The 2020 Alabama Legislative session begins on Tuesday, Feb. 4, and we need to be paying attention to what our legislators are doing. Lawmakers all agree that the three big issues of the session are going to be prisons, medical marijuana and the proposal by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for control of additional casinos and a state lottery. In 2019, more than 1,000 bills were introduced during the session, and it’s likely there will be just as many introduced this year. Which means that, other than the big three issues, there will be at least 997 issues under discussion at the State Capitol.

Often the bills that get introduced are written by a particular industry or group seeking to turn the law in their favor. This does not necessarily mean the bill is bad, but we as taxpayers and voters should be aware of who gains and who loses if a bill becomes law. We should be asking our legislators what problem they are trying to solve. If there isn’t a real problem, what’s the purpose of the “solution?”

This is not to say that our local legislators aren’t doing their best to represent their constituents fairly and honestly. There are many issues that require their attention, and they can’t be experts on all of them. They have to get input from the people who know the issues best. But they also want, and need, to hear from their hometown folks.

During the session, you can see what bills have been introduced and track their progress at the state’s website at alisondb.legislature.state.al.us. If you have the opportunity to visit the State Capitol during the session, make plans to stop by your representative’s or senator’s office and ask for an update on legislation, particularly local legislation that’s not going attract the attention of the state’s media. We’ll be watching closely, too.

If you can’t make it to Montgomery, the contact information for our delegation is below.

Stay in touch and stay informed.

Sen. Garlan Gudger (4)

Cullman, Lawrence,

Marion, Winston Counties

Phone 334-261-0855

Email garlan.gudger@alsenate.gov

Rep. Randall Shedd (11)

Blount, Cullman, Marshall, Morgan Counties

Phone 334-242-7330

Email randall.shedd@alhouse.gov

Rep. Corey Harbison (12)

Cullman County

Phone 334-242-7778

Email corey.harbison@alhouse.gov

Rep. Scott Stadthagen (9)

Cullman, Marshall,

Morgan Counties

Phone 334-261-0436

Email scott.stadthagen@alhouse.gov

Sen. Richard Shelby

Website shelby.senate.gov

Phone 202-224-5744 (Washington, D.C.)

Sen. Doug Jones

Website jones.senate.gov

Phone 202-224-4124 (Washington, D.C.)

Rep. Robert Aderholt

Website aderholt.house.gov

Phone 256-734-6043 (Cullman)