Transforming Tuscaloosa

It is not about big government or less government; It is about effective government. As elected officials, we have a job to do, and the people who pay our salaries expect the very best. As mayor, I couldn’t hide behind the marble of Montgomery when my citizens needed solutions to the decades of flooding problems that preceded our administration. It was my responsibility as the City’s chief executive officer to encourage innovation, create shared responsibility and determine the best course of action.

Lack of Funding for Alabama’s Public Schools and Roads

In 2001, the Tuscaloosa County Commission enacted a temporary sales tax that was distributed to both the Tuscaloosa County and Tuscaloosa City school systems to remove portable classrooms and meet the facility needs of our expanding school systems. Under Alabama’s archaic laws, county governments can only enact sales taxes “temporarily” for education.

The County Commission continued to extend the tax as a lifeline for both basic operations and capital needs. Although it had become a de facto permanent tax, the lack of stability and its focus on capital created an uncertain environment for our school systems struggling with insufficient state funding.

As with our schools, Tuscaloosa’s state infrastructure continued to experience a lack of sustained investment. As one of the fastest growing cities in Alabama, without expansion of roads and bridges, our community was destined to suffocate from its own growth.
Knowing that education and infrastructure are essential elements for a vibrant community, the City initiated an effort to reform our outdated county-wide tax structure so that it could meet the needs of our citizens.

Common Ground – Common Cause

In February 2014, the City of Tuscaloosa, City of Northport and Tuscaloosa County agreed to the restructuring of our county-wide sales taxes. Leveraging our common ground, we initiated discussions with board of education members, local elected officials, business leaders and multiple stakeholders in formulating a strategic plan. In less than one year, over 60 formal meetings were conducted (in addition to countless emails, phone calls, and re-drafts of proposals) to forge an agreement on how to move forward.

Bi-Partisan Leadership

As we moved through the process, I often thought of President Kennedy’s famous line, “victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan.”

By working together across political and geographical boundaries, we were determined to create as many “fathers” as possible. With the community’s support, our Legislative Delegation proposed and passed, with bi-partisan support, House Bill 600 – Transforming Tuscaloosa County.

Our entire Legislative Delegation deserves immense credit. In particular, Representative Bill Poole (R) and Representative Chris England (D) were very active throughout the year-long negotiations and played essential roles in navigating the many challenges. In May 2015, HB 600 was adopted and signed into law by Governor Robert Bentley.

Positive Impact for Public Schools

Effective July 2016, the Transforming Tuscaloosa Legislation established a three-cent county-wide sales tax which permanently funded public schools, roads, health care and local government services.

The school systems benefited the most because they now receive 45 percent of the revenues which provides the ability to plan for the future. The Tuscaloosa City Schools quickly took advantage of this opportunity.

Last year, TCS passed a comprehensive academic and facilities plan to address long-standing issues with student achievement. With enhanced curriculum and instruction, teacher pay increases, and the expansion of the Tuscaloosa Pre-K Initiative, TCS is determined to chart a new course for every child. In addition, they have begun a five-year capital plan that will invest $150 million into school improvements that will modernize classrooms and create opportunities for innovative learning.

Positive Impact for Roads and Bridges

With 10 percent of the three-cent proceeds being allocated to state roads and highways, over the next 20 years, the greater Tuscaloosa community will see an over $250 million investment which will provide safer access and greater opportunities for economic growth. In the next five years, all corners of our City will have seen significant infrastructure investments.

For more information on specific road projects:
https://d9hjv462jiw15.cloudfront.net/media/197744_TransformingTuscaloosaCountyInfrastructure.pdf?1508516618

For more information on the overall legislation:
https://www.tuscaloosa.com/posts/2017/08/02/landmark-legislation-proposed-to-transform-tuscaloosa-county

New Covenant

As governor, I will carry with me the principles that have guided me as mayor. I believe our schools, roads, bridges and health care need critical investments. If the sound of silence continues, Alabama will continue to be ranked at the bottom in every quality of life measure that matters. To do so we must forge a New Covenant that focuses on common causes that have common ground. This is not about political parties. This is about Alabama’s future. In Tuscaloosa, we have made it work, and I believe by working together we can rebuild our state.

#believe