House passes ARPA funding legislation
On Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) appropriations legislation – House Bill 1. The legislation, House Bill 1, is sponsored by State Rep. Rex Reynolds, who chairs the powerful House Ways and Means General Fund Committee. Reynolds explained that the state had received approximately $2.1 billion in ARPA funding from the federal government. Half of that money has already been appropriated by the Legislative and is in the process of being allocated by the executive branch to projects across Alabama. This tranche of ARPA money is about $1,060,000. $339,175,000 will go for healthcare needs, including $25 million for Mental health and $9 million for the expansion of telemedicine. $260 million will be used for broadband, including a cybersecurity component. $395 million will go to water and sewer projects. $55 million will be used to compensate state agencies for the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Alabama Department of Labor will get $5 million to recover some of their costs for dealing with the surge in unemployment applications and other costs. $1,179,000 will go for administrative costs of overseeing and allocating the money. Rep. Mary Moore asked if there was sufficient legislative oversight in place. Reynolds said, “The Legislative Oversight Committee gives this body oversight in case they may need to reallocate those funds when the Legislature is not in session.” “There might be a project in my district that is not reallocated,” Moore said. House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels said to Reynolds, “I just came down to give you a compliment, and I appreciate all the hard work you have done in this bill. This has been a great process, and everybody has had an opportunity to be involved in this process.” State Rep. John Rogers expressed concern that a project in his district might be reallocated when he is unavailable. “I may be in Alaska – I may be in Florida laying on a beach drinking a martini,” Rogers said. Reynolds replied, “As part of the ARPA funds when the ARPA funds were allocated, that legislation created that Oversight Committee for the ARPA funds. I think you can feel comfortable in the authority given to that committee.” Reynolds explained, “Executive Budget Office would have to come back in and exercise the executive authority they have under that bill,” if insufficient funds are allocated to a project. “You can go to their website and see the progress of individual projects.” “Huntsville is like Birmingham – they got money coming in that we don’t know about,” Rogers said. “What I want to know is how much they really got that didn’t come through us?” Reynolds said the Oversight Committee “is a 14-member body including budget chairs. It is spelled out in the 2022 legislation that we passed last year.” State Rep. Juandalynn Givan asked, “Could you give me a breakdown of how much is coming to Jefferson County?” “No, I do not have access to that,” Reynolds said. “This legislation we are asking you to pass does not break that down by county.” 63 of the 67 counties have received money already, but four have not. “We have language in this bill that says that those applications should have priority,” Reynolds said. “We would not want to preset that based on county, because you want to prioritize that by need, and one county would not have the same need as another need.” Givan replied, “My folks don’t really care how much went to this or that county. What they want to know is how much of the bacon is coming back to the district. We need to be able to report that back to our people.” Reynolds replied, “The money will not be allocated until after we pass this bill.” Givan said, “I was here in another session, and we appropriated over a billion dollars, including ARPA dollars, for prisons that still are not built yet.” Givan was angry that no ARPA money was appropriated to bail out Birmingham Southern College – a private college in financial distress. “We can’t figure out how to find $37 million for ARPA money for an educational institution, but we could find money to build prisons. Lord knows we don’t need to lose another educational institution in the state of Alabama,” Givan said. Givan complained that public housing communities in Alabama, even in urban areas, still do not have broadband. HB1 passed the House 102 to 3. 71 members cosponsored the resolution. Reynolds was also the sponsor of House Bill 2. This bill appropriates money from supplemental 2022 funds to spend $59,997,772 to pay off the remaining debt owed to the Alabama Trust Fund during the previous decade. “This is a good bill. This body knew that this was the time to pay those bills,” Reynolds said. The House passed HB2 104 to 0. 94 members cosponsored HB2. Both bills now go to the Alabama Senate for their consideration. Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter told the members before the House adjourned, “Good work today, a great investment in our state. Congratulations.” The Legislature is currently in a special session called by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey last week to address the issue of the ARPA funds. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Democrats seek repeal or exemptions in state abortion ban
