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Bill Funding Career Tech Equipment Awaits Passage
Alabama students and teachers are encouraging the Senate to grant final approval to a $50 million career tech bond issue before the end of the session. Alabama State School Board of Education (ALSDE) Career Tech Director Dr. Philip Cleveland said new equipment is needed so students can learn on the same tools used in technical schools and industry.
"It's no longer acceptable for us to continue doing what we've always done," Cleveland said. "We have to be very strategic in looking at industry needs and making sure the skills training we provide is in line with those needs. And if not, we're doing students a huge disservice."
Cleveland said developing strong career tech programs helps businesses save money on training employees and entices industries locate in Alabama because of access to a skilled workforce. More than 400,000 Alabama high school students take career tech and agriscience classes.
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At A Glance - Career Tech
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Year
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Number of Alabama
Career Tech Programs
| 2013
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1,969
| 2012
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1,872
| 2011
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1,961
| 2010
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2,063
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Through HB102, sponsored by Rep. Mac Buttram, R-Cullman, $20 million would be made available to schools that apply to start a new agriscience or career tech program. Equipment for a new welding programs costs almost $80,000, and tools for a new agriscience program cost more than $35,000, according to ALSDE estimates.
The other $30 million would be distributed based on the number of career tech programs and student enrollment.
Alabama Farmers Federation members are encouraged to ask their senator to support of HB102. Click here for the Federation's Legislative Action Center.
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Change To Building Standards Would Benefit Forestry
Alabama's forestry industry could benefit from bills currently moving through the Legislature. SB326 and HB457 would prohibit the construction of public buildings using certification standards that discourage the use of Alabama lumber.
"It doesn't require timber products be used (for public construction), but it prevents us from excluding Alabama wood products," said Sen. Marc Keahey, D- Grove Hill, sponsor of the legislation. Rep. Mike Jones, R-Andalusia, is sponsoring the House companion.
Over the past few weeks, public hearings were held on both bills. Representatives from the timber industry said they have lost contracts on projects because some building certification standards do not allow the use of Alabama wood products.
In Alabama, forestry generates $21.4 billion in economic impact and employs 122,020 people, according to a recent study. AFF supports. Members are encouraged to ask their representatives to support SB326 and HB457.
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Legislature Recognizes Outstanding Young Farm Family
The Alabama Senate and House of Representatives commended Jon and Amy Hegeman of Calhoun County as the Alabama Farmers Federation's 2012 Outstanding Young Farm Family. The Hegemans received a round of applause in the Senate gallery as Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey introduced the family. The Hegemans met with Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, and Rep. K.L. Brown, R-Jacksonville, who represents Calhoun County. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, congratulated the family. Pictured, from left are Marsh, Jon, Ella Kate and Amy Hegeman.
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Senate Committee Proposes Education Budget
The Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee approved major changes to the Education Trust Fund (ETF) budget at its Wednesday meeting. The proposal lowers the teacher and support personnel pay raise from 2 percent to 1 percent and includes $70 million to repay the Alabama Trust Fund.
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The Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose, right, passed its version of the Education Trust Fund Budget Wednesday.
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Committee chairman Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose, emphasized the difficulty of balancing a budget reliant on income from sales taxes when the economy is performing poorly. He said uncertainty about the impacts of sequestration, the Alabama Accountability Act and repayment of $437 million borrowed from the rainy day fund in 2008 complicates budget planning.
"We will move forward and hopefully pass a responsible budget during these very difficult (financial) times," Pittman said.
During discussion, Pittman stated support of career tech programs and emphasized their importance in providing a skilled, well-trained workforce. Under the proposal, funding would increase for the Career Tech Initiative, Auburn University's Poultry Technology Center and the Alabama Agricultural Land Grant Alliance. Funding would decrease for the Cooperative Extension System.
"We're thankful to Sen. Pittman and the committee for supporting agriscience and career tech education," said Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan. "It is a tremendously difficult challenge to balance all the requests and needs with limited funds."
