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Jones: Trump’s threat to shut down the government over a wall is a “political ploy”

A government shut down this weekend became more probable Thursday after President Donald Trump told GOP lawmakers that he would not sign a bill to fund the government because it doesn’t include money for his border wall, a campaign promise that he has yet to fulfill. The threats blew a gaping hole in the budget … Continued
December 21, 2018

New residential construction is up from October

Privately-owned housing starts in November 2018 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,256,000. This is a 3.2 percent increase above the revised October 2018 estimate of 1,217,000. The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development jointly made the announcement following the release of new residential construction statistics for … Continued
December 21, 2018

Jones urges Trump to deliver promised aid to farmers hurt by Chinese retaliatory tariffs

U.S. Sens. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, and John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, on Friday wrote to President Donald Trump calling on his administration to announce the second round of the agriculture tariff trade assistance. The first round of Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments was announced on August 27, 2018. The second round of assistance was anticipated on … Continued
December 18, 2018

Jones encourages rural Alabama entities to apply for USDA broadband infrastructure grants

The USDA is offering up to $600 million in loans and grants to build broadband infrastructure in Rural America and on Friday U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-Alabama) urged rural Alabama entities to apply for the money. Senator Jones released a statement encouraging eligible rural Alabama entities to apply for the up to $600 million in … Continued
December 17, 2018

Ivey awards $3.1 million in block grants to assist low-income residents

Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants totaling $3.1 million for programs that help low-income residents take steps to secure gainful employment and improve their quality of life. The Community Services Block Grants will enable 20 community action agencies throughout the state to help low-income residents achieve self-sufficiency and address barriers to success through a variety … Continued
December 14, 2018

Alabama Career Center System to host emergency meetings for Virginia College students, employees

Wednesday, the Alabama Career Center System, in cooperation with the Alabama Community College System, AIDT, the Southwest Alabama Partnership for Training and Employment (SWAPTE), and the Rapid Response Team (part of the Dislocated Worker Unit at the Alabama Department of Commerce) announced that there will be emergency information sessions for students and employees who have … Continued
December 13, 2018

Farm Bill passes the House of Representatives

Wednesday, the bipartisan 2018 Agriculture and Nutrition Act, H.R.2, better known as the Farm Bill, passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill covers agriculture subsidies, conservation, rural development and nutrition. The Farm Bill reauthorizes farm programs and directs the nation’s agricultural policy for the next five years. The House and Senate had both passed … Continued
December 13, 2018

As lawmakers consider new gas tax, Alabama remains last in per capita state, local tax collection

As state lawmakers prepare to consider a gas tax increase during the next legislative session, a new report from the Public Affairs Research Council shows Alabama’s state and local governments collect less in taxes per capita than any other state in the country. Alabama has been behind in tax collection since the early 1990s, according … Continued
December 12, 2018

Shaw Industries expands Andalusia plant

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey was in Andalusia at the Shaw Industries carpet plant. The Shaw Industries Group, Inc. announced that is investing $250 million in its Andalusia manufacturing facility, which creates fiber used to manufacture residential carpet. “Visiting Covington Co. this morning to celebrate @Shaw_Inc’s $250 million investment in their Andalusia Fiber Manufacturing Plant,” Gov. … Continued
December 12, 2018

Brooks lauds November jobs report

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, made a point to laud the good Bureau of Labor Statistics November jobs report Friday. “The November Jobs Report is very good in the context of two troubling events: the threatened return of socialist, anti-growth policies of Democrats who have captured the House of Representatives and rising interest rates (caused … Continued
December 10, 2018