor speech below: The full text of Representative Roby’s remarks as prepared is below: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just over a month ago, Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall on the United States mainland, ravaged areas of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Hundreds of Americans lost everything, and more than 30 people were killed. Hurricane Michael appears to have done its worst in Panama City, Florida, and the nearby areas, but Alabama’s Second District was also badly impacted in several counties in the Wiregrass region. In fact, Hurricane Michael is the most powerful storm to ever hit Houston County according to recorded history. In my district, the agriculture community faces the most significant devastation. While the full scale of the damage to local agriculture is still being assessed, Hurricane Michael dealt a terrible blow to our cotton, timber, and peanut farmers. In the aftermath of the storm, I have traveled to the Wiregrass several times to be with our farmers and to see firsthand what they are experiencing. The devastation is heartbreaking, to say the least. The farmers in Southeast Alabama are in the midst of a very real crisis. In Alabama’s Second District, agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Throughout my time in Congress, I have made it a priority to fight for our farmers of all commodities. Their work to provide the food and fiber we depend on is vitally important. I will continue to advocate for them, especially during this time of uncertainty as we work to put the pieces back together for these hardworking men and women who have suffered tremendous loss to their livelihoods. Mr. Speaker, I want the people I represent to know that my offices stand ready to help during this challenging time. I will work with my colleagues here in Congress to provide the proper resources and assistance to our farmers. We must get this right, and we must ensure Alabama’s farmers are included in all recovery efforts. I encourage anyone in Alabama’s Second District who needs assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael to contact one of my offices today. My staff and I work for you, and we are committed to ensuring that the folks impacted know the options available to them. As we work through this season of rebuilding, I have been encouraged to see and hear about so many acts of kindness and charity in our district and throughout the Southeast. This time of recovery will not be easy, but if we continue to help each other in whatever ways we are able, we will get through this together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield back.
Doug Jones asks Donald Trump to aid Alabamians impacted by Hurricane Michael
It has been a month since Hurricane Michael ravaged parts the Yellowhammer State and communities throughout the state are still recovering. On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Doug Jones asked President Donald Trump to step in and help. Jones wrote the president a letter requesting approval for Individual Assistance (IA) grants for Alabamians who were impacted by the storm. Individual assistance makes federal funding available to individuals and households, including grants for temporary housing and home repairs. Low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs are also made available under federal individual assistance. A Major Disaster Declaration was approved last week, but it only provided Public Assistance (PA) grants. PA funds can be directed to local governments and community organizations, but cannot go to individuals who are recovering from a natural disaster. According to Jones, IA grants are vital in order for impacted Alabamians to fully recover. “The people of Alabama are grateful for the Public Assistance grants approved in the Major Disaster Declaration dated November 5, 2018, but more relief is clearly needed,” Jones wrote. “I am aware that a determination as to the availability of Individual Assistance (IA) grants is still under review, and I urge you to approve IA grants as soon as possible. The effects of Hurricane Michael have been devastating to our state, and without individual federal assistance, many areas may never fully recover.” Pointing out that neighboring counties in Florida and Georgia received IA grants, Jones went on to write, “The people and the State of Alabama are resilient, but as in Georgia and Florida, the recovery efforts in this case require resources beyond their reserves.” The full text of Jones’ letter is below: President Donald J. Trump The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: I write to thank you for the support you have provided the citizens of the State of Alabama in their efforts to recover from damage caused by Hurricane Michael in October. The people of Alabama are grateful for the Public Assistance grants approved in the Major Disaster Declaration dated November 5, 2018, but more relief is clearly needed. I am aware that a determination as to the availability of Individual Assistance (IA) grants is still under review, and I urge you to approve IA grants as soon as possible. The effects of Hurricane Michael have been devastating to our state, and without individual federal assistance, many areas may never fully recover. The supplemental materials submitted by Brian Hastings, Director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, on November 5, 2018, show that adjacent counties in the States of Georgia and Florida experienced similar impacts and have already been approved for IA grants. The people and the State of Alabama are resilient, but as in Georgia and Florida, the recovery efforts in this case require resources beyond their reserves. Thank you very much for your prompt consideration of this request. Sincerely, Doug Jones United States Senator CC: Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, Department of Homeland Security Administrator Brock Long, Federal Emergency Management Agency Ms. Gracia Szczech, Regional Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency Col. Brian Hastings, Director, Alabama Emergency Management Agency
