Presented by

The Alliance for Alabama’s Infrastructure

 

1. Understanding the National Emergency situation.

• As you know, President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency in order to direct executive action to secure the border with Mexico.
• His declaration said the situation “presents a border security and humanitarian crisis that threatens core national security interests” and that the southern border “is a major entry point for criminals, gang members, and illicit narcotics.”
• The president is authorized to declare national emergencies under the National Emergencies Act of 1976. On top of that, there are other statutes providing the president the authority to redirect military funds, which is how he intends to get more border wall money.
• However, that same 1976 law gives Congress the authority to terminate any national emergency declared by the president by passing a “concurrent resolution.”
• Concurrent resolutions are not submitted to the president and, therefore, are not subject to a veto.
• If you want to read that bit of law for yourself, find it HERE.
• However, the Supreme Court later struck down such “legislative vetoes,” so it’s pretty clear President Trump would have the authority to veto a concurrent resolution and force Congress to try to overturn it, which is unlikely.
• The West Wing is digging in for this fight as well as a legal challenge from states.
• California Attorney General Xavier Becerra told ABC’s “This Week” that his state would sue “imminently” to block the order, after the American Civil Liberties Union and the nonprofit watchdog group Public Citizen announced Friday they were taking legal action.
• President Trump has said he expects a court fight, and even unfavorable opinions, until ultimately arriving at the Supreme Court.
• Read more HERE.

 

2. Alabama native killed in Chicago plant shooting.

• “I love you. I’ve been shot at work.”
• Those were the words Alabama native Josh Pinkard texted his wife Terra amid a mass shooting at a Chicago-area plant.
• Pinkard, originally from Holly Pond, Ala., was manager of the plant. He is one of five victims shot and killed by an employee who gunned down the place after learning he was being fired.
• “I told my children that their dad did not make it and is in heaven with Jesus,” Terra Pinkard wrote in a Facebook post. “I’ve never had to do something that hard.”
• Read more about the Pinkards and the other victims of the Aurora shooting HERE.

 

• 940,353.
• That’s how many Alabama jobs are completely dependent on our state’s transportation network. From roads and rail to ports and pipelines, and everything in between.
• Yet, it is no secret that Alabama’s transportation infrastructure in serious need of attention.
• The Alliance for Alabama’s Infrastructure started the #FixALRoads grassroots campaign to make sure our state leaders recognize that the near-failing grades for roads and bridges are unacceptable – and we need your help.
• Click HERE to learn more about the growing statewide effort to #FixALRoads.

3. Sanders-Fortier assumes father’s seat.

• For nearly 40 years state Sen. Hank Sanders of Selma has been a fixture of the Alabama State House.
• Sanders, 76, did not seek re-election last year after nine terms in office. When lawmakers convene next month, Senate District 23 will be represented by another member of the Sanders family. His daughter, Sen. Malika Sanders-Fortier, won election to her father’s longtime Senate seat.
• The long-serving Democrat said he has no regrets about leaving state politics, because he says he is leaving the district in good hands.
• “Part of the reason I haven’t had a single afterthought is because I know Malika will not just do a good job, I know she’ll do a better job than I ever did. I am so proud of her. She has the intellect. She has the commitment,” Sanders said.
• Read the full story from Kim Chandler HERE.

4. Push to amend hate crimes law.

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Alabamians and their allies held a rally and vigil on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol over the weekend.
• Their goal was to recognize and remember LGBTQ individuals who had been targeted for violent acts and even killed, and to push lawmakers to include sexual orientation in the state’s hate crimes law.
• Currently, Alabama’s hate crimes statute accounts for crimes motivated by a victim’s race, religion, nationality, or disability.
• Advocates from the Human Rights Campaign, the American Civil Liberties Union, and other groups will be again asking the Legislature to amend the law this upcoming Regular Session.
• Read more from AL.com’s Jonece Starr Dunigan, WSFA’s Samantha Day, and the Montgomery Advertiser’s Andrew Yawn.

5. Podcast updated.

• Thank you to everyone who gave a listen to the first episode of our new podcast, “In the Weeds” with Alabama Daily News.
• And a special thank you to those who offered feedback, constructive and otherwise.
• Two important updates…
• We’re now on iTunes! For iPhone users, this is the easiest and most popular way to keep up with podcast episodes. Subscribe HERE.
• The transcript of my interview with Gov. Kay Ivey is now online. There were several interesting points she made during our conversation, including how she views her working relationship with lawmakers, her openness to the lieutenant governor having a bigger role, where we stand on a gas tax proposal, and more.
• One thing I noted upon re-listening, I loved how Gov. Ivey was able to rattle off her entire student government history from Auburn. That stuff never really leaves us, does it?
• Also, she’s a Daily News reader.
• Read the updated podcast with transcript HERE.

 

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