Local Senator Guides Occupational Tax ban bill through Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEBRUARY 4, 2010

For More Information, contact (256) 652-5293

(HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA) – Senator Paul Sanford (R-Huntsville) guided the Occupational Tax ban bill through the Senate today.   SB17 passed the Senate today on a vote of 23-0 with 3 abstentions.  This was Senator Sanford’s first bill filed.

“Today was a rewarding experience with my first bill filed as a State Senator passing the Senate body, especially since the bill was directed towards keeping taxes low for the Huntsville/ Madison County community” he continued.

“After last year’s attempt by Rep. Hinshaw to move a bill banning an Occupational Tax in Madison County, I was glad to do my part as the local Senator representing the majority of Madison County by sending the House a sister bill they can pass” said Sanford.

Representative Randy Hinshaw filed HB 5 in the August 2009 special session, the bill failed to make it out of the Senate’s Local Legislation No. 1 Committee chaired by Senator Zeb Little, a Democrat from Cullman, Al. 

“Paul Sanford was elected to the Alabama Senate in a special election in June. He and his wife Danielle own and operate “little Paul’s Barbecue” in Huntsville. The couple has two children, Chase and Ryan.

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“Sanford pushed through an amendment.”

Huntsville senator questions number of jobs to be created

MONTGOMERY – Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, said Thursday he has been the victim of robo calls because of his apparent opposition to a $1 billion highway bill pending in the Senate.

Sanford said the calls to his district – two went to his home – claim that he favors an increase in the gasoline tax and is blocking legislation to create jobs and bring roads to North Alabama for BRAC.  READ MORE

Day One:

Upon arriving in Montgomery a couple of hours before the 2010 regular session was to begin my first sight on the House steps was a gathering of green t-shirts.  This large group of green t-shirts was non-other than a large gathering of parents, grandparents, and great grandparents seeking a solution to last years development with the future education of their family members.  This group of passionate, caring tax paying Alabamians have fallen victim to a plan to prepay college tuition. For many of these Alabamians, the day their loved one would step foot on one of the many college or university campuses across the State of Alabama has yet to arrive.  Some of the “Contract holders” as they are now referred to in the halls of the legislature, have a clearly spelled out guarantee in their specific contract.  However, many of these contract holders(those purchased in I believe 1995 and after) do not have the same language guaranteeing future payment.  What these two different groups of contracts holders have in common was the forethought to plan in advance for the future education of their family members and a slick advertising campaign that for years claimed “Make a PACT with Alabama” and many other catch phrases that imply a guarantee of future payment.  I always thought the word “prepaid” meant payment received for a service to be rendered at a later date and time, maybe I misunderstood?

At high noon the Senate convened to begin the 2010 Regular Session of the Legislature, by 12:53 the Senate was in adjournment.  Not the typical day in the Alabama Senate, or at least I hope not, nor a typical day in the life of the “Barbecue Man” turned Alabama Senator.  My normal day at work usually begins before the crack of dawn, by 5:30-5:45 a.m. I am walking through the back door of my restaurant getting things ready for the day.  So the meager 53 minutes inside the Senate Chamber was a bit of a let down, I am certain the excitement will biuld in the coming days of legislative work.  At 4p.m. I had the pleasure to witness a Finance & Taxation, General Fund Committee meeting.  It is my understanding that committees do not normally meet on this first day of the session but occasionally political games come into play.  I witness several senators take pot-shots at Governor Riley for his use of no-bid contracts and wonder why two of these seasoned legislators, of multiple decades had just taken notice of the no-bid contracts being handing out from the Governor’s office.  This has been a practice long used by Governors for the past century and these two Senators suddenly want to make an issue about the current Governor’s use of the no-bid process. It is an election year, maybe that has something to do with the day one antics and sudden desire to bring attention on no-bid contracts.  Silly me for thinking such experienced Senators had not been trying for years to reform this no-bid process during their decades inside the Senate Chamber.

Day Two:

Wednesday is the primary committee day in the Alabama Legislature and I had the pleasure of official attending my first Senate Committee meeting for Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability.  The committee has 7 democrats and 4 republicans, so I am sure there will be partisan politics inside the committee. We brushed over several bills which either received a favorable report or were carried-over until the next committee meeting.  The most controversial piece of legislation seemed to be one pertaining to no-bid contracts.  This bill would eliminate all no-bid contracts except for “Personal Service Contracts” under $100,000.  Being new to Government I asked what all fell under the previous of “Personal Service Contract”, i did not receive a clear answer.  I told the committee that the definition should be included in this bill so Alabamians would understand the implications of the bill, it was carried-over.  We will see if that actually happens at the next committee meeting.

