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Democrats Slow Legislature In Response To School Bill
Few bills passed either chamber of the state Legislature this week as Democrats slowed the law-making process in response to a school accountability bill passed Feb. 28.
The reaction was caused by a provision of the bill added in a conference committee allowing parents of students in failing schools to claim an income tax credit to enroll their child in a private or non-failing-public school. The House concurred on the bill in a 51-26 vote, and the Senate concurred 22-11.
"This bill gives parents a choice and provides the ability for their children to succeed," said Rep. Chad Fincher, R-Semmes, House sponsor of the legislation. "If a child is stuck in a failing school, this bill would allow the parents to receive a tax credit to send their child to a school of their choice. This option has never existed before." Sen. Bill Holtzclaw, R-Madison, is the Senate sponsor of the legislation.
Known as the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013, the bill would also give income tax credits to businesses or individuals for funding nonprofit scholarships for students to transition out of a failing school. The act would allow schools to contract with the Alabama School Board for program and budget requirement waivers.
"Our policy supports efforts to provide a better education for the children of Alabama," said Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan. "We congratulate the legislative leadership in taking this step to grant more flexibility for school systems to improve failing schools."
Supporters of the legislation, including House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, are petitioning the Alabama Supreme Court to resolve a dispute over the bill. The Alabama Education Association (AEA) filed a lawsuit Monday, claiming the conference committee changes violated the Open Meetings Act. Montgomery Circuit Judge Charles Price issued a temporary restraining order to block the Legislature from delivering the bill to Gov. Robert Bentley for his signature.
Defendants in the case filed an emergency order motion Thursday, asking the Alabama Supreme Court to overturn the temporary restraining order. Without action, the restraining order will be in effect until March 15.
Bentley has promised to sign the bill into law. He said he hopes this bill will improve education to the point where the tax credits are not needed because there will be no failing schools in the state.
For more information from the Alabama House Republicans, visit AlHouseGOP.com/Accountability
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General Fund Budget Proposal Passes Committee
The Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee unanimously passed the general fund budget proposal sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, on Wednesday.
The proposal, detailed in SB143 would increase funding for the Soil and Water Conservation Committee (SWCC) to $4 million from Gov. Robert Bentley's request of $3.5 million. Half of the additional funds would go to the Resource Conservation and Development Program. The Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP), administered by the SWCC, would receive level funding of $90,674. State AWEP funds are matched 9-1 with federal dollars.
The bill upholds the governor's request of $380,000 to offset registration fees for Concentrated Animal Feed Operations (CAFOs), the amount needed to fully fund the EPA-mandated program. It also maintains a new appropriation of $1 million for the Groundwater Assessment Program administered through the State Geological Survey Office.
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and the Alabama Forestry Commission would receive essentially level funding at $9.4 million and $9.1 million, respectively.
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A.L.F.A. Leaders Visit Montgomery
Lessons in politics and public policy were on the agenda when members of the Agricultural Leaders For Alabama (A.L.F.A.) class visited Montgomery March 5-7. Over three days, the group toured state government buildings, met with state leaders and shared dinner with Gov. Robert Bentley.
 | | Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee Chairman Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, and House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Chairman Rep. Chad Fincher, R-Semmes, shared breakfast with A.L.F.A. Leaders March 7 at the Federation home office in Montgomery. From left are Whatley, A.L.F.A. Leader Zachary Burns of Marshall County, Fincher and A.L.F.A. Leader Justin Barrett of Elmore County. |
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Eric Lovvorn, a Cleburne County poultry and cattle farmer who sat across from Bentley at dinner at the Federation home office in Montgomery. "We talked about the importance of farming to the state and the importance of young leaders for the future of Alabama. He (Bentley) was extremely personable; we even talked about hunting and fishing."
At breakfast on Thursday, the group met with Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee Chairman Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, and House Agriculture and Forestry Chairman Rep. Chad Fincher, R-Semmes. Class members met other state leaders during their visit, including Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, Attorney General Luther Strange, Secretary of State Beth Chapman, State Treasurer Young Boozer, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Tommy Bryan. Lovvorn said he was impressed.
"It's amazing to think about how many important people walked through the room where we met today," he said. "I'm very grateful to Alfa for allowing me to have this opportunity."
Bentley said having dinner and meeting with young farm leaders was an enjoyable experience for him, too. He encouraged A.L.F.A. class members to stay involved in government.
