Alabama Democratic Party

Hubbard’s comparison of the Education Trust Fund to a “vacation savings account” is astonishing given that House District 79’s largest industry is the K-12 public school system and post-secondary institutions. The GOP Chair even expressed frustration with the state’s business community for supporting Democrats in past elections. “Democratic leaders like Lieutenant Governor Jim Folsom and House Speaker Seth Hammett have a long history of supporting business interests in the state and will continue to provide a welcoming climate in Alabama for any new or existing industry. After all, it was Democratic officials who brought the automotive industry to Alabama and they continue to lead on this issue,” said McDaniel. 

Concerning the General Fund Budget, Hubbard acknowledges serious challenges exist but offers no solutions, instead saying the legislature will “just find some way to make it work” as if by magic. McDaniel observed that “These comments are particularly uninspiring and show how devoid of ideas the other party is when it comes to solving people’s problems. When Democrats put forward reasonable proposals such as removing state sales taxes from groceries, Hubbard labels it ‘redistribution of wealth’ and offers raiding Alabama’s Education Trust Fund as the alternative.”

McDaniel concluded by saying that “Alabamians need to hear the hard truth about their state budgets and it is unfortunate the leader of the Republican Party cannot even imagine how he would address such pressing issues. People are tired of Hubbard’s broken philosophy and want their elected officials to get busy solving their common problems. At a minimum they deserve an honest debate about policies aimed at such a goal. The GOP needs to go back to the drawing board and come up with more than just heated rhetoric to help Alabama’s citizens.”