Jan. 21, 2013

Ala. Republicans, Democrats lay out 2013 legislative priorities

By SCOTT WRIGHT

State Republicans and Democrats last week announced agendas for the 2013 Alabama legislative session, which begins Feb. 5.

Billed as the “We Dare Defend Our Rights 2013 Legislative Agenda” in a Jan. 17 press release from the office of House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Opelika, the Republican party's list of issues proposes to fight against “constant threat from an ever-expanding and encroaching federal government, committed liberal activists, and entrenched special interests.”

“We Dare Defend Our Rights” is the official state motto, adopted in by the Legislature in 1923.

Among the items listed on the GOP legislative agenda is the Women's Health and Safety Act, which would require that physicians become involved in the abortion process and set standards for nursing care and post-operative follow-up visits at abortion clinics.

The Alabama Firearms Protection Amendment, citing concerns that President Obama might fill any vacancies on the United States Supreme Court with judges who would overturn Second Amendment protections, would “protect the right of every Alabamian to keep and bear arms.”

The Local Control School Flexibility Act, if enacted by the Republican supermajority in Montgomery, would give more freedom to local school boards to address issues “in a manner that makes sense for their unique situation.” The bill would allow local systems the ability to request exemptions from certain laws and state policies.

Other items on the GOP agenda would ensure the repayment of $437 million to the Alabama Trust Fund; simplify ballot language; increase funding in the state's career technical education programs; limit the impact of future government initiatives on small businesses; allow certain employees to opt-out of any aspects of the Affordable Care Act they deem to be overreaching; expand the attorney general's ability to investigate cases of suspected Medicaid fraud; and streamline government by combining state agencies that the Republican party considers redundant.

Sen. Phil Williams, R-Gadsden last week joined Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh in announcing legislation that has been pre-filed to reorganize state public safety and law enforcement agencies.

Republicans estimated cost-savings of $260 million over 10 years by consolidating more than 20 agencies with law enforcement or investigative missions down to seven – compared to an average number of nine in neighboring states.

“Unlike what we're seeing out of politicians in Washington, one of the defining qualities of Senator Marsh and my Senate Republican colleagues is the whole-hearted commitment to reducing the size and cost of state government,” Williams said.

In a statement released earlier last week, House Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, outlined his party's priorities for the session, including school security, a pay raise for teachers and school support personnel, closing tax loopholes that allow large companies to avoid paying state income taxes, and revisiting the idea of a state lottery.

“Democrats will sponsor legislation to help provide armed resource officers in our schools to help keep our children safe,” Ford said Jan. 14.

Ford said a pay raise for educators is long overdue.

“The last time educators and state employees received a pay increase was in 2008,” he said.

Ford said closing loopholes will raise revenue without raising taxes on Alabamians.

“This can be done by rolling back certain tax loopholes that allow multinational corporations like ExxonMobil to pay little or even no state income taxes, which is unfair to small business owners and Alabama-based companies,” he said. “We should also reconsider a state lottery. Alabama is one of only seven states that does not have a lottery, which fiscal experts estimate could generate $250 million in new state revenue each year.”