Martha Roby: A report from the road – talking business and Hurricane Michael
With Congress out of session for an October district work period, I have taken this valuable time to be on the road in Alabama’s Second District visiting with the people I represent and sharing with them an update from Washington. I believe this time we spend together is truly invaluable. It’s so important for me to hear from local leaders, business owners, and employees about how the issues of the day impact them in their daily lives so that I can better represent their views in Congress. During this district work period, I spent time in Columbia, Headland, Dothan, Gordon, Luverne, Goshen, Opp, and Troy. Since parts of our district were ravaged by Hurricane Michael this month, I have been especially grateful for this time away from Washington to visit impacted communities to assess the damage and talk with our farmers on the ground. In Columbia, I met with Mayor Rhonda Freeman, and she updated me on the damage her town is facing. In Headland, I had lunch with a group of Henry County farmers, and we discussed agriculture recovery efforts. The farmers in our district are truly facing unprecedented losses, and I will remain engaged as we push through this rebuilding process together. In Dothan, I sat down with Chris Judah, Director of the Houston County Emergency Management Agency. In Gordon, I toured several farms to assess the Hurricane Michael damage. In Luverne, I had the opportunity to address the Crenshaw County Chamber of Commerce during a lunch meeting. We had a conversation about the numerous successes our unified government has had over the last two years. As I told the group, the American people are much better off now than we were before. While in town, I also stopped by Hicks, Inc. They’re the number one national wholesale distributor of fishing, hunting, marine, archery, and other outdoor products. I was very impressed by their extensive operations and impressive facility. In Goshen, I visited the high school to check out their career tech facility. I was blown away by the numerous outstanding opportunities that are available to students right here in our district. Did you know that most Goshen High School students graduate having already obtained an Associate degree? It’s true. The students I met while on campus were truly remarkable young men and women. In Opp, I participated in a roundtable discussion with local business leaders. We had a very productive conversation about ways we can work to bring new opportunities to Opp and the surrounding communities. While I was there, I also had the opportunity to meet former Alabama football Head Coach Mike DuBose and his wife Polly. In Troy, I met with Troy University officials, and they briefed me on a $3.2 million grant the university recently received from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This is the largest grant Troy University has received in the school’s history, and it will establish the Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences at the university. This research will focus on polymers and plastics recycling, and it will go a long way towards preparing the next generation of the workforce in this industry. We are so fortunate to have Troy University in Alabama’s Second District, and I’m always proud to learn more about the ways the school is growing and thriving. It has been a productive month so far, and I really appreciate the many individuals who took time out of their busy lives to talk with me. I am looking forward to many more opportunities to hear directly from the people I represent. My priority is always to be the very best representative of our shared beliefs that I possibly can. ••• Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.
Alabama Department of Revenue offers tax relief to Hurricane Michael victims
The Alabama Department of Revenue (ADOR) has acted quickly in announcing tax relief for Hurricane Michael victims. The tax relief measures will mirror IRS measures in the same declared disaster areas. “Our thoughts and good wishes continue to be with the millions of people who have been affected by recent disastrous storms, including Hurricane Michael,” said Revenue Commissioner Vernon Barnett. “The Alabama Department of Revenue is offering this tax relief to hopefully help ease some of the burden on victims as they begin the process of rebuilding.” ADOR will grant filing extensions to taxpayers directly affected by Hurricane Michael. Alabama taxpayers residing in areas designated as disaster areas by the federal government have until Jan. 31, 2019, to file tax returns due on or after Oct. 10, 2018, and before Jan. 31, 2019. Penalty relief will be provided during the extension period. Taxpayers seeking this Alabama tax relief should write “Michael Relief – 2018” in red ink on any state paper return/report which relies on this filing extension relief. Affected taxpayers filing electronically should contact ADOR for filing guidance. Taxpayers may contact the following ADOR offices by telephone: Individual income tax: 334-353-0602 Corporate income tax: 334-242-1200 Pass-through entities: 334-242-1033 Sales and use tax: 334-242-1490 Business privilege tax: 334-353-7923 Withholding tax: 334-242-1300 This relief will apply to eligible localities as listed in the IRS announcement, when available, at https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations. Taxpayers in localities added later to the disaster area, including those in other states, will automatically receive the same filing and payment relief. In addition, taxpayers in areas not specifically designated as disaster areas who encounter difficulty filing on time due to weather-related circumstances associated with Hurricane Michael may be eligible to request a waiver of late-filing and late-payment penalties after providing appropriate documentation to ADOR.