Alabama’s abortion ban that took effect this summer allows no exemptions for pregnancies resulting from rape and incest. Democrats in the Alabama Legislature are seeking to change that but face impossible odds without some Republican support. Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, filed legislation Tuesday to allow exemptions for rape and incest. Similar legislation is planned in the Alabama House of Representatives to repeal the ban or add exemptions. But Republicans hold lopsided majorities in both chambers, meaning the bills are doomed without garnering some GOP support. Figures told The Associated Press in a statement that a victim of rape and incest would again be traumatized “if she does not have a choice and she is forced to have a child that was fathered by a rapist or a family member via an incestuous act.” “Politicians have no business playing doctor or forcing a child to give birth by her rapist,” said Democratic Rep. Mary Moore of Birmingham agreed. “Politicians have no business playing doctor or forcing a child to give birth by her rapist,” she said. Alabama lawmakers in 2019 approved a near-total abortion ban, but it did not take effect until this summer when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe. v. Wade, the decision that had guaranteed the nationwide right to an abortion. A federal judge soon after lifted the injunction that had blocked the Alabama ban. Some Republican lawmakers in 2019 described the strict ban as a legal strategy to challenge Roe as lawmakers in conservative states hoped to get the issue before a more conservative Supreme Court. Republican Rep. Terri Collins, the sponsor of the 2019 ban, said at the time that lawmakers could come back and write a new bill, and debate exemptions, if Roe was overturned. Collins told The Associated Press earlier this year that she wanted to have conversations with fellow Republicans to gauge if members want to keep the law as is or make changes. On Wednesday, Collins said that she was focused on her education bills at the moment. “I think it’s an issue that our members will bring forth on what they want to do,” House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said Wednesday when asked about possible revisions to the abortion ban. Ledbetter noted that a majority of Alabama voters in 2018 voted to put anti-abortion language in the Alabama Constitution. The constitutional amendment saying Alabama recognizes “the rights of the unborn child” was approved by 59% of voters. “I feel good about where we’re at. We’re for life,” Ledbetter said, adding that lawmakers are working on bills to make adoption easier. Eric Johnston, an abortion opponent who helped write the 2019 ban, has argued that the constitutional amendment would prevent lawmakers from adding exceptions. Democrats argue that Republicans went too far with the ban. “It is time they understood that they made a crucial mistake. Women want access to safe abortions near them. … It should be their decision made with their doctor,” Figures wrote in a statement. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Steve Flowers: Legislature organizes for Quadrennium
The legislature had their every four-year organizational session earlier this month. It is exactly what the title states. They are organizing for the next quadrennium of lawmaking. They officially chose their leadership and adopted the rules for the two chambers. The 105-member House of Representatives and 35-member State Senate are elected for four-year terms, the same as the governor and other constitutional offices. However, unlike the governor, who was sworn in on Monday, January 16, as set out in the state constitution, the legislature takes office the day after they are elected in November. The state House of Representatives will have 77 Republicans and 28 Democrats. That is a veto-proof, bulldozer-shoving, anything-you-want supermajority. The Democrats have very little say with those overwhelming numbers. Two days after they were elected in November, the 77-member Republican majority met in a private caucus meeting in Montgomery and selected their leadership. Therefore, the vote for Speaker of the House two weeks ago was simply a formality. The House has chosen Representative Nathaniel Ledbetter to be the Speaker of the House. Speaker Ledbetter hails from Rainsville in DeKalb County. He is a former Mayor of Rainsville. He has only been in the House of Representatives