Jefferson County leaders encourage voters to support Amendment 14
This November, in addition to statewide and national elections, Alabama residents will vote on an amendment that could validate or invalidate hundreds of local acts.
Amendment 14, the final amendment on the ballot, would correct a procedural inconsistency in the legislature while grandfathering in nearly 700 local bills that would otherwise be “thrown out” on a technicality, said Sen. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster), who sponsored the bill that brought about this amendment.
The amendment would grandfather in local bills from across the state, and Jefferson County leaders gathered on Tuesday, Oct. 25 to encourage voters to vote yes to this amendment on Nov. 8. Due to a recent court ruling that the state legislature had sometimes used incorrect voting mechanisms, bills passed using those incorrect procedures will be overturned if Amendment 14 does not pass.
State Rep. Oliver Robinson (D-Birmingham) said he believes it is a no-brainer to vote for the amendment, which would support House Bill 573, allowing Jefferson County to refinance its one cent sales tax. This law, which spurred the lawsuit and ruling that brought about a need for Amendment 14, would allocate money to Jefferson County Schools, transit projects and other community resources such as the Birmingham Zoo.
“In looking at that [amendment], we must understand this is a critical piece of legislation for the Nov. 8 ballot,” Robinson said. “Not only is House bill 573 a part of that, but there are 59 other local bills [for Jefferson County] that have a place in us saying ‘yes’ to Amendment 14.”
While discussions on transit and Birmingham City Schools might seem like they do not affect over the mountain communities, Hatton Smith, CEO Emeritus of Royal Cup Coffee, said it was important to remember this bill allows for funding in all schools in Jefferson County.
“Education — we talked about the county and the city. If you’re in an over the mountain community, just remember — Trussville, $700,000; Homewood $700,000; Vestavia, $1 million; Hoover, $2 million. If Amendment 14 doesn’t pass — gone. Education matters, jobs matter.”
House Bill 573 is one of the most important pieces of legislation Robinson said he has seen in his 18 years on the legislature, and that bill presents an opportunity to complete work that can steer the city and county to economic development.
“I say to you today that we must move forward as a city and as a county to make sure that our quality of life is better for everybody in this county,” he said, “and voting yes for Amendment 14 will do that for us.”
Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Jefferson County) said supporting Amendment 14 and thereby supporting House Bill 573 allows for Jefferson County to move to a new level, bringing in finances for schools, workforce development, transit and other resources.
“The amendment arose because of a need — a procedural change in our state of Alabama, the way our state legislature passes local legislation,” said Jefferson County Commission President Jimmy Stephens. “This creates nothing new, but it maintains a quality of life.”