State of Alabama Archives: on Budget & Economy
Chris Countryman:
Prepare financially for new, or expanding, state programs
In recent years, Alabama has gained a tarnished image in the eyes of the nation, as well as the citizens within the state. Gone are the memories of songs that flaunt the beauty of the our state. These are now replaced with vivid reminders that our
current state administration has abused their power and authority for personal gain, advancement of propaganda, and irresponsible financial decisions that directly affect each and every tax paying citizen. Because of this many citizens have questioned
whether or not Alabama can once again become a state of progress, or if it is doomed to continue impacting citizens in a negative way, and eventually leading to the complete bankruptcy of the state. Because of these real and valid concerns,
Christopher A. Countryman, is committed to balancing the state budget, creating a surplus in the states general fund, adequately funding current programs, and preparing financially for new, or expanding, state programs.
Source: 2018 Alabama Gubernatorial campaign website "testtrac2018"
Mar 15, 2017
David Carrington:
Clean up overspending; restore fiscal responsibility
When first elected to the Jefferson County Commission, the county had $3.2 billion of sewer debt in default; $100 million of general obligation debt in default; a court-appointed receiver who planned to double sewer rates in a year; a county-run
hospital losing $10-$15 million annually; and a county-run nursing home losing another $2-$3 million a year. All of these challenges have been cost-effectively resolved and the county is now operationally and fiscally restored with 1,000 fewer employees.
Source: Alabama governor campaign website, DavidCarrington4us.com
Jul 17, 2017
Gary Palmer:
Deal with our $17.2 trillion debt like any addiction
Most career politicians don't want to talk about the debt. Most Americans don't realize how deep in debt we are as a nation, or how fast it has escalated under this President, and so politicians aren't held accountable for it. But it's absolutely
critical for people to understand it. Our national debt now exceeds $17.2 trillion and we are going deeper in debt by the minute. Yet the Obama Administration and Congress refuse to adequately address the problem and instead continue to spend.
The fact of the matter is that we must deal with this debt--or our debt will deal with us. Like so many other addiction issues, the first step for Congress to take in fixing the debt problem is to admit that they have a spending problem.
And perhaps the most important next step is to realize that our enormous debt is the price we are paying for expanding the role of government beyond what the Constitution prescribes.
Source: 2014 AL-6 House campaign website, PalmerForAlabama.com
Sep 30, 2014
Jeff Sessions:
Bailout well-intentioned, but too much federal intervention
In campaign stops around Alabama, Sessions and Figures both said people voiced concerns about the economy. Figures said people are "really finding it harder and harder to make ends meet. Look where we are. We went from a nation in the black to a
nation in the red. Now we're up to trillions of dollars in the red," she said. "My opponent voted with the president 98 percent of the time."
But Sessions broke with the Bush administration in voting against the financial bailout bill on
Oct. 1. "Though well-intentioned, the administration's plan represents unprecedented governmental intervention in the economy," Sessions said in a statement. Sessions said he doesn't believe in "protecting reckless investors"
but supports "maintaining a healthy framework for investment."
Figures said she doesn't think anybody will be immune from the financial crisis. Without action by Congress, she said more jobs will be lost.
Source: Associated Press on www.AL.com on 2008 Alabama Senate Debate
Oct 11, 2008
Jessica Taylor:
I'm a big supporter of the free market
She has she would start a conservative squad as a counterpoint to the one formed by Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar; Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib. She presents her faith in free markets with an accusation that those congresswomen are "brainwashing"
younger voters into supporting socialism. "I am vehemently against any drift in that direction," she said in a recent interview. "I'm a big supporter of the free market and letting the private sector lead."
Source: Montgomery Advertiser on 2022 Alabama Senate race
Jan 21, 2020
John Merrill:
Both parties in Washington engage in wasteful spending
We need to stop the wasteful spending that is being exhibited by Democrats and Republicans alike in
Washington who are spending money like it's going out of style.