for eight years, having been first elected in 2014. He was chosen to be the majority leader in the House in his freshman year. He was close to the former Speaker Mac McCutcheon, and he served on both the powerful agenda-setting Rules Committee, as well as the Ways and Means Education Budget Writing Committee. Representative Chris Pringle of Mobile has been chosen to be Speaker Pro Tem of the House, which is the second highest position within the body. He has served previously for 16 years in the House from the Port City. He succeeds fellow Mobilian Victor Gaston in this post. There are two young stalwarts who will be serving in Republican Party positions within the House. Representative Scott Stadthagen of Decatur will be the new House Majority Leader. Representative Wes Kitchens of Arab will serve as the Republican Leadership Caucus Vice Chair. Representative Debbie Wood from the Valley will serve as the Republican Caucus Secretary/Treasurer. The three most powerful posts in the House are the chairmanships of the two money committees and the agenda-setting Rules Committee. Representative Danny Garrett of Trussville in Jefferson County will continue to Chair the Ways and Means Education Budget Committee. Representative Rex Reynolds of Huntsville will be the General Fund Ways and Means Chairman. Reynolds replaces longtime Ways and Means Chairman Steve Clouse of Ozark. Representative Joe Lovvorn of Auburn will be the new Rules Committee Chairman. Representative Jim Hill of St. Clair will chair Judiciary. He is a former circuit Judge and a veteran of the House. All of these House leadership positions are held by Republicans. To the victor goes the spoils. The Democrats have a veteran and sterling team heading their Caucus Leadership in the House. Anthony Daniels of Huntsville will be the Democratic Minority Leader. Barbara Drummond of Mobile will be the Caucus Chair. Mary Moore of Birmingham will be the Vice Chair, and Kelvin Lawrence of Hayneville will be Secretary/Treasurer of the Democratic Caucus. The 35-member Alabama State Senate returns almost intact with their continuity and quality leadership. They will dominate and provide a stable State of Ship to help lead the state. Republicans control this upper chamber to the same degree that the GOP members do in the House. Republicans outnumber Democrats 28 to 7 in the Senate. State Senator Jabo Waggoner of Jefferson County begins his 50th year in the legislature. This is a state record. He is definitely destined for the state history books. Jabo will continue to Chair the powerful Rules Committee. Greg Reed of Walker County will be Pro Tem of the Senate again. The Majority Leader will again be Clay Scofield of Marshall County. The two money committee chairmen will continue to be in charge of how the state revenues are spent. Senator Arthur Orr of Decatur will chair Finance and Taxation/Education. Senator Greg Albritton of Escambia will chair Finance and Taxation/General Fund. These two men will be very powerful. Popular state Senator Will Barfoot of Pike Road will chair Judiciary in the Senate. Senator Clyde Chambliss of Prattville has become a stalwart leader in the Senate. He will be Majority Whip. Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth presides over the Senate. The Regular Session begins in early March. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Alabama House Democrats re-elect Anthony Daniels as House Minority Leader
On Monday, the 28 members comprising the Alabama House Democrats elected their caucus leadership for the upcoming 2023-2024 legislative sessions. The caucus elected Rep. Anthony Daniels as Alabama House Minority Leader, Rep. Barbara Drummond as Caucus Chair, Rep. Mary Moore as Caucus Vice Chair, and Rep. Kelvin Lawrence as Caucus Secretary/Treasurer. After the election, Daniels stated, “I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to work again with such a talented and dedicated group of leaders who remain dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Alabamians. We will continue to promote practical and meaningful legislation and policies that highlight our pro-growth, pro-innovation platform. Right now, we are already working hard to prepare our 2023 legislative agenda to continue our focus on strengthening economic growth, access to quality health care, education innovation, mental health care, affordable housing, and justice for all.” Last week, Republicans selected State Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter of Rainsville to be the next speaker of the House of Representatives. He will replace House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, who did not run for re-election. Ledbetter was elected to the Alabama Legislature in 2014. He served as GOP majority leader. He is the former mayor of Rainsville. The Legislature will start its regular session in March.
