BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
PHOTOS BY HEATHER KNIGHT/EAN
Top Photo from left are Rep. Jerry Starnes, Rep. Van Smith, Senator Clyde Chambliss and Rep. Kelvin Lawrence.
Senator Clyde Chambliss and Representatives Van Smith, Kelvin Lawrence and Jerry Starnes were featured speakers at the inaugural Legislative Breakfast Friday in Prattville.
The event was hosted by the Prattville Chamber of Commerce and drew a large crowd to hear the latest information on items that are before state government.
Senator Clyde Chambliss is now in his third term and spoke of the $250 million deficit the state faced just eight years ago.
“This was a big deal,” Chambliss told the crowd. He said that legislators had to work to balance the budget, and did so. But he admits it was painful and contentious at times. The hard work paid off, however. Today the state has a $300 million surplus in the general fund.
The process was basic principles, to pass a conservative budget with conservative appropriations. He said it was a principle that works. “Spend less than you make,” he said.
However, he said that part of the quick recovery came from the Federal stimulus checks, which cannot be relied upon for the future. But great progress, he said, was being made and the state was in much better financial shape even before Covid hit and the stimulus checks were issued.
“This is our 12th year without proration, and that is historic,” Chambliss said.
He said that a common theme across the country right now is talk of tax cuts.
“I am not the most popular guy in the room on that subject,” Chambliss said. He said perspective is important, and it is important to not just throw money away. He expects that times will remain tough financially in the future. Alabama already is one of the lowest taxation states in the nation. There isn’t much to cut without disrupting general services, he said.
Chambliss also addressed ongoing issues with the Department of Corrections and the horrific conditions of most Alabama prisons. He said that the availability of Mental Health care is still severely lacking across the state. He is also very concerned about the future for rural hospitals, in particular.
On the issue of education, Chambliss said the state is moving in the right direction, but education is still not where it needs to be. Chambliss represents the two least funded educational systems in the state, which are Autauga and Elmore Counties.
Representative Kelvin Lawrence said he became involved in politics to try and make real and positive differences in his community. He is a fan of doing the right thing, and not just along party lines.
He praised the area Chambers of Commerce for what they do to try and assist small business.
Lawrence talked about economic development in his areas and said things are doing well. He wants to see more jobs, and to improve quality of life. He wants to work on issues that help provide affordable health care and is also concerned about the need for more broadband internet for education.
Representative Van Smith is a previous educator and principal. He grew up in agriculture as an “FFA kid” he said. He said he takes a simple approach when it comes to finances. Budget only what you took in last year, he said.
Education in the state is very close to his heart, and he said that students are kept busy, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they are learning reading and math, or other general classes.
“We have to improve our reading and math across the state,” Smith said.
A critical part of education today is the ability to use broadband internet, particularly in the rural areas. He said that Central Alabama Electric began the process locally in Autauga and Elmore counties, but there is a serious need for more work in that area statewide.
Representative Jerry Starnes is a veteran, and former Prattville City Councilman. He was only recently elected to the House of Representatives and dubbed himself “the new kid on the block.”
However, he has 28 years of service in the military, and grew up in a military family. He referenced strong economic growth in his area, to include Millbrook’s 17 Springs which is under construction, the James Hardy expansion and Central Alabama Community College of Prattville’s new campus.
The floor was opened for questions. A question was, “For the future, what are you most excited about, and what is your biggest concern?”
Rep. Lawrence said he is happy about the promise of new opportunities, to include economic development. He likes the addition of new jobs, and a better quality of life. He is working on issues for affordable health care and broadband.
As for his concerns, he said it involves public education, because he believes that is the catalyst to any great community. He said that the state does a lot of great things, but when it comes to funding education, the state has dropped the ball.
Rep. Jerry Starnes said he is excited about the state having five automotive manufacturers. He spoke positively about the Redstone Arsenal, which gives the Army a footprint. He spoke of the FBI opening new offices, and Space Force locating at Redstone Arsenal. He touted the accomplishments with CACC, James Hardy and the 17 Springs project.
