State Sen. Albritton says prison construction backup plan written, ready to go — ‘Waiting for the Governor’s invitation to step in’

Governor Kay Ivey’s proposed lease-build prison plan took a hit last week after investment bank Barclays withdrew as an underwriter for the financing of two of the three proposed new facilities.

Barclays, along with other financial institutions, have been reluctant to invest in prison construction given the current political climate.

State Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore), who serves as the Alabama Senate General Fund chairman, insists the legislature is prepared to act with a fallback option during an interview on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5’s “The Jeff Poor Show” on Monday.

“We have talked to her on several occasions — the legislature has, individually and as small groups, to try to present a plan that will accomplish most of what she wants to do and what needs to be done, which is construction under the traditional methods, which is we issue bonds and we build and construct in accordance with the law,” Albritton said. “We still have plans as such as that available out there but we can’t move forward without interfering with the Governor’s plans. I think most of what we’re doing is waiting for the Governor’s invitation to step in. Then it would be a united front. I won’t say that’s our plan. I’ll say that’s our wish list.”

Albritton offered assurances the plan could be passed by the legislature before adjournment sine die next month.

“We still have time on the bill that we’ve previously spoken of,” he said. “That’s set and ready to go. There’s a method and vehicle by which that can be used right away if we chose to. We could fix this in a matter of days if the government decided that is the direction we wanted to go. So, it’s possible, and I’m hoping that will occur. I don’t want to go to a special session and I don’t want to have this fight again.”

“It’s already written,” Albritton added. “It’s already been through [Legislative Services Agency]. It’s already been reviewed by at least leadership and others in the House and Senate. It’s sitting there ready to go.”

@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.