Steve Flowers: Incumbency prevails in 2022 State House races
Folks, believe it or not, we are closing in on six months before next year’s election year. The primary election is set for May 24, 2022. In Alabama, all our major constitutional officers are on the ballot next year. The governor’s office is the premier race in the state, and that coveted and powerful post is set for its four-year quadrennial run. Therefore, this big political year is referred to as the gubernatorial year. Those of us who follow Alabama politics have been salivating with anticipation for a cavalcade of great races. However, the power of incumbency has devasted the big year into a yawn. All the major state offices are held by popular incumbents, who are either running unopposed or have minimal opposition. The consolation prize was that there would be the legislative races. After all, this is where the real power in the state rests. You can simply look at where the special interest and PAC money is spent to verify that fact. However, the omnipotent power of incumbency has also encroached on those races. The Alabama House of Representatives has 105 members. There are 77 Republicans and 28 Democrats. The large majority of incumbents are running for reelection – both Republicans and Democrats. The overwhelming majority of these incumbents will have no opposition. However, in the House, there will be some major changes in leadership because of retirement or moving on to new posts. Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon is not running for reelection. This has created an interesting and spirited race within the Republican Caucus ranks for Speaker. In addition, Victor Gaston of Mobile, who is Speaker Pro Tem, is also retiring. Bill Poole of Tuscaloosa, who chaired the powerful House Ways and Means Education Budget Committee, has left the House to be the State Finance Director. House Rules Committee Chairman Mike Jones of Andalusia is running for the open Senate seat of retiring Senator Jimmy Holley. Two of the freshman House members are running for statewide office. Wes Allen of Troy is running for Secretary of State, and Andrew Sorrell of Tuscumbia is running for State Auditor. In addition, Connie Rowe of Jasper is leaving the House to become an administrative assistant to Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth. Some of the veteran House members who are choosing to hang up their legislative cleats include Howard Sanderford of Huntsville, Mike Ball of Huntsville, K.L. Brown of Jacksonville, Kerry Rich of Marshall, Allen Farley of Jefferson, Harry Shiver of Baldwin, Mike Holmes of Elmore, and Becky Nordgren of Etowah. The most noteworthy retiree may be Representative Steve McMillan of Baldwin County, who is retiring after serving close to 43 years in the House. Steve has been a quiet yet very effective voice for the people of Baldwin County. They all will be missed. Some of the high profile and powerful members of the House, who will return for another four years with no or token opposition, are Steve Clouse of Ozark, Nathaniel Ledbetter of Dekalb County, and Danny Garrett, Jim Carns, David Wheeler, and David Faulkner of Jefferson. Danny Garrett has ascended to Chairman of the House Ways and Means Education. Other leaders returning are Chris Pringle, Reed Ingram, Randall Shedd, Tracy Estes, Chris Sells, David Standridge, Ginny Shaver, Jim Hill, Alan Baker, Joe Lovvorn, Chris Blackshear, Kyle South, Paul Lee, Jeff Sorrells, Rhett Marques, Steve Hurst, Joe Faust, and Margie Wilcox. The Democratic leadership will remain intact. There is an illustrious array of House Democratic leaders, including Anthony Daniels, Chris England, Laura Hall, Peb Warren, Barbara Boyd, A.J. McCampbell, Berry Forte, Dexter Grimsley, Thomas Jackson, Kevin Lawrence, Mary Moore, Juandalynn Givan, and veteran John Rogers. Two of the Democratic House veterans from Jefferson County, Louise Alexander and Merika Coleman, are both running for an open Jefferson County Senate Seat, leaving both their House seats up for grabs. There may be an increase in the number of females in the House of Representatives. It has already begun with the election of Cynthia Almond of Tuscaloosa, who was elected without opposition to replace Bill Poole. In addition, Patrice Penni McClammy won the Montgomery District 76 seat of her late father, Thad McClammy. She won with no opposition. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama papers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Alabama nears approval of ban on so-called vaccine passports
Alabama lawmakers on Monday inched forward to banning so-called vaccine passports that would prohibit proof of a coronavirus vaccination to enter a business, school, or event. The legislation would “prohibit the issuance of vaccine passports” by state agencies and prevent people from being denied entry to businesses, universities, schools, and state agencies if they have not been vaccinated for COVID-19. However, the legislation does not specify any penalty for violations. The Alabama House of Representatives voted 76-16 for the bill. The Alabama Senate must now decide whether to agree to minor House changes. “We need this bill. We don’t want to require people who are going to a business as a customer or going to a football game — or whatever it is — to be mandated to show a vaccine passport,” Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, said. Republicans across the country have backed bans on so-called vaccine passports even though they are not in widespread use anywhere, portraying them as a government intrusion into personal freedom and health choices. Some Alabama House Democrats criticized the bill after House Republicans stripped language that would have made exemptions for nursing homes and other health offices. “When does it become your right to pass on your illness on to someone else,” Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham, said. Rep. Ralph Howard, D-Greensboro, said he is concerned about the people who will knowingly go into crowds without being vaccinated and are “willing to put other folks life in danger.” “Right now I know there are people out there that are not vaccinated that spread COVID,” Howard said. Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, who handled the bill in the House, said businesses could still require customers to wear masks. He also said health offices could ask someone if they had been vaccinated and adjust safety protocols as needed. The idea of so-called vaccine passports is to have a document that shows you were vaccinated against COVID-19. Federal officials say there are no plans to make them broadly mandatory, but some Republican governors have issued orders barring businesses or state agencies from asking people to show proof of vaccination. Hawaii has a limited vaccine passport program for inter-island travel that allows people who received their vaccine shots in the state of Hawaii to skip testing and quarantine rules for travel between the islands. New York officials have launched a digital app New Yorkers can download to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. The Senate approved the bill earlier this session by a 30-0 vote. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Bill to ban transgender athletes passes House
Alabama could become the next conservative state to prevent transgender girls from playing on female sports teams as the state House of Representatives on Thursday approved the legislation. Representatives voted 74-19 for the bill that will require K-12 athletes to play on teams based on the biological sex listed on their birth certificates. The approval came after Republicans voted to end a filibuster. The bill now moves to the Alabama Senate. More than a dozen states are considering restrictions on transgender athletes or gender-confirming health care for transgender minors. Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves last week signed a bill to ban transgender athletes from competing on girl’s or women’s sports teams. However, South Carolina lawmakers this week rejected a similar bill. “It is unfair for biological males to compete against females in high school sports,” Republican Rep. Scott Stadthagen of Hartselle said as debate opened on the bill. Alabama legislators who pushed the bill gave no evidence of any transgender athletes competing in state schools or universities. Democratic legislators questioned the need for the bill, saying the decision should be left to athletic associations and lawmakers shouldn’t get involved. Democratic Rep. Napoleon Bracy of Prichard asked “what happened” to make the legislation a priority in the Alabama Legislature, noting that lawmakers could not point to instances in the state of transgender athletes dominating sports. Rep. Mary Moore, a Democratic representative from Birmingham, expressed concern about the impact on transgender youth and said lawmakers were trying to insert themselves into these decisions. “As a body, we are trying to practice medicine without a degree,” Moore said. Supporters of the bills say transgender girls are born bigger and faster and have an unfair advantage in competition. Opponents say the bills are rooted in discrimination and fear and violate the federal law barring sex discrimination in education. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Alabama protest bill draws criticism, gets delayed
Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday delayed action on an anti-riot bill that would stiffen penalties for participating in “tumultuous” protests that pose a threat, a proposal minority lawmakers and opponents said would be used to silence Black demonstrators. The House Judiciary Committee sent the bill to a subcommittee after Black lawmakers raised concerns about the bill’s vague definition of what could be considered a riot. They recalled Alabama’s history of using police dogs, fire hoses, and arrests to break up civil rights protests. Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, told her fellow committee members that no one supports looting or violence but said this proposal could be used as “a tool to keep people from peacefully protesting.” “All of us in here who come from communities of color, especially in Alabama — Black folks — know this bill will be used primarily against our folks. We already know it,” Coleman said. Republican Rep. Allen Treadaway, a retired Birmingham assistant police chief, proposed the bill after a summer protest in Birmingham — in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis — turned destructive and led to multiple businesses being damaged. “Folks are coming into the cities hellbent on destruction,” Treadaway said. “We are taking a strong position toward the lawbreakers. Those that are looting … trying to burn the city down in this case.” The bill would hand down minimum 30-day jail