Parker Moore: BEAD Program not a place for Joe Biden’s liberal agenda
Alabama stands at the threshold of a transformative era where broadband access can bridge gaps in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. The Broadband Equity, Access, & Deployment (BEAD) Program presents an invaluable chance to make this vision a reality, particularly for our rural communities. However, in our pursuit of progress, we must ensure that this initiative remains true to its bipartisan essence and doesn’t become a battleground for political ideals. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the BEAD Program, while well-intentioned, contains progressive recommendations that threaten the bipartisan spirit upon which this initiative was founded. Despite assurances from the Commerce Secretary that the agency was “not rate regulating, we are not price setting, and we are not requiring states to do that,” states have reported pressure from Washington to set price caps. While ensuring affordability is an important goal, following federal recommendations in this instance runs counter to the bill as passed by Congress and risks delaying broadband access across our state. The BEAD Program should not be a platform for the Biden administration to push its liberal agenda onto Alabama’s vital economic development projects. It is imperative that we maintain an open dialogue that includes all stakeholders, free from the constraints of rigid recommendations. Rate regulation risks pushing experienced internet providers out of the marketplace for broadband buildouts. This risk could delay broadband expansion in rural Alabama. We need a diverse array of experienced providers at the table, each contributing their unique expertise to determine the most efficient, effective, and equitable ways of expanding broadband access. Restricting our options, especially on a long-term basis, could impede the very progress we aim to achieve. Alabama’s economic growth should not be held hostage by political maneuvering. We need a bipartisan approach that fosters cooperation and innovation, embracing the strengths of both parties to drive our state forward. Our shared goal is to bring the benefits of broadband access to every Alabamian quickly and efficiently. Let’s prioritize collaboration, flexibility, and pragmatism, ensuring that the BEAD Program remains a beacon of bipartisan achievement, leading Alabama into a digitally connected future. Parker Moore has represented House District 4 since 2018. House District 4 includes Limestone and Morgan counties.
Special election for House District 10 begins drawing candidates
BY: ALANDER ROCHA With a special election set for House District 10 after the resignation of former Rep. David Cole, R-Madison, candidates – new and familiar – are weighing their options. Cole resigned from his House seat on August 30 and pleaded guilty to a charge of knowingly voting at a polling place where he was not authorized to vote. The district is one of a handful of competitive seats in the Alabama Legislature. Cole got 52% of the vote in 2022 to Democratic nominee Marilyn Lands 45%. Libertarian Elijah Boyd got 3%. Lands, who announced her candidacy on Tuesday in a live video streamed on her campaign Facebook page, said in a phone interview Wednesday that she is running a second time because of the momentum her campaign built the first time around. “We worked really hard the first time around, and we knocked on lots of doors and we had a message that resonated with people, and I think we can turn our people back out again, she said. She also thinks she can make a difference. As a mental health professional, she said that the “state of our kids and the crisis we’re having in healthcare” compelled her to run again. “There’s been a lot of things that have been on my mind that we could do something about at the state level,” she said. House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, backed her candidacy Wednesday, adding that he is confident in her ability to perform in a potentially competitive race. “The Marilyn story speaks for itself. She’s a mental health counselor. She worked for Boeing. She worked for the airport. She has been engaged in a lot of civic organizations within the community. She is of the community that she’s running in. Now, people get an opportunity to see Marilyn and understand her story,” Daniels said. Anson Knowles, who intended to run against Cole in the 2022 Republican primary, said that he’s still undecided. The Alabama Republican Party kicked Knowles off the ballot for previous work with the Libertarian Party. Knowles, who had raised questions about Cole’s residency, said in a recent interview that the last election took a toll on his family and with three kids, he said it’s a difficult decision to make. “I can’t run as a Republican. The GOP made it pretty clear they don’t want me,” Knowles said. “I considered running as a Democrat for a minute just because I thought that’d be the best way to make sure the Republicans didn’t win because I’m so mad at them for what they did to me the last time.” Knowles said that he rejoined the Libertarian Party in February and was appointed to the party executive board in March. He said that he is currently focused on recruiting Libertarian candidates for local Madison County races and has his hands full with candidate training. He said that ideologically, he doesn’t fit in with Republicans, Democrats, or Libertarians, but he is currently focused on building up the Libertarian Party’s infrastructure. “I’m an independent