Day Three:

Thursday is a mixture of early committee meetings and chamber action.  The Business and Labor Committee met at 9a.m. and we discussed the bill expanding unemployment benefits to part-time workers.  This bill will bring a one time $100 million influx of federal money with Alabama businesses picking up the tab thereafter.  On the surface this bill seems harmless but the long-term implication on Alabama businesses would be an increased unemployment liability of between $20-40 mil;ion dollars annually.  This bill does not help industry put Alabamians back to work, it will prolong the process.

see you on day four.

State Sovereignty Support from Huntsville visit Montgomery

SJR27 has passed both Houses and has been sent to the Governors desk for his signature.

(if you receive a message that says your ACAS session has experied, just click “ok” and the full text of the bill will show.)

Press Release
December 21, 2009
For Immediate Release & Distribution
CONTACT: (256) 652-5293
Senator Paul Sanford Secures Vital Funding for Schools and College

(HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA) – Senator Paul Sanford (R-Huntsville) today announced additional funding for the Madison County Board of Education, the Huntsville City School System and Alabama A & M University. The allocations are part of the Alabama Public School & College Authority (APSCA) from interest income for the Series 2007 Bonds.

According to confirmation letters received by Sen. Sanford and signed by Governor Bob Riley, two Madison County Schools will receive a total of $150,000, a Huntsville City School will receive $225,000 and Alabama A & M will receive $125,000. The funds will be used for long-overdue capital improvements at seven facilities, including Hazel Green High School, Riverton Middle School, Chapman Elementary School, and four dormitories at Alabama A & M.

“While running for office earlier this year, I learned about the great needs at our schools,” said Senator Sanford. “One of the first goals I worked toward once in office was to secure this funding for our school systems and university. I appreciate the support of our local delegation, the Governor and the APSCA in helping us achieve this undertaking,” he continued.

“We are very thankful to Senator Sanford for so quickly taking the reins and helping us find a way to pay for the necessary improvement projects at Hazel Green High School and Riverton Middle School,” said Madison County Superintendent Dr. Terry Davis. “During these tough economic times that continue to cause proration, we value any additional support we can get to better the educational environment for our students and staff,” Dr. Davis said.

Paul Sanford was elected to the Alabama Senate in a special election in June. He and his wife Danielle own and operate “little Paul’s Barbecue” in Huntsville. The couple has two children, Chase and Ryan.

As a brand new Senator in the last regular session of a quadrennial cycle the learning curve is steep and the legislative stakes are high. Economic struggles plague our State, unemployment has nearly doubled in the past twelve months, unethical political practices have given Alabama a top five ranking in political corruption, and our nation is accumulating unprecedented debt. So I step back taking a look at the landscape before us and ask why me? Why now? What was I thinking?

My position on the above questions will separate myself from many others in the coming months within the State Senate. The perspective that will travel with me to the State hallways will be new for many within the State Government, yet quite common among the people of District 7 that share my disappointment with where the State of Alabama is heading. It has been far too long since the power brokers in Montgomery have handled “the business of the people” with “the interest of the people” at the forefront. Too many decisions have been made in the past that have benefited the few in power, rather than those that give the power. It is time the citizens of Alabama demand more from the elected officials we trust to oversee our Government.

In the coming session you will witness election year antics, political posturing, and one side demonize the other for one reason or another. What you should be hearing is a group of chosen leaders that will hold themselves accountable to standards that are worthy of the positions their fellow citizens have chosen them to perform. You should hear candor when you ask a question that demands an answer, not rhetoric. You should see the ball moved forward on issues that affect the improvement of our State. You should not hear excuses about un-kept promises. You should demand action and answers that give merit to the decisions made inside of Montgomery that alter your life. You should trust that your public servants are working in the best interest of your community and State as a whole. You should expect an honest dialogue from the leadership in Montgomery without twists and turns. You should make your concerns known and ask for results.

I hope to fulfill those expectations because they are my expectations of the position, on your behalf. You have been chosen me to be your State Senator in one of the top areas of our country and I will not take this responsibility lightly.

I look forward to being your eyes, ears, and voice in Montgomery. I am honored to represent you and truly look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

Now you know some of the whys.

Gratefully,
Paul