Week 10

March 23- March 26

I am tempted to welcome you all back from Spring Break, but it seems quite pointless at this late date. After all, Spring Break has been over for a whole week now. It feels like it has been an eternity. Even though our state legislators came back in this week, they only have a very short time remaining in this year’s session as yesterday was the 22nd Legislative Day.

I have noticed lately that most people around the state, or at least most of the people I have spoken with during the last week, don’t realize how short of a time our legislators actually spend in Montgomery. So here is a quick lesson. By law, the State Legislature only meets 30 days a year unless the Governor calls for a Special Session in an emergency situation. You may remember that last year Governor Riley called a Special Session to deal solely with several of the issues facing Jefferson County. To learn more about that Special Session you can look back in our updates from last summer.

Another topic I have heard from a few people is about introducing legislation at this late date in time. In a few very special circumstances a bill could be introduced now and still have a chance, but that is unlikely. SB233 by Senator Scott Beason is a late arrival, but it has such large implications and powerful people behind it that it just might be considered. On the other hand, several pieces of new legislation that have been mentioned to me recently just would not go anywhere. It takes a minimum of 5 Legislative Days to pass a bill and with only 8 left, this would be just about impossible.

The bill I just mentioned by Senator Beason is the bill that would essentially override the Federal Health Care that was passed and signed this week. It would exempt Alabama from having to participate in this new plan. Senator Lowell Barron will not put the bill up on the calendar and has thwarted all attempts to bring the bill up for debate in the Senate. I heard that Senator Barron was bombarded by calls, emails and texts about this bill during the week. I was at that point very glad that he isn’t in my delegation. That would have made for a “fun” week around the office.

You may be aware that the only items that our State Legislature is legally responsible for is the passing of two budgets, the General Fund and the Education Trust Fund. This year, both the House and Senate have procrastinated a bit and the House just got around to the Education Trust fund in committee this Wednesday. It will come before the full House body on Tuesday.

Speaking of the House, yesterday seemed to be just like good old times. Our own Representative Mike Hill brought up HB485 dealing with counties. The bill will provide a solicitors fee in criminal cases that will equal the current Fair Trial Tax Fund. The bill was filibustered for most of the day, but finally passed late in the afternoon before the House adjourned until Tuesday. This bill will now head to the Senate for final passage.

Well folks, we have just few weeks left, which also means we have only a short time left in Spring Training. I tell you, I sure am glad. I can’t wait for the Season to start. Believe me, on April 5, I will be wearing my Phillies hat to work. Oh, and I don’t want to talk about the whole March Madness thing. Villanova is out, Temple is out, and barring an utter miracle I can no longer win the pool here in our office building. Oh, well. Such is life. Have a great weekend.

Stephen Frey
Legislative Director