sentences for participating in what the bill defines as a riot. The crime of aggravated riot, when substantial injury or damage is done, would be a felony. The bill defines a riot as “a tumultuous disturbance in a public place or penal institution by five or more persons assembled together and acting with a common intent which creates a grave danger of substantial damage to public, private, or other property or serious bodily injury to one or more persons, or substantially obstructs a law enforcement or other government function.” Rep. Chris England, a former prosecutor who heads the Alabama Democratic Party, said the new definition of riot is vague and could lead to people being arrested for merely saying something an officer finds objectionable. “This definition of a riot becomes I don’t like what you just said, so I’m taking you and all your friends into custody— peaceful or not. You don’t have to do anything overt to violate this definition. It’s all about the (officer’s) perspective into what they think you are saying or what your intent is,” England said. England told Treadaway said there also a need for a “critical conversation about the lack of relationship between law enforcement and communities of color.” “Nobody wants to see looting, a window blown out, and police officers attacked and hurt. Nobody wants to see that. And also, everybody understands how difficult it is to be a law enforcement officer. But also, I want to tell you how difficult it is at times to be a Black American in this country,” England said. Opponents of the bill said it harkened back to the days of Alabama police officers trying to silence civil rights protesters. “I’m a child of the 60s. This bill took me back to Bull Connor. …I could see the dogs that he sicced on my brother who got arrested three times. I could see those hoses,” said Rep. Mary Moore, who participated as a teen in the 1963 children’s march in Birmingham. Connor was the city’s public safety commissioner who directed officers to use force to halt the demonstration. Police dogs and fire hoses were turned on youths taking part in the protest. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Lawmakers approve money for Alabama’s coronavirus response
Lawmakers approved $5 million to fund the state’s response to the spread of coronavirus.
2018: Year of the Woman in Alabama politics, primary update
If there ever was a “Year of the Woman” in Alabama, it’s 2018. Following the national trend, more Alabama women are stepping up to run for political office as a major party candidate than ever before, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. But how did the female candidates fare in the June 5 primaries? Below is a list of women who prevailed in their races. Statewide Executive Office Currently only two women serve in statewide elected executive positions — Gov. Kay Ivey and Alabama Public Service Commission President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh. But after last night’s election results, those numbers could change in November. Governor Gov. Kay Ivey (Republican candidate) triumphed over her three male opponents, and will face Walt Maddox in November’s general election. Lt. Governor Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (Republican candidate) will face Will Ainsworth in a runoff election, July 17. Secretary of State Heather Milam (Democratic candidate) won her primary election, and will face John Merrill in the November general election. Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Christy Olinger Edwards (Place 1, Republican candidate) won her spot over Michelle Manley Thomason, another female republican candidate. U.S. Congress Currently only two women represent the Yellowhammer State in the United States Congress — 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby and 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell. Five other women ran for office in U.S. house races. Alabama 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives Rep. Martha Roby (incumbent, Republican candidate) was forced into a runoff set for July 17 with former Rep. Bobby Bright. Tabitha Isner (Democratic candidate) won the democratic primary for the 2nd district and will face either Roby or Bright in November. Alabama 3rd District in the U.S. House of Representatives Mallory Hagan (Democratic candidate) won the democratic primary for the 3rd district and will face incumbent Mike Rogers in the November general election. Alabama 7th District in the U.S. House of Representatives Rep. Terri Sewell (incumbent, Democratic candidate) was the only candidate in her race. State Legislature Amy Wasyluka (Democratic candidate) won the State Senate District 2 race Deidra Willis (Democratic candidate) won the State Senate, District 7 race Vivian Davis Figures (Democratic candidate) won the State Senate, District 33 race Laura Hall (Democratic candidate) won the State House District 19 race Barbara Bigsby Boyd (Democratic candididate) won the State House District 32 race Debbie Hamby Wood (Republican candidate) won the State House District 38 race April Weaver (Republican candidate) won the State House District 49 race Louise “Lulu” Alexander (Democratic candidate) won the State House District 56 race Rolanda Hollis (Democratic candidate) won the State House District 58 race Mary Moore (Democratic cadet) won the State House District 59 race Juandalynn Givan (Democratic candidate) won the State House District 60 race Elaine Beech (Democratic candidate) won the State House District 65 race Pebblin Walker Warren (Democratic candidate) won the State House District 82 race Pat “Patsy” Jones (Democratic candidate) won the State House District 83 race Adline C. Clarke (Democratic candidate) won the State House District 97 race
