Clarke County Democrat

Legislators convene Feb. 2 but will take early Covid-19 break



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The Alabama State Capitol. Legislators meet in the State House building behind the Capitol.

The Alabama State Capitol. Legislators meet in the State House building behind the Capitol.

“No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.” From a New York Court decision, 1866

The Alabama Legislature’s regular session, which starts Tuesday, Feb. 2 will be very different this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Legislators normally take a break about mid-way through the session, sometime in March usually around the time of schools’ spring breaks. But this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, that break will come two weeks into the session. Why? To give pause to see if there is an outbreak of the virus in either the House or Senate.

House Speaker Mac McCutcheon has said the break will give an opportunity to make sure everyone is well and that safeguards are working. It will also give time to assess what has been done and to prioritize for the balance of the session.

Different for these first few weeks before the break is that legislators will meet for three days straight each week. Normally, the Legislature is in session on Tuesdays and Thursdays with committee meetings on Wednesdays.

 

Local legislators include State Rep. Brett Easterbrook, R-Fruitdale who represents District 65 which includes a part of Clarke County and all of Choctaw and Washington counties; State Rep. Thomas E. Jackson, D-Thomasville whose District 67 covers portions of Clarke, Conecuh, Marengo and Monroe counties; and State Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore whose District 22 includes all of Clarke, Escambia and Washington counties and portions of Baldwin and Monroe counties.

The state’s General Fund and Special Education Trust Fund budgets will likely be pushed up this year because of the pandemic. Budgets are the only item of business legislators are constitutionally mandated to handle but they are usually put off until late in the session — sometimes being passed on the final day. McCutcheon has said he has asked House committee chairpersons to move budget discussions faster this year in case there is a Covid-19 issue.

Joint budget hearings of the House and Senate were held this past Tuesday. The hearings are an opportunity for state agencies to advocate for their departments and for legislators to ask questions about operations and spending.

Aside from the budgets, other issues likely to be on the table this session include prison problems, healthcare needs (including coping with coronavirus), educational needs, broadband needs for rural areas and gambling.

The state’s prison system is woefully overcrowded and understaffed. The U.S. Justice Department has filed suit against the state demanding that it deal with the issue. State leaders have promoted different solutions but none that have gone anywhere.

A study group formed by Gov. Kay Ivey issued its report in December, saying the state could gain about $300 million a year from a lottery, up to $400 million from casinos and $10 million or more from sports betting. In addition to the revenues, all of the gambling ventures could create 19,000 jobs.

The tight quarters of the Alabama State House will also impact the way the Legislature works this year. Offices for the House and a chamber are on one floor and Senate counterparts on another.

The House chamber is more cramped with 105 members. When in session, representatives will be spread out across the House floor and into the balcony and adjacent rooms usually reserved for the public, lobbyists and staff. Legislators will be provided with iPads so they can vote remotely without having to come to the House floor.

The Senate, with just 35 members, is better able to function in its chambers.

However, in both chambers, the public and lobbyists will have separate spaces on other floors of the State House to meet with legislators or await their times to speak to committees, etc.

Public access will be limited but video live-streaming will keep legislators’ activities open.

As of last week, 147 bills had been pre-filed — 43 in the Senate and 104 in the House. There will likely be many more this week.

The session is limited to 30 session days within 105 calendar days. It must conclude by May 17.

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