Rosemary Elebash, state director of NFIB/Alabama, testified before the House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 3, in support of House Bill 37, a measure embedding Alabama’s status as a right-to-work state in the state constitution.
Alabama, of course, is already a right-to-work state. It has been since 1953. HB37, sponsored by Rep. Arnold Mooney (Birmingham), would make it difficult for future legislators to revoke that status by making it part of the state constitution.
Right-to-work means employees are allowed to hold a job without being required to join a union or pay union dues. Workers may choose to join a union, but membership is not mandatory.
If passed by the Legislature, the proposed right-to-work amendment would go before the voters of Alabama for final approval.
In other issues:
- SB 131 by Sen. Paul
Sanford (Huntsville) and HB 109 by Rep. Becky Nordgren (Gadsden) would provide a state
income tax deduction for health savings accounts (HSAs). Alabama is one of only three states that do not allow a state deduction for a HSA. When asked about the deduction on the 2015 NFIB/Alabama member ballot, 76 percent of respondents said they supported it. - NFIB member Rep. Kyle
South (Fayette) successfully passed HB 36 unanimously out of House Commerce and
Small Business Committee. HB 36 would provide a $1,500 tax credit for hiring a new employee with an annual salary beginning at $40,000 annually. The bill is expected to be on the calendar
for final passage in the House of Representatives when lawmakers return on Tues.
Feb. 9. - Reps. Napoleon Bracy
(Prichard) and Darrio Melton (Selma) have introduced separate bills establishing a
state minimum wage higher than the federal minimum wage during the legislative
session. NFIB members overwhelmingly oppose such legislation.
