December 2020 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House

• Governor Signs Emergency Proclamation: Governor Kay Ivey signed a supplemental emergency proclamation to address tax and economic development issues that were delayed in the Alabama Legislature’s 2020 Regular Session due to COVID-19. The proclamation will allow Alabama citizens and businesses to avoid paying state taxes on certain benefits received under the federal CARES Act. The proclamation directs the revenue commissioner to alter the tax-return forms and instructions to ensure Alabama citizens and business will not pay taxes to the state on the financial aid they received from Congress through the CARES act, aid such as tax credits, advance refunds and loan forgiveness. The proclamation also extends the Alabama Jobs Act tax credits and the Growing Alabama tax credits until the legislature has an opportunity to enact further legislation addressing the programs.
• HomTex Inc. Expansion Creates More Than 300 Jobs: HomeTex Inc. has received $10,572,100 in CARES Act funds to expand operations to Selma to develop Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). HomTex is a family-owned and certified minority-owned business headquartered in Cullman County, and the new Dallas County manufacturing location will create 300 to 325 new jobs. In partnership with the state of Alabama and Wallace Community College in Selma, HomTex will establish an operation to produce General Purpose and FDA approved Level 1, 2 and 3 surgical masks and N95 masks. Wallace Community College will offer apprenticeship programs that will allow students to help make masks for their region and beyond. HomTex also has production and distribution facilities in Silva, NC; Belton, SC; and Leoma, TN.
• More Than $298M Awarded to Public School and College Authority Projects: Governor Ivey announced $298,317,492 has been awarded to Public School and College Authority projects for 20 entities around the state. The Authority was established to tackle long-standing school infrastructure projects or educational upgrades that have been delayed due to limited funding. The Public School and College Authority is comprised of Governor Ivey, State Finance Director Kelly Butler and Alabama Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey. The Legislature authorized the sale of up to $1.25 billion in bonds, and allocated money to every city and county K-12 school system and to higher education institutions. The money was divided, with 73 percent going to K-12 schools and 27 percent going to two-and four-year colleges.

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