Virginia Martin

State Leaders: Focused Plan Needed for ARPA Money Allocations

The money is coming. But how it will be spent is still an open question. Alabama leaders have a rare chance to use federal money to make significant improvements to the state’s broadband networks and other infrastructure systems, but leaders need to plan carefully for its spending in order to stay competitive with states that have the same opportunities, Alabama Finance Director Bill Poole told a panel of lawmakers Thursday. “Every state in this country is going to spend an enormous amount of federal funds on broadband, on water and sewer infrastructure, on health care …,” Poole said during an update on the Alabama Rescue Plan Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, two federal laws that will infuse billions into the state. Poole said the state’s objective “should recognize that we’re in a competition with other states and we have to take this opportunity of a lifetime to advance further than those other states do in their investments so that, when the dust settles, we’ve improved our competitive position. Read more.

After a Blowout Pilot Season, High School Girls Flag Football Could Be an Official Sport in Alabama

The Alabama High School Athletic Association’s pilot season of girls flag football culminated Wednesday with a championship game between Hewitt-Trussville and Smiths Station high schools at Birmingham’s new Protective Stadium. The Lady Huskies of Hewitt-Trussville defeated the Lady Panthers of Smiths Station in a thrilling overtime game. “These athletes out there, they’re good,” said Jeff Segars, assistant director of the AHSAA. Earlier this year, the central board for the association voted to make girls flag football a pilot program this season. Hundreds of students competed on 40 teams across the state. The sport isn’t officially sanctioned by the association just yet, but Segars said they’re hoping to move in that direction. “Based on our bylaws, if we have enough member schools who are going to sponsor a team for 2022-23, we will sanction it,” Segars said. Read more.

Court Temporarily Suspends Mandate for Health Care Workers to Be Vaccinated

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday temporarily blocking President Biden’s mandate that all health care workers be vaccinated against COVID, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced. Marshall and attorneys general in 13 other states filed a suit seeking to block the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid

‘Drive Electric Alabama’ Campaign Promotes EVs

The state this week launched Drive Electric Alabama, an electric vehicle education and marketing program. “As automakers make significant investments in electric vehicles, we know more and more motorists will consider purchasing one,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a written statement. “In addition, automobile manufacturing is one of Alabama’s key industries, and we want to make sure that this economic engine remains vibrant for Alabama’s workers.” Read more.

Not Us: JeffCo Commissioners Not Responsible for JCCEO

Jefferson County Commission talked about media reports that said the commission was taking action regarding the nonprofit Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity. Commission President Jimmie Stephens made it clear that is not the case. “The commission has no purview over any nonprofit organizations in the county, much less the JCCEO,” Stephens said following the meeting. Read more.

Birmingham Loosens Rules on Taxis to ‘Modernize’ Service

The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to “modernize” the city’s taxicab ordinance, loosening restrictions on the appearance of taxis and allowing them to use third-party GPS technology to calculate fares. The change comes as traditional taxi companies compete against ride-sharing operations that aren’t under the same rules as cabs. “The goal of this is updating, modernizing some of the (ordinance) to the way the industry operates now,” Assistant City Attorney Julie Barnard told the council. “There’s a lot of changes. The primary thing is, this opens the city up to more modern operations and taxis, and that’s the goal here.” Read more.

JeffCo Commission Discusses Rescue Spending

The Jefferson County Commission is considering how to spend money coming in as part of Phase 1 of the American Rescue Plan Act funds. The commission began that discussion Tuesday, although the federal government has not yet issued the final guidelines for spending under that act. County staff devised the current plan using the preliminary guidelines, Justin Smith, an assistant to the county manager, told commissioners. “We're trying to get some money out immediately pending the receipt of that final guidance using the interim guidance that has been provided by the Treasury,” Smith said. “We don't want to put all our eggs into one basket this time because things are going to change once that final guidance comes out. Read more. Also in the Jefferson County Commission:

Not Us: JeffCo Commissioners Not Responsible for JCCEO

Application Period for Library Board Closed Tuesday

Applications to become a member of the Birmingham Public Library’s board of trustees are due today at 5 p.m. Three slots on the board are open now and terms for another three members expire at the end of the year. The board has been controversial for more than a year as employees became discontent, the executive director was fired and, most recently, the board discussed closing several library branches. Read more.

New Law to Infuse Billions for Alabama Infrastructure

Alabama could get more than $6.8 billion in road and transportation funding in the recently approved $1.2 trillion Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act. While broad outlines of how that money will be allocated are available, more federal direction is needed before specific projects are identified. “We’re still waiting on the federal guidance on what exactly we can do with this money,” Tom Layfield, executive director of the Alabama Road Builders Association, told Alabama Daily News. To see approximately what Alabama should expect from the infrastructure law over five years, read more.

How a Birmingham Shop Owner Brings Memories to Life Through Books

History and nostalgia dwell inside Reed Books, also known as The Museum of Fond Memories, in downtown Birmingham. There are floor-to-ceiling memorabilia with packed shelves of books, writings, boxes of photographs and records. There’s even an antique post office box filled with old letters. Jim Reed opened this shop 41 years ago to become his own boss. But he chose to sell books because they are what he loved most growing up. “I teach the love of books, the care of books and the importance of books as memory triggers,” he said. Read more.