The last session of the current legislative quadrennium (the four-year cycle of state elections) in Alabama begins Jan. 11, and Joe Godfrey, executive director of Alabama Citizens Action Program, is already monitoring several pieces of legislation.
Godfrey shared his concerns about a few of those bills with Greg Davis, host of WXJC Radio’s “Priority Talk,” on the Jan. 4 program. Find segments of the interview on Priority Talk’s Facebook page or at rumble.com.
Godfrey and Davis also urged all who are able to attend a prayer rally sponsored by ALCAP on the first day of the legislative session at 11:30 a.m., in front of the State House at 11 S. Union Street in Montgomery. For more information, call 205-985-9062 or email jgodfrey@alcap.com.
“We encourage as many to come as possible,” Godfrey said. “This won’t be a political rally, but we’ll be praying for our leaders to make wise decisions. The rally will conclude before the session opens at noon.”
Some of the issues Godfrey is monitoring include:
•The Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, or Senate Bill 10, prevents a parent from approving surgical or medical procedures for sex-change on minor children (while allowing some exceptions), Godfrey said.
“There are certain things a parent can’t do, such as physically harm a child or other abuse,” he explained. “We believe this bill protects children from parents who would make life-altering and potentially abusive decisions for a child before the child is old enough to decide for himself or herself.
“In the last session we had some 70 House members wanting to co-sponsor the bill that was passed overwhelmingly by the Senate,” Godfrey continued. “However, the bill got caught up in the last day’s wrangling about gambling legislation. Some even said VCAP was held hostage to gambling. House Speaker Mac McCutcheon is the key to this bill, and I urge citizens to call his office at 334-261-0505.”
•The marijuana legislation passed last year needs additional restrictions, Godfrey added.
“The marijuana industry is bigger than the gambling industry; the industry is using lobbyists and trying to make a lot of money,” he explained. “They want to go from the so-called ‘medical’ marijuana to recreational marijuana just like in Colorado.”
To learn more, check out the December coverage of Davis’ interview with Godfrey and Christine Carr, an advanced practice nurse specializing in critical care, anesthesia and pain management.
•The push for expanded gambling in the state also continues to be a concern, Godfrey noted. To read more on past gambling bills and coverage, check out the articles archived by The Alabama Baptist here.
Davis urged voters to know and contact their elected officials to talk through the issues. Click here to find your legislator and his or her contact information.
“Priority Talk” airs on WXJC, 100.1 FM and 850 AM, from 3 to 5 p.m. weekdays, and is available online at wxjcradio.com.
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