Leaders want voters to say “YES” to Amendment 11

Amendment 11 could give Alabama an edge over other states, officials say.

A new constitutional amendment on the ballots this November could give Alabama a better chance at attracting big businesses, which means more jobs for Alabamians.

Amendment 11 is just one of 14 amendments residents will vote on, so city leaders wanted to take the time to educate voters on the options. Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle met together and with economic developers to simplify the terms for voters.

To break it down, voting “YES” on amendment 11 will ensure that businesses pay for their own incentives over time. This leaves cities money to pay for normal upkeep of roads, schools and other city-mantained programs. Both mayors believe the amendment makes Alabama more appealing for companies.

“You’re revenue is paid by the company that comes in, the advalorum comes off that company, no new taxes, it makes sure that the company pays it’s own way by paying for these infrastructure needs,” said Battle.

Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange agreed, and said it’s not one Alabama city fighting another for jobs anymore. Now it’s the state fighting its neighbors for big businesses.

Leaders hope to educate the voters on Amendment 11.

“They’re going to be able to get the infrastructure, it’s going to make us more competitive,” said Strange. “Not between Huntsville and Montgomery and Mobile and Birmingham, but between Alabama, the local communities and what Tennessee might have, what Georgia might have, Louisiana and some of those others.”

Voting “YES” on 11 isn’t a promise that new jobs will come in, just another step to get Alabama noticed by companies.

“Bottom line, it would really give us an opportunity to be more competitive when we’re competing with other areas and other states as far as locating a new business into Alabama,” said Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman Horace Horn.

Both mayors and economic developers said, in a nutshell, the amendment “puts the financial responsibility back on the industries and protects your tax payer dollars.”

To learn more about amendment 11, click here.