Source: BamaPolitics.com blog on 2020 Alabama Senate race
Sep 6, 2019
John Rogers:
Would legalize sports betting, including online
Alabama's House of Representatives is to run the rule over a new bill that aims to legalise land-based and mobile sports wagering. Sponsored by Representative John Rogers, House Bill 336 is currently with the House committee on Economic Development and
Tourism. The bill states that consumers would be able to place sports bets in person at approved locations across Alabama, as well as on mobile and other digital platforms when located inside the state.
Source: iGamingBusiness.com on Alabama legislative voting records
Mar 2, 2020
Kay Ivey:
Reduce red tape to improve \business climate
Alabama continues to be recognized as one of the best states to do business; to help improve our business climate [we passed]:- The Red Tape Reduction Act requires each state agency to prepare an economic impact analysis prior to the adoption of
any proposed regulation that could have an adverse impact on small businesses.
- The 21st Century Workforce Act strengthened the state's investment in career technical education by making sure high school students across the state have access
to updated technology and equipment.
- The Alabama Future Workforce Initiative will provide opportunities for students across the state to gain the knowledge and skills they need to secure a job, while also providing financial incentives to ensure
these programs focus on training the workers needed to continue to grow Alabama's economy. This Act creates a $10 million scholarship program for high school students to participate in career-technical dual enrollment programs across the state.
Source: 2014 Alabama Lt. Governor campaign website KayIvey.org
Oct 30, 2014
Kay Ivey:
Accelerate Alabama economic development strategic plan
Sustainable job growth is the result of a vibrant economy with a strong manufacturing base. Lt. Governor Kay Ivey supports the Alabama Department of Commerce's Accelerate Alabama economic development strategic plan emphasizing the expansion of advanced
manufacturing through coordinated aggressive recruitment, retention and renewal efforts at the local and state level.The key to Alabama's economic future relies on nearly a dozen business sectors represented by small and large companies, including
aerospace and defense, automotive, agribusiness, bioscience, information technology and distribution. Our most promising opportunity to develop long-term, sustainable economic growth is the continued expansion of our manufacturing base creating quality
high-paying jobs. Strong manufacturing investments are an important contributor to Alabama and our Nation's economy. Manufacturing is Alabama's largest employment sector and accounts for one in five jobs in the state.
Source: Alabama Lt. Gov. official website, "Initiatives"
Apr 7, 2017
Kay Ivey:
$122 million to Rebuild Alabama infrastructure
I want to thank you for helping us address one problem that other legislatures and governors put off for 27 years... dealing openly and honestly with our aging, crumbling infrastructure. We have announced the state's portion of $122
million worth of road and bridge projects in more than 48 of Alabama's 67 counties. As I promised, Rebuild Alabama will only be spent on building roads and bridges. In fact, we added strong accountability measures to make certain of this.
Source: 2020 Alabama State of the State address
Feb 4, 2020
Kay Ivey:
Gather the facts on whether to allow state gaming & lottery
For years, we've been hearing that expanding gaming, perhaps a lottery, would solve all our problems and provide money for all sorts of good ideas. That is why I will be signing an Executive Order to establish a working group to gather the facts on how
much money we could really gain if some form of gaming expansion occurred. While I, personally, have never believed we should fund essential state services on such an unstable source, the people of Alabama should have the final say.
Source: 2020 Alabama State of the State address
Feb 4, 2020
Kay Ivey:
Business tax credits attract new companies to Alabama
Another bill that is a top priority is to renew our economic development incentives that we have used for years to build such a strong, diverse economy.
The pipeline of new companies looking to come to Alabama is full, and these tax credits help ensure we are competitive enough to get them.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Alabama legislature
Feb 2, 2021
Kay Ivey:
Our roads are the arteries of Alabama's commerce
I'm proud to announce we are moving forward with a project that other governors have talked about but, until now, no one has been able to do. Later this year, we're going to turn the shovel on a long discussed four-lane Highway 43 from
Thomasville to Tuscaloosa. Folks, our roads are the arteries of Alabama's commerce. These projects are just a few of the many that we'll use to open doors of opportunity to all our people.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Alabama legislature
Feb 2, 2021
Kay Ivey:
Wants to use $400 million of COVID relief to build prisons
Ivey is defending her proposal to use the state's allotment of coronavirus relief funds to build new prisons after receiving criticism from Democrats. Ivey convened a special session of the legislature to discuss how to fix what she has called a
decades-long problem. As part of the solution, Ivey has proposed using up to $400 million of federal Covid-19 relief money, up to $785 million in bonds and no more than $154 million from the state General Fund to add new prisons and renovate others.
