Regular Session Officially Underway
After spending the first two weeks of session focusing on ARPA funds, Alabama lawmakers returned to Montgomery for their first full week of the 2023 Regular Session. By the time they adjourned on Thursday, nearly 200 bills had been introduced, including legislation to reform residential building codes, increase the monetary threshold for competitive bid and public works projects, and to exclude overtime pay from being counted as “income” for tax purposes. The Legislature is off this week for Spring Break and will resume their work next Tuesday in Montgomery.
Gov. Ivey: Four years of Rebuilding Alabama
March 12 marked the fourth anniversary of Rebuild Alabama, possibly the most monumental legislation ever passed in Alabama’s history. Since its enactment, Rebuild Alabama has accounted for record investment across our state. Those investments are represented by 234 projects in all 67 counties, 400 miles of resurfaced roadways, and more than $170 million in state transportation funding awarded to cities and counties. That is what I call real, tangible results. Read Gov. Ivey’s Op-Ed at Yellowhammer News.
Gov. Ivey: Economy Gained 54,100 Jobs in 2022
Governor Kay Ivey recently announced that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted January unemployment rate is 2.6%, unchanged from December 2022’s revised rate, and also unchanged from January 2022’s rate. January’s rate represents 58,411 unemployed persons compared to 59,986 in December and 60,270 in January 2022.
“I’m proud to kick off 2023 with a continuation of Alabama’s unemployment rate holding steady,” said Governor Ivey. “We have been enjoying a period of low unemployment, high wages, and high jobs count for some time now, and I believe that more is yet to come. We will not back down on our commitment to continue to bring quality, high-paying jobs to Alabama.” Read her complete press-release at this link.
AGC Webinar: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Signed into law in November 2021, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), is the most significant infusion of investment in our infrastructure since the enactment of the Interstate Highway System in the mid-1950’s. So how much of the money has been accounted for? Are there hurdles that have slowed down anticipated projects from this increased funding? This four-part webinar series will provide contractors with an update on the new law and what they should expect in the years to come. Experts from the federal government, all the way down to the local level, will provide an update on the law’s impact on rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure. In addition, participants will hear from economists and regulatory experts which will help them make informed decisions before bidding on projects. Click here to learn more.
ALAGC Announces New Advocacy Website
In order to better serve our members, Alabama AGC is rolling out a new “Advocacy Center” so you can keep up with all things government relations year-round. This webpage will let you sign-up for action alerts, find out who your legislators are, view the bills we are watching, and send messages directly to elected officials about bills or regulations. While we are still in the initial phase right now, go ahead and click the button below to look around and bookmark it on your phone or computer. Go to the Advocacy Portal.
Political Snippets from Alabama & DC
Want more political news from Montgomery and Washington? Here’s what we were following this week:
- Capitol Journal: Week In Review (APT)
- Senate approves $59 million payment to the Alabama Trust Fund (AL Reporter)
- Legislative briefs for March 23 (ADN)
- Q&A with U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (ADN)
- State Dept: US ‘concerned’ by Mexican seizure of Vulcan Materials’ port (ADN)
- Economic incentives remain good for Alabama (AL.com)
- Capitol Update: Week Three of the 2023 Legislative Session (BCA)
- Sixth Circuit: Being a Federal Contractor Does Not Make You State Actor (Bradley)
- Ala. will proceed with 2 new prisons despite cost increase (Corrections)
- Steve Flowers: 2026 Governor’s race has begun (Yellowhammer)
- Political Snippets from Around the Country (AGC of America)