Riley will get involved in stalling

MONTGOMERY -- Gov. Bob Riley said Wednesday he'll get involved in the Senate impasse over Shoals economic development legislation that he predicts will ultimately pass despite Senate stalling tactics.

"Oh sure," said Riley. "Not only I can, I will."

The last time Riley got involved in Senate stalling on economic development legislation this session, the Senate relented temporarily and passed auxiliary incentive legislation designed to lure a German steel maker to southwest Alabama. Riley signed the legislation Wednesday.

Senators who are blocking legislation by Sen. Bobby Denton, D-Muscle Shoals, that is designed to lure a major employer to Colbert County said they're confident Denton's bills ultimately will pass.

Riley said he's confident, too, but said it needs to pass by the end of the legislative session June 18. There's a possibility the session could end a week earlier.

"It's not time critical as long as we get it out in this session," said Riley.

Denton's legislation would authorize a one-half cent sales tax in Colbert and Lauderdale counties and create an economic development committee that would be able to offer local incentives to an industrial prospect known by its code name, Project Tiger. Senators on Tuesday said the project could create as many as 1,600 high-paying jobs.

Senate stalling over the rules is holding up Denton's three bills.

"I can't believe this is happening," Denton said. "I only want to say I'm disappointed. The governor and everybody else in Alabama have been looking forward to these 1,500 jobs for a long time."

Denton is one of 18 majority senators who voted for rules the 17 minority senators said are unfair.

Although Denton has voted consistently to try to move his bills into position to be considered, he said he'd allow them to die over the principle of the rule by the majority.

"I wouldn't change sides," Denton said. "We've got principles."

He added, "We're going to-pass these bills; I've got every-confidence."

Even a senator on the other side, Larry Means, D-Attalla, said he expects the legislation ultimately to pass. "We've got 10 (legislative) days left," Means said.

Three other local economic incentive bills have been-introduced.

Legislators from Colbert, Lauderdale, and Lawrence counties introduced identical bills to create community development commissions for the three counties.

The commissions, to be made up of elected officials, would be authorized to spend newly distributed Tennessee Valley Authority payments made in lieu of taxes.

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