Source: CNN Politics on 2022 Alabama Gubernatorial race
Sep 29, 2021
Marcus Bowman:
Government should never be the driver of the economy
Q: Do you support or oppose the policy, "Stimulus better than market-led recovery"A: Oppose. We need new monetary policy in the United States that grows the economy with a return to true
free markets and a strong, backed currency. Economic growth needs to reach more people. Stimulus did not prove to be successful and government should never be the driver of the economy.
Source: Email interview on 2016 Alabama Senate race with OnTheIssues
Jan 21, 2016
Mike Durant:
Cut costs, cut programs, get to a balanced budget
Durant explained that his biggest concerns when it came to the issues facing the country were rising inflation and increases to the national debt. "Raising the debt ceiling doesn't help that issue. I think holding fast on cutting costs,
cutting programs that are not value added that gets us to a balanced budget is absolutely something that is in the hands of Congress, and I would fight to do that," Durant said.
Source: FOX News on 2022 Alabama Senate race
Mar 30, 2022
Mo Brooks:
2010: Trend towards socialism will bankrupt America
[In 2010, running for House,] Brooks said that the country was veering dangerously towards socialism and that the trend must be reversed.Within four months of taking the seat, he charged in a house for speech that the
United States is "risk of insolvency in bankruptcy because the socialist members of this body choose to spend money that we do not have". After Democrats protested,
Brooks asked that his remarks be stricken from the record, but did not apologize for them. Several months later, at a forum back home, Brooks said he supported any measure "short of shooting them"
to force illegal immigrants back to their home countries. Latino lawmakers and groups condemned his remarks.
Source: Almanac of American Politics on 2022 Alabama Senate race
Oct 5, 2015
Richard Shelby:
Opposes raising the debt limit; opposes $18T debt
Q: What are the most important challenges facing our country now and what strategies would you employ to address them?
Richard Shelby: I believe that our nation's debt crisis is one of the most important challenges facing our nation and must be addressed. When President Obama took office, our nation's debt was at a staggering $10.6 trillion.
Our debt has now skyrocketed to over $18 trillion under this Administration's misguided policies. The cycle of debt accumulation is unsustainable and will only lead to placing more debt on the backs of future generations.
That is why I strongly opposed raising the debt limit last October. I believe that we simply cannot continue to raise our debt ceiling with no reforms to curb the driver of our debt crisis: wasteful spending.
Source: Vote411.org League of Women Voters: 2016 Alabama Senate Race
Sep 19, 2016
Robert Bentley:
Goal is balanced, conservative budget without federal help
We face a $165 million dollar shortfall in the education budget, and a $110 million dollar shortfall in the General Fund. Alabama must live within its means. My budgets will be balanced and conservative. First we must balance our current education and
General Fund budgets. Then we must look to 2012 and prioritize what taxpayers can and cannot afford. While there are sacrifices that must be made, we will come out of this difficult time stronger. Alabama will not look to Washington to bail us out.
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to Alabama legislature
Mar 1, 2011
Robert Bentley:
Protect essential services, and otherwise cut 15-45%
Medicaid must be protected. We must maintain funding of the Department of Corrections. But we also must be cost efficient in criminal justice spending. There will be protection for our Alabama National Guard. We will preserve and protect the ability
to maintain and achieve an ethical state government, by fully funding the Ethics Commission. Aside from those protections, every agency in the state's General Fund will be cut anywhere from 15 percent to 45 percent.
