7. Increasing issues at the southern border
- It’s anticipated that numbers from the border that are set to be released by the Biden administration will show a wave of migration at the southern border. The Department of Homeland Security says that they’re seeing “overwhelming numbers,” but Biden has refused to acknowledge the crisis at the border.
- During the 2019 border crisis, apprehensions reached a peak of 144,000 in May, but February saw 76,000 and January had 57,000. This year, though, it’s expected February’s numbers will be about 100,000 after January already had 78,000. A Customs and Border Protection source told Fox News, “It’s going to be insane come spring.”
6. Teachers are being vaccinated, but we don’t really know how many
- Despite there not being widespread data on how many teachers have been vaccinated across the states, there are many being vaccinated against the coronavirus. Baldwin County Superintendent Eddie Tyler said that he believes 3,000 of the 4,000 employees in his district vaccinated.
- The coronavirus vaccine has been available for teachers for just over a month, but the Alabama Department of Public Health isn’t tracking vaccinations based on occupation, which has resulted in the lack of data. There has been a push from teachers across the state to not return to in-person instruction until all teachers can be vaccinated.
5. Bill targeting rioters gets sent to subcommittee
- A public hearing was held for the bill that would increase the penalties for rioting, looting and property destruction, but the Alabama House Judiciary Committee ultimately decided to send the bill back to subcommittee.
- State Representative Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa) spoke at the hearing and focused on raising concerns over how this bill could impact people. He raised the issue of “how difficult it is at times to be a black American now in this county.” England and State Representative Allen Farley (R-McCalla) called for the bill to go to subcommittee, but State Representative John Rogers (D-Birmingham) said that he doesn’t “trust the subcommittee,” adding, “If they try to force the bill out, they’re going to tear the whole session up. The session will be ruined once they bring that bill back.”
4. General fund budget passed
- A $2.4 billion General Fund budget for the state has passed the Alabama House of Representatives. This is the largest budget they’ve ever passed, and State Representative Steve Clouse (R-Ozark) said he feels “like this is a very good budget.”
- The budget does include a 2% raise for state employees. The budget will now go to the State Senate, which Clouse said will bring some changes to the budget most likely, but it’s expected that these will only be minor changes.
3. Alabama is recovering faster than other states
- According to CNN Business and Moody’s Analytics, Alabama’s economy is recovering faster than most other states. The initial lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic saw a 30% decrease in gross domestic product for just one quarter. But now, Alabama is fifth overall for getting “back to normal” based on employment and production.
- The third quarter in Alabama has a 35% increase, according to the University of Alabama Center for Business and Economics Research. It’s even anticipated that there could be a 3.1% growth overall in 2021. Before the pandemic, the state’s unemployment rate was about 2.7%. Most recent numbers from November put the state at 4.4%. Some of the quick recovery is due to Alabama’s economy relying more on production instead of services.
2. Alabama National Guard to help with vaccinations
- Governor Kay Ivey has announced that the Alabama National Guard will be sent to rural areas of the state to help with administering coronavirus vaccines. This will happen in at least 24 counties across the state. The guardsmen will be at mobile vaccination sites within these counties.
- Ivey said, “The Guard and Public Health will be working closely with county emergency management officials to determine the sites.” She added that “we can have hope, because, finally, we can see the end of COVID-19.”
1. No casinos, sports betting or lottery after gambling expansion busts
- Much was made about this being the year for a comprehensive gambling bill in Alabama, but that seems unlikely after the State Senate voted down an attempt to get it done by State Senator Del Marsh (R-Anniston). No one knows where it goes from here, but a lottery proposal was introduced yesterday in an attempt to get that part of this over the finish line. That issue failed in the State House two years ago by 10 votes.
- A defeated Marsh blamed bad-faith operators in the chamber, saying, “When someone makes a statement to you, ‘Del, if you will give me the enabling legislation, in two weeks I’m a yes.’ I produced enabling legislation, sent it out last week to the members. I introduced it as three bills today. That person voted ‘no’ today. So, let me tell you — what you have in this business is your word. … I feel I held my end of the bargain up.”
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