State senators have one day to vote on a bill improving equipment used in Alabama high school career tech and agriscience programs. HB102, known as the 21st Century Workforce Act, is sponsored by Rep. Mac Buttram, R-Cullman, and has been awaiting a final Senate vote since March 7.

With one legislative day remaining, AFF members are encouraged to ask their senators to pass HB102 this session. To send an email or letter, visit the AFF Legislative Action Center. Members may also use the AFF social media links to contact state senators through Facebook and Twitter.   

While the bill has been on the Senate's agenda numerous times, extended debate on other legislation forced the Senate to adjourn before voting on HB102. The bill includes $30 million to update equipment in established programs and $20 million for equipment in new career tech programs.

"High school students enrolled in career technical programs, including agriscience classes, deserve the best equipment the state can provide," said Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmers Director Jennifer Himburg, who serves on the governor's College and Career Ready Task Force. "Students entering the workforce often discover they're not completely prepared because the equipment they learned on in high school is older than the workplace's equipment. Passage of this bill would benefit Alabama high school students, industries and businesses. Career-ready graduates are crucial to our state's economic development."

Alabama State Board of Education Superintendent Tommy Bice said the Federation has been a great partner in recognizing the importance of career tech education.

"They work with us throughout the year on policy and program issues in public education that affect the whole state and have been an integral part in elevating career and technical education back to a place of prominence," Bice said.   

The $5.8 billion ETF budget includes a 2 percent raise for teachers and support personnel. The budget removed increases of $1 million for the Career Tech Initiative and $50,000 for Auburn University's Poultry Technology Center originally approved by the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee. However, both programs were funded at their fiscal year 2013 levels. 

Funding for agricultural programs in the $1.7 billion GF proposal did not change from previous versions. The budget includes a new line item for the State Water Assessment Program to fund research for measuring Alabama's water resources. The Federation supports water data collection before considering state water policies. 

Both budgets now move to Gov. Robert Bentley for approval.    

AFF Priorities At A Glance - ETF Budget

Budget Item	2014 Budget Proposal	Change From 2013 Budget
Career Tech - Operations and Maintenance	$5,000,000	No Change
Career Tech Initiative	$2,257,967	No Change
Poultry Tech Center at AU	$250,000	No Change
Rural Medical Scholars at UA	$600,000	$159,091
Rural Health Programs at AU and UAB-Huntsville	$211,350	$70,000
Ag Land Grant Alliance (AALGA)	$5,329,283	$100,000
Cooperative Extension System	$31,621,552	$444,199

AFF Priorites At A Glance - GF Budget

Budget Item	2014 Budget Proposal	Change From 2013 Budget
Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP)	$90,674	No Change
Soil and Water Conservation Committee	$4,348,084	$792,817
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO)	$380,000	$29,480
Department of Ag and Industries	$9,404,233	$20,000
Farmers Market Authority	$200,000	$208
Alabama Forestry Commission	$9,124,653	No Change
Rural and Community Fire Protection	$1,155,468	No Change
State Water Assessment Program	$1,000,000	$1,000,000

For questions or comments regarding newsletter content, e-mail:

Brian Hardin - Director of Governmental Affairs

or

David Cole - Director of Agricultural Legislation

For distribution questions or media inquiries, e-mail:

Mary Johnson - Director of News Services