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to Alabama legislature
Mar 1, 2011
Ron Crumpton:
9-point plan for government economic investment
A healthy economy is a concern for all, it impacts every facet of our lives and it is the obligation of our elected leaders to champion policy that will benefit all and not a limited few. My 9-Point Plan for the Economy:- Invest in education:
Repair/replace dilapidated buildings and provide teachers with the technology and supplies they need to teach our children
- Raise the minimum wage: Reduce government dependence by insuring fair pay
- Reschedule marijuana: Remove marijuana from
schedule I and allow states to regulate
- Equal Pay: Equal pay for everyone period
- Invest in Infrastructure: Repair, replace and expand roads, bridges and airports
- Break up the big banks: End too big to fail
- End tax breaks to companies for
sending jobs overseas and give them to companies that bring American jobs back home
- Make college more affordable: Increase grant amounts and access to grants
- Entitlement Reform: Rebuild America's social safety net
Source: Vote411.org League of Women Voters: 2016 Alabama Senate Race
Sep 19, 2016
Roy Moore:
Cut taxes and spending to stimulate economy
Lower taxes, smaller government, and less spending will reduce the deficit
and enable economic growth and a truly "stimulated" economy.
Source: 2017-2018 Alabama Senate campaign website RoyMoore.org
Aug 31, 2017
Roy Moore:
Lower taxes, smaller government, and less spending
Economy: Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?Jones: Yes. New Deal "advancements were the result of U.S. government investments in the people of Alabama to improve the infrastructure of the state while creating jobs and
improving our standard of living."
Moore: No. "Lower taxes, smaller government, and less spending will reduce the deficit and enable economic growth and a truly "stimulated" economy."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on 2017 Alabama Senate race
Nov 1, 2017
Stacy Lee George:
Vocational training key to jobs program
Alabama must have a ready to work workforce skilled in welding, electronics, electricity, nursing, drafting, engineering, etc. We must look at providing vocational programs in and around rural areas that gives everyone a chance at a trade.
Additionally, we must develop an incentive program for companies that employ reformed individuals who have achieved a trade in prison, which will provide a new taxpayer and not a tax spender.
Source: 2018 Alabama Governor website StacyLeeGeorge.com
Aug 17, 2017
Terri Sewell:
Frontline cities need more direct COVID assistance
Congresswoman Terri Sewell, D-Alabama, voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan, the Democratic COVID-19 aid legislation. "Over the past year, our country has faced a harrowing, unprecedented crisis," Sewell said. "The coronavirus pandemic and the
subsequent economic fallout have reverberated throughout our communities, jeopardizing the health and financial stability of millions of American families. I proudly voted to pass the American Rescue Plan today because Alabama families and workers
can no longer wait for relief needed to weather this public health and economic crisis."Sewell said that cities and counties are on the front lines in the fight against the COVID pandemic, and they need more direct assistance to develop
local vaccination plans, pay frontline employees overtime and hazard pay, and continue to offer essential services to families and neighbors.
Source: Alabama Political Reporter on 2022 Alabama Senate race
Mar 1, 2021
Tim James:
Cut programs, transition government jobs to private sector
We believe that government should be limited and that the growth of government must be curtailed by a combination
of the elimination of programs and transitioning of government jobs to the private sector.
Source: 2022 Alabama Governor campaign website TimJamesGovernor.com
Feb 24, 2022
Tommy Battle:
$750M in city spending to generate $2.5B private investment
[Tommy was first] elected as Huntsville's mayor in 2008. Mayors don't have anyone to pass the buck to. They roll up their sleeves and find a way to get the job done. For Huntsville and North Alabama, that's meant creating more than 17,000 new jobs,
building $500M new roads and $250M in new schools. Tommy has done that while keeping his government conservative and responsible and receiving 8-straight Triple-A credit ratings and generating $2.5B in economic investment for the city.
Source: 2018 Alabama gubernatorial campaign website TommyBattle.com
May 2, 2017
Tommy Tuberville:
Get handle on deficit or face serious trouble
Q: Should Alabama's senator focus on bringing federal spending to their home state or on cutting the federal debt?
Tuberville: We're $23 trillion in debt. Something's got to give. If we don't get a handle on our deficit, we're going to be in serious trouble in just a short amount of time.
