September 2024 Group Watch: Head of AL Dept of Veterans Affairs Resignation Ends Standoff with Gov Ivey

Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis submitted his resignation to Governor Kay Ivey, following a brief standoff between the state’s chief executive and the head of the state department. Davis’ resignation, effective December 31, came amid accusations from Ivey and other agencies of mismanagement of federal funds and a failure to cooperate with other state agencies. The governor had called a meeting of the State Board of Veterans Affairs to oust Davis, but that meeting was canceled after Davis’ resignation. Ivey said in a statement that her meeting with Davis was respectful, frank and informative, with both sides gaining new perspective and insight about the challenges each face in fulfilling their respective roles. In a joint letter, legislative leaders from both chambers, voiced their support for the governor’s position in the matter.

September 2024 Group Watch: Board of Education to Vote on Raising  Reading Benchmarks

The Alabama Board of Education is set to gradually increase a benchmark for third graders on the state’s high-stakes reading test. Currently, educators decide whether or not a third grader is reading sufficiently and can move on to the fourth grade based on a test. Leaders want to move the test’s cut score up this year, then again in 2026. State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey said he’s talked to school officials, board members and the governor about the topic, and recommends moving the cut score from 435 to 444 this school year, and then to 454 by spring 2027. A score of 473 means a third grader is reading on grade level, statisticians recommended the 435-cut score – technically two standard errors below 473 – because the test is new. After spring 2024 reading test results showed 91 percent of students reached the benchmark the board set last year, some questioned whether the bar was set too low, thus sending too many third graders into the fourth grade without strong reading scores. The board will vote on whether to set the new series of cut scores during its October meeting.

September 2024 Group Watch: German American Chamber Event Showcases AL Business Opps

German business leaders will learn about Alabama’s advantages for potential projects or partnerships during an upcoming webinar coordinated by the German American Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta. The September 25 webinar is part of the Chamber’s “Virtual Tour 2024—Southern U.S.” The event is aimed at German companies looking to export, invest or expand in the Southeastern U.S., which has become an attractive market for German enterprises. It aims to strengthen relationships between the Southeast and German companies, and address challenges they face when establishing a presence in the region. Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair will deliver a brief welcome to kick off the webinar, which will feature an introduction to Alabama and highlight the opportunities for German companies. The webinar will feature leaders from two German companies who will discuss their firsthand experiences in establishing an operation in Alabama.  Rouven Vierfub, Managing Director, Ovens Business Cooking at Miele, which will manufacture ovens, stoves and other household appliances for the American market at the first U.S. production hub in Opelika, will speak, as will Sebastian Thole, CEO of Winkelmann Flowforming, whose U.S. subsidiary in Auburn has succeeded in winning business from American aerospace companies.

September 2024 Group Watch: Alabama Opens Fifth Veterans’ Home

Veterans from across Alabama and the country recently gathered in Enterprise to commemorate the opening of the state’s fifth veterans’ home. The 182,000-square-foot Command Sgt. Major Bennie G. Adkins Veterans Home in south Alabama is named after the late Bennie Adkins, a Huntsville native and U.S. Army veteran whose service in the Vietnam War earned him the Medal of Honor in 2014. The facility will house 200 residents, with 20 current residents of other veterans homes scheduled to move into the new facility on October 1, and applications for residency will open later. The home was funded roughly two-thirds by the state of Alabama, and a third from the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs.

September 2024 Group Watch: AL Film Office Gets New Director

The Alabama Department of Commerce announced the selection of Meghann Bridgeman, president and CEO of Create Birmingham, as the next Director of the Alabama Film Office. With extensive experience in arts and economic development, Bridgeman will lead the state’s efforts to attract, support and promote entertainment productions across Alabama. She has a proven track record of building public-private partnerships and collaborating with entertainment professionals and local communities to create opportunities for growth and innovation. In her new role, Bridgeman will work to position the state as a premier destination to filmmakers and producers. She will begin in January 2025. The Alabama Film Office was established in 1978 and has been instrumental in the development of the state’s film and entertainment industry. Over the past several decades, it has attracted a variety of high-profile productions, including films such as Big Fish, 42, and Selma.

August 2024 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House

Most Alabama students are back in school, but some are repeating third grade as the Alabama Literacy Act, passed in 2021, takes effect. Almost 2,000 students didn’t meet the requirements to move to fourth grade.

The medical cannabis industry in Alabama is also behind but did take a small step forward last month after a judge recommended the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission grant two cultivation licenses.

And on Alabama’s coast, infrastructure improvements are moving forward, thanks to Governor Ivey awarding $30 million in grants for various projects and communities.

Find more details and info on other important #alpolitics news below.

August 2024 Group Watch: Post of the Month

August 2024 Group Watch: Governor Ivey Names Biz Leaders for AL Growth Alliance

Governor Kay Ivey announced the appointment of eight distinguished business leaders to the Alabama Growth Alliance, a key initiative aimed at supporting efforts to drive economic growth and innovation through the governor’s new economic development strategy. This marks another major milestone in the implementation of the “Working for Alabama” legislative package, which the governor championed and signed into law earlier this year. The newly appointed members bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the alliance.

• Mack Mauldin, President and CEO of Bank Independent in Florence is recognized for his extensive knowledge in banking and finance.
• Helena Duncan, President and CEO of the Montgomery-based Business Council of Alabama brings a strong background in business advocacy and policy.
• Angus Cooper III, President of the Mobile Cooper Group has a deep understanding of international trade and the maritime and logistics industry.
• Jimmy Rane, Chairman and CEO of Great Sothern Wood Preserving in Abbeville is a prominent figure in the wood products and construction industry.
• John Turner, President and CEO of Birmingham-based Regions Financial offers expertise in financial services and economic strategy.
• Allison Ross of Huntsville is a consulting, real estate and public relations entrepreneur and former owner of Yellowhammer News.
• Jeff Peoples, Chairman, President and CEO of Birmingham-based Alabama Power is a leader in the energy sector.
• Bruce Culpepper of Guntersville, former President and U.S. Country Chair of Shell Oil, has extensive experience in the energy and petrochemical industries.

August 2024 Group Watch: AL Medical Cannabis Commission Grants Two Cultivator Licenses

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission granted cultivator’s licenses to Pure by Sirmon Farms, LLC and Blackberry Farms, LLC after an administrative law judge recommended reversing earlier denials. The administrative judge, who was not publicly named, also found that First Choice Farms, LLC and James Gang Dispensary, LLC did not meet the required qualifications to be awarded a cultivator license, and the commission agreed. The license awards do not resolve any of the litigation that has delayed implementation of the state’s medical cannabis program, first approved by the Alabama Legislature in 2021. A Montgomery judge has blocked the commission from granting dispensary and integrated facility licenses.

August 2024 Group Watch: Senator Britt Secures Funding for Courthouse Restoration

Senator Katie Britt announced that $9 million has passed through the Appropriations Committee to fund the restoration and upgrades of the Dothan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, which serves the Middle District of Alabama, and the Hugo Black Courthouse in Birmingham, which serves the Northern District of Alabama. Both of these buildings require improvements to continue serving their communities. Additionally, Senator Britt has secured $6 million for Montgomery-based Jackson Hospital and Clinic for the 2025 fiscal year. The non-profit hospital will receive the funding to improve medical care and services via the purchase of patient care equipment and infrastructure improvements