The Senate is expected to vote on the ETF budget next week.
AFF Priorities At A Glance - ETF Budget |
Budget Item
| Senate F&TE Proposal
| Change From House Proposal
| Career Tech - Operation and Maintenance
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$5,000,000
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No Change
| Career Tech Initiative
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$3,257,967
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$1,000,000  | Poultry Tech Center at AU
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$300,000
| $50,000
| Rural Medical Scholars at UA
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$650,000
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No Change
| Rural Health Program at AU and UAB-Huntsville
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$211,350
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No Change
| Ag Land Grant Alliance (AALGA)
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$5,229,283
| $100,000
| Cooperative Extension System
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$31,621,552
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$301,785  |
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General Fund Budget Passes House
A $1.7 billion General Fund (GF) budget passed the House of Representatives Tuesday 75-27. The proposal includes increased funding for the state court system and state Deparment of Corrections, Department of Human Resources and Department of Commerce.
"Doing more with less requires making tough decisions," said House General Fund Committee Co-Chairman Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark. "It is imperative that Alabamians receive the vital services they need, and this budget is a great compromise to ensure those service are prioritized and adequately funded."
The Senate must approve changes in the proposal before the budget goes to the governor.
AFF Priorities At A Glance - GF Budget
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Budget Item
| House Approved for 2014
| Change From
2013 Budget
| Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP)
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$90,674
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No Change
| Soil and Water Conservation Committee
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$4,348,084
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$792,817 | Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO)
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$380,000
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$29,480 | Department of Ag and Industries
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$9,404,233
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$15,000 | Farmers Market Authority
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$200,000
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$208 | Alabama Forestry Commission
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$9,124,653
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No Change
| Rural and Community Fire Protection
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$1,155,468
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No Change
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Bills In Brief
Farmers Market Authority (FMA) Consolidation, HB342, sponsored by Rep. Chad Fincher, R-Semmes, would consolidate the FMA into the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. The bill passed the House of Representatives Thursday in a 94-2 vote. The Senate companion, SB247, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, awaits a Senate vote. AFF supports. Drought Management, SB208, sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, passed the House Commerce and Small Business Committee Tuesday. The bill requires development of a state drought management plan. The House companion, HB382, sponsored by Rep. Mark Tuggle, R-Alexander City, awaits a House vote. AFF supports. Game Harvest Reporting, SB454, sponsored by Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, passed the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee Wednesday. The bill would prohibit the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) from estabilishing a mandatory reporting system for deer and wild turkey harvests. AFF opposes. SB454. Click here for more information on the reporting system and other recent hunting policy changes. Weights and Measures, HB357, sponsored by Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, passed the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee Wednesday, 7-1. The Senate companion, SB261, sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, awaits a Senate vote. The bills would require business owners to hire independent service agents registered with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) to inspect scales and weighing instruments used in business transactions. Currently, ADAI performs the tests. AFF neutral. Hazardous Waste Disposal, HB181, sponsored by Rep. A.J. McCampbell, moved to the governor's office after passing the Senate 25-4 Thursday. The bill would lower state and local hazardous waste disposal fees. AFF monitoring. Nurse Practitioners and Midwives, HB307, sponsored by Rep. Ron Johnson, R-Sylacauga, passed the Senate Health Committee. The bill would allow certified registered nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives to prescribe certain medicines. The Senate companion, SB229, sponsored by Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, passed the House Health Committee Wednesday. AFF supports.Medicaid Overhaul, SB340, sponsored by Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, passed the Senate Wednesday in a 27-3 vote. The bill would establish Regional Care Organizations (RCOs) responsible for paying providers with state and federal Medicaid funds. The bill is assigned to the House Health Committee. The House companion, HB454, sponsored by Rep. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, passed the House Tuesday, 78-20. AFF monitoring. |
The Senate reconvenes at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 30, for the 26th 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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