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economic developers

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Economic developers examine prison situation

On Wednesday, July 24, the Economic Development Association of Alabama, Alabama Department of Corrections and Alabama Department of Pardons and Paroles hosted an Alternative Workforce Seminar in Elmore County. The day-long professional development opportunity highlighted opportunities for the business community to work with individuals exiting the Department of Corrections or within the Department of Pardons … Continued
July 31, 2019

Houses passes bill intended to improve use of economic incentives

The Alabama House of Representatives passed the Alabama Incentives Modernization Act on Thursday to improve the way that the state uses economic incentives. More specifically, this bill would add new tools for the attraction and expansion of businesses in rural Alabama as well as in federally designated Opportunity Zones. It also targets attracting technology companies. … Continued
May 20, 2019

2019 legislative session begins Tuesday

The 2019 regular session of the Alabama legislature begins today Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey will give her annual state of the state address to a joint session of the Alabama Legislature tonight at 6:30 p.m. There are several key issues that will be decided by the legislature in these weeks. Fuel tax increase – This … Continued
March 5, 2019

Economic developers want to expand ethics law exemptions

The Alabama Code of Ethics Clarification and Reform Commission met in Montgomery for a public hearing on proposed “reforms” to the Alabama Ethics Law Tuesday. Many people in the economic development community were present to express their support for efforts to reform the state ethics law. They supported pending legislation to protect economic developers and … Continued
February 1, 2019

Bill to exempt economic developers from registering as lobbyists passes Senate

Economic developers may soon be exempted from registering as lobbyist after a tense day in the Legislature characterized with delay tactics and a narrow Senate vote. House bill 314, which would exempt economic developers from registering as lobbyist, cleared the Senate on Wednesday, but it took many hours of delay tactics by opposing senators. Sens. … Continued
March 29, 2018

Is leadership in the Alabama Legislature planning a bait-and-switch on HB317?

The wall is crumbling. Last week, a small group of senators held firm against an ethics bill, HB317, that would, among other things, exclude full-time and part-time “economic developers” from laws requiring them to register as lobbyists. Heading into what should be the final week of the 2018 session, sources say that small group has … Continued
March 27, 2018

HB317: A measure of just how stupid our government is

The most depressing thing about Alabama politics these days is just how stupid our scams are. I think that’s a sign of a good, healthy government: the more well-planned and well-executed your scams, the better overall government you have. Because smart scams require smart people to carry them out. So, if nothing else, at least … Continued
March 22, 2018
Bradley Byrne

A Busy August

By Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-1) Each August, the House of Representatives goes out of session and Members of Congress spend time back in their home state for a District Work Period. While these District Work Periods are sometimes known as “recess,” that does not mean Members of Congress are on vacation. Instead, some of the … Continued
August 8, 2016