State legislators discuss 2020 at chamber luncheon
Six members of Alabama’s legislative delegation were present at the Annual Legislative Preview luncheon hosted by the Shelby County Chamber held on Jan. 15 at the Pelham Civic Complex.
Each member shared their thoughts and perspective on the issues that the State Senate and State House of Representatives will be discussing and debating in the 2020 legislative session.
The luncheon featured a presentation from each member delegation followed by a question and answer session from the audience.
Rep. April Weaver, House District 49
Elected in 2010, Weaver is in her third term. She said it is a very interesting time for the delegation, as three of the 11 of who represent Shelby County are running for higher offices.
Weaver said the hot topics in her area are working with the Department of Health and Human Services at both the federal and state levels to expedite the adoptions of foster children.
“It’s something I'm very passionate about working on is that children who have a TPR have an adoption plan so they are placed in their forever homes,” she said.
Sen. Cam Ward, District 14
Elected in 2010, Ward is in his third term. He said his focus will be on repeat offenders. He also leads a task force on prison reform.
“It’s a huge balancing act,” he said. “Public safety is first and foremost, and a balanced state is going to have to pay for it. We can’t send it all back to local and county jails.
Sen. Jabo Waggoner, District 16
Waggoner is serving in his seventh term in the senate after serving in the House of Representatives from 1966 to 1983. He said that out of 1,000 bills, about 200 will pass.
“We are not sent to Montgomery just to pass a whole lot of new laws on the people of Alabama,” he said.
He added that unemployment in Alabama is less than 3% and the state will have approximately $500 million more dollars in the education budget than last year, increasing it from $7 billion to $7.5 billion.
Sen. Jim McClendon, District 11
He is in his second term as senator after being elected 2014 after serving three terms in the House of Representatives. McClendon said there is a great need for math and science teachers in the schools and he hopes to bring more to the state. He has also had the lottery bill for the last three years.
Sen. Dan Roberts, District 15
Serving in his first term, Roberts was elected in 2018. He has been focused on Artificial Intelligence and said it is coming quickly whether we like it or not. He is also working to make Alabama more competitive with surrounding states in regards to adjusted income.
Rep. Arnold Mooney, House district 43.
Elected in 2014, Mooney is serving in his second term.
“Unemployment is below two percent in Shelby County and our county is a beacon for our whole state in what it does,” he said. “Revenue is not a problem in this state. The problem is what we spend money on.”