http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/ne...-with.html
From the BBJ article:
Craig Fleming of the Coalition for Regional Transportation said he is concerned over what a defeat of Amendment 14 would do to several infrastructure-related bills, in addition to hundreds of other bills that would be nullified if the amendment fails to pass.
“I am very concerned about this amendment,” Fleming said. “This is a decision of the highest importance, and affects bills that address critical needs.”
Fleming said, in particular, $25 million per year that goes into road work in Jefferson County would be in jeopardy if the amendment fails.
If Amendment 14 fails, Fleming said hundreds of bills would have to go back to legislature for a vote, which is a major concern.
“The cost that would be incurred would be huge,” Fleming said. “Going back and passing these bills again would cost the taxpayers tremendously.”
Another recent project included among the bills in jeopardy involves the new St. Vincent’s hospital in Chilton County, Fleming said.
“We just completed work at the Chilton County hospital, this was a great thing to happen to that area of the state,” Fleming said. “If the amendment does not pass, that entire project, the funding, future plans, would have to be readdressed.”
Jefferson County Commissioner Jimmie Stephens said the passage of Amendment 14 is a vital component to keeping the quality of services and education in Jefferson County.
Stephens said services such as fire department protection, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and public school funding would be voided if the amendment fails to pass.
“What we need to do is make sure these bills remain as law because each one affects various citizens of our county,” Stephens said. “Keep in mind this does nothing new, it is only rectifying a process. Right now, you are enjoying going to the BJCC, enjoying the quality of education your children are getting due to these funding measures, but voting ‘no’ means all of that can change.”
Stephens also pointed out the effects voting down the amendment would have on the county’s court system. The courts have already seen a backlog of cases and are low on resources due to poor funding from the state, so if more than 600 bills are open to litigation, Stephens said the cost to the taxpayers to have the courts hear each case would be enormous.
UAB head football coach Bill Clark said passing Amendment 14 is needed to ensure the stadium gets built.
“Obviously getting the stadium here in Birmingham would be great for our community and our team,” Clark said. “If this amendment passes, we can continue to use our local taxation dollars for this local project.”
Clark said he understands some of the skepticism voters might have over approving another amendment, but said this one is definitely a different situation.
“To me, any time people do not understand something, the thought is that maybe there is a new tax, or this is going to cost me more money,” Clark said. “And, look, I am usually skeptical too, but this amendment is not a new tax, this is simply using our tax dollars for what we have already approved.”
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Amendment 14 Vote Yes! Information here.
