Hoover Mayor Mayor Frank Brocato is calling on Governor Kay Ivey to adopt the “Reopening Alabama Responsibly Phase One” plan and allow Alabamians to get back to work.
The plan, unveiled Friday by Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth (R-AL) and State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville), was put together by the Alabama Small Business Commission Emergency Task Force’s “Subcommittee to Reopen the Economy.” Ainsworth formed that subcommittee, which is chaired by Garrett.
That same day, the plan was presented to Ivey, who ultimately controls when Alabama’s economy can reopen.
The governor has taken no action on the recommendations three days later, but the mayor of one of Alabama’s largest cities believes it is about time to safely start rolling back the existing State Health Order that has mandated the closure of so many “non-essential” businesses and other venues.
“I grew up as the son of a small business owner who had to work hard every day to keep the doors open and provide for our family,” Brocato said in a statement on Friday. “I fully understand that businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and we need to move as rapidly as possible – in a safe and responsible way – to restore our business community to full activity.”
The mayor outlined that businesses being closed affects many aspects of the community, including local governments being able to fund vital services.
“People depend on the goods and services that our businesses provide, and our residents depend on the income they receive from an honest day’s work,” Brocato stated. “Also, we all understand that the city cannot provide basic functions such as police and fire protection, parks and recreation, and library services without the inflow of revenue that our businesses generate.”
He concluded, “I applaud the report released today by the Alabama Small Business Emergency Task Force. Their recommendations are smart and responsible, and they give us a roadmap to restoring our city, county and state to economic health. I urge Gov. Ivey and the State Health Officer to review these recommendations and act as quickly as possible – with the safety and prosperity of all Alabamians in mind – to implement them.”
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Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