"It's important to know what's going on," he said. "Remember, the government is you."
Sixteen young farmers are participating in the third A.L.F.A. Leaders class, which started last summer. The program includes eight sessions covering leadership skills, effective communication, political involvement and personal development. A.L.F.A. Leaders will be recognized at a graduation ceremony at the Alabama Farmers Federation's 2014 annual meeting.
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Legislation Addresses Weights Inspections, Farmers Market Authority
Bills introduced in the Legislature would change the procedure for weights and measures inspections and consolidate the Farmers Market Authority.
Current law requires the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) to test all scales, weights and measures used for business transactions. Companion bills sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, and Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, would require business owners to hire ADAI-registered independent service agents to perform the test. The agents would be required to record testing information in an electronic database.
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Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan answered questions about weights and measures legislation before the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee at Wednesday's meeting.
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"Every measuring device in the state is what we're talking about, from the pawn shop to the drugstore right on up to the huge conveyors that weigh coal in transit," Agriculture and Industries Commissioner John McMillan said. "We're trying to think outside the box and figure out a way to deal with our responsibilities and, at the same time, protect both consumers and sellers."
According to McMillan, the department has gone from employing 28 inspectors to five during his time in office. Under this bill, inspectors would be responsible for oversight of the electronic database and random testing, he said.
SB261 passed the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee 6-1 on Wednesday, with Sen. Shadrack McGill, R-Scottsboro, casting the lone dissenting vote. HB357 unanimously passed the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee the same day.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, and Rep. Chad Fincher, R-Semmes, would consolidate the Farmers Market Authority (FMA) into ADAI. McMillan and FMA Director Don Wambles have expressed their support of the measure.
HB342 passed the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee unanimously Wednesday. SB247 is assigned to the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.
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Bills In Brief
Irrigation Tax Credit Improvements, SB204, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would allow farmers five years to claim the irrigation tax credit for construction of irrigation systems, reservoirs or wells. It would also open up additional land along the state's largest rivers for farmers to use direct-withdrawal irrigation techniques and qualify for the credit. The bill unanimously passed the House Ways and Means Education Committee. The House companion, HB289, sponsored by Rep. Alan Boothe, R-Troy, is awaiting a vote in the House. AFF supports and encourages members to contact their representatives through the Legislative Action Center and ask for support of HB289 when it comes before the House of Representatives for a vote.
Bridge And Road Projects, SB192, sponsored by Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman, passed the House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee. The bill would establish the Rural Assistance Match Program (RAMP) for bridge and road repair projects. Twenty-two counties are expected to participate and will be guaranteed $5 million per county in state-matching money and federal funds. The House companion, HB213, sponsored by Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Capshaw, passed the Senate Commerce, Transportation and Utilities Committee. AFF supports.
Career Tech Funding, HB102, sponsored by Rep. Mac Buttram, R-Cullman, would provide $50 million in bonds for new equipment purchases for career tech programs. The bill is awaiting a Senate vote. AFF supports.
Right To Work, SB41, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, would protect the right of employees to either join or decline membership in labor unions. The bill passed the Senate Thursday and is assigned to the House Commerce and Small Business Committee. AFF supports.
Nurse Practitioners And Midwives, SB229, sponsored by Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, is intended to expand medical care access in rural areas by allowing certified registered nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives to prescribe certain medicines. The bill passed the House Health Committee, 6-0. The House companion, HB307, sponsored by Rep. Ronald Johnson, R-Sylacauga, is on the House Health Committee agenda for Wednesday, March 13, at 9 a.m. in room 807 of the Statehouse. AFF supports.
Auction Yards Database, HB35, sponsored by Rep. Kurt Wallace, R-Maplesville, would require auction businesses to maintain a database of items sold for $100 or more. The bill passed the House Commerce and Small Business Committee. AFF monitoring.
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The Senate will reconvene at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 12,
for the twelfth day of the Legislature's 30-day regular session.
The House will reconvene at 1 p.m. the same day. |
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For questions or comments regarding newsletter content, e-mail:
Brian Hardin - Asst. Director of Governmental and Agricultural Programs
or
David Cole - Director of Agricultural Legislation
For distribution questions or media inquiries, e-mail:
Mary Johnson - Director of News Services
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