As for his concerns, he said the two counties he represents are the two lowest funded educationally in the entire state. He said local school boards and commissions are working with low funds, but yet are still able to do great things.
Rep. Van Smith said he is excited about the state’s workforce development programs. In the past he said he felt like the emphasis on that area was started too late. He said it should begin at home, and as early as kindergarten. It should involve the teachings of a set of values about hard work and dedication.
As for his concerns, safety in the schools is a big issue, especially with his background in education. He said much of that comes for the loss of values within the family, bullying in schools and a big lack of discipline among students. He said that educators’ hands are tied in too many instances.
Sen. Clyde Chambliss said the positives are financial. The state has gone from a serious financial condition, to now being the 8th in the nation for financial security.
But he has serious concerns with the state of prisons throughout the state. “The conditions are atrocious. They are not defensible.”
He said that when people commit crimes, good citizens need protection. However, he reminded the crowd that corrections officers are having to endure the same type of conditions in prisons. He said there is a critical need for staff at prisons. While salaries have been raised, and bonuses offered, it has not helped recruiting for prison personnel. Despite a judge’s order to hire more corrections officers, the state system is still falling way below what was required by the courts.
Chambliss said if this and other issues are not corrected, it is possible the Department of Justice could take over the prison system across the state.
On Mental Health – Sen. Chambliss said there has been progress on Mental Health issues, as there are now six crisis diversion centers available. “But we need 11 or 12, so we are only halfway there. A lot of people have been failed, and they have fallen through the cracks.”
Chambliss said the pitiful state of mental health care was caused by a variety of reason. Over 20 years ago, the state decided to shut down the warehouse type facilities that housed large amounts of patients. Instead, they wanted to move to a community-based level of mental care, which he agrees with. However, a recession took over the country, and those community centers never became a reality. This left too many people without access to mental health care. He said that police departments became the overseers of those who were mentally ill, with no places to take them for care.
While improvement has been made, he said there is still a very long way to go.
Another concern is hospitals across the state, the large ones, but particularly those in rural areas. He said it is a problem that the state cannot fix, as this is a nationwide issue. He said that hospitals are losing money everywhere, and he fears that within 12 months it will be critical.
He spoke of money given to help hospitals amounting to $350 million, which sounds good. But in reality, there are instances where a single hospital only received $250,000, which is a drop in the bucket.
A question was asked about the future of electric vehicles.
Rep. Van Smith said one issue is that China is a primary producer of the technology, which would make this country ever more reliant on an outside country. There is an issue of mapping out where the stations would be, and the different stations that would be required. He said to solve this problem, the state needs investors, and individual stations to move forward. It is not something the state itself would do, as far as building a service station, he said.
He said there is a misconception that electric cars are “green” and that is because it takes petroleum products, or nuclear energy, to create the electricity.
Sen. Chambliss added that while electric cars would not fall under the Rebuild Alabama tax, or the more commonly known Gas Tax, that was taken into consideration where funding is concerned. For electric cars, a fee was added to the car tag process.
It is hoped that more of these type of legislative meetings will be held in our area. Officials said they appreciated the opportunity.
Thank you to the Prattville Chamber for organizing this event.
About the Speakers:
Clyde Lee Chambliss Jr. is an American Republican politician who has served in the Alabama Senate from the 30th district since 2014. He completed his degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama in 1992, after which he started his civil engineering firm.
Kelvin Lawrence (Democratic Party) is a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, representing District 69. He assumed office on November 5, 2014. His current term ends on November 4, 2026.Lawrence (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Alabama House of Representatives to represent District 69. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Ivan “Van” Smith is an American politician serving as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 42nd district. He assumed office on November 6, 2019.
Jerry Starnes (Republican Party) is a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, representing District 88. He assumed office on November 9, 2022. His current term ends on November 4, 2026.He ran for election to the Alabama House of Representatives to represent District 88. He won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
