Friday Five: April 14, 2023
The Alabama Legislature is in session, and Peritus PR is back with our fan-favorite #FridayFive legislative highlights series.
At the end of each week, we’ll take a pit stop to help make sense of the bills that were introduced, debated, passed, failed or signed at the Alabama State House.
If you missed our 2023 Alabama Legislative Guide, start there.
THIS WEEK’S FRIDAY FIVE
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Gov. Ivey’s “Game Plan” is approaching the end zone with high favorability in both the House and Senate. The incentives package includes four pieces of legislation to (1) renew the Alabama Jobs Act and Growing Alabama program, (2) spur industrial site development, (3) bolster a tax credit for innovative small businesses and (4) increase transparency around the Jobs Act. The Senate will vote on two more of the bills before the package gets over the goal line to the governor’s desk for her signature.
Read More: Economic development package clears first hurdles in Alabama Legislature (Alabama Reflector)
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School choice remains a hot-button issue this legislative session with a bill (SB202) introduced this week that would establish $6,900 education savings accounts for parents who choose to homeschool their child or send them to a private school. “Number one, it’s parents’ responsibility to determine what is best for their child,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Tuscumbia). “Hence the name—the Parental Rights in Children’s Education Act. And then number two, the money ought to follow the child. And number three main point, if you don’t want to participate, you don’t have to participate. If you’re satisfied with the school you’re going to, fine, leave everything just like it is.”
Read more: Alabama parents could get $6,900 for private school, homeschool costs in broad school choice bill (AL.com)
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A bill cosponsored by more than 20 legislators would ban seven “divisive concepts” related to race, sex and religion from discussion in public schools, kindergarten through college. HB7 proposes disciplinary action and even termination for educators who violate the restrictions. At a public hearing on the bill this week, a teacher who opposes the bill said, “Alabama schools, certainly and consistently ranked as the worst in the country. We are in the midst of a teacher shortage. I myself have considered leaving the profession. Teachers are exhausted and exasperated of attacks on the profession on our schools and our students.”
Read More: “Divisive Concepts” bill headed back to the House for the second year (Alabama Political Reporter)
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From groceries to state income, the legislature is considering a variety of tax reduction measures this legislative session. While Alabamians are feeling the effects of inflation, the state budgets are in surplus. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed said, “Is there a way to take some of the surplus, use it to reduce taxes on the people of the state of Alabama?” None of the proposed cuts or exemptions have made it to the governor’s desk yet, but we’ll keep watching.
Read More: Year of tax cuts in Alabama? Where proposals stand in the Legislature (AL.com)
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Under proposed bill SB154, the state would be slower to suspend drivers licenses in cases of non-dangerous traffic violations. According to research by Alabama Appleseed, nearly 170,000 drivers licenses in Alabama are suspended because of missed payments. Less than 9,000 licenses are suspended for dangerous driving. The bill advanced out of committee and will now head to the Senate floor.
Read More: Driver’s license suspension ‘grace’ bill approved in committee (Alabama Daily News)
OUR PUBLISHED BY PERITUS TAKEAWAY
State public policy shapes our communities, our organizations and our lives. In return, we all have the right and privilege to shape public policy. The driver’s seat has your name on it.
We know life gets in the way, and there are a number of roadblocks to following the legislative session. That’s why Peritus’ public affairs team created a handy-dandy #ALPolitics Guide with all the tools you need to identify and contact your local representatives, explore media resources to keep you informed throughout the session and bridge the gap between policymakers and your community. If you’re reading this, you’re off to a good start.
See ya next Friday!
Check out the 2023 Peritus PR Alabama Legislative Guide here.