State Sen. Andrew Jones shares top ten accomplishments from 2023

State Senator Andrew Jones (R-Centre) had a busy year in 2023. From a new committee chairmanship, opening roads and businesses in his district, outdoor-focused economic development projects, and the largest tax cut in Alabama history — Jones had a lot to talk about in the latest edition of his newsletter.

Here’s what he shared:

10. Senator Jones Appointed to Broadband Oversight Board

“In November, Senator Jones was appointed to serve on the Alabama Digital Expansion Authority (ADEA), which advises, reviews, and approves Alabama’s statewide connectivity plan. The authority recommends policies and procedures for the expansion of high-speed broadband services throughout the state, approves a statewide connectivity plan, and directs funding.”

9. Investing in Etowah, Cherokee, and DeKalb

“2023 was a stellar year for funding and resources brought back to District 10. A few prominent examples include:

Approximately $10 million in funding for water and sewer infrastructure
Construction of a new Hokes Bluff Elementary, new buildings at Sand Rock High School and Whitesboro Elementary, and a new gym at Collinsville High School
$310,800 in funding through Senator Jones’ office to provide 48 schools with $5000 each to fund a special project and also to provide 758 teachers with $100 each for classroom supplies.
3 new pre-K classrooms in Centre, Sand Rock, and Geraldine
$39,000 to fund ten tourism grants
A $3 million investment through Norfolk Southern and the Growing Alabama Tax Credit to construct a 500-gallon water tank to tie into Rainbow City water and sewer service for the Northeast Alabama Regional Megasite. Norfolk Southern’s total commitment to the megasite through Growing Alabama has been $8.7 million over the last three years. Senator Jones was proud to vote for the renewal of the Growing Alabama Program this past year, and also amend the Act in 2021 to prioritize Megasites such as ours.”

8. Scoring $20.5 Million in Additional Funds

“During the 2023 legislative session, Senator Jones was thrilled to help secure an additional $12 million in funding for Gadsden State’s new Advanced Manufacturing Center. This state-of-the-art, 50,000 square foot facility will be a game changer for Etowah County and its surrounding communities! Andrew also fought for $8.5 million in the state budget to construct a new Challenger Learning Center in Rainbow City, which will serve surrounding counties and allow students to study STEM activities while completing a simulated space mission.”

7. A New GOP Breakfast Program

“Senator Jones began a new quarterly Republican Breakfast program in Cherokee County to compliment existing programs in Etowah and DeKalb Counties. Cherokee County is fast becoming a destination for statewide candidates and officials to make an appearance, as 2023 featured Ag Commissioner Rick Pate, Court of Civil Appeals Judge Matt Fridy, Alabama GOP Chairman John Wahl, and Attorney General Steve Marshall, and Congressman Mike Rogers will headline the next event on January 27.”

6. Starting a Senate Page Program

“Andrew invited one student from all 21 middle schools in District 10 to serve as a page in the Alabama Senate. In addition to serving on the Senate floor, these young men and women enjoyed visiting with Governor Ivey and Lt. Governor Ainsworth, as well as touring around the capital city. These students have a bright future and were selected by their teachers to represent their schools.”

5. Fighting to Keep Etowah County Whole

“Andrew successfully worked to stop a proposed new Congressional map which would have split Etowah County between two U.S. Congressional districts. Etowah County has never been split into two Congressional districts in the entire history of the county. Under the proposal, 88% of the county population would have been represented by Congressman Mike Rogers. The other 12% (Sardis, Walnut Grove, New Union, Mountainboro, and Egypt) would have continued to be represented by Congressman Robert Aderholt. Senator Jones worked to offer solutions to keep Etowah County whole, and ultimately the entire legislature agreed. Although federal courts later altered other Congressional districts in South Alabama, North Alabama districts were untouched by the courts, adding to the importance of Senator Jones’ work to keep Etowah whole.”

4. Jones Named Chairman of Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Safety Committee

“Senator Jones was honored to be chosen to serve as the Chair of the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee for the 2023-2026 quadrennium. He noted that “There are very few things more important than honoring those who have sacrificed for us, and I can’t think of anything more essential to our day-to-day lives than public safety. I look forward to working with this great group of Senators to back our first responders and continue to make Alabama the most military-friendly state in the nation!” The committee has already made site visits to Maxwell Air Force Base, Anniston Army Depot, Fort Novosel, Fort McClellan, the JSU Center for Best Practices in Law Enforcement, and several other locations.”

3. Jones Authors Sweet Trails Alabama

“Governor Ivey signed SB 298 authored by Senator Jones into law, creating the Sweet Trails Alabama project. Andrew worked to secure $850,000 in the budget to kickstart an initiative in which Jacksonville State University has partnered with the Singing River Trail and others to design a statewide master plan for a greenway network to connect all 67 counties in Alabama. In addition to holding listening sessions all over the state, mapping, and collecting survey data, the group has begun work on the master plan. Next steps include identifying shovel-ready projects, securing additional funding, and providing a blueprint to help cities, counties, and non-profits construct trails. Locals may recognize the Chief Ladiga Trail nearby as an example of the type of walking and biking network Senator Jones hopes to create.”

2. Completed Highway 411 Opens

“Governor Ivey visited Cherokee County to cut a ribbon on a new stretch of US Hwy 411 from Turkeytown to Leesburg. This approximately $100 million new road completes Cherokee County’s first 4-lane access to the interstate, and is a project that has been promised for decades. Residents of Etowah and Cherokee Counties will benefit from a safer road, easier commute, and new economic development.”

1. Senator Jones Passes Largest Tax Cut in Alabama History

“After working on grocery tax legislation since being elected to the Alabama Senate in 2018, all of that hard work paid off in 2023 for Senator Jones. Working with Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth and Representative Danny Garrett, Andrew sponsored legislation which would gradually cut the state sales tax on groceries in half. All 35 members of the Senate signed onto this bill in an overwhelming show of support, as did 100 out of 105 Representatives. This $304 million tax cut will mean a lot to Alabama families, and is the largest tax cut in state history. When fully implemented, this 50% tax cut will save shoppers over $300 per household per year.”

Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270