President's Message
- Volume 50, Number 4 - 2006
Let's Use Our Time Wisely Leading Up To The Legislative Session
We’ve got more time this year. Here’s hoping we’ll use it wisely.
This year’s legislative session begins in March – it’s the first year of the new legislative term of office – rather than the usual January starting date. So, we have a few extra weeks to put the finishing touches on our legislative program. And, county officials on the local level have a few extra weeks to work back home to ensure our legislative program will be well received once the session begins.
That work will include communication with members of the legislature, distribution of our legislative priorities and policy statements to members of the news media, and discussions with other local leaders whose programs and constituents will benefit from our efforts in Montgomery.
At this point, we’ve established our legislative priorities unless new issues arise in the coming months. We’ve also established the schedule for our pre-session district meetings, the important time that we spend as a county “family” preparing for the challenges that we’ll face together.
And, I guess, that’s the most encouraging part of looking toward the next few months; that we will all face whatever comes with a unified voice and a unified effort. We’ll be together.
There will be some issues that impact only a few counties and other issues will impact every county in the state. But, on every issue we’ll stand together to ensure that no county will be damaged by those who either oppose county government or others who simply aren’t concerned with the important role we play on the local level.
The Association’s legislative program is reprinted in this issue of our magazine. The program includes not only our full “wish list” and the bills that have been given “priority” for this session, but also our “policy statements” on other legislative and general government issues. The policies are important because they guide the actions of our board of directors, as well as our Association staff.
Taking a look at our priority legislation as it is printed elsewhere in this issue will give you a sense of the real backbone of our organization. Our priorities touch all the bases of county government – legislation to improve the delivery of 9-1-1 services, to enhance our ability to respond to disasters, to improve the efficient administrative activities, to provide additional revenue for road projects, to improve the delivery of solid waste services, and to more efficiently respond to the needs of juvenile justice. That list is tangible evidence that this organization is about much more than simply the “county commission.”
When the legislature is in session, we are expected to speak for “county government.” And, we take that role very seriously. To effectively be that voice, we must more actively involve county commissioners, probate judges and the members of our existing “affiliate” organizations – engineers, administrators, 9-1-1 directors, emergency management directors, and county revenue and license officers. We also must seek to expand our legislative effectiveness by reaching out to others who play important roles in county government.
With the extra time available this year, we need to reach throughout the halls of our local courthouses to find support from those who will benefit from the passage of legislation that will be supported by our organization. That can only be achieved by local officials and employees who are committed to the achievement of our ultimate legislative goals.
I am encouraged that this will be a productive year. In many ways, it has already been very productive. This legislative program is the product of strong participation and input of our steering committees, our legislative committee and our board of directors. The attendance at this year’s Legislative Conference in Birmingham was very gratifying as our meeting rooms were filled to overflowing.
As always, there is no question that the very future of county government will be shaped by decisions made in Montgomery during the 105 days of this year’s legislative session. If allowed to occur in a vacuum, the decisions could negatively impact our ability to respond to the local citizens and to provide the services upon which they so strongly depend.
It is our responsibility to make sure that such a vacuum does not exist. It is our responsibility to put life to the words contained in this publication – to carry forward our message and to ensure that the local citizens and the 140 members of the Alabama Legislature clearly understand the needs of county government in Alabama.
We’ve got a little extra time to prepare that message and to spread it “back home.” Let’s use it wisely.
|
