President's Message - Legislative Preview
Issue 2002
Offense and Defense Important for
Session
The best offense, football
coaches are fond of saying, is a good defense. As the
2003 regular session of the Alabama Legislature nears,
county officials will be wise to remember that approach.
Our county colleagues from
throughout the country have faced difficult financial
times over the last two years. Because of the tough economic
conditions, revenue usually reserved for counties has
been a rather easy legislative target in other states.
In many states, county governments
are funded with direct appropriations from the state budgets.
And in some of those states, the financial difficulties
of the state government have been relieved by reducing
or eliminating the county allocations. National observers
expect this trend to continue during the 2003 legislative
season.
Here in Alabama, the state
is facing a severe budget crisis. Both the education budget
and the state general fund, which finances activities
such as the prison system and human resources, need an
influx of new money just to provide level-funding for
the next budget year.
The financial situation is
made even worse by the overcrowding in county jails and
the crisis created by the state's aging prison facilities
and inadequate physical plant. Any effort to address this
problem will, of course, require new revenue.
When the Legislature convenes
in March, the financial issue will be the first -- and
perhaps only -- item of business. Funding state government,
education and corrections will dominate the upcoming session.
As county officials, our primary focus during this session
must be on ensuring that county revenue is not diverted
and to lend all of our efforts toward a solution to the
prison problems that plague us all at the local level.
Accomplishing such a goal will
be difficult and will require all of our political savvy.
It is important that we all focus our attention on the
legislative session, become active participants and advocates
for county government and support the efforts and actions
of our staff and board of directors.
During late January and early
February, we will hold district meetings to plan our legislative
strategy and to give you the tools you need to be an effective
voice for counties. The dates and locations of those meetings
are listed in this magazine. It is important that you
attend the district meeting and that you embrace your
role as a spokesperson and lobbyist for your county.
Many counties have already
held meetings with their local legislators. Such meetings
are very productive and provide you with an opportunity
to discuss local legislation and to outline your support
of the Association's efforts. If you have not held such
a meeting, we encourage you to schedule one in the coming
weeks.
The 2003 legislative session
will signal the beginning of a new four-year term with
a new governor, new lieutenant governor and many new legislators.
These officials may be unaware of the important relationship
between counties and the Legislature. It is vital that
we set the tone for the next four years during this year's
session by strongly opposing measures that will do financial
harm to counties.
Now, I am not suggesting that
the Association's legislative agenda -- our offense --
should be abandoned. To the contrary, there are several
very important issues that must be addressed during the
session if counties are to continue on a positive course.
But it is just as important that we be ready to actively
oppose any efforts to reduce county revenue and that we
demand positive action on the prison situation.
During our legislative conference
in December, the members approved the ACCA's 2003 Legislative
Program. That document is published in this issue of our
magazine. I want to thank the many county officials and
employees who played a part in the development of this
program with their service on steering committees, the
Legislative Committee and the Board of Directors.
This document is much more
than a "wish" list of new laws we would like to see enacted.
It represents our official position on a host of matters
and guides our staff and Board of Directors during the
legislative session. I encourage you to closely read all
portions of that program. Below is the policy regarding
the diversion of county revenue.
"The Association recognizes
that the State of Alabama is facing serious financial
difficulties, which will make it difficult to adequately
fund the next several state budgets without additional
revenue. County governments in Alabama are facing similar
financial difficulties. The Association will oppose any
legislative efforts to fund state services by reducing
the county portion of taxes or fees currently shared between
state and local government."
With this in mind and with
the 2003 session just a few weeks away, it's important
that we polish up both our offensive and defensive skills.
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