A legal fight that kept the Alabama Accountability Act from being signed by the Governor ended this week as the Alabama Supreme Court lifted a temporary restraining order. The measure gives families zoned for "failing" schools the right to claim tax credits to pay for private school or better public schools. The Alabama Education Association has vowed to continue its legal fight to stop the measure from being implemented.

The passage of the measure has led some in the House and Senate to slow down the legislative process in protest. Bills have been read at length while others have faced debate, not aimed at killing them, but rather drawing out the discussions so little could be accomplished by the body. It is expected that this will continue until the legislature takes its spring break week after next.

The HBAA took part in an informational meeting between advocates for and against HB 257 which calls for a constitutional amendment to prohibit counties and cities from assessing residential rental owners a business license fee on every unit. Sponsored by Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), HB 257 exempts local communities that currently assess such a fee. Representatives from the Alabama Realtors Association raised the specter of unwarranted administrative burdens and excessive fees. The HBAA expressed its opposition to fees being charged on unoccupied units. Representative Moore echoed that position when he stated that he felt that state government was often the last line of defense for small business. The Realtors agreed to work with concerned communities to draft language to clarify the exemption, exempt Community Development Districts, and consider making the measure a general bill rather than a constitutional amendment.

The HBAA commends Rep. Moore and the Alabama Realtors Association for their efforts to negotiate a compromise bill that protects small business and addresses the concerns of local communities.

House Bill 140 by Rep. Victor Gaston (R-Mobile), which would grant tax credits to those who rehab historic structures in downtown areas or historic districts, now awaits action by the full house. The bill, which mirrors the existing federal historic tax credit statute, would apply to the preservation, development, or rehabilitation of structures, including single family homes. Currently, 31 states have enacted similar tax credits which act as an incentive to remodel and revitalize older, historic neighborhoods.

On a related note, the Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards Banquet will be held April 13 at 129 Coosa at 6:00 pm in the heart of Montgomery's revitalized downtown. Make plans to join us for this year's event as we pay tribute to those who restore Alabama's historic homes to their past glory and turn older houses into comfortable homes with all the modern amenities. Click here for more information about the AREA competition and banquet.