7 Things: Ivey hints at extending mask order, Trump income tax report released, crowds in Tuscaloosa during football games and more …

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September 28, 2020

7. Biden and Harris receive celebrity endorsement that might actually matter

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has announced his endorsement of former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) in the 2020 presidential election. Johnson is arguably one of the most famous movie stars currently.
In his statement on social media, Johnson details that he’s previously voted for candidates in both the Republican and Democratic Parties, but he believes “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are the best to lead our country. He added, “Progress takes courage, humanity, empathy, strength, grit, kindness and respect.”

6. Census deadline moved, Ivey still wants this handled

Even though a federal judge moved the date back one month, Governor Kay Ivey continues to work to keep awareness around the 2020 U.S. Census, and Alabama has a lot to risk with a low response rate.
If Alabama is under-reported, the state could lose a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and millions in federal funding. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has said that being undercounted would mean “our state will be underfunded for a generation.”

5. Trump nominates Amy Coney Barrett

As anticipated, President Donald Trump announced that he’s nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to replace the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Barrett is widely known for her conservative positions on abortion and the Second Amendment.
U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) said he has “no doubt in Judge Barrett’s qualifications and I look forward to supporting her nomination.”

4. Most of Alabama’s politicians are “Notorious ACB” fans

After the announcement that President Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett for the U.S. Supreme Court, Alabama politicians quickly put out statements voicing their support for the 48-year-old mother of seven and imploring the Senate to confirm her quickly, except for one.
U.S. Senator Shelby (R-AL), Tommy Tuberville, Governor Kay Ivey, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl, the Republican nominee for Alabama’s First Congressional District, and U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-Saks) all had praise for the nominee. Accidental U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) is not happy, stating, “I will not be a party to Mitch McConnell’s power grab and I will not be a party to the further erosion of the Senate. I will not vote to confirm any Supreme Court justice nominee until after the election is concluded. The American people deserve a voice.”

3. More enforcement needed to prevent crowds in Tuscaloosa

Over the weekend, reports came out of crowded bars in Tuscaloosa, and Mayor Walt Maddox has reacted to the news by announcing that they would be increasing police presence and more citations will be given for ignoring coronavirus precautions.
This announcement came after a video was posted on Facebook of a music event at the bar Rhythm & Brews to show crowds packed together and a lack of masks. Tuscaloosa has seen a rapid decline in coronavirus cases over the past three weeks.

2. Trump income tax report released

The New York Times has released a report that details President Donald Trump’s history of income tax payments, claiming that he didn’t pay federal income taxes for 10 of the last 15 years.
The report also says that Trump paid $750 in income taxes in 2016 and 2017. This comes just before the first presidential debate is set to take place on September 29, but lawyer for the Trump Organization Alan Garten has already said that “most, if not all, of the facts appear to be inaccurate’ and the New York Times would not make the data available to the Trump Organization.

1. “What’s working we need to stick with”

Currently, the mask mandate is in effect until October 2, which is also when the “Safer-At-Home” order expires, but it’s expected that Governor Kay Ivey will extend the order, especially as it seems to be helping control the coronavirus pandemic.
Ivey appeared on Alabama Public Television’s “Capitol Journal” where she discussed the mandate and said the masks are working, mentioning schools being back in session and businesses are reopening. She advised, “[W]hat’s working we need to stick with.”