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

Response from House Minority Leader Craig Ford On School Flexibility Bill

By Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford “The school flexibility bill would allow school systems to opt out of having adequate insurance for their buildings if a tornado hits, and to opt out of liability insurance for school buses. This bill allows school systems to hire teachers who have no training or certification. They wouldn’t … Continued

Craig Ford

February 14, 2013

Opinion

School Flexibility Bill Must Be Fixed or It Should Be Rejected

By Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford Public education is one of the most important services our state and local governments provide. All of us want to see our schools improve, and our children’s quality of education rise. For Republicans in Montgomery, their signature proposal for public education is a bill they call the “School … Continued

Craig Ford

February 11, 2013

Opinion

Why the Democratic Party is Not Dead in Alabama

By Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford Since 2010, some people have argued that the Democratic Party is dead in Alabama. They are wrong. There are several reasons why Democrats are not only alive, but in good position to take back several seats we have lost. First, the 2010 and 2012 elections are not a … Continued

Craig Ford

February 5, 2013

Opinion

To Get Results, We Have To Invest In Our Children’s Education

By Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford As legislators prepare to return to Montgomery next week for the 2013 Legislative Session, one of the biggest issues we will address will be public education. Last week, Republicans in the state legislature announced their legislative agenda for this year. Their only education proposal was a school flexibility … Continued

Craig Ford

January 30, 2013

Opinion

What We Can Learn from Dr. King

By Representative Craig Ford, House Minority Leader “…there is nothing greater in all the world than freedom. It’s worth going to jail for. It’s worth losing a job for. It’s worth dying for. My friends, go out this evening determined to achieve this freedom which God wants for all of His children.” -Dr. Martin Luther … Continued

Craig Ford

January 21, 2013

Opinion

Ford: Setting Legislative Goals for 2013

By Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford As legislators prepare to return to Montgomery on February 5th, we have to determine what issues will be our priorities in the coming legislative session. In the coming weeks, House Democrats will announce our official legislative agenda for the year. But today, I want to discuss what the … Continued

Craig Ford

January 14, 2013

Opinion

Stop Playing Politics With Peoples’ Lives!

By House Minority Leader Craig Ford I don’t envy Gov. Bentley. He has a tough job to do, and has had to make some tough choices over the past two years. But one of the choices he has made should not have been tough at all. And, yet, he took months to make his choice, … Continued

Craig Ford

January 1, 2013

Opinion

Response from House Minority Leader Craig Ford

By Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford to Gov. Bentley’s Claims About Saving the State a Billion Dollars “The governor claims he is saving millions of dollars through “right-sizing the state government workforce” and “consolidating government agencies.” But that really means is he is cutting spending by eliminating teachers, support personnel, and state employee jobs. It … Continued

Craig Ford

December 31, 2012

Opinion

The Universal Christmas Gift

By House Minority Leader Craig Ford The holidays are a time for giving. We give gifts to our friends, families, and co-workers. We give money and other donations to charities like Toys for Tots, the Salvation Army, or a local food bank. But money and presents are the only gifts we can give, and sometimes … Continued

Craig Ford

December 26, 2012

Opinion

Legal and Responsible Gun Owners Should Not Have to Choose Between Their Safety and Their Jobs

By Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford Alabama Political Reporter When our founding fathers wrote the Bill of Rights, they made the “right to keep and bear arms: a priority. In fact, the right to own a firearm comes second only to the first amendment rights to free speech, freedom of religion, and the freedom … Continued

Craig Ford

December 4, 2012