kind of thinker, and so I guess it didn’t sit well – like when I was in the GOP, that was part of the reason what why I had so many enemies in there, because I’d call up their establishment for their crap, and the Libertarians, I’d call out their people for their crap. It’s difficult to tell the truth to people sometimes,” Knowles said. Elijah Boyd, the Libertarian candidate for the seat in 2022, said he plans on running again, but that has to be decided by the Libertarian Party. He said he’s not ready to make any final decisions just yet. “I’ve been the representative for the party twice now, and I think I’m the best to represent, but I’ll let the party decide that,” Boyd said. Other people who have mentioned they may run for the seat are Republican D.J. Klein, a broadband business owner and former Madison City Council member who expressed interest in the seat previously. Klein wrote in an email that since redistricting, he no longer lives in the district. “And I hear that’s frowned on these days,” he wrote jokingly. Headmaster Jerry Reeder of the Whitesburg Christian Academy in Huntsville was mentioned by Knowles as a possible Republican candidate for the seat, but he said that was just a rumor. “We are, in fact, enjoying the humor of this situation and the fact there are, indeed, many rumors flying about,” Reeder said in an email. There may have been some confusion, he said in the email, because the principal for the upper-school, Robby Parker, was approached about running for the seat but declined. Parker said in an email that he was honored to be asked, but “firmly believe [he is] where The Lord wants [him].” According to a plea agreement, Cole decided to run for the House District 10 seat in the summer of 2021. The seat was held by retiring Rep. Mike Ball, R-Madison. But redistricting that year moved Cole’s home into House District 4, represented by Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle, an incumbent who was seeking his second term in the House. The agreement said Cole contacted a friend, referred to as “H.S.,” and negotiated a $5-a-month lease at H.S.’s home in District 10. Cole later changed his voter registration to the address but only had mail sent there. The deadline for qualifying with major political parties will be Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. The deadline for independent candidates and minor parties is Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Republished with the permission of the Alabama Reflector.
Alabama legislators urge Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to support congressional investigation into Space Command decision
On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of legislators in the Alabama House of Representatives sent a letter to U.S. Airforce Secretary Frank Kendall supporting the congressional investigation led by U.S. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers and Congressman Dale Strong. The letter was signed by Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagan, and Speaker Pro Tem. Chris Pringle, as well as Reps. Joe Lovvorn, Danny Garrett, Wes Kitchens, Laura Hall, Parker Moore, David Cole, Rex Reynolds, Andy Whitt, James Lomax, Ritchie Whorton, and Phillip Rigsby. An NBC news report released on May 15 claimed that President Joe Biden will intervene to keep the Pentagon from moving Space Command from Colorado to Huntsville. The President’s objections to the state of Alabama are reportedly due to the state’s ban on abortion. Many speculate that the real reason could be political in that Colorado voted for Biden in 2020, while Alabama did not. Below is the text included in the attached letter: “Dear Secretary Kendall, “As members of the Huntsville and Madison delegations of the Alabama House of Representatives, and as House leadership, we are writing to you in support of the House Committee on Armed Services’ investigation into the delay in implementing the recommendation to place U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) Headquarters at Redstone Arsenal, which is being led by U.S. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers and Congressman Dale Strong.” “As you are aware, it has been made clear through multiple U.S. Air Force recommendations that the most strategic location for the U.S. Space Command headquarters is Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The Government Accountability Office and Department of Defense Inspector General have both confirmed this recommendation was made through a sound process. Huntsville has the infrastructure, the workforce, the education system, engineering base, existing military and defense apparatus, and quality of life to be the ideal location for U.S. Space Command. This is why this site has received the unanimous number one recommendation from the U.S. Air Force.” “As representatives of the communities surrounding Redstone Arsenal in the Alabama House of Representatives, we felt the need to respectfully encourage you to support and comply with the congressional investigation into the delay of this critical national security decision. We are also concerned to learn the U.S. Department of Defense was not aware, and not involved, in this change. The people of Alabama and the United States of America need and deserve transparency on the apparently revised mission requirements of SPACECOM as it relates to its decision to locate its headquarters.” “A lengthy delay in making a decision this important to national security deserves Congressional oversight, and we are thankful that Congressmen