“Leading into the session we pledged to focus first and foremost on proposals that will improve Alabama’s economy and today we continued to pass legislation that will do just that,” said Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh. “Alabama has added 41,000 jobs since last January, but there’s still work to be done. I appreciate my colleagues’ commitment to putting Alabamians back to work and we will continue working with Governor Bentley and Lieutenant Governor Ivey to implement policies that help protect existing businesses and attract new jobs to the state.”

Senate Bill 30, sponsored by Senator Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) and Senator Bill Holtzclaw (R-Madison), helps ensure Alabama companies are able to compete for state contracts by requiring the State Purchasing Division to maintain a statewide database of bid requests or proposals for a public contract with the state. The database will be public record and accessible on open.alabama.gov.

Of the $88.4 million in contracts awarded by the State of Alabama between February and July of 2011, slightly less than half of the total dollar value went to Alabama companies. According to a report from the state Examiners of Public Accounts, a total of 332 contracts were awarded during the six-month period with 59 contracts totaling $44.9 million going to out-of-state companies.

Senators Orr and Holtzclaw said this legislation presents a great opportunity to protect and promote Alabama jobs by ensuring homegrown Alabama companies are competing for state contracts. They also pledged to continue looking for innovative ways for state government to work with the private sector to help boost Alabama’s economy.

Senate Bill 48, also sponsored by Senator Orr, allows for an extension of the time period in which certain capital credits may be claimed and will allow unused credits for certain qualifying projects to be carried forward.

“Alabama has a proven track record of using incentives to protect existing jobs and recruit new businesses,” Senator Orr said. “This proposal will allow for a more broad use of the tools we already have at our disposal to continue growing Alabama’s private sector economy.”

Legislative Leadership seeks to continue progress with 2012 jobs agenda

MONTGOMERY – Alabama is reducing its unemployment rate faster than any state in the nation, which is a testament to the difference pro-growth economic policies can have on job creation, Alabama’s Legislative Leadership said Thursday.

Alabama’s unemployment rate for December was 8.1 percent, down from 8.7 percent in November and 10 percent in July. That’s a 19 percent decline in the last six months. Alabama’s progress reducing unemployment outpaces not only the national average, but also neighboring states (see attached chart).

A number of laws enacted in 2011 are contributing to a better job climate in Alabama, including:

• The Full Employment Act, which provides incentives to companies hiring permanent workers;
• A series of six tort reform laws that offer job creators long-needed protection from frivolous lawsuits; and
• A crackdown on illegal immigration, which sent a clear message that only legal workers could hold jobs here.

“Governor Bentley and the 2010 legislative candidates all ran on a promise of getting Alabamians back to work by enacting pro-growth policies, and that’s exactly what is happening,” House Speaker Mike Hubbard said. “You won’t find better workers anywhere than right here in Alabama. They are ready and willing to do the job. It’s our job to ensure Alabama’s business climate is as strong as our workers’ desire to find employment and provide for their families.”

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh credited the Republican Majority for their commitment to put Alabamians back to work and said the Legislature will continue to focus on growing Alabama’s private sector economy in the 2012 Legislative Session.

“Each and every member of the Republican Majority – including Governor Bentley and Lieutenant Governor Ivey – have time and again proven their commitment to the people of Alabama by never wavering on the mission to create jobs and grow Alabama’s private sector economy,” Senator Marsh said. “The decrease in unemployment proves that our efforts are succeeding and only strengthens our dedication to continue cutting red tape and proposing innovative solutions to help job creators put Alabama back to work.”

Alabama has by far the lowest unemployment rate among neighboring states, with Tennessee at 8.7 percent, Georgia at 9.7 percent, Florida at 9.9 percent and Mississippi at 10.4 percent. Over the last six months, the average decline in those states’ average unemployment rate was 5.3 percent, while Alabama’s rate dropped by a whopping 19 percent.

“We are obviously pleased to see such progress, but there is still much work to do,” Speaker Hubbard said. “If this recession has taught us anything it is that we must keep innovating and keep finding ways to give Alabama a competitive advantage for economic development. That’s why we are redoubling our efforts in the upcoming legislative session to pass an aggressive agenda aimed at boosting private sector job growth.”

The Legislative Leadership has made the following job-growth proposals the top priority in the upcoming Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature:

• Streamlined Tax Incentives to Recruit and Retain Jobs

-          Alabama’s success in landing world-class companies like Mercedes, Honda, Hyundai and ThyssenKrupp proves how effective tax incentives can be for bringing jobs to this state.

