Session is wrapping up, and this week I’ve got some major updates. Here are a few of the things you should know about.
Grocery Tax Passes House
The grocery tax bill that would cut the grocery tax in half over the next two years was approved in both committee and in the full House this week. The bill had 103 sponsors, and is also fully supported in the Senate, where it is now headed. Tuesday will be the 27th legislative day of session out of 30, so the Senate will need to move quickly to make this important tax cut a reality for Alabamians. More work to be done on it, but this is a victory for the people of Alabama and those who have been fighting for this for years, like the Alabama Policy Institute which has been working on the topic for over a decade. You can read more about that bill here.
Budgets Pass Early Friday Morning
Both the budgets passed late Thursday evening into the wee hours of Friday. Both are record budgets, the largest in state history. Included in the budgets are one time tax rebates of $150 per taxpayer, or $300 per couple. This is a result of the state’s record revenues, though more certainly should be given back to the people in the form of tax cuts. The bills passed with little opposition in the end, even with such long debate. You can read more about the budgets here.
Anti-ESG Bill Passes House Committee
The House Financial Services Committee Wednesday gave a favorable report to the Anti-ESG legislation that would prohibit government entities from entering into contracts with companies that use environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria to discriminate in business practices. House leadership will have to prioritize this bill for it to get passed in the short window of legislative session that is left.
Birmingham Southern Bill Sent to Governor
The Birmingham-Southern bill, which would loan out $30 million to the struggling institution and others like it, was approved by the House Thursday. The loan would technically be approved for any institution that has existed for over 50 years in Alabama and has hardships that meet the stated requirements, but it is clear that it is meant for Birmingham-Southern. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for her signature.
That’s it for now. I’ll be back next week, hopefully with good grocery tax news.
As always, put your trust in God and keep your powder dry.
Bryan