Birmingham moves closer to new downtown stadium
The Alabama House of Representatives this week passed a Jefferson County auto lease tax to help build a downtown stadium and renovate the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC). The bill imposes a 3 percent tax on automobile leases and rentals in the county to help support the new stadium, renovations and expansion at the BJCC. The bill, which had already won the Alabama Senate’s approval, passed 14-3 in the House and will now go to Gov. Kay Ivey. “The action (by) the Alabama House took us one step closer to Birmingham having state-of-the art facilities to better compete for tourism, sporting and entertainment business,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. “In addition, expanding and renovating the BJCC will generate millions of dollars over the next decade for the city that will go to neighborhood revitalization.” The rental tax is expected to generate about $3.5 million a year to help pay the debt service on the project, which the BJCC Authority estimates will be about $21.5 million a year. The auto lease and rental tax will not cost residents a dime because residents don’t lease vehicles to get around their own town, Woodfin said. Also, the city needs to modernize its entertainment and sports venues to compete with Atlanta, New Orleans and Nashville, which have updated facilities that Birmingham lacks, he said. State Rep. Jack Williams, R-Vestavia Hills, who sponsored the bill in the House, said passage of the legislation will lead to the renovation of the Legacy Arena at the BJCC and to the construction of a 55,000-seat outdoor stadium. “This project will create 3,700 new construction jobs in Birmingham and Jefferson County and a $130 million payroll,” he said. Renovations would allow the city to again attract NCAA tournament games that bring thousands of visitors and millions in revenue, Williams said. Woodfin agreed. “This public/private partnership between the city, county, BJCC, UAB and the corporate community will create thousands of jobs for citizens in Birmingham, and be a significant shot in the arm for our economy for decades to come,” he said. State Reps. John Rogers, Mary Moore and Juandalynn Givan, all of Birmingham, voted against the lease and rental tax. Rogers said the BJCC would benefit from the additional revenue and not the city, which city officials disputed. Money for neighborhoods In February, the Birmingham City Council voted overwhelmingly to approve a resolution of intent to provide $90 million in funding — $3 million annually for 30 years — for the construction of a multipurpose facility at the BJCC. Woodfin has argued that money from tourism could generate revenue that could be used in the neighborhoods. “There has been zero funding for street paving over the last several years. That’s a need. We have a $428 million budget and we’ve put less than $2 million in getting rid of dilapidated houses. That’s a need. Tourism is a need as well. Economic development is a need. Investing in our existing infrastructure, including the $5 million we’ve already put into the BJCC Legacy Arena, is a need. This is not an isolated topic. We’re not talking about an investment in a stadium alone. It’s an investment in the BJCC and our communities.” After taking office in November, the mayor said he needed to find money to pave the streets. “I have to find money to invest in curbs, sidewalks and lights and neighborhood revitalization. That money does not exist today. We could cut a lot of money or we could borrow money, but that’s not an idea any of us want to take. I think the return of this [new and updated entertainment and sports venues] gets us to where those things can happen. If we’re going to generate new revenue, where is that going to go? It will go toward those priorities that we don’t currently have funding for.” According to the resolution approved by the council in February, certain conditions have to be met before any money is allocated. In January, the Jefferson County Commission approved $30 million in funding for 30 years; the largest contribution will be coming from the BJCC, which will pay $10.7 million in annual debt service for 30 years. The University of Alabama at Birmingham will lease the stadium for $4 million annually for its football games. Additional funding is expected from corporate sponsors as well. The $174 million stadium is part of a $300 million master plan that includes a remodeling of the BJCC’s Legacy Arena and outside piazza. According to an independent feasibility study commissioned by the BJCC, the stadium could be completed as early as 2020, in time for the 2021 World Games, and generate roughly $5.5 million per year in tax revenue during the construction phase and as much as $9.9 million a year after construction. No specific number has been given as to how much tax revenue will be earmarked for neighborhood revitalization, but Woodfin has indicated it will be a substantial portion, if not all of it. This story originally appeared on The Birmingham Times’ website. Republished with permission from the Alabama NewsCenter.