-          This constitutional amendment would allow voters to give the Alabama Development Office and the Governor more flexibility in offering tax incentives to land major economic development projects and retain those companies that might otherwise relocate outside Alabama.

• “Heroes for Hire” – Tax Incentives for Hiring Veterans Returning from War

-          With wars winding down in Iraq and Afghanistan, thousands of Alabama veterans will soon return home to a stagnant economy in which it is difficult to find a job.

-          This proposal would offer Alabama businesses at least a $1000 tax credit for hiring a veteran recently returned from war, because those who served on the front lines for our country deserve to be at the front of the line for new hires.

•  “Made in Alabama” Job Incentives Act

-          Recommended by the Speaker’s Commission on Job Creation and passed into law in the 2011 Regular Session, this measure allows the state to offer temporary state income tax incentives to offset build-up phase tariff costs for international companies bringing jobs to the state.

-          As a direct result of this legislation, hundreds of foreign-based companies representing thousands of jobs expressed interest in locating their North American facilities in Alabama.

-          Unfortunately, the Alabama Education Association is suing to block the law, creating uncertainty for businesses that could take advantage of the incentive. Lawmakers will remove AEA’s technical argument, pass the law again and make sure Alabama once again has this competitive advantage over other states for recruiting international companies.

• Making Workforce Development Work for the Unemployed

-          Thousands of unemployed Alabamians are able – but not trained – to enter into available good-paying skilled-labor jobs, such as construction, welding, plumbing and machine maintenance.

-          Lawmakers will make the necessary investments that afford our two-year college system the resources they need to connect Alabama’s jobless with Alabama jobs.

• Alabama Regulatory Flexibility Act

-          The Alabama Regulatory Flexibility Act would require each state agency to conduct an economic impact analysis as well as a regulatory flexibility analysis prior to the adoption of any proposed regulation that may have an adverse impact on small businesses.

• Data Processing Center Economic Incentive Enhancement

-          Data processing centers are unique components of a 21st century economy.  These centers employ a skilled workforce, provide high-paying jobs, and have a low environmental footprint.  This proposal would expand the scope of certain tax incentives in order to focus on recruiting more data processing centers to Alabama.

• Legislation Establishing a Small Business Financing Authority

-          One of the top inhibitors small business development and growth is access to capital. Loans are increasingly difficult to come by even for good candidates with solid business plans.

-          A key recommendation of the Speaker’s Commission on Job Creation, this authority would assist small businesses with financing issues by making direct loans, helping small businesses attract more banking partners, and meeting a variety of credit-related needs.

-          Other states have created small business financing authorities.  In Virginia, for example, the return on investment has been $5.81 for every state dollar loaned to a small business. Using that calculation, a one-time appropriation of $5 million would allow the state to assist more than 200 small businesses and generate $35 million in private equity and credit in the first year the loans are made.

• Creation the Alabama Sales, Use, and Lease Tax Simplification Task Force

-          Alabama requires taxpayers and businesses to file separate sales, use and lease tax returns at the state, county, and city levels of government.  Other states, which also have differing rates at the state, county and city level, only require a single sales, use and lease tax return to be filed.

-          Alabama’s requirement of separate tax returns causes a significant compliance burden for many companies and provides no beneficial impact on our economy. The Alabama Sales, Use and Lease Tax Simplification Task Force would be a twenty-member panel required to recommend ways to streamline and simplify the administration and remittance of sales, use and lease taxes.

• Enhancement of existing capital outlay tax credits to recruit targeted projects

-          Under existing law, certain new and expanding businesses may qualify for an income tax capital credit of up to five percent (5%) of the capital costs of a qualifying project in each of the 20 years, commencing with the year during which the qualifying project is placed into service and continuing for 19 consecutive years thereafter. Any unused capital credit may not be carried forward to another tax year.

-          This proposal would allow for an extension of the time period in which certain capital credits may be claimed and will allow unused capital credits for certain qualifying projects to be carried forward

The 2012 Legislative Session begins Tuesday, February 7.

Senate President Pro-Tem Del Marsh said the first bills he expects to come up for consideration in the Senate are measures that will provide incentives for businesses that create new jobs and for new industries that bring jobs into the state.

Read More

Highlights of the Republican jobs agenda, announced last week, include improvements in large-scale industrial recruiting, workforce training and small business development.

These changes and others on the GOP jobs agenda will make Alabama more competitive with other states in business recruiting and development, and quicker to react in offering job retraining and tax incentives when the stakes are high.

