MONTGOMERY — While still collecting their taxpayer-funded salaries, the Alabama House Democratic Caucus — with only one defector — on Monday refused to show up to work as the 2020 regular session of the legislature resumed.
State Rep. Rod Scott (D-Fairfield) was the sole Democratic member to answer roll call. At least 65 Republicans were present, so quorum of the 105-member body was achieved. There are 28 Democrats total currently elected to the House.
Scott explained to reporters after the day’s business concluded why he was present.
“I haven’t had this much attention since my mother birthed me,” he joked to begin his remarks.
Scott then confirmed that, to his knowledge, he was the only Democratic House member even in the building on Monday.
“I decided to come essentially because of my constitutional responsibility to represent my constituents on the two things that we are definitely supposed to handle as legislators,” Scott advised, referring to the annual passage of both the Education Trust Fund budget and the General Fund budget.
House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville) had threatened last week that his caucus would not show up for the remainder of the regular session due to the coronavirus pandemic. He cited health concerns while asserting there is no point in passing the budgets right now, instead preferring a special session in late summer or the fall to do so.
“We are still in the middle of this healthcare crisis which is both ravaging our communities and our local and state economies,” Daniels said in a statement released on Thursday. “Rather than rushing back to Montgomery to pass budgets blindly, we will remain in our Districts, where the fight currently is.”
Daniels also called it “irresponsible” from a health perspective to resume the session.
However, Scott told reporters that the social distancing and sanitation measures put in place by the House made him feel comfortable with his decision to return to work on behalf of his constituents.
“I absolutely feel safe,” Scott emphasized, as he conducted the interview still wearing his mask.
Every member of the chamber wore a mask on Monday, and there was one empty desk in between each member on the floor. Additionally, the large public gallery overlooking the chamber was used for additional member seating, with multiple empty seats being placed in between each member to space out that arrangement. An overflow room was also slated to be used for member seating if deemed necessary to maintain distancing, but this was not ultimately needed.
Scott commented that he understood concerns voiced by Daniels and other members of his caucus. “However, I don’t believe that even if we were to come in in September we would know exactly what those final numbers are for the budget[s],” Scott added. “So, to ease the ability for the school systems to make decisions on hiring people from the funds provided by the State, the decision was made to have the budget reviews now.”
Noting he also had a local bill he wanted to pass for Jefferson County before the end of the session, Scott proceeded to speak more about health concerns raised by Daniels and his caucus at-large.
“I think their concerns are primarily health concerns,” Scott added. “And I do believe that people with health issues should pay close attention to their decision making process. … I personally don’t have those health concerns, so I decided that it was better that I was here to meet my constitutional obligations.”
Speaking to the Montgomery Advertiser, State Sen. David Burkette (D-Montgomery) advised he would show up to work when the Senate gavels in at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. This is despite Burkette being diabetic and still dealing with the aftermath of a serious stroke he suffered in late 2018.
“This is a critical time for our legislative issues such as the budget,” he told the newspaper. “Very critical. I know the health concerns and trust me, I do have health concerns.”
Most of the Senate Democratic Caucus is expected to return to work on Monday as well.
The leadership of the legislature has pledged to focus on the budgets and local bills for the remainder of the session, which could wrap up as soon as next Monday and as late as May 18.
The House passed seven local bills on Monday.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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