Proposed Constitutional Amendments - VOTE TUESDAY!

October 29, 2020 by Harry Long

I am being asked by many of you about the proposed constitutional amendments at the end of your ballot. I encourage all to VOTE YES on proposed constitutional amendments 1-4, which are the state-wide amendments. All 4 passed with bi-partisan support in the Legislature. Amendment #3 is my amendment!

Put It In Drive

March 01, 2018 by Harry Long

March 1st was such a thrill for me personally, as Governor Ivey signed into law the bipartisan "Uber/Lyft" Bill that Senator Singleton and I had been working toward for quite some time. I had the opportunity to meet and talk with several Uber & Lyft drivers from the Montgomery area, and they were all thrilled for the opportunities that ridesharing companies have provided to them. One driver told us all about how she uses the extra money to buy gifts for her grandchildren and to store away a little extra cash for rainy days.

Thanks to all in attendance, and I am so grateful that we could put a bipartisan bill like this together that will benefit so many people in Alabama.

The Law Does What We Need It To

February 19, 2018 by Harry Long

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You may have seen in the news that there's been a challenge to the law regarding (what I would deem inappropriate) teacher/student relationships. There's one trial judge who has held the law unconstitutional, and an appeal has now been taken by a former teacher who was found guilty of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student and is now in prison as a result.

The article from ABC 33/40 reporter Lauren Walsh does a pretty good job of summarizing the situation - and how the law is currently in the hands of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals - you can read it here.

I DO understand the position the judge and attorney are taking on this. I don't agree with them, but as an attorney, I understand the argument made saying teachers should not be singled out.

BUT - we simply cannot allow nor tolerate teachers having inappropriate sexual relationships with students, even if consensual. A line should - and has to be - drawn in our high schools, and parents need to have the assurance their kids will be protected. Such relationships will not be allowed, and teachers who engage in such relationships with students will be prosecuted. So, as I was quoted in the article, while I understand the constitutionality argument, the priority is keeping our children from being taken advantage of in these kinds of situations.

I want the current law to be upheld - I think the law does what we need it to do. However, if the law is held to be unconstitutional, then we'll just have to work on adjusting another area of the law and our school policies here in Alabama to achieve the same result, or even better protection for our students.

"The Uber/Lyft Bill"

February 12, 2018 by Harry Long

At long last, the “Uber/Lyft Bill” for Alabama is set to pass, and I’m looking forward to the economic opportunities for Alabama citizens, as well as providing additional transportation options for our citizens.

I’ve been a big believer in statewide uniformity on this issue, as I believe that it helps Alabama keep with the times as an attractive option for people and companies to visit (as a convenience piece) and potentially establish new businesses/operations as well. I want Alabama to be progressive on this, as at last count, 44 states have already implemented/passed comprehensive ride sharing legislation.

I want Alabama to be a place that businesses WANT to come to, and if there’s a good opportunity to do something towards that end, I’m for it.

I’m also very proud of my colleagues in the state legislature on the bi-partisan effort this has been. Many thanks to my Democratic colleague Bobby Singleton for his support of this effort in the Senate, and of course the advocacy of Governor Ivey. Many thanks also go to organizations like TechBirmingham, the Birmingham United League, and the Villages of Mountain Brook for their support.