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Alabama FFA Students Visit Montgomery
Blue jackets dotted downtown Montgomery Tuesday as 185 FFA students, representing 25 chapters across Alabama, attended the third annual FFA Day at the Capitol. Called the Goat Hill Gathering, the event gave students an opportunity to learn about state government and leadership.
State FFA Reporter and Wadley High School senior Luke Knight said the field trip was a learning experience for students and a reminder to legislators of the impact of agriscience education.
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State FFA officers met with Alabama Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn. From left are State FFA Treasurer Abby Himburg of Ariton; State FFA Vice President Dawn Turner of Enterprise; Hubbard; and State FFA Reporter Luke Knight of Wadley.
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"By coming to events like this, we're learning more about the leadership aspect of FFA," Knight said. "Agriculture is Alabama's number one industry, and FFA is the largest youth leadership organization in America. It's very important (for legislators) to put a lot of effort into keeping Career Tech and FFA in our high schools."
During the day, students met with their legislative delegations and discussed how current legislation could improve Career Tech and agriscience education. HB102, sponsored by Rep. Mac Buttram, R-Cullman, and known as the 21st Century Workforce Act, would provide $50 million in bonds for Career Tech programs to upgrade equipment to industry standards.
"This visit to Montgomery is often an eye-opening experience for FFA students who get to learn the inner-workings of state government and how legislation affects their education," said Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmers Director Jennifer Himburg. "Federation members are encouraged to show their support of FFA and Career Tech by asking their senators to bring up HB102 for a final vote in the Senate."
Students also met Gov. Robert Bentley on the state Capitol steps for a picture and heard from State Treasurer Young Boozer in the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee room. Former state FFA officers Curt Lee and Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, spoke to students about how FFA prepared them for future leadership responsibilities.
The group was recognized in the House of Representatives and the Senate as students watched from the gallery. Work in the legislature began with State FFA President Josh Williams of Boaz leading the pledge in the Senate and State FFA Treasurer Abby Himburg of Ariton leading the pledge in the House.
State officers also met with Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey and Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn.
The Goat Hill Gathering is sponsored by the Alabama FFA Foundation and the Alabama Farmers Federation.
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Senate Approves Bridges And Roads Legislation
A bill providing funds for bridge and road improvements is on its way to the governor's office after the Senate unanimously approved a House amendment to the bill Thursday.
Sponsored by Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman, and Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Capshaw, SB192 establishes the Rural Assistance Match Program (RAMP) and would provide $5 million in state and federal funds for bridge and road repairs to each participating county.
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On Wednesday, the ATRIP committee discussed road and bridge improvement projects submitted by city and county governments. From left, facing the camera, are Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper; Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Capshaw; Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman; Daniel Autrey with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries; and Alabama Farmers Federation Cotton, Soybeans and Wheat & Feed Grains Director Buddy Adamson.
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McCutcheon said the results of RAMP and its parent program-the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (ATRIP)-will be talked about for years. McCutcheon and Bussman serve on the ATRIP committee, which has announced 439 projects totaling $613 million since 2012.
"One of the issues the ATRIP committee has been serious about is making sure we are very fair with every area of the state," McCutcheon said. "We've made sure we haven't left anyone out. If the (cities and counties) will do their homework and get us a project, we're going to make sure it gets looked at."
Twenty-two counties are expected to participate in RAMP: Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Crenshaw, Dale, Fayette, Geneva, Hale, Henry, Lawrence, Lowndes, Marengo, Marion, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Wilcox and Winston. Other Alabama counties will remain eligible for bridge and road funds through ATRIP.
By law, Gov. Robert Bentley may sign the bill into law or veto and send the bill back to the Legislature with suggested amendments. The bill automatically becomes law if the governor does not take action on the measure in six days.
AFF supports and encourages members to contact their county commissioners and engineers to discuss projects to improve farm-to-market bridges and roads.
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House Proposes Education Budget
A proposal for the Education Trust Fund budget would provide level funding for Career Tech programs while increasing funding for rural medical programs. House Ways and Means Education Committee Chairman Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery, introduced the budget detailed in HB166 in committee Tuesday at a public hearing.
The proposal preserves $5 million for Career Tech Operations and Maintenance and almost $2.3 million for the Career Tech Initiative, with $900,000 dedicated to agriscience programs. The Alabama Farmers Federation supports $5 million in funding for the Career Tech Initiative with $1 million used for agriscience programming.
