Alabama House minority leader: Irresponsible to pass budgets now
The Democratic leader in the Alabama House of Representatives on Wednesday urged lawmakers to wait until summer to pass state budgets to give time to assess the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels said in a press conference that it is difficult to craft a budget when the state is still trying to assess the pandemic’s impact on revenue, small businesses, schools, unemployment and other factors. – AP
Prattville approves land sale for $2 million chemical plant
Prattville has approved the sale of land to a chemical company planning to build a $2 million factory to support a paper mill. Members of the Prattville City Council decided to sell 15 acres in the town’s industrial park to Autumn Tree LLC during a special meeting on Tuesday night, the Montgomery Advertiser reported. The company will bring about 10 jobs to the city, supplying chemicals to an International Paper mill. – AP
Montgomery leaders announce small business support hub
Elected and business leaders on Wednesday launched the Recover Together Small Business HUB (Helping Business Unite), a free, one-stop clearinghouse to connect small and minority businesses to the resources and information they need most as they emerge from the COVID-19 crisis. This public-private collaboration is an early outcome of Mayor L. Steven Reed’s Economic Impact Task Force. – AL NewsNet
Alabama hospitals eager to resume elective procedures
Alabama hospitals which have served as the front line in the state’s battle against the coronavirus prepared to resume elective medical procedures by the end of the week while maintaining social distancing and safety for patients and staff. The answers vary by hospital but illustrate the balancing act each faces between resuming procedures which will bring in much needed revenue and keeping patients safe. – ABC3340
Marsh wants to spend coronavirus money on expanding state’s broadband
The leader of the Alabama Senate said Tuesday he wants to use a large chunk of federal coronavirus money to expand broadband throughout the state. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said he hoped to put $800 million of an estimated $1.7 billion in federal dollars given to Alabama for COVID-19 relief efforts to push broadband throughout the state. “We want it affordable for these families, and with these dollars, we think it can happen,” he said. By most measures, Alabama lags in broadband access. – Governing
Shelby announces $61 million in grants for Alabama airports
U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, today announced that 25 local airports across the state of Alabama will receive a total of $60,999,054 in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants. The funding, some of which is made available through the Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) of 2020, was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for various airport improvements. – AL Political Reporter