Source: Birmingham News on 2020 Alabama Sennate race
Jan 22, 2020
Vivian Davis Figures:
GOP turned nation from surplus to deficit, and jobs get lost
In campaign stops around Alabama, Sessions and Figures both said people voiced concerns about the economy. Figures said people are "really finding it harder and harder to make ends meet. Look where we are. We went from a nation in the black to a
nation in the red. Now we're up to trillions of dollars in the red," she said. "My opponent voted with the president 98 percent of the time."
But Sessions broke with the Bush administration in voting against the financial bailout bill on
Oct. 1. "Though well-intentioned, the administration's plan represents unprecedented governmental intervention in the economy," Sessions said in a statement. Sessions said he doesn't believe in "protecting reckless investors"
but supports "maintaining a healthy framework for investment."
Figures said she doesn't think anybody will be immune from the financial crisis. Without action by Congress, she said more jobs will be lost.
Source: Associated Press on www.AL.com on 2008 Alabama Senate Debate
Oct 11, 2008
Walt Maddox:
Fiscal 2018 budget raised rates on services and cut expenses
Maddox is forecasting a $148.21M budget for the General Fund with $52.43M for the Water and Sewer Fund. He's recommending a $1 garbage rate increase for residential customers with a $2 hike for commercial garbage customers. The fiscal 2018 budget also
includes a 3% rate hike for water and sewer bills. Alongside these increases, the budget also includes a 5% reduction in expenses across all city departments and the same decrease in funding for the 5 largest outside agencies that receive funding.
Source: Tuscaloosa News on 2018 Alabama Gubernatorial race
Aug 22, 2017
William Barnes:
Re-evaluate & reform banking and finance deregulation
Q: Do you support the Financial Reform & Consumer Protection bill?A: I favor the bill. because we had protections in place going back as far as the 1930's that prohibit a lot of foreign investments in our country, prohibited banks from going in
other areas of business other than banking--into insurance, for example. What we had the last 24 years or so was a relaxation--deregulation--of that and it's what's brought us to where we're at economically.
Those rules and regulations in the 1930's were put there to help prevent what has happened with business becoming "too big to fail" as we've termed it. It's time we went back and re-evaluated that and put back into place those rules and regulations
that prevent big business from taking over the lives of our citizens.
Q: Shelby's the ranking member on that committee now...
A: Yes he is. And he was the chair of the banking and finance committee when this deregulation took place.
Source: Left In Alabama (progressive blog) interview of Bill Barnes
Jul 27, 2010
William Barnes:
Reduce spending and increase accountability
Bill Barnes selected AGREE for: "There is a great need to control government spending and reduce waste in government programs at every level. I pledge to reduce spending and increase accountability in spending."
Source: Alabama Eagle Forum 2010 Candidate Questionnaire
Aug 11, 2010
Yolanda Flowers:
Invest in community job training and workforce development
It is Yolanda's goal to support small businesses and invite business into our great state to operate and grow. Yolanda will invest in community job training and workforce development to ensure that our workforce is always strong
and our industries are always filled with hard workers who are prepared and ready to work. Yolanda will continue to shepherd the businesses that have already selected Alabama as home to their business.
Source: 2022 Alabama Gubernatorial website YolandaForGovernor.org
Jul 19, 2022
Yolanda Flowers:
Lottery can fund infrastructure, accessible broadband
When we focus our attention on supporting our own lottery, we will gain much. Our money will go to funding our education, making it possible for our children to attend in-state universities and community colleges. Our infrastructure
will not be neglected anymore because we will have the money to pay for more staff. Our police departments will be able to hire more officers. Broadband will be accessible to all rural counties and small businesses.
Source: 2022 Alabama Gubernatorial website YolandaForGovernor.org
Jul 19, 2022
Yolanda Flowers:
Supports state lottery to fund schools, roads, highways
1819 News asked if she supported an Alabama lottery. "Yes, people are gambling anyway," Flowers said. "They are going to gamble. We ought to get some of that money that we are losing to Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and other states."
1819 News asked if Alabama approves gambling where should the money go? "Schools, roads, highways," Flowers said. "The roads have so many potholes here that my car is constantly getting out of alignment. Not in building jailhouses and prisons."
Source: 1819 News on 2022 Alabama Gubernatorial race
Jan 31, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023