Saturday, the Mid Alabama Republican Club held their monthly meeting in Vestavia Hills.
Jefferson County Commissioner President Jimmy Stevens told the group that Charlie Waldrep has had a massive heart attack and has a fever and asked that the group keep the prominent attorney in their prayers.
“I am very appreciative that President Trump came down,” MARC President Paul DeMarco said. “Lets have a moment of silence for the 23 people that died.”
Jefferson County Commissioner Steve Ammons said, “We are moving in the right direction.” Our credit rating has been recently upgraded and we announced that a company is making $72 million capital investment in McCala.
“We are looking at purchasing a very iconic property to create up to 700 new jobs in the Warrior area,” Ammons said. “We are not touching the barn or the house,” of the iconic Hancock property.
Ammons told the Alabama Political Reporter that while the county is financially strong and is looking at refinancing its debt; some of the cities within Jefferson County are struggling and may bankrupt or even dissolve. These include Lipscomb, Brighton and Fairfield.
State Rep. Jim Carns, R-Vestavia, said of the special session, “It was an interesting week. The House worked and got all of the package out of the House by 4:00.”
“The gas tax package passed,” Carns said. “I have always been Mr. No on taxes.”
“These other guys are my friends (Republicans who voted Yes on the tax increase),” Carns said. “Don’t beat them up.” Carns warned of Republicans forming a “circular firing squad.”
State Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, said, “In the senate we are working on the oversight aspect.”
Roberts praised the House for improving the infrastructure package by getting a two pavement system (concrete and asphalt) included in the bill.
Roberts predicted that the package will pass with 25 votes. He did not know how he was going to vote yet and hoped that the Senate can improve the legislation.
“Georgia is at 31 (cents per gallon of fuel), we are 18; if we go up 10 we are still at 28,” Roberts said.
Supreme Court Justice Mike Bolin told the MARC members, “The court is functioning really well.”
Bolin praised the new Supreme Court Justices.
“We have a new Chief Justice in Tom Parker,” Justice Bolin said. “I count him as a friend. We have agreed and disagreed over the year; but have remained friends and tried to remain collegial. He and I will both age out next term unless the legislature raises the judicial retirement age.”
“We issue our opinions each Friday morning,” Bolin said inviting members to come to Montgomery for the released Alabama Supreme Court opinions, which can also be read on the state Supreme Court website.
Shelby County Republican Party Chair Joan Reynolds said, “2018 was a very good year for the Shelby County Republican Party. Voter turnout in Shelby County was up.
Reynolds announced that the Shelby County GOP will hold a fundraiser in May roasting Sebatir Cam Ward, R-Alabaster.
Reynolds announced that the party has drafted a new outreach program. “Hopefully our outreach program will give us all the volunteers we need for the 2020 campaign.”
Reynolds also announced that the Alabama Minority GOP Awards Banquet will be in Huntsville on March 15.
Republican National Committeeman Paul Reynolds said that the, “RNC becomes the political arm of the White House,” when a Republican is in the White House.
Paul Reynolds praised the White House for the decision to suspend a pending arms deal if Turkey does not release a Christian pastor being held there.
Alabama Republican Party Terry Lathan said, “I want to thank Jim Carns for urging Republican not to get into a circular fire squad.
Lathan said that the Alabama Republican Party is building an army right now to beat Sen. Doug Jones in 2020 and reelect Donald Trump.
Secretary of State John Merrill was critical of recent comments by Jones accusing the state of voter suppression.
“We have led the nation in voter registration and participation for the last three years,” Merrill said. “When Doug Jones tells the lies like he is telling now; I am going to bust him in the chops.”
The Mid-Alabama Republican Club meets on the second Saturday of each month at the Vestavia Hills Public Library.
