Working for us: It’s about people…. not party 

Welcome to my re-election website  

As we open this campaign, let me promise you more of the same during the next four years. We have accomplished much working together. I am a proud member of the Tennessee Valley Caucus where Democrats and Republicans work together. Our efforts paid off this year as we brought home millions of dollars that rightfully belong to the Tennessee Valley Region by passing Rep. Lynn Greer’s (R-Lauderdale) bill to redistribute TVA money. I was proud to be a co-sponsor and worked for the issue in the senate on behalf of the caucus. The first bill I’ll introduce in 2007 will be to allocate these new dollars to fund County road improvements in preparation for the influx of new jobs from the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) that will bring thousands of new residents to our region. 

I also fulfilled my campaign promise by sponsoring a new law to fully fund the Madison County Senior RX Program through which over 2000 Madison county senior citizens now have access to affordable prescription drugs.

I sponsored and passed a resolution, signed by Governor Riley, designating Winchester Road in Madison County as a State Road which, with DOT cooperation, will allow for new state road agreements. 

I sponsored and passed Mayor Loretta  Spencer’s’ Bill to allow a new TIF program that will bring over 35 million dollars of improvements to our district including a new Lee High School and improvements to Butler High School, a new access road to U.S. Highway 72 and downtown development  

I secured Grant Money for all Huntsville and Madison County Schools for reading programs, truancy prevention programs and various curriculum and athletic programs.

I sponsored a new law allowing Riverton and Meridianville Middle Schools to receive TVA money for athletic fields without having matching funds. I secured grants from Homeland Security for backup batteries for tornado warning sirens in Meridianville and at Riverton School. I am proud to have voted for consecutive pay raises for education employees, as well as pay raises for retirees and State employees.

I secured road improvements to the Intersection of Highway 231/ Meridianville Road. I have worked with the Metropolitan Planning Organization to secure agreements for the US Highway 72/Moores Mill Overpass, the extension of Ride Out Road and improvements to Winchester Road.

I was a proud co-sponsor of John Knights (D-Montgomery) income tax cut for lower income Alabamians and Mac Gipson’s (R-Prattville) Sales Tax Holiday for school supplies.

I was a co-sponsor and floor leader helping pass the “Castle Bill” sponsored by Rep .Albert Hall (D-Gurley) that allows citizens to defend their homes from criminals by using deadly force

I sponsored and passed the Tennessee River Protection act protecting our drinking water and the Madison County Preservation of Justice Act keeping our Court system operating

I’ve worked with Commissioner Roger Jones (D-New Market) and the County Commission to pass legislation giving them more power to clean up junk and debris in the unincorporated area of Madison County.

I worked tirelessly with Rep. Lea Fite (D-Jacksonville) and Rep. Mickey Hammon (R-Decatur) to propose tough new laws to discourage illegal immigration.

I have worked for years trying to protect our children from sexual predators by soliciting Attorney General Opinions and proposing tough new laws to get the vilest sexual psychopaths off the streets.

In addition, I am honored to serve as Chairman of the House Constitution and Elections Committee where I have worked hand in hand with my colleague, Rep. Sue Schmitz (D-Madison) and Vice Chairman Jeff McLaughlin (D-Guntersville) to ban Pac to Pac transfers, require full disclosure of all moneys spent to influence elections and pass constitution reform.

I sponsored legislation to void the Revenue Departments ruling to reappraise property every year. Finally I was one of three House Democratic Party Legislators to vote against Governor Bob Riley’s 1.2 billion dollar tax proposal: Amendment One

 When I’m not trying to pass bills or defeat taxes, I work with the Department heads on issues that affect us every day… I have asked the Attorney General to investigate price gouging/high gas prices and the illegal laundering of gambling money by lobbying groups in Montgomery

My commitment to you is to continue to find bi-partisan solutions to Alabama’s problems and work with all Government officials to improve our quality of life