Rogers and Strong recognized this need and are taking action by launching this investigation. We greatly appreciate your service to our nation and the role that the U.S. Air Force has in keeping our country, and the world, safe from threats, and we believe that you also appreciate the need for transparency and Congressional oversight.” On Friday, Fox News published a story detailing an announcement from Rogers that he is opening an investigation into the continued delays in the selection of a permanent base for the U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) Headquarters. “Today, I launched an investigation into the continued delays in the SPACECOM Headquarters basing decision,” said Chairman Rogers. “The fact is, the Air Force already made the correct decision well over two years ago. That decision was affirmed by the GAO and the DoD Inspector General over a year ago. This decision was based on multiple factors, and Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, was the clear winner in the Evaluation and Selection phase. I am deeply concerned that the continued delays in making this move final are politically motivated and damaging to our national security.” “I have requested that House Armed Services Committee Chairman, Mike Rogers, open a formal investigation into the Biden Administration’s failure to announce a permanent location for U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) Headquarters,” said Rep. Strong.“The Administration’s delay risks politicizing a process which must remain fact-based. Injecting politics into America’s basing decisions serves to do unprecedented harm to our national security. American men and women in uniform must be given the very best, not the third or fourth choice. Redstone Arsenal was chosen as the preferred location after a years-long process. The decision was later confirmed not just once, but twice with the results of the Government Accountability Office and Department of Defense Inspector General investigations. It is plain and simple: Redstone Arsenal is the best possible location to host U.S. Space Command headquarters. The Air Force’s basing process established this, and it was confirmed. I thank Chairman Rogers for agreeing to this investigation. The members of the House Armed Services Committee, and our service members awaiting a final basing decision, deserve answers and swift action from the Air Force.” The letter by the State Representatives followed the announcement of the investigation by Rogers. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Ten more pre-filed bills to watch
Last week, Alabama Today looked ahead at the coming 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. We looked at ten of the more interesting of the 36 bills that had been pre-filed at that time. Since then, 22 more bills have been pre-filed by legislators. As more bills have been pre-filed, we look at ten more bills that could become law this year. House Bill 34 was introduced by Rep. Tracy Estes (R-Winfield). HB34 would provide that it is unlawful to discharge a firearm on school property. Under existing law, it is already unlawful to discharge a firearm into an occupied or unoccupied school building. This bill would make a person who shoots or discharges a firearm into an occupied school bus or school building guilty of a Class B felony. A person who shoots or discharges a firearm into an unoccupied school bus or school building shall be guilty of a Class C felony. House Bill 40 was introduced by Rep. Jim Hill (R-Odenville). Under existing law, retired justices and judges may be called to active duty status and are compensated for their service. This bill would provide that retired justices and judges receive per diem, mileage, and be provided court-supportive personnel. This bill would require retired justices and judges to complete at least six hours of approved continuing legal education annually. House Bill 31 was sponsored by Rep. Artis “A.J. McCampbell (D-Livingston). Under existing law, a public K-12 school or school district determined to have poor performance is labeled by the State Superintendent of Education as failing to make adequate progress or as a failing school under the school grading system. Also, under existing law, the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013 provides financial assistance through an income tax credit to a parent who transfers a student from a failing public school to a nonfailing public school or nonpublic school of the parent’s choice. HB31 would change the designation of a failing school to a fully supported school and the designation of a nonfailing school to a non-fully supported school for the purposes of school grading and the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013 and would require the State Board of Education to reflect those changes in terminology when amending or adopting rules. House Bill 43 is sponsored by State Rep. Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee). Under existing law, a child six years of age on or before December 31 is entitled to admission to the first grade in public elementary schools, and a child five years of age on or before September 1 is entitled to admission to the local public-school kindergarten. HB43 would allow a child who becomes six years of age between September 1 and December 31 to be admitted to the first grade as long as they have completed kindergarten or otherwise demonstrates first-grade readiness. This mandatory kindergarten bill has passed the House of Representatives in the past two years but failed in the Senate. This bill would also allow a child under five years of age on September 1 to be admitted to public kindergarten under certain circumstances. House Bill 46 is sponsored by Rep. Allen Treadaway (R-Morris). This bill would permit any individual retired under the Employees’ Retirement System, who was classified as a law enforcement officer, to perform duties as a school resource officer without suspension of his or her retirement allowance. House Bill 36 was sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur). Under existing law, the Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials Management Act regulates the disposal and recycling of solid waste and recyclable materials. This bill would define “advanced recycling” as a manufacturing process to convert post-use materials such as plastics into recycled products. This bill would specify that advanced recycling at an advanced recycling facility would not be considered solid waste disposal or incineration under the solid waste act. Term in the definition of solid waste. This bill would also define “mill scale and slag” and include the term in the definition of solid waste. House Bill 38 was also sponsored by Rep. Hill. Under existing law, a judge must sentence an offender convicted of a nonviolent offense pursuant to the presumptive sentencing standards. This bill will allow a judge to deviate from the presumptive sentencing guidelines if a defendant is convicted after requesting a trial. House Bill 28 is sponsored by Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa). Under existing law, persons with a lawful pistol permit may possess their gun on school property. This bill would remove this exemption so that even a person with a concealed carry permit may not carry a gun on school grounds. House Bill 45 is sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Gray (D-Opelika). This bill would create the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act. It would require the State Board of Education to adopt certain guidelines to inform and educate student-athletes, parents, and coaches about the signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest. This bill would require each student-athlete and his or her parent or guardian to provide written acknowledgment of receipt of information about sudden cardiac arrest before the student may participate in any athletic activity. HB45 would require a student who passes out, faints, or exhibits symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest to be pulled from the athletic activity and would prohibit the student from returning to the athletic activity until an appropriate medical professional provides written clearance for their return. This bill would require each coach of an athletic activity to receive annual training relating to sudden cardiac arrest and would provide that a coach may be suspended if he or she does not complete the necessary training or if he or she fails to pull a student from an athletic activity for fainting or exhibiting symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest. This bill would protect a coach from liability related to a student who exhibits symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest unless the coach is reckless or grossly negligent. House Bill 25 was introduced by Rep. Parker Moore (R-Decatur). Under existing law, when an offender has previously been convicted of any three or more felonies or has been previously convicted of two or more Class A or Class B felonies and subsequently commits a Class D felony, he or she is sentenced as if he or
The NRA Political Victory Fund announces primary endorsements
The NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) has announced its endorsements for the May 24 primary in Alabama. The NRA-PVF is NRA’s political action committee. The NRA-PVF ranks political candidates – irrespective of party affiliation – based on voting records, public statements, and their responses to an NRA-PVF questionnaire. Mo Brooks received the endorsement and A rating for the U.S. Senate seat and incumbent Rep. Mike Rogers got an A rating and was endorsed for the U.S. House of Representatives. For the governor’s race, the group gave an A rating and endorsement to incumbent Kay Ivey. Incumbents continued to take the top spots in the Attorney General, State Senate, and House of Representatives elections. AG Steve Marshall received an A rating along with incumbent State Senators Tim Melson (Dist. 1), Tom Butler (Dist. 2), Steve Livingston (Dist. 8), Randy Price (Dist. 13), Dan Roberts (Dist. 15), Shay Shelnutt (Dist.17), Tom Whatley (Dist. 27), and Mike Jones (Dist.31). For the State House of Reps., the following incumbents received an A rating and endorsement: Phillip Pettus (Dist. 1), Parker Moore (Dist. 4), Proncey Robertson (Dist. 7), Tim Wadsworth (Dist. 14), Tommy Hanes (Dist. 23), Nathaniel Ledbetter (Dist. 24), Gil Isbell (Dist. 28), Debbie Wood (Dist. 38), Ginny Shaver (Dist. 39), Dickie Drake (Dist. 45), Jim Carnes (Dist. 48), Brent Easterbrook (Dist. 65), Jeff Sorrells (Dist. 87), Will Dismukes (Dist. 88), Rhett Marques (Dist. 91), and Matt Simpson (Dist. 96). State House of Rep. candidates that are not incumbents that received an A rating and an endorsement include Michael Hart (Dist. 49) and Troy Stubbs (Dist. 31). For the Sheriff’s elections, the following candidates received an A rating and endorsement: Max Sanders (Lawrence County), Joshua McLaughlin (Limestone County), Eric Balentine (Colbert County), and Matt Gentry (Cullman County).
