Session could be a busy one for local legislators

The legislative session that kicks off today in Montgomery could be quite busy for local legislators who are being asked to handle bills of local interest.

At some point, legislators from Colbert and Lauderdale counties will likely be asked to sponsor legislation that would give the county commissions authority to raise the sales tax by up to one-half cent.

The additional revenue, which is expected to be about $6.2 million annually, would be used for an incentive fund to help attract industry to the Shoals as well as prepare industrial parks for new business.

A separate companion bill could lead to the Shoals Economic Development Authority board being trimmed from 24 to 12 members, with eight of those positions being filled with elected officials.

The present plan is for the mayors of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia to sit on the new SEDA board along with representatives of the Colbert and Lauderdale commissions. The other four members would be appointed, with two representatives from both counties.

The elected officials would form a Finance Committee and make recommendations about what projects can receive money collected from the sales tax increase.

Details are still being worked out and some have other plans that could be debated, but if commissioners from both counties approve a plan, the bills would likely be introduced in the House.

State Sen. Bobby Denton, D-Muscle Shoals, said he would support the bill should it make it to the Senate “because we need to do what we can to recruit new jobs.”

Sheffield's council is also asking local legislators to pass a bill that would allow city residents to determine if they want Sunday alcohol sales.

The proposed bill would restrict Sunday sales to restaurants and hotels and forbid off-premises consumption.

If approved by the Legislature, Sheffield residents could vote on the measure in a special election either in June or July, city officials said.

Legislation allowing draft beer sales in Florence and Sheffield has also been requested from local legislators. If approved, draft beer could be sold immediately at all properly licensed businesses.

Denton said he opposes alcoholic beverage sales, but if a referendum for liquor sales comes from the House he would feel obligated to handle it in the Senate.

"If it comes to us, I'd send it if it involves a vote," Denton said.

Denton said he doesn't have plans at present to introduce local legislation.

"I'm sure there would be some coming from House members that I will be involved in, maybe a bill to increase the coroner's pay in Colbert County," Denton said.

The Shoals' two new legislators want to continue some of the programs first proposed by the late Rep. Nelson Starkey, D-Florence, and Denton.

Reps. Mike Curtis, D-Greenhill, and Tammy Irons, D-Florence, both said they support a transportation commission that would hire the transportation director.

Denton, supported by Starkey, has tried to create a transportation commission.

Governors who come and go currently appoint their directors, which has caused many projects to be started and then stopped in midstream when a new governor brings different priorities for road projects.

Curtis and Irons said good roads go hand in hand with industrial development.

"We have a lot going for us statewide and we've got to keep that up,'' Curtis said.

Irons said she supports a transportation commission, with a member from each of the nine highway districts.

"We've got to keep attention focused on our transportation needs of the Shoals area,'' she said.

On local legislation, Irons said she plans to introduce a bill to control access to the Tennessee River water. Lauderdale County is the last in the Tennessee Valley without river access legislation.

Other counties, including Colbert, have passed similar legislation, which restricts the amount of water other entities can withdraw from the Tennessee River.

Irons said she wants to secure more of the Tennessee Valley Authority in-lieu of tax money to TVA counties.

Irons also said she plans to introduce legislation to allow personal care homes to obtain a state operating license without having to meet the same regulations as larger nursing homes.

The legislation, she said, would maintain safety measures and subject the smaller homes to annual review. It would give residents and their families more choices and access to a difference environment.

More local legislation will likely crop up as the session progresses.

Local government officials will meet with legislators and give them a list of new laws they believe are needed.

Dana Beyerle can be reached at (334) 264-6605 or dtb12345@aol.com.

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@timesdaily.com.