Category: Government
New Alabama Law Aims to Improve Police Interactions With People With Disabilities
Some advocates said the law’s requirement of an hour-long training on working with people with “invisible” disabilities and sensory needs is a good start. Read more.
Commissioners Endorse Amendment 1, Say It’s Needed to Address Local Issues
The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday passed a resolution endorsing Amendment 1 on the March 5 ballot, but not before two commissioners gained greater understanding of the measure.
Joe Knight explained during Tuesday’s committee meeting that the amendment would make it easier for legislators to pass local legislation earlier in the session. It would allow legislators to take up bills that are specific to one county before it takes up the state’s budgets. Normally, the legislators must have 3/5 of a quorum vote to OK a budget isolation resolution, which allows them to take on other bills before the budgets. It often is late in the session before the budgets are passed. Read more.
Earlier This Week:
JeffCo Commission Considers Backing Amendment to Make Passing Local Laws Easier
County Works With Cities for Quicker Emergency Response Times in Unincorporated Areas
Jimmie Stephens said the decline in complaints about lengthy emergency response times in Jefferson County is no accident.
The president of the Jefferson County Commission said it is because the county has established agreements to partner with municipal fire and rescue departments throughout the county to provide service beyond the limits of their town or city. Read more.
Birmingham Council Approves Legislative Agenda Without Measure Allowing It to Opt Out of County Personnel Board
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved its 2024 legislative agenda minus one item: a proposal asking for state legislation that would allow the city to drop out of the Jefferson County Personnel Board, if it so chose. The rest of the agenda centers on laws to make it easier for the city to address blight in neighborhoods. Read more.
JeffCo Commission Considers Backing Amendment to Make Passing Local Laws Easier
The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday will be considering its support for an amendment on the March 5 ballot that would make it easier for legislators to pass local legislation earlier in the session.
The resolution supporting the adoption of Amendment 1 was discussed in the commission’s committee meeting Tuesday. District 4 Commissioner Joe Knight, president of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, explained following the meeting that the amendment simplifies matters that are specific to individual counties.
“The commission is saying we’re in support of voting for Amendment 1, which is an amendment that will take off the BIR (budget isolation resolution) requirement hurdle before you can get to your local legislation if the budgets haven’t passed,” Knight said. “And they’re never passed until late.” Read more.
League of Women Voters, ASU Team Up to Offer Public More Legislative Info
The League of Women Voters of Alabama is expanding its work to give the public access to what goes on in the Legislature. The league’s Education Fund and Alabama State University are collaborating to recruit interns to record House and Senate public meetings that are not live-streamed and make them available on its Alabama Channel. Read more.
JeffCo Finance Officer Awarded for Excellence
Angela Dixon, Jefferson County’s chief finance officer, was praised Tuesday during the Jefferson County Commission’s committee meeting for having received a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association.
JeffCo Has a Great Day at the Market Refinancing Its Sewer Debt
Jefferson County has completed its refinance of $2.24 billion in sewer revenue warrants for a gross savings of $1.17 billion, which reduces the county’s payments on the overall sewer debt.
Additionally, the refunding was accomplished without extending the maturity of the sewer debt. The refinance includes a provision for a customer assistance program and stabilizes rate increases. Read more.
Bryan Brinyark Wins House District 16 Special Election
Republican lawyer Bryan Brinyark will head to Montgomery to represent House District 16, which includes Fayette County, parts of Tuscaloosa and western areas of Jefferson counties. Read more.
Council Approves $150K for Project to Provide High-Level Training to Junior Tech Workers
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday voted to spend $150,000 on a project to transition junior developers and engineers in the tech industry into more senior-level positions.
The group tasked with developing this program, called the Birmingham Upskill Partnership Initiative, is the regional technology association TechBirmingham.
Deon Gordon, president and CEO of TechBirmingham, said stakeholders in the tech industry have noticed a dearth of workers with senior-level skill sets. Read more.
