U.S. Senate to Vote on Labor Unions for Law Enforcement on Monday
The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on Monday, May 12, on federal legislation that would require local governments, including counties, to enter into collective bargaining activities with law enforcement personnel. The passage of this kind of legislation would cripple county government in Alabama and completely override your ability to make administrative and financial decisions on the local level. Click here for a summary of the legislation.

The bill is entitled "Public Safety Employer-Employee Coperation Act of 2007" and is S2123 and HR980. NACo lists both Sen. Richard Shelby and Sen. Jeff Sessions as "NO" votes on this legislation, However, it is important that we contact their offices by fax, to ask that they OPPOSE this measure.

Because the vote is Monday, it is very important that you make your contacts today or no later than 12 noon on Monday. Please use the summary to draft a memo that can be faxed to the senators' offices. Thank you for your help!

Sen. Richard Shelby's office phone number is (202) 224-5744 and fax number is (202) 224-3416. Sen. Jeff Sessions' office phone number is (202) 224-4124 and fax number is (202) 224-3149.

What Happened This Week in the Alabama Legislature?
With only one day left in this year’s legislative session, much work still remains on ACCA’s legislative program. Although virtually all “danger” bills are now dead for this year’s session, four ACCA bills are pending final passage in the Senate and another is awaiting passage in the House. The House and Senate will hold the final meeting day of this year’s regular session on May 19. Major issues still to be resolved include the state’s education budget and related matters, including a major change in the state’s corporate income tax; the proposal to remove sales tax from unprepared food and bills related to illegal immigrates. ACCA staff will be making a more detailed review of all legislation that is still alive for the final night, but the information in this week's update contains an overview of the issues that need immediate attention. County officials are asked to use this week to make personal contacts with their legislators. Click here for the weekly update...

Mobile County Needs YOUR Help!
The Mobile County Commission has issued an urgent plea for assistance by the other 66 Alabama county commissions in support of the KC-45 tanker project. The Air Force recently awarded the KC-45 refueling tanker contract to Northrop Grumman and EADS, and these jets are scheduled to be assembled at Brookley Field in Mobile. The economic benefit to Alabama is projected to be quite huge as major suppliers will be locating to the Mobile region to service the project, bringing thousands of new jobs to the area. However, Boeing, a competing company with a different tanker, has protested the decision and has mounted a misleading public campaign to stop the contract from moving forward. Several members of Congress have already vowed to stop the contract.

Here is where Mobile needs your help. Click here for a copy of a letter from Mobile County Commission President Stephen Nodine containing more information and a website for community members to use for the latest information on the situation and job opportunities. Mr. Nodine and the Mobile County Commission are asking that each county commission pass a resolution in support of the U.S. Air Force's decision, Northrop Grumman and the workers of Alabama and the Central Gulf Coast. Click here to download a copy of the resolution. In order for your county's voice to be heard, once you pass your county's resolution, please forward it along to your congressional delegation. We want to keep our jobs in Alabama, and we want to keep Alabama's economy prospering!

Be Ready Camp Extends Deadline for Applications
This year will mark the third annual Be Ready Camp, a joint initiative by the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and the Alabama Department of Homeland Security to train Alabama's sixth graders to be better prepared for a wide array of emergency events. This week-long residential camp is held in September at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and has received national attention for its unique training protocols. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as the national model, and Alabama is the only state with a camp of this quality. Our job is to make sure the camp slots are filled! Prospective campers have until May 23 to apply. Click here for the full story, application and information packet.

New County Jobs Posted
Have you checked out the new county jobs that are posted online here? Or, does your county have any jobs in which you are looking for quality applicants to fill a position or two? Then, send your information to Lori Quiller to post the information online.