News

Vote scheduled for today on 2 amendments

Published: Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 12:02 a.m.

Alabamians will vote today on two proposed state constitutional amendments.

THE AMENDMENTS
The issue: The polls will be open today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for statewide voting of Amendments 1 and 2.
Amendment 1
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended relating to the Capital Improvement Trust Fund to increase the amount of the General Obligation Bonds authorized herein and to provide for competitive bidding of said bonds. (Proposed by Act No. 2007-005)
Yes vote: Approve the $400 million bond issue
No vote: Deny the $400 million bond issue
Amendment 2
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to require that funds dedicated for the purpose of paying health-care costs of retired state and educational employees be used for that purpose. (Proposed by Act No. 2007-007)
Yes vote: Approves dedication of health care funds from retired state and educational employees only to health care.
Voting precincts
Colbert County
Brick, Hatton Fire Department, Calvary Baptist Church, Tuscumbia Utilities building, Tuscumbia Multi-Purpose Center, Hope Haven, R.E. Thompson School, Barton First Baptist Church, Cherokee Lion Den, Cherokee Water/Gas Department, Margerum Methodist Church, Mynot Church of Christ, Highway 247 Fire Department, New Bethel Fire Department, LaGrange Fire Department, Leighton Civic Center, Leighton City Hall, Littleville City Hall, Locust Shores Fire Department, Spring Valley Fire Department, County Highway Department, Cave Springs Missionary Baptist Church, Allsboro Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Sheffield Board of Education, Sheffield Fire Station on Second Street, Michael Center, Sheffield Recreation Center, Sheffield Fire Station on Montgomery Avenue, Park Terrace Cumberland Presbyterian Church, First Southern Baptist Church, Muscle Shoals Fire Station, Southgate Mall, Plumbers/Steamfitters Union Hall, Muscle Shoals First Baptist Church, Colbert Heights Baptist Church.
Franklin County
Union Community Center, Russellville High School, Old College Avenue School, Franklin County Courthouse Annex, Chucky Mullins Center, Russellville Electric Warehouse, Frankfort Community Center, Pleasant Site Volunteer Fire Department, Red Bay Senior Center, Vina Fire Department, Belgreen Fire Department, Hodges Community Center, Phil Campbell Senior Center, Rockwood Duncan FS Hall, Old Mountain Star School on Saint's Crossroads, Myrick's store, Tharptown School, Halltown Community Center, Lawlers Fire Department, Waco Church of Christ, Jonesboro Community Center, Old Spruce Pine Post Office, East Franklin School, Newburg Masonic Lodge.
Lauderdale County
Anderson Town Hall, Rogersville Senior Citizens Building, Lexington Fire Station, Elgin Senior Citizens Center, Greenhill Fire Department, Center Star First Baptist Church, Killen First Baptist Church, Zip City Community Center, Lauderdale County Board of Education, Underwood-Petersville Community Center, Cloverdale Community Center, Oakland Fire Station, Stewartville Church of Christ, Waterloo Senior Citizens Building, St. Florian Town Hall, Broadway Recreation Center, Highland Baptist Church, Forest Hills School, Woodmont Baptist Church East Campus, Florence High School, Mars Hill School, First Presbyterian Church, Handy Recreation Center, Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ, Florence Middle School, Central Baptist Church, Hibbett School, Harlan School, Florence Boulevard Church of Christ.
Lawrence County
Hillsboro City Hall, North Courtland Senior Citizens Center, Red Bank Fire Station, Hillsboro Fire Station, Town Creek Depot, McCarley Center in Courtland, Donald Church, Mount Hope Fire Station, Wolf Springs, Flat Rock (New Zion Baptist Church), Landersville Methodist Church, Hatton Masonic Hall, Pleasant Grove Church, Mount Moriah Fellowship, Loosier Church, Chalybeate Fire Station, Aycock Building, Lawrence County Health Department, Fairfield Church, Moulton City Hall, Lawrence County Board of Education, Freeman Tabernacle Church, Speake/Oakville, Lindsey Hall Church, Piney Grove Church, Caddo Fire Station, Dacco Senior Citizens Center, Faith Baptist Church.

Amendment 1 will allow the state to issue $400 million in bonds for economic development incentives. Amendment 2 will maintain that health-care money from the pension fund of retired state and educational employees can only be spent for health-care purposes.

"I am voting for the economic development amendment to further Alabama's recruitment of quality jobs," said U.S Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville, in a written statement. "We need this amendment to pass to continue the economic growth in north Alabama and across the state."

Not everyone is gung-ho on the proposed bond increase. Madison County District Five Commissioner Mo Brooks, has been highly critical of the proposal.

Alabama "no longer must subsidize businesses (to the detriment of taxpayers) in order to overcome a bad image," Brooks wrote in a May 22, statement. He also wrote that German steel manufacturer ThyssenKrupp, which recently accepted Mobile for its new plant that will provide an estimated 2,700 jobs, may cost steel jobs throughout the state and may introduce a "breeding ground for corruption."

With no typical hot button issues such as taxes or alcohol sales being voted on, many expect a light voter turnout.

"Regardless of the turnout, the cost associated will be fixed," said Lauderdale County Probate Judge Dewey Mitchell.

If accepted, the two amendments would become the state's 744th and 745th amendments to the constitution.

Staff Writer Trevor Stokes can be reached at 740-5728 or trevor.stokes@timesdaily.com.


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