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Runoff Election Delayed to July; Political Campaigns Rethink Strategy

MONTGOMERY— Alabama political campaigns that were set for primary runoff elections on March 31 have to now adjust their strategies after Gov. Kay Ivey moved the election date to July 14 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ivey on Wednesday said delaying the election was the best way to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus while also allowing people to exercise their right to vote. “The ability to hold free and fair elections is an inherent right as citizens of the United States and the great state of Alabama, but the safety and well-being of Alabama citizens is paramount,” Ivey said. The decision greatly changes the political landscape in an already heated campaign season. Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Ivey Delays Alabama Primary Runoff Election Until July 14

 Gov. Kay Ivey today moved Alabama's primary runoff elections from next Tuesday, March 31, until July 14 because of the coronavirus pandemic. “Exercising my extraordinary powers under the Emergency Management Act, I am setting Alabama’s Primary Runoff Election for July 14, 2020,” Ivey said during a news conference this morning. “The ability to hold free and fair elections is an inherent right as citizens of the United States and the great state of Alabama, but the safety and wellbeing of Alabama citizens is paramount." She said recommendations that people practice social distancing and avoid crowds would be difficult to maintain in election day. Read more.

by Glenn Stephens

Birmingham’s Coronavirus Response Includes Loan Program for Small Businesses, Increased Funding for First Responders

The Birmingham City Council will vote next Tuesday on an ordinance that would provide emergency loans to certain small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic — but the program will need additional votes next week to take effect. The loan program would allocate nearly $1.2 million to revenue-generating small businesses affected by the novel coronavirus; individual businesses would be eligible for up to $25,000 in loans, with an anticipated average of $10,000 per business. The funding would come largely from the city’s general fund, which would contribute $1 million; the remaining $200,000 would be provided by the city’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity. “Part of what we have to do is bridge small businesses into a new economic environment in what is really a turbulent time,” Dr. Josh Carpenter, the city’s director of innovation and opportunity, told the council Tuesday morning. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

Doug Jones: ‘We Don’t Want to Overrun This System Which is Already Under Stress.’

Democratic U.S. Senator Doug Jones likens the spread of coronavirus to a forest fire. “Only you can prevent this forest fire,” Jones says. “That’s how we need to approach this.” Jones says that means individuals should follow the advice of public health officials and practice social distancing to slow the spread of the disease. Health officials caution people not to go out unless necessary and wash hands frequently. Jones spoke with WBHM’s Andrew Yeager about coronavirus testing, the federal response, and its effect on Alabama’s upcoming runoff election. Read more.

by Andrew Yeager, WBHM

AG: Governor Can Postpone March 31 Runoff

MONTGOMERY — Attorney General Steve Marshall on Tuesday said Gov. Kay Ivey has the authority to postpone the upcoming March 31 runoff elections under power granted to "protect the public health and safety" during a proclaimed state of emergency. Read more.

by TODD STACY, Alabama Daily News

Coronavirus Could Impact State Legislature, Budgets

State lawmakers are expecting the coronavirus, and attempts to stop its spread, to affect Alabama’s tax revenues and the 2021 budgets they’re drafting. “I think it could have a dramatic impact,” Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, said Monday afternoon. He’s chairman of the House General Fund budget committee. He said it could be several weeks to a month before the financial toll of closures and social distancing are known. State and federal officials have said states will be reacting to the coronavirus for at least six to eight weeks. “I think we’d need to wait as late as possible on the budgets to see how everything develops,” Clouse said.  Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Shut It Down: Jefferson County Officials Close the Doors of Bars and Restaurants, Make Gatherings of 25 People or More Illegal

The chief medical officer of Jefferson County laid down the law this evening in the war against the coronavirus, ordering “drastic efforts” to avoid contact with people who might have the disease. Beginning Tuesday and until further notice, all gatherings of 25 people or more are prohibited countywide. All Jefferson County bars, breweries and restaurants are to prohibit in-person dining and drinking for one week. That policy will be reevaluated at that time. They may, however, offer delivery and curbside take-out. Also, all senior centers, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities must be closed to visitors. Dr. Mark E. Wilson said authorities are aware of 17 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Jefferson County but believe there are “many, many more.” Based on initial disease investigation, he said officials believe there is community spread of the virus within Jefferson County, not just spread from contact with people who have been out of the country. Across Alabama, the state Health Department is reporting 29 confirmed cases of the disease. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

ABC Temporarily Closing 78 Stores

The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board is temporarily closing 78 stores and reducing hours at others today in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus. “Because of staffing requirements and health concerns, we believe that closing some of our stores will provide the greatest amount of employee/customer protection, while ensuring maximum productivity and efficiency,” ABC’s government relations manager, Dean Argo, said in an email. Stores remaining open will operate from noon to 7 p.m. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News
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