Read more: GOP’s jobs agenda should improve Alabama’s economic outlook

Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh and House Speaker Mike Hubbard outline details of their plan of action for boosting private sector job growth

Strategic incentives, halting burdensome regulations, workforce development, helping veterans land jobs highlight comprehensive agenda

MONTGOMERY- Alabama’s top legislative leaders today detailed an aggressive agenda aimed at helping more Alabamians find jobs by offering strategic tax incentives for new and expanding companies, easing burdensome government regulations, connecting unemployed Alabamians with available jobs through investments in workforce development and helping veterans returning from war land jobs in Alabama.

At a news conference in Montgomery, House Speaker Mike Hubbard and Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh outlined specific job-growth proposals saying despite the difficulties Alabama faces with a stagnant national economy, state government must look for ways to create jobs for more Alabamians.

“Our number one priority is boosting private sector job growth in Alabama,” Speaker Hubbard said. “Obviously, the sluggish national economy makes it difficult. However, if this recession has taught one thing it is that we must keep innovating and keep finding ways to give Alabama a competitive advantage in economic development. We’re proposing a slate of bills that will give our state more tools to recruit new industry and help existing industry expand. We also want to make the necessary investments in our workforce development platform so we can give unemployed workers the training they need to fill these jobs.”

Senator Marsh said equipping job creators with a skilled workforce and offering innovative incentives will help Alabama achieve both short- and long-term economic success.

“By continuing to invest in cutting-edge workforce training initiatives, we can ensure that Alabamians are prepared to succeed in the careers of tomorrow,” Senator Marsh said. “A skilled workforce coupled with innovative incentives that encourage businesses to grow and expand makes Alabama uniquely prepared to compete in the global economy.”

Senator Marsh added that maintaining a business-friendly environment is essential for not only recruiting new business, but keeping existing business in Alabama. He said while the state must work to get the almost 10 percent of jobless Alabamians employed, lawmakers also want to help existing business keep the other 90 percent of Alabamians working.

“Ask any small business owner what the biggest obstacle to their growth is and they’ll tell you bureaucratic red tape and burdensome government regulations,” Senator Marsh said. “We plan to examine how our laws and policies, particularly the tax code, are affecting small businesses in this state. We’ll also propose legislation requiring that, before adopting a new regulation, every state agency must determine how jobs will be affected in the state. It’s time to for state government to get out of the way and let the private sector perform.”

Legislative leaders also want to tackle an impending problem in Alabama: thousands of veterans returning from war to an economy in which it is difficult to find a job. Offering tax incentives to businesses for hiring Iraq and Afghan War veterans puts them the front of the line for landing jobs.

“In Alabama, we support our troops when they are at war and when they return,” Speaker Hubbard said. “Offering incentives for hiring veterans returning from war not only helps us mitigate what will be a growing problem around the country, it’s just the right thing to do. So many Alabamians have sacrificed so much fighting terrorism around the globe. Veterans should be at the front of the line for companies to hire once they return home from war.”

Speaker Hubbard and Senator Marsh outlined the following proposals as the jobs portion 2012 legislative agenda:

Streamlined Tax Incentives to Recruit and Retain Jobs

• This constitutional amendment would give the Alabama Development Office and the Governor more flexibility in offering tax incentives to land major economic development projects, and retain those companies that might otherwise relocate outside Alabama.

“Made in Alabama” Job Incentives Act

• Recommended by the Speaker’s Commission on Job Creation and passed into law in the 2011 Regular Session, this measure allows the state to offer temporary state income tax incentives to offset build-up phase tariff costs for international companies bringing jobs to the state.
• As a direct result of this legislation, literally hundreds of foreign-based companies representing thousands of jobs expressed interest in locating their North American facilities in Alabama.
• Unfortunately, the Alabama Education Association is suing to block the law, creating uncertainty for businesses that could take advantage of the incentive.

Data Processing Center Economic Incentive Enhancement

• Data processing centers are unique components of a 21st century economy.  These centers employ a skilled workforce, provide high-paying jobs, and have a low environmental footprint.  This proposal would expand the scope of certain tax incentives in order to focus on recruiting more data processing centers to Alabama.

Tax Incentives for Hiring Veterans Returning from War

• With wars winding down in Iraq and Afghanistan, thousands of Alabama veterans will soon return home to a stagnant economy in which it is difficult to find a job.
• This proposal would offer Alabama businesses a $1000-$2000 tax credit for hiring a veteran recently returned from war.

