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Barron hosts press conference for bill
By Chris Yow
The Weekly Post
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Published January 28, 2010
Alabama Senator Lowell Barron held a press conference on Monday, Jan. 23 at Marshall Road in Rainsville.
Sen. Barron, D-Fyffe, said that he wanted to clear up some issues involving his $100 million road and bridge project bill that he recently introduced for the fourth consecutive year.
The bill has $100 million per year, for 10 years and will help the entire state see more jobs created.
"This is not just a road bill," said Sen. Barron, "This is a job creating bill."
The unemployment rate in Alabama skyrocketed in December to 11 percent.
The state distributed over $1.2 billion in unemployment benefits last year.
DeKalb County ranks 24th of 67 counties in unemployment rate at 13.8 percent.
The support for this specific bill is not far from enough to pass it. Last year, the bill missed passing by a mere two votes. This year, Sen. Barron feels it will pass.
Senate Minority Leader Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, said Republicans wanted some changes in the bill last March that Barron wouldn't accept, including helping Huntsville provide for an influx from the military base realignment and closure.
Waggoner predicted Barron will pick up some GOP votes in the new year if he is willing to work with Republicans on a few changes.
Sen. Barron, on working with the GOP, said, "I'd be glad to," he said.
"I introduced this bill three years ago as a bond issue...they always have a problem," said Sen. Barron.
With almost any support from the GOP, this bill would likely pass to go to a vote by the general public in November.
The bill proposes that the money come from royalties from oil and gas drilling on the gulf coast.
An alternative bill would raise gas taxes by five cents to cover these costs.
When the money must come from a general fund, the public will have to vote on it.
Whomever the public decides will be the next governor could support the bill as well.
"Over 50 percent of the gubernational candidates have discussed this and like it," said Sen. Barron.
If passed, the bill would give $25 million to the counties and cities. $75 million annually would go to the Alabama Department of Transportation.
Each year, the districts would divide $5 million to each of the seven congressional districts.
DeKalb county would see $3.6 million over the 10 year span, or $367,189 annually.
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