Wednesday, the Alabama Forestry Association (AFA) announced its ninth slate of endorsements for candidates seeking reelection to the Alabama House of Representatives.
State Rep. Craig Lipscomb (R-Gadsden)
Lipscomb is seeking his second term serving House District 30, which covers St. Clair and Etowah Counties. He attended Gadsden State Community College and graduated from Auburn University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in architecture.
The lawmaker is a registered architect in numerous states and has been awarded multiple Main Street Alabama awards for Excellence in Architectural Designs.
In a statement, Lipscomb hailed AFA for its advocacy for conservative causes and issues relating to economic growth.
“I am extremely honored to be endorsed by such an outstanding organization as the Alabama Forestry Association,” stated Lipscomb. “Their conservative values and dedication to education, conservation and economic growth is extraordinary. I will always stand with AFA as we fight for businesses, industry and the people in and related to our forestry industry.”
State Rep. David Standridge (R-Hayden)
Standridge is running for reelection to House District 34, which he has represented since winning a special election in 2012. The district includes Blount and Marshall Counties. The lawmaker serves as vice chair of the House Urban and Rural Development Committee.
He is a graduate of Wallace State College, Athens State University and the FBI National Academy. The 21-year law enforcement veteran retired as Blount County probate judge in 2012.
Due to his legislative assignments, Standridge advised that he was well versed concerning issues facing the forestry industry.
“As the Chairman of the House Rural Caucus, I understand the importance of the Forestry Industry in our state and especially in rural Alabama,” said Standridge. “I appreciate the members of this organization, and I’m thankful for their support.”
State Rep. Steve Hurst (R-Munford)
First elected in 1998, Hurst is seeking reelection to House District 35 representing Calhoun, Clay and Talladega Counties. He presently serves as vice chair of the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee.
Hurst is employed at Georgia Pacific Corporation and is the owner of Haynes Street Pawn & Gun and Atlas Fence, LLC.
The long-serving state representative attributed running unopposed to the support he had received from organizations such as AFA.
“Thank you for the Alabama Forestry Association endorsement. I am very pleased to say because of good people like you all I do not have opposition,” stated Hurst. “Alabama Forestry is an incredible association that works continuously for the state of Alabama. I am honored to have served for the past 24 years and I have obtained a lot of good knowledge from the Forestry Association and with your help Alabama will continue to move forward.”
State Rep. Debbie Wood (R-Valley)
Wood is running for a second term of service representing House District 38, which includes Lee and Chambers Counties. Wood attended Southern Union State Community College and earned her bachelor’s degree from Faulkner University.
Prior to her election to the legislature, Wood served as a Chambers County commissioner. Regarding her private sector experience, Wood has owned and operated Century 21 Woods Real Estate in Valley since 2000.
Wood praised AFA for its role in supporting the Yellowhammer State’s timber industry.
“District 38 is rich in agriculture and forestry which provides jobs, resources and sustainable land use,” proclaimed Wood. “The services that the Alabama Forestry Association provide ensure that we will have a lifetime of timber economic growth. Alabama is stronger with WOOD.”
State Rep. Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee)
Warren is seeking reelection to House District 82, which covers Tallapoosa, Macon and Lee Counties. She has represented the district since 2005. Warren holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Tuskegee University. She also obtained a certificate of business from the University of Notre Dame Graduate Division.
Warren retired from Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) in 2015. The lawmaker currently serves on the Tuskegee University Board of Trustees.
Regarding the endorsement her reelection bid received from AFA, Warren stated, “It is an honor to receive the Alabama Forestry Association endorsement and I look forward to our continued working relationship.”
AFA announced its first, second and third rounds of endorsements in February, followed by its fourth, fifth and sixth in March. The association released its seventh and eighth rounds of endorsements earlier this month.
The primary election will take place on May 24, 2022.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill that would require students in Alabama to complete kindergarten or meet certain achievement standards in order to enroll in first grade.
State Rep. Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee) sponsored the legislation, HB208, which passed by a vote of 83-17.
A fiscal note prepared for the legislation estimated it would increase the number of kindergarten students by a maximum of 5,000. The total cost of implementing the change would be approximately $33.8 million, per the note.
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One of the possible beneficiaries of State Sen. Del Marsh’s (R-Anniston) comprehensive gaming legislation unveiled earlier this week is Macon County’s VictoryLand facility, which at times has been the subject of controversy in Alabama’s decades-long gambling conundrum.
The legislation, SB 214, if passed, would allow for the expansion of gaming at VictoryLand. That is a welcome announcement for State Rep. Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee), who represents Macon County and has long been a staunch advocate for VictoryLand.
During an appearance on Alabama Public Television’s “Capitol Journal,” Warren indicated her support for aspects of Marsh’s bill, which she said would fulfill the vision of the late Milton McGregor, who had long supported expanded gaming in Alabama.
State Rep. Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee) has again introduced a bill that would make kindergarten mandatory in the state of Alabama.
Currently, state law only requires that children begin attending school at age six for first grade.
All children who are six-years-old on or before December 31 of a given year are entitled and required to enroll in the first grade for the start of that school year.
Warren’s bill, HB 208, would change this section of the law to mandate that all children who are five-years-old on or before September 1 of a given year enroll in kindergarten for the start of that school year. Early enrollment would be available via an approval process for children whose birthdays fall between September 1 and December 31 and that meet readiness guidelines. (more…)
During an interview broadcasted on APTV’s “Capitol Journal,” State Rep. Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee) offered her views on morality and religion as it pertained to gambling.
Warren, who represents the district within which Macon County’s VictoryLand is located, has been a proponent of legalized gambling in Alabama.
The Tuskegee Democrat said she respected those who have religious beliefs that compel them to oppose gambling but added people would go to other states to gamble away from Alabama.
Alabama lawmakers have voted to give the state limited oversight over faith-based daycares.
The Alabama Senate voted 22-4 on Thursday for the compromise legislation.
Gov. Kay Ivey’s press office said she will review the bill before making a decision on signing it into law.
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