Making Workforce Development Work for the Unemployed

• Thousands of unemployed Alabamians are able – but not trained – to enter into available good-paying skilled-labor jobs, such as construction, welding, plumbing and machine maintenance.
• We will make the necessary investments that afford our two-year college system the resources they need to meet Alabama’s jobless with Alabama jobs.
• It would also offer veterans a $1500 tax credit for starting their own business.

Alabama Regulatory Flexibility Act

• The Alabama Regulatory Flexibility Act would require each state agency to prepare an economic impact analysis as well as a regulatory flexibility analysis prior to the adoption of any proposed regulation that may have an adverse impact on small businesses.

Legislation Establishing a Small Business Financing Authority

• One of the top inhibitors small business development and growth is access to capital. Loans are increasingly difficult to come by even for good candidates with solid business plans.
• A key recommendation of the Speaker’s Commission on Job Creation, this authority would assist small businesses with financing issues by making direct loans, helping small businesses attract more banking partners, and meeting a variety of credit-related needs.
• Other states have created small business financing authorities.  In Virginia, for example, the return on investment has been $5.81 for every state dollar loaned to a small business. Using that calculation, a one-time appropriation of $5 million would allow the state to assist more than 200 small businesses and generate $35 million in private equity and credit in the first year the loans are made.

Creation the Alabama Sales, Use, and Lease Tax Simplification Task Force

• The Alabama Sales, Use and Lease Tax Simplification Task Force would be a twenty-member panel required to study the issue of streamlining and simplifying the administration and remittance of sales, use and lease taxes.

Senator Marsh with NFIB Alabama State Director Rosemary Elebash

Marsh, a member of NFIB and President Pro Tempore of the Senate, represents the 12th District, which is comprised of Calhoun and St. Clair counties.

The Guardian of Small Business award is the most prestigious honor that NFIB bestows on legislators in recognition of their efforts to support small business issues. NFIB/Alabama’s Leadership Council voted to present the award to Marsh because of his work in this year’s legislative session.

“Del Marsh is a legislator our members can depend on,” said Rosemary Elebash, state director of NFIB/Alabama. “He owns Industrial Plating, which has 140 employees, so he’s a small-business owner himself, and he understands the challenges facing our members when it comes to growing their businesses and creating jobs.”

In accepting his award at an NFIB/Alabama Leadership Council meeting Tuesday in Montgomery, Marsh said, “I will continue to push for more pro-business legislation, including tax relief for small businesses.”

Elebash said, “Small-business owners are fortunate to have a strong supporter such as Del Marsh in the Legislature. NFIB/Alabama is pleased to recognize his efforts by presenting him with the Guardian of Small Business award.”

House Speaker Mike Hubbard of Auburn and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said Monday they are working on a package of bills for the legislative session starting Feb. 7 and they will begin talking about them in the next few weeks.

“Jobs is what it is all about,” Marsh said.

Read more – AP: Job creation tops agenda for Ala. GOP leaders

BIRMINGHAM – The state’s top Republican lawmakers today previewed their agenda for the upcoming 2012 Legislative Session, promising an aggressive slate of bills focused on jumpstarting private-sector economic growth, improving the quality of education for Alabama children and eliminating wasteful spending and inefficiencies in state government.

At a Birmingham news conference, House Speaker Mike Hubbard and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said with those priorities in hand, they intend to continue the new Legislature’s pattern of productivity established in the 2011 session.

“Alabama now has a Legislature that keeps its promises,” Speaker Hubbard said. “We intend to continue our pattern of productivity and responsiveness in 2012, governing with the conservative, low-lax, results-driven mindset Alabamians want from their elected officials. We’ve heard enough talk from President Obama and the Democrats. It’s time to take action to get Alabamians back to work.”

Pro-growth economic development bills were part of long list of legislative accomplishments including anti-corruption reform, budgeting reform, tenure reform, tort reform and campaign finance reform. Now, the Alabama Development Office reports a total of 72 new and expanding industries have been announced since January, bringing a total investment of $1.9 billion and more than 6,516 new jobs to Alabama.

That’s proof of the positive effect Governor Bentley and the new Republican majority have had on economic development for the state, Senator Marsh said.

“Small businesses are faced with the uncertainty of increased taxes and regulations from the federal government, but these new job numbers prove that Alabama’s pro-growth policies are helping put Alabamians back to work,” Senator Marsh said. “Governor Bentley’s top priority is improving the state’s economy and the Legislature will continue working with his administration to enact laws that help Alabama’s economy succeed.”

