Author

Craig Ford

Craig Ford is the owner of Ford Insurance and the Gadsden Messenger. He represented Etowah County in the Alabama House of Representatives for 18 years.

News

Raising Rates the Same as Raising Taxes

By House Minority Leader, Representative Craig Ford Mismanagement. That is the only word to describe the state’s decision this week to raise insurance premiums on state employees instead of choosing to tap into the board’s reserves for next year. It would be one thing if this were a small increase or if there were no … Continued

Craig Ford

September 24, 2013

Opinion

Holding the Republican Supermajority Accountable On the Accountability Act

By Representative Craig Ford When the Republican Supermajority in Montgomery rammed the Accountability Act through the legislature, they did so without any idea how as to how much it would cost. So when they wrote the education budget, they took a guess and set aside $40 million of your tax dollars (just for this year) … Continued

Craig Ford

September 17, 2013

Opinion

Alabama’s Unemployment Problem and How We Can Climb Out of the Recession

By Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford This week we celebrated Labor Day, a time to recognize and honor the contributions made by working and middle class families to our nation’s economy. But for many families, Labor Day is just a reminder that they are unemployed or cannot find a job that comes with quality pay … Continued

Craig Ford

September 3, 2013

Opinion

Is the Accountability Act Helping Our Children?

By House Minority Leader, Representative Craig Ford As the new school year has begun, the Accountability Act has once again made its way into the headlines of newspapers across Alabama. The Accountability Act was sold to the public as giving families with children “trapped in a failing school” the opportunity to claim a $3,500 tax … Continued

Craig Ford

August 26, 2013

Opinion

Doing What’s Best for Our Children’s Education

By Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford Education should not be a partisan issue. We should always do what is in our children’s best interests. I believe strongly in working with the business community to develop curriculums that prepare our children not just for a college education, but also for entering the workforce. Last week’s announcement of … Continued

Craig Ford

August 20, 2013

Opinion

Time to Invest in Public Education and Stop Punishing Educators

By Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford I have always been a believer in the value of education. And that is why I have always fought to protect our public schools and to fund them to the level that our children deserve. But over the past three years, state leaders in Montgomery have done a very … Continued

Craig Ford

August 13, 2013

Opinion

Alabama Needs Leaders Who Will Be Your Representative to Government, Not the Government’s Representative to You

By Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford When I was growing up, one of the most important lessons my parents taught me was to always remember who got me to where I am. Like that old saying goes, “You dance with the one that brung ya.” As a state representative, I have tried my best to … Continued

Craig Ford

August 6, 2013

Opinion

Alabama Soldier Presents State, American Flags to Ford

From the office of House Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford Gadsden, AL – After flying over the skies of Afghanistan and being carried on combat missions by members of the Alabama National Guard, an American and Alabama flag have returned home where they were presented to House Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, last Friday. … Continued

Craig Ford

July 30, 2013

Opinion

Bi-Partisan Support for Education Reform Begins with AMSTI

By Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford I was very glad to see Gov. Bentley come out this week in support of the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative, more commonly known as the AMSTI program. This program is something that Democrats have long been in support, and I am glad to see Gov. Bentley … Continued

Craig Ford

July 23, 2013

Opinion

Why We Must Inspire Our Children to Public Service

By Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford Earlier this month, a new Gallop poll was released showing that sixty-four percent of Americans do not want their children to pursue a career in politics. While I understand why Americans feel this way, I am also deeply disappointed by this. Certainly, politics has earned a bad reputation. There’s … Continued

Craig Ford

July 16, 2013