Economic development, government efficiency, accountability among successes of 2013 session
State Senator Arthur Orr
Guest Columnist
State lawmakers recently returned home from Montgomery at the end of a very productive legislative session, one that Governor Bentley called “the best legislative session the state has ever had.”
From economic development incentive legislation that will improve the state’s economy to significant government reforms that will save taxpayers millions of dollars, we are firmly committed to moving Alabama forward.
As the economic development process becomes increasingly competitive, it’s vitally important that we have the necessary tools to recruit companies to Alabama. Accordingly, I sponsored the Major 21st Century Manufacturing Zone Act. This legislation to allow the establishment of TIF districts for large economic development projects is already being used in offers to bring additional jobs to our part of the state.
The next round of BRAC will be even more competitive than the last, and we must do all we can to preserve our defense jobs. Another bill I sponsored that became law gives cities and counties the ability to make infrastructure improvements on federal facilities.
Georgia and Mississippi each have more than 1.5 million acres in irrigated land. Alabama boasts only 130,000 irrigated acres. Research shows that if the state were to convert 50 percent of the current row crop agricultural acreage to irrigation, the statewide impact would be more than $200 million per year. Consequently, working with Drs. John Christy and Dick McNider at UAH, we devised incentivizing legislation that provides irrigation tax credits to farmers across Alabama. This is a common-sense approach to protecting the sustainability of Alabama crops, and keep Alabama money in Alabama.
One of the most costly lawsuits in state history involved the hiring and promotion of relatives, also known as nepotism, and resulted in a $250 million judgment against the state of Alabama.
This session, the Legislature passed a bill that I sponsored that will prohibit any state employee from hiring or entering into a contract with any person related to the employee.
Another problem that has been draining taxpayer resources is frivolous and unnecessary lawsuits filed by prisoners. The Department of Corrections is currently handling more than 400 civil cases filed by state inmates. I was proud to sponsor legislation this session to establish guidelines for all civil lawsuits brought by prisoners and to require them to exhaust certain administrative remedies prior to filing a civil suit. Based on statistics in the federal prison system, we expect this new law to save the state roughly $1 million a year.
The final piece of legislation I’d like to highlight is a bill that attempts to right a wrong that occurred more than 80 years ago.
Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, and I sponsored a bill to establish a framework for posthumous pardons in the case of the Scottsboro Boys. While we can’t go back in time and change this regrettable event in Alabama’s history, this legislation, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, is a significant step toward recognizing and correcting this gross injustice. After doing many interviews with national and international news outlets, I am confident taking this long overdue action helped improve our state’s image.
Of course, there were other bills I sponsored that my colleagues saw fit to support. As is obvious, but exceedingly important, it is only with the votes and support of one’s colleagues and the Governor’s signature can any bill become law. I consider it a great privilege and honor to serve the people of Morgan, Madison and Limestone Counties in the Alabama Senate. I look forward to hearing from you in the months ahead before the 2014 legislative session.
Arthur Orr of Decatur represents Limestone, Madison and Morgan Counties in the Alabama Senate. Sen. Orr may be reached by phone at (334) 242-7891 or online at www.arthurorr.com.