Push for greater equality: Adline Clarke proposes ‘gender pay gap’ bill
It’s a fact: women earn less than men. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women who worked full-time, year-round in 2014 earned on average, 79% of men’s median annual earnings. That’s not sitting well with one Alabama lawmaker who’s hoping her gender pay gap legislation makes it across the finish line as the 2018 legislative session nears its close. HB368, sponsored by Mobile-Democrat State Rep. Adline Clarke, would prohibit employers from paying their employees less than the wage they would pay a member of the opposite sex for a similar job or responsibilities when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility, as specified. Alabama is one of only two states, along with Mississippi, without an equal pay law. “Nearly every state has a law prohibiting employers differently based solely on gender. I’m disappointed. I would have thought we would have passed a long long before now,” Clarke told AL.com “Timing is everything.” However, HB368, also known as the “Gender Pay Gap,” would not just make wage inequality illegal, but would also add several provisions to the law including: Requires an employer to affirmatively demonstrate that a wage differential is based upon one or more specified factors Prohibits an employer from discharging, or in any manner discriminating against. or retaliating against an employee for the enforcement of these provisions Provides for enforcement of the bill Provides that an employer may not prohibit an employee from disclosing the employee’s own wages, discussing the wages of others, inquiring about another employee’s wages, or aiding or encouraging any other employee to exercise his or her rights under these provisions And requires an employer to maintain a record of wages paid to his 15 or her employee for a certain amount of time. The proposal, filed on Feb. 1, is scheduled to appear before the Alabama House State Government Committee on March 21. Alexander City-Republican State Rep. Mark Tuggle, the committee’s chairman, hopes to have Clarke’s proposal on the committee agenda next week. The bill currently has 26 co-sponsors, both Republicans and Democrats: Autauga County-Democrat Kelvin Lawrence Mobile County-Democrat Barbara Drummond Barbour County-Democrat Barry Forte Perry County-Democrat Prince Chestnut Jefferson County-Democrat Rolanda Hollis Madison County-Democrat Anthony Daniels Jefferson County-Democrat Rod Scott Tallapoosa County-Democrat Pebblin Warren Choctaw County-Democrat Elaine Beech Madison County-Democrat Laura Hall Jefferson County-Democrat Merika Coleman Jefferson County-Democrat Mary Moore Mobile County-Democrat Napolean Bracy Blount County-Republican Connie Rowe Shelby County-Republican April Weaver Talladega County-Democrat Barbara Boyd Jefferson County-Democrat Juandalynn Givan Etowah County-Republican Becky Nordgren Morgan County-Republican Terri Collins Montgomery County-Democrat John F. Knight Montgomery County-Democrat Thad McClammy Tuscaloosa County-Democrat Artis McCampbell Mobile County-Democrat James Buskey Bibb County-Democrat Ralph Howard Lauderdale County-Democrat Marcel Black Houston County-Democrat Dexter Grimsley