While House Democrats announced a two-point jobs package last week made up of preexisting Republican proposals, GOP lawmakers look forward to unveiling a more comprehensive jobs agenda in the coming weeks which will include pro-growth tax incentives and regulatory relief designed to help small businesses grow, Speaker Hubbard said.

“Our number one priority is jumpstarting job growth in Alabama” Speaker Hubbard said. “Obviously, the sluggish national economy makes it difficult. However, we can give Alabama more tools to recruit industry and make the state a more business-friendly environment. Republicans will propose achieving this through innovative, pro-growth incentives and regulatory relief, not another new government spending plan.”

In addition addressing the state’s short-term economic woes, Hubbard and Marsh said the 2012 agenda will also include fiscally responsible measures to raise the quality of Alabama’s schools and ensure the state’s workforce development platform better prepares unemployed Alabamians with available jobs.

“Despite our tremendous gains in education, Alabama still has far to go in raising overall quality and closing the achievement gap in our schools,” Speaker Hubbard said. “Republicans will propose an education agenda aimed at lifting barriers to student achievement so all Alabama children can have the opportunities they deserve and compete in a global economy.”

Senator Marsh said Republicans will also continue to identify and eliminate wasteful spending in order to make state government live within its means.

“A well-managed and efficient state government is in the best interest of all Alabamians and we should never stop looking for ways to make government work better for our citizens,” Senator Marsh said. “In 2012, Republicans will continue the fight to make state government more accountable to taxpayers by enacting carefully-crafted proposals to reduce waste, improve government services and restore fiscal responsibility to ensure the stability of taxpayer-funded programs.”

“The primary agenda for myself and House Speaker Mike Hubbard has been job creation,” Marsh said. “Pro-business campaigning was the focus in 2006 and in 2010, as it will also be in 2012. Getting Alabamians back to work should be a top issue for every legislator in Montgomery, regardless of our party alignments — as when our citizens are employed, financial difficulties can be addressed more successfully.”

Read more: Daily Mountain Eagle – Marsh speaks on legislation at Rotary Club

MONTGOMERY – Alabama Legislative Fiscal Office Director Joyce Bigbee today notified state legislative leaders that she plans to retire at the end of this year, marking the end of a 33-year career in the Fiscal Office. Bigbee has served as Director of the state agency that advises the Alabama Legislature on the fiscal impact of legislation for the past 24 years.

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said the positive impact Bigbee and her team have had on state government is immeasurable.

“Under Joyce’s leadership, the Legislative Fiscal Office has been the definition of efficiency in state government,” Senator Marsh said. “She built a team that is second-to-none and they set a shining example of top-notch expertise and professionalism. I can assure you Joyce will be sorely missed in the Legislature and we will always be grateful for her service to the people of Alabama.”

House Speaker Mike Hubbard said Bigbee set the standard for what a state government officials or employees should strive to be.

“Joyce set the gold standard in Alabama for how to manage a team and operate a state agency,” Speaker Hubbard said. “Impervious to partisan politics, Joyce and her team are always focused on making sure lawmakers know the facts about our state’s fiscal situation, whether in good times or bad. Though we will miss her in the State House next session, I wish Joyce all the best in her retirement.”

Bigbee said it has been a great honor to serve members of the Legislature and the citizens of Alabama.

“I want to sincerely thank all past and present members of the Alabama Legislature for affording me the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” Bigbee said. “I could not have chosen a career that suited me better or that I would have enjoyed more.

“I have had to good fortune to work with an incredible group of dedicated, extremely bright and professional employees over the years and any accolades that I have received can be directly attributed to those loyal and hard-working individuals,” Bigbee added.

Bigbee’s retirement is effective January 1, 2012, leaving Senator Marsh, Speaker Hubbard and the Joint Fiscal Committee ample time to find a replacement.

Bigbee began serving in the Legislative Fiscal Office in 1978 as fiscal officer for the House of Representatives before being named Director in 1987. She has also served as president of the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Officers, a member of the Auburn Montgomery Board of Advisors for the Departments of Public Administration and Political Science, a member of the Auburn University College of Liberal Arts Dean’s Advisory Council and Jones School of Law Board of Advisors. She was a recipient of the 1996 Distinguished Graduate Award from Auburn Montgomery and Outstanding Graduate in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Auburn Montgomery.

Bigbee is a graduate of Jones School of Law, Auburn Montgomery, where she received a Masters in Public Administration, and Auburn University.