President's Message
- Volume 51, Number 4 - 2007
Are YOU Ready for the Legislative Session?
There are about 79 miles from the courthouse in Evergreen to where the Legislature meets at the Alabama State House in Montgomery. It would take about 208,560 steps if you decided to walk it, for some crazy reason.
But, once the legislative session convenes, the activities in Montgomery will be just as important to the residents of my county – and your county, too – as anything we will do in our courthouse. In fact, the things that happen in Montgomery this winter will cast a shadow on almost every decision we make for the next several years.
It is that realization that causes us to focus much of our Association time, effort and energy on what happens in the Alabama Legislature. The other services we provided to the members are important, but without a positive relationship with the Legislature, most of those other things would be overlooked by most county officials.
Having just returned from our Legislative Conference in Auburn (which was held about 132 miles from our courthouse back in Conecuh County), it is easy to turn my attention to the upcoming session. It was very gratifying to see such a large crowd at the event and in each one of the sessions.
Certainly your willingness to participate in this event during the busy holiday season speaks well for your understanding of the challenge we face in just a short time.
I continue to be impressed with the time and energy county officials and employees so freely focus on legislative matters. In other Associations, it is often hard to convince members of the importance of participating in the legislative portion of the yearly schedule. But, our members unquestionably recognize the next few months as the most important portion of the year.
This year’s priority legislation reads almost like the top 10 list of “impossible legislative accomplishments.”
For example, we’ll ask the Alabama Legislature to address our funding needs in the road and bridge departments, pass the second “County Modernization Act,” improve the enforcement of our litter laws, correct a horrible administrative injustice with our Sex Offender Notification Act, and clear the way for more a more cost-efficient delivery of 911 services.
Each piece of legislation is aimed at either relieving a pressing need on the county level or improving our ability to provide the most efficient services to our citizens. Each bill is important, and the passage of each will require hard work from every corner of the state.
You’ll find a more detailed explanation of our “Priority Legislation,” as well as our entire 2008 Legislative Program by clicking here. In fact, this entire edition is devoted to our legislative roadmap for the 2008 session. I encourage you to review the program carefully as it will guide all our actions when the session begins on Feb. 5.
Presidents who have come before me have urged your participation, your assistance and your support for our legislative efforts. I am not sure it is necessary for me to follow that path this year. I am confident you all understand the consequences that will befall us should we fail to make the accomplishment of our goals a priority matter in both our professional and personal lives.
It is important for me to dispel the idea that legislative accomplishments come from anything other than commitment, hard work and personal contacts. As the only organization that is concerned with the future of county government, we cannot sleep for one a single moment. We cannot rely on any other group to carry our load while our attention is diverted to something back home. Should we fail to carry out our responsibilities, someone will point it out to us very quickly.
Many groups are standing with legislation that would harm counties. I
could list them, but you are likely already aware of the culprits. They are getting ready. And so, we must get ready, as well.
Attendance at the district meetings in January is important. It will be a chance to hear from our staff on the last-minute details that will mean the difference between success and failure this year. Some of you cannot attend some of the conferences, but there is no reason for you not to be at the district meetings.
And then, on the first Tuesday in February, this year’s legislative session will begin. Our priority legislation will be introduced, and those organizations and individuals who oppose county government will introduce their legislation.
We will be asked to respond. I will answer that call. I will come to Montgomery. I will contact my legislators. I will contact the community leaders who can help us protect our ability to serve the citizens. Will you?
I know how far it is from the courthouse in my county to the Alabama State House in Montgomery because I’ve made the trip. Have you? Do you know how far it is from your courthouse?
When I see you, I’m going to ask.
|
