By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
The Alabama State Legislature begins their 2014 legislative session on Tuesday, January 14th. Already select committees have been meeting including most of the budget committees. Various legislators have already publicly commented on their expectations about this year’s legislative session.
Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard (R) from Auburn said on Facebook, “With the start of the legislative session upon us, I pray for God’s wisdom, grace, and courage to serve our state to the best of my abilities.”
Alabama State Representative Paul Beckman (R) from Prattville said, “This week the Alabama Legislature begin your session. Please pray for those members that they show wisdom and courage.”
Representative Christopher John England (D) from Tuscaloosa said, “Say an extra prayer tonight because the Alabama Legislature begins its work this week. On Monday, budget hearings. Tuesday is the first official day of the session. On Wednesday, committee work begins. On Thursday, bills voted out of committee on Wednesday will be up for passage through their respective chamber. As always, if you need to vent, straighten me out, or get me some information, do not hesitate to contact me. I am looking forward to hearing from you.”
Rep. April Weaver (R) from Brierfield said, “As we begin the 2014 legislative session tomorrow, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.”
Rep. Alan Harper (R) from Northport said, “Friends as we begin the 2014 legislative session Tuesday, January 14, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Through God’s grace and blessings and with your input, we will work to do what is best for all Alabamians. Please call or email me with your thoughts and opinions on specific legislation.”
Rep. Allen Farley (R) from McCalla said on Facebook, “I spent the majority of the day sitting in the Capital Auditorium listening to State of Alabama department heads make their FY2015 budget proposals to a mixed assortment of members of the Alabama Legislature. The obvious common denominator to most of the politicians in the room was the need for more money and more personnel. But, after a few hours my heart began to hurt and I felt like someone had punched me in the gut. You see, the common denominator I saw in the budget proposals for Medicaid, State Prisons, Public Health, DHR, and The Administrative Office of Courts was an increase in employee workloads that signals families being ripped apart and children being uncertain about where they will live and how they will eat. I heard Dr. Williamson, our state Health Officer, tell the group that 53% of child births in Alabama last year were paid for through Medicaid. 2000 of those mothers were pregnant again within 16 months. Friends, while we are concentrating on coming out of a financial recession, my heart tells me that our real problem is a Moral Depression. Our problem can’t be fixed with money. I pray that God will motivate our Christian community to get out of our church buildings and take the life changing Word of God into the streets. Thanks for letting me vent. We’ll talk tomorrow. God Bless America!!!”