Kay Ivey signs six bills, ensuring Alabama as pro-military state
Today, Gov. Kay Ivey signed six bills aimed at making Alabama even more military-friendly. Those bills include Senate Bills 28, 99, 116, 119, 141, and 167. These bills were recommended by the Alabama Military Stability Commission, which is chaired by Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth. “Alabama is the most pro-military state in the nation, and I am proud to put my signature on a series of legislation aimed at ensuring that we are even more military-friendly,” stated Ivey. “I commend the work by the Military Stability Commission, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Ainsworth, as well as the members of the Alabama Legislature for passing these important bills.” SB116, sponsored by Sen. Tom Whatley and Rep. Debbie Wood, will help ease the burden of military families moving to Alabama. It allows children of active military members moving to Alabama to enroll in local public schools remotely without being physically present in the state. Three bills, SB99 by Sen. Andrew Jones and Rep. Kenneth Paschal, SB167 by Sen. Shay Shelnutt and Rep. Dickie Drake, and SB141 by Sen. Tom Butler and Rep. Parker Moore, are all aimed at making it easier for military families to find work when relocating to Alabama. Each of the bills allows for greater flexibility in occupational licensing for military spouses. SB28, sponsored by Sen. Tom Butler and Rep. Andy Whitt, would create the Space National Guard within the Alabama National Guard if the federal government creates the Space National Guard. Finally, SB119, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot and Rep. Dickie Drake, will expand scholarships provided under the Alabama G.I. and Dependents’ Educational Benefit Act to include in-state and private two-and four-year colleges. “The men and women from across Alabama who serve on the Military Stability Commission understand the important role that our bases and other infrastructure play in keeping the state’s economy strong and jobs growing,” commented Ainsworth. “The bills that the Legislature passed and Governor Ivey signed into law will assist our mission of making Alabama the nation’s friendliest and most welcoming state for active service members, military veterans and their families.”
Republican Parker Moore wins special House District 4 race
Republican Parker Moore won the special election for House District 4 Tuesday evening, defeating Democrat Juanita Healy and Independent Polan “Pete” Willis in the race fill the vacancy created when former Rep. Micky Hammon pleaded guilty to felony mail fraud. House District 4 includes Limestone and Morgan counties. Following his win, Moore posted a thank you note to his supporters on Facebook. Thank you District 4! I appreciate the trust and confidence you have shown in me. I look forward to representing you as a conservative Republican. Tonight is just one step; we have one more election to go on June 5th! Moore’s victory will be short-lived as the terms expire in November and he must seek re-election in order to serve a full term. He’s already slated to face fellow Republican Tom Fredricks in the June 5 primary for the seat. The winner of that race will go on to face Healy in the Nov. 6 general election. Independent Willis will join the two should he meet the signature requirement necessary to be included on the ballot.