Martha Roby: Rebuilding together
Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall on the United States mainland, ravaged areas of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia on October 10th. While only early estimates are available at this point in time, it has been reported that more than 650,000 homes and businesses across the Southeast lost power, and 60,000 of those are in Alabama. Thus far, the Coast Guard says it has rescued 30 people, mostly from badly damaged homes. Hundreds of families lost everything, and it has been confirmed that at least half a dozen people were killed. While Hurricane Michael appears to have done its worst in Panama City, Florida, and the nearby areas, Barbour, Dale, Henry, Geneva, and Houston Counties in our district were also impacted. It could potentially take days, or even weeks, before we know the full scale of the damage, but we do know that Hurricane Michael is the most powerful storm to ever hit Houston County according to recorded history. According to The Dothan Eagle, Dothan Fire Chief Larry Williams said crew members performed 22 rescues during the storm. We’ve not yet received official word on how many injuries there are, but we have been told there are several, some of which are severe. Crews across the Wiregrass remain in search and rescue mode to date. Our farmers face significant troubles as well. While the full scale of the damage to local agriculture is still being assessed, Hurricane Michael dealt a devastating blow to cotton farmers in the area. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to view some of the cotton crop firsthand, and it was clear that our cotton farmers were set up to have a very good yield this year. Wiregrass peanut farmers are waiting to see the full extent of devastation to their crop, too. As our cotton farmers, peanut farmers, and farmers of other commodities in our district learn more about the impact of this storm on their crops, my office is eager to assist in any way and will continue to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on assistance that may be available to impacted farms. Agriculture and its related industries are the engine of our economy in Alabama’s Second District, and this catastrophic storm has unfortunately resulted in an economic setback. Hurricane Michael was an unprecedented disaster for our district and the Southeast. While the threat of severe weather is no longer hovering over us, those who live in the Wiregrass – and not to mention the people across the Florida Panhandle and parts of Georgia – are facing terrible damage. My office has been engaged with FEMA, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, the American Red Cross, and others throughout this difficult time. We stand ready to assist in whatever ways we can as we work through the aftermath of this storm. I encourage anyone who lives in Alabama’s Second District to contact my office for help, and we will do all that we can to provide assistance and point you in the right direction. We are committed to ensuring no one endures this time of rebuilding alone. Above all, please join me in praying for all those impacted by Hurricane Michael. Some families have lost their loved ones, their homes, and their livelihoods. I encourage everyone to help out with relief efforts in whatever way you can. We should all be deeply thankful for the first responders and all those working to repair the damage. This is a very, very trying and difficult time for so many people across the Southeast, and we will get through it together. ••• Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.
Donald Trump prays for hurricane victims, criticizes Democrats
As Hurricane Michael pounded Florida, President Donald Trump took shelter at a campaign event in Pennsylvania, where he sought to boost Republicans before the midterms. Trump acknowledged the hurricane at the top of his rally Wednesday night in Erie, offering his “thoughts and prayers” to those in the storm’s path and promising to “spare no effort” in the response. He promised to travel to Florida “very shortly.” He added: “We will always pull through. … We will always be successful at what we do.” Then Trump turned back to politics. With weeks to go before the critical November elections, Trump and his fellow Republicans are engaged in an all-out midterms blitz. They have been invigorated by the successful nomination of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court and are seeking to use the contentious moment to unify the GOP and stave off Democratic energy at the polls. That Trump kept his appointment in Erie underscored the importance of this effort to Republicans. Earlier in the day, Trump received a hurricane briefing at the White House on the Category 4 storm. He told reporters he faced a “quagmire” about whether to attend the Pennsylvania rally because “thousands of people” were already lined up for the event. He ultimately decided to attend, a move he criticized President Barack Obama for six years ago after Superstorm Sandy hit the East Coast. “Yesterday Obama campaigned with JayZ & Springsteen while Hurricane Sandy victims across NY & NJ are still decimated by Sandy. Wrong!” Trump tweeted on Nov. 6, 2012. On Wednesday, Trump touted two Republican congressmen, Mike Kelly and Lou Barletta. Kelly is facing a challenge from Democrat Ron DiNicola, while Barletta is mounting an uphill campaign to unseat two-term Democratic Sen. Bob Casey. The president, who attended a fundraiser before the rally, also praised GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner. Trump also celebrated Kavanaugh’s appointment amid Democratic opposition and sexual misconduct allegations