By Rep. Danny Garrett
Opinion
TRUSSVILLE — Before COVID-19 interrupted the 2020 legislative session, I was providing weekly updates in the Trussville Tribune about legislative matters and actions. Since the legislature adjourned, and throughout the pandemic, I have been working with many constituents and local businesses to address their concerns during these unprecedented times. I have also been working on a number of other issues and want to provide an update on several matters and what has been happening since the session ended.
STATE BUDGETS: Despite the COVID-19 situation, because of conservative fiscal budgeting by the legislature in recent years both Alabama’s Education and General Fund budgets are in relatively good shape. In fact, Moody’s issued a report in April showing that Alabama is the 10th best state in terms of financial soundness and ability to weather a financial or economic downturn. Given that Alabama is #48 in terms of tax burden (meaning our overall taxes are low), this is a remarkable accomplishment and speaks to the conservative fiscal approach the legislature continues to use in budgeting your tax dollars.
Unlike the Federal government, the Alabama legislature is required by law to balance both budgets every year, meaning that the state cannot spend more money than it receives and cannot incur a deficit. Over the past few years, the legislature implemented prudent fiscal measures to ensure that reserve funds would be available in the event of an economic downturn. While many states are currently facing budget crisis, deficits, and shortfalls, Alabama is NOT! Both the Education Trust Fund and the General Fund are both in solid condition and favorably positioned for the 2021 fiscal year. We do not anticipate drastic personnel cuts, budget cuts, or proration and our reserves are adequate for the foreseeable future. As the Vice Chair of the Education Ways & Means Committee, I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure that sound fiscal policies and a low tax burden on Alabamians are maintained.
REOPENING THE ALABAMA ECONOMY: When the pandemic began in March, the Governor and the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) issued Executive Orders that basically shut down all non-essential business for a period of 10 weeks. Thousands of small businesses and hundreds of thousands of workers across the state were adversely impacted by these Orders. Rep. Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn) and I, as members of the Lt. Governor’s Small Business Commission, wrote a letter to Governor Ivey emphasizing the adverse and unfair impact that the Executive Orders were having on small businesses. We urged her to immediately include the business community in developing plans to safely reopen Alabama’s economy as soon as possible. As a result, Governor Ivey directed that Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth appoint an Emergency Small Business Task Force to develop plans for safely reopening the state’s economy. Lt. Governor Ainsworth asked me to chair the task force and we created a 155 page report that detailed plans for reopening small business across Alabama. You can read the full report here.
Our bipartisan task force worked with numerous businesses and industries across Alabama to develop reopening plans that emphasized safety for employees and customers and plans for mitigating the spread of the virus. Governor Ivey and ADPH have now approved most of the recommendations made by our task force. Only recently — within the past 30 days– have the COVID-19 cases begun to increase exponentially. The reopening of retail stores, close contact services, health service providers, gyms, and the beaches did not result in alarming increases in COVID-19 cases. Although churches were not within the scope of the Task Force report, with very few exceptions, reopening churches also has not led to a dramatic increase in cases. Based upon the information I have seen and discussions with state and county health officials, I believe the recent increases in cases we have seen is attributable to the reopening of bars and the resumption of unlimited private gatherings (weddings, parties, etc.) where social distancing and pristine sanitation practices are not practical.
As you are aware, Governor Ivey implemented and extended a statewide mandatory mask order. It appears that the number of COVID cases has plateaued and new cases have begun to slightly decline since the mask directive went into effect. However, health officials are still concerned about the relatively high percent of positive tests and the high utilization of intensive care beds and overall hospital utilization across the state. As the economy continues to reopen– especially with the resumption of in-person kindergartens, schools, and colleges– it is very important that everyone continue to practice good hygiene, physical distancing, and wearing face coverings when coming in close contact with individuals from a different household. These measures are the best things we can do to protect others and ourselves and to prevent businesses from having to face another shutdown.
ASSISTING CONSTITUENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC: During the pandemic, I have spent a lot of time working with constituents to help secure PPP money, unemployment compensation, small business loans, and grants available from CARES Act Funds. I would like to publicly recognize and thank the Amari & Gray law firm, who began hosting conference calls in March with local small business owners to help them understand how to apply for the assistance offered by several agencies. Rosemary Elebash, the Alabama Director for the National Federation of Independent Business, and I were invited by Amari & Gray to participate in these calls. As a result of these discussions, several small business owners and individuals have been able to obtain financial resources and assistance throughout these challenging times.
Also, along with members of the Jefferson County Commission and the Jefferson County House and Senate delegations, I have participated regularly in conversations with Dr. Mark Wilson, the Jefferson County Health Officer. Dr. Wilson has considered and incorporated some of our suggestions in his health orders. Along with area school superintendents and the State Department of Education, we worked with Dr. Wilson as he recently developed guidelines for safely reopening schools in Jefferson County.
COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANTS: I recently helped obtain funds to help the city of Trussville install synchronized traffic lights and security cameras at the city perimeters. I also provided financial assistance for the new pickleball courts in Clay. During the next few weeks, I will be presenting community service checks to the following organizations in our district: Chalkville Elementary School; Clay Elementary School; Clay-Chalkville High School; Clay-Chalkville Middle School; Pinson Valley High School; Cahaba Elementary School; Paine Elementary School; Magnolia Elementary School; the Hewitt-Trussville Athletic Foundation (for middle school and high school athletics); The Turkey Creek Nature Preserve; Independence Place; the Center Point Fire District (fire service for Clay and Pinson); the city of Clay (coverings for ball courts); the Arts Council of Trussville Area; and the city of Trussville for a clock to be located at the upgraded intersection downtown. I will also be providing funds to assist programs at Erwin Intermediate School, Erwin Middle School, and Center Point High School.
OTHER MATTERS: You have no doubt noticed road repair and infrastructure work around the district. Expect more road projects in Trussville, Clay, and Pinson in the coming months. I will be working with the officials of each city, the Jefferson County Commission, and the Alabama Department of Transportation on an ongoing basis to address infrastructure needs in District 44. Also, I have been appointed to the Lt. Governor’s Commission on a 21st Century Workforce. This bipartisan group of legislators continues to meet to discuss strategies for addressing Alabama’s future workforce needs and opportunities. Finally, at this point the Governor has not indicated that she will call a special session of the legislature. Unless the Governor calls a special session, the legislature will not reconvene until February 2021.
It is an honor to serve House District 44. Please feel free to contact me at dannygarrett44@gmail.com or call me at 205-410-4637 if there is anything you wish to discuss.