Other agriculture education programs receiving level-funding include Auburn University's Poultry Technology Center at $250,000 and the Alabama Agricultural Land Grant Alliance at $4.3 million.
The budget funds the rural medical scholars program at the University of Alabama at $650,000 and the joint rural medical program of Auburn University and UAB in Huntsville at $211,350, an increase of almost 50 percent for both programs.
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House Ways and Means Education Committee Chairman Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery, leads discussion on the proposed Education Trust Fund budget during Tuesday's committee meeting. From left are committee Vice Chair Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin, R-Pelham, and Love.
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The proposal includes a 25 percent increase in funds for the state climatologist to $250,000 and a 1.5 percent increase for the Cooperative Extension System to $31.6 million.
Love said education employees would receive a 2-percent cost-of-living raise and would benefit from the state beginning to pay for their liability insurance. He estimated a decrease of $70.5 million in the ETF due to sequestration and the tax credits provided to families of students in failing schools through the Alabama Accountability Act.
The budget includes $200 million to repay the rainy day account for education, which was depleted to avoid proration in 2008. Love said one of his goals is to repay the more than $400 million borrowed from the education rainy day account before the 2015 deadline.
The House Ways and Means Education Committee is expected to vote on the budget Tuesday, April 9, at 11 a.m. in Room 617 of the Statehouse.
Federation members are encouraged to thank representatives serving on the House Ways and Means Education Committee for support of agriscience education, rural medical programs and other agriculture initiatives.
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Sen. Bill Hightower, R-Mobile
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Senator Bill Hightower Assumes Office
Sen. Bill Hightower, R-Mobile, was sworn into office during the legislative break March 29. Tuesday was his first day serving in the Senate, representing Alabama's 35th district. Hightower replaces former Sen. Ben Brooks, R-Mobile, who won an election for circuit judge in 2012.
He has been assigned to the Senate committees on Banking and Insurance; Commerce, Transportation and Utilities; Job Creation and Economic Development; and Local Legislation Number Three (Mobile County). He was selected to serve as Vice Chair of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, replacing Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Daphne. |
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Bills In Brief
Green Building Standards, HB457, sponsored by Rep. Mike Jones, R-Andalusia, passed the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Wednesday. The bill would prevent the use of certification standards that discourage timber products for the construction and renovation of public buildings. The Senate companion, SB326, sponsored by Sen. Marc Keahey, D-Grove Hill, is awaiting a Senate vote. AFF supports.
Drought Management, HB382, sponsored by Rep. Mark Tuggle, R-Alexander City, would permanently establish the Alabama Drought Assessment and Planning Team and charge the Alabama Office of Water Resources with developing a state drought plan. It will be voted on in the House Commerce and Small Business Committee on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in Room 621 of the Statehouse. The Senate companion, SB208, sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, is awaiting a Senate vote. AFF monitoring.
Gun Rights, SB93, sponsored by Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, reinforces a citizen's right to bear arms and would nullify any federal acts which violate the Second Amendment. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday. AFF supports.
Public Waters, HB204, sponsored by Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, would prohibit the obstruction of public waters without a license or permit. The bill passed the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Wednesday and is on the House of Representatives agenda for Tuesday. AFF monitoring.
Business Licenses, SB397, sponsored by Sen. Slade Blackwell, R-Mountain Brook, would establish an online business license system. It would authorize an annual state license fee of $150 and a $15 online user fee. Counties could collect an additional fee of $50 per business location. There will be a public hearing on the bill Tuesday at the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee at 12:30 p.m. in Room 727 of the Statehouse. AFF monitoring.
Gas Tax Distribution, HB514, sponsored by Rep. Dexter Grimsley, D-Newville, would allow proceeds of the 4-cent excise tax on gasoline to be used for vegetation management. Currently, funds must be used for resurfacing and restoration of roads and bridges. The bill will be in the House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Room 410 of the Statehouse. AFF monitoring.
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County Connection
Members of the Lee County Women's Leadership Committee visited the Alabama Statehouse Tuesday to meet with their legislative delegation. From left are Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn; Ann Whatley; Barbara Whatley; Jackie Henderson-Long; Lee County Women's Leadership Committee Chairman Jamie Lazenby; Brenda Reese; and Lynda Adair.
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The Senate reconvenes at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, for the 18th day of the Legislature's 30-day regular session.
The House reconvenes at 1 p.m. |
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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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