against the nominee. Trump called it a “historic week,” saying, “What the radical Democrats did to Brett Kavanaugh and his beautiful family is a national disgrace.” For weeks, Trump has been escalating his attacks on Democrats. He continued that effort Wednesday, claiming that Democrats want to “impose socialism and take over and destroy American health care.” He added: “Democrats want to abolish America’s borders and allow drugs and gangs to pour into our country.” Trump also returned to one of his favorite themes — reliving his stunning 2016 victory. “Was that the most exciting evening?” he said to cheers. Trump also ticked through what he sees as his top achievements, including tax cuts and a new trade deal with Canada and Mexico. He talked about exiting the Iran nuclear deal and drew wild applause for mentioning his plans for a Space Force. Trump attacked Casey for opposing Kavanaugh’s nomination, saying he had “joined the left-wing mob.” He also accused Casey, named for his politician father, for “banking on the name of his father.” Trump’s own father, Fred, was a successful real estate developer who set his son up in business. The New York Times recently reported that Donald Trump received at least $413 million from his father over the decades, much of that through dubious tax dodges, including outright fraud. Earlier Wednesday, Trump published an op-ed in USA Today that attacked Democrats over “Medicare for All” health care proposals. In his op-ed, Trump said Democrats have moved away from centrism, claiming the “new Democrats are radical socialists who want to model America’s economy after Venezuela.” He added: “Government-run health care is just the beginning. Democrats are also pushing massive government control of education, private-sector businesses and other major sectors of the U.S. economy.” Trump’s attack on Medicare for All omits any mention of improved benefits for seniors that Democrats promise. Medicare for All means different things to different Democrats. The plan pushed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent who challenged Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, would expand Medicare to cover almost everyone in the country, and current Medicare recipients would get improved benefits. Other Democratic plans would allow people to buy into a new government system modeled on Medicare, moving toward the goal of coverage for all while leaving private insurance in place. Democrats, who think health care is a winning issue going into the midterms, also sought to focus voter attention Wednesday. In the Senate, Democrats unsuccessfully sought to scuttle Trump’s push for short-term health insurance plans, which are less expensive but provide skimpier coverage. While the vote failed, Democrats think the move will help them in November. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
State agencies at the ready: What could be Cat 3 storm
In anticipation of Hurricane Michael, which is barreling toward the the Gulf Coast, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has declared a State of Emergency. It went into effect at 3:00 pm CT. on Monday. The storm is expected to become a Category 3 hurricane by the time it reaches Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday. Ivey anticipates wide-spread power outages, wind damage and debris produced by high winds and heavy rain associated with the hurricane. Flash flooding and tornadoes are also possible and parts of Alabama have been placed under tropical storm watches or warnings. “Alabama is once again in the path of a hurricane, but I know Alabamians will once again come together and be prepared for whatever Michael may bring,” Ivey said. “On the state level we are prepared, now is the time for residents in south Alabama to review your emergency preparedness plans and also get prepared. Tomorrow we will start seeing the effects of Michael and those in its path will need to take shelter by tomorrow evening. Please stay weather aware today and tomorrow for any forecast changes. Most importantly, heed all warnings and instructions from local authorities.” Ivey, along with Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) Director, Brian Hastings, will continue to monitor the track of Hurricane Michael. By declaring a State of Emergency, Ivey is directing the activation of the Alabama Emergency Operations Plan. She is also directing the appropriate state agencies to exercise their statutory authority to assist the communities and entities affected by the storm. The AEMA is also authorized to make appropriate assessments of damages following the storm. “Hurricane Michael is forecast to become a major hurricane and it will produce wide-spread power outages and debris that will challenge our response and recovery in the southern and Wiregrass counties. Alabamians should always be prepared, but everyone needs to make final preparations now to be ready for Hurricane Michael,” Hastings explained. “I am concerned about the cone of uncertainty as Hurricane Michael is leaning west today. Residents and businesses in coastal Alabama must be vigilant and closely monitor the storm’s path and be prepared for a major hurricane.” The National Hurricane Center is warning of “life-threatening storm” surge that could reach 8 to 12 feet in hardest-hit areas. Hurricane #Michael continues to strengthen over the southern Gulf of Mexico. Here are the updated 10 PM CDT Key Messages for Hurricane #Michael. https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/6x3a1wjqfi — National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 9, 2018 Alabamians can text “ALALERT” to 888777 to receive information for Hurricane Michael from the AEMA.
