Alabama House District 31 Missing Representative Going Into Session

 

Former representative Barry Mask resigned from the House District 31 seat in September to take a new job.

 

But since the election needed a runoff, residents won’t have a representative until at least two weeks in to the session.

 

There will be at least one empty seat here in the house chambers when this year’s session starts on January 14.

 

A special election was held for the House District 31 seat last month and it’s now down to Mike Holmes or Jimmy Collier. Both men are taking different approaches to starting two weeks behind, should they win.

 

“It won’t affect me very much at all because I’ve been running on the idea of change. If I go in there and say I’m going to do this bill with this group or that group, then I’m not changing anything. I’m going in as what we already have, a politician, which I’m not a politician,” said Collier.　

 

“I’m staying involved in the issues as I have for the last three or four years. Watching the announcements the budget hearings begin on January 13 and they’re open to the public so I’ll be there. I’m watching all the prefiled bills that are coming up,” said Holmes.

 

Some Residents of Elmore and Coosa counties say they are still sore over Barry Mask’s resignation.

 

“I don’t like that at all. I think it’s their obligation to stay,” said Wetupmka resident Donald Graham.

 

And both candidates agree that something should be done about lawmakers leaving office before their terms are finished.

 

“I think there are two prefiled bills that I’m very interested in that add some penalties into that equation for people that do resign and especially that move into association jobs, lobbying jobs,” said Holmes.

 

“Unless you’ve got a medical reason I see no reason to leave office. I wouldn’t have a problem with a bill if they came up with something if you left with a purpose to get another job, pay for the special election. It may cost 70 thousand dollars. If you’re getting a good enough job you can pay for that,” said Collier.

 

The special election for House District 31 is on January 28th, but there’s no official word yet on when the winner will be sworn in.

 

Residents in that area can still reach out to their state senator if they have concerns. They include Jerry Fielding, Dick Brewbaker, and Bryan Taylor, depending on where you live.