• 55°
Hartselle Enquirer

2022 legislative session yields much to think about 

By Beth Chapman 

Let’s take a look at some CliffsNotes, so to speak, from the 2022 state legislative session. 

Alabama has lots of money.  

The general fund budget and education trust fund budget saw investments of almost $11 billion in spending for 2023. “Since we have it, why not spend it?” is the mentality – and that’s what has been planned, including pay raises for state employees and educators. 

There were a number of tax-relief measures handed out – and who doesn’t love tax relief, especially with the recent annual passing and pain of April 15? The Alabama Small Business Relief and Revitalization Act was passed, and it’s self-explanatory.  

There was also the repeal of the business privilege tax, which cuts that $100 minimum payment in half starting in 2023. Thank you, Sen. Tom Butler. 

Thanks to Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and the Alabama Military Stability Commission, Alabama now leads the nation in military-friendly states with our new legislative package of bills that were passed – six in all. 

Broadband funding was expanded and provides tons of money for investing in its future across the state, which is long overdue. Thank you again, Sen. Clay Scofield and Rep. Randall Shedd. 

Election integrity was addressed during the session, with a bill that specifically stops private companies from funding election-related activities. Thank you, Rep. Wes Allen, who is a former probate judge. 

Constitutional carry was passed, and law-abiding handgun owners no longer have to purchase a pistol permit in Alabama. Some will say that’s good, and some will say that’s bad. Just remember, reciprocal states will still require a state-issued permit when you travel. 

Which bathroom children in public schools should use was up for debate – go figure. It was decided students should use the bathroom that aligns with the gender with which they were born. 

There were other controversial bills that dealt with puberty-blockers, too. 

Goodbye to the 21 legislators who will leave us this year, as this is their last regular session. Many are retiring, others are seeking different offices, but they are all to be commended for their years of service.  

Best of luck and thank you to Sens. Jim McClendon, Del Marsh, Priscilla Dunn, Malika Sanders-Fortier and Jimmy Holley, plus Reps. Lynn Greer, Mike Ball, Allen Farley, Howard Sanderford, Mac McCutcheon, Kerry Rich, Mike Holmes, K.L. Brown, Louise Alexander, Merika Coleman, Rodney Sullivan, Rich Wingo, Wes Allen, Mike Jones, Steve McMillan and Victor Gaston. 

 

Morgan County

20 under 40: Trey Chowning

Falkville

20 under 40: TJ Holmes

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Spencer Bell

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Shelby Keenum

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Rachel Howard

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Mary Virgina Halbrooks

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Maggie McKelvey

Decatur

20 under 40: Maegan Jones

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Lindsey Tapscott

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

‘He lets us have sex’: More details emerge on Hartselle man accused of child exploitation 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Hartselle church creates Easter-themed escape rooms 

Danville

Family tradition: State livestock show legacy spans generations

Editor's picks

Baseball for Beau: More than $8k raised for scholarship named after Hartselle child  

Falkville

20 under 40: Lela Weeks

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Kalleigh Thomas

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Jaime Hatcher

Hartselle

Veteran Hartselle firefighter charged with possessing child porn

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Cerrowire expansion named finalist in Business Alabama Awards  

At a Glance

Work begins on repairing two bridges over I-65 in Morgan County in coming weeks

At a Glance

Tickets for Morgan County Sports Hall of Fame banquet available

Falkville

Morgan County volunteers celebrated at annual fire department banquet 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Man jailed for stealing car from jail after earlier release 

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Police: Hartselle man encouraged children to have sex inside his apartment

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

20 under 40: Chris Rigoni

x