MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger said this morning that the next few weeks of the legislative session will be more controversial in the legislature’s upper chamber.
“It’s funny because people are like, ‘Y’all are way, way too kumbaya in the Senate, I’m not used to this,’” Gudger, R-Cullman, said while speaking at a legislative briefing hosted by the Business Council of Alabama. “So it’s going to spice it up a little bit this week for you.”
Most legislation passed so far has been local bills or uncontroversial sunset laws or appointments. Gudger said onlookers can expect more debate over more controversial legislation in the next few weeks.
“Within the next two or three weeks, get a little bit of popcorn and some Twizzlers and hang out there with us for a little while … we’re going to be fighting back and forth a little bit more,” Gudger said.
Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, and Sen. April Weaver’s, R-Brierfield, child predator death penalty bill is expected to be brought to the Senate this week. It would make the rape, sodomy or sexual torture of children younger than 12 a capital crime punishable by death.
Supporters have said those who commit the worst crimes deserve the death penalty.
During debate on the floor, Democrats questioned Simpson about the constitutionality of the bill and objected to the state passing a bill that will likely face legal challenges. The bill passed by a vote of 73-6, with 17 abstentions.
The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday. Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, voted for it after clarifying that the convicted would be eligible for the death penalty, but the punishment wasn’t automatic.
Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile, said her voting history shows her priority for protecting children, but she wouldn’t support the bill.
“I think the worst penalty is to let them rot in that prison cell,” she said.
Even on uncontroversial bills, Gudger said there’s no potential for growth without good communication, whether that be across the aisle or with interest groups and lobbies.
The session is already more than 25% finished, as lawmakers have gaveled in eight times. Leadership and members have repeatedly said this will be a fast session – including many three-day weeks – because members are eager to get back to their districts to hit the campaign trail. The primary is May 19.
Outside of the rest of the session, Gudger discussed his background as a small business owner and what needs to be done to help rural Alabama.
Though every county in Alabama is different and needs different things, Gudger said his priority across the board is continuing the education of local elected officials. He is working to create a website for elected officials like local judges, city councilors and mayors that would include information about grants and opportunities available across the state.
Gudger said most local officials, including himself when he started as a Cullman city councilor in 2004, don’t know most of that information.
“Doing that is going to allow rural Alabama to truly have their own voice and know where to go as a main portal, to be able to access money, funding, grants,” Gudger said. “They just don’t have the manpower to do that in smaller towns, and so that’s really the biggest help. I think that we could help throughout the whole state of Alabama.”
The portal makes up part of the Rural Road Map, a program dreamed up by Gudger and Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, to help rural Alabama.