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Alabama has a shortage of 300 special education teachers. Also have a shortage of early education teachers and elementary teachers. Last year’s bonuses have reduced the shortage of math and science teachers. #alpolitics

ALSDE asking for additional funds for more teachers more assistant principals. #alpolitics

The Commission on Evaluation of Services is doing some interesting and useful work. A lot of take away from their presentation to the legislature’s joint budget committee. #alpolitics

Listening to the Senate debate the appropriation of ARPA funds. Sen. Barefoot is pleading with Senators to remember the need to support rural hospitals. The best way to do that is the expand Medicaid. #alpolitics

Attending the, already contentious, reapportionment committee meeting. Apparently, the legislature lacks both the personnel and technology to make provide detailed maps to either members or the public. #alpolitics

Rep. England raising a lot of procedural concerns-who chose the maps on which they’re voting, who drew them, where are all the other proposed maps, who are the “we” who made these decisions? #alpolitics

First map called up is the “opportunity map” with a 2nd Congressional District Black population of 38.31%. The plaintiff’s proposed map doesn’t seem to be under consideration. #alpolitics

More procedural questions from Sen. Singleton-“who wrote these plans?”. Rep. Pringle says that some may have been sent in “over the internet”. Sen. Figures “you might just act like you’re working with us!” #alpolitics

Rep. Pringle says that he and Sen. Livingston will be introducing the “communities of interest plan”. #alpolitics

Sen. Smitherman pointing out that the “opportunity plan”, with 38.31% Black voters in District 2, will probably never elect a Black Congressman. District 2 is heavily the Wiregrass, so I’d agree. #alpolitics

Apparently the “whole Jefferson County Plan” also was submitted “on the internet” (I struggling that the submitters weren’t asked their name?). It flips Rep. Sewell and Rep. Palmer into each other’s districts. #alpolitics

Sen. Smitherman is speaking in favor of the Singleton plan. It doesn’t have a district that is more then 50% Black but, he argues, there are enough White voters who will elect a Black Congressperson in both those districts to satisfy the court. #alpolitics

Rep. England argues that Alabama’s “rich racial history” is that, despite the fact that Jefferson County has 10% cross-over voting, the election of a Black Congressperson requires a Black majority district. #alpolitics

Sen. Smitherman, defending the Singleton plan, argues that the creation of two Black majority districts demands gerrymandering that won’t get court approval. Both Smitherman and England are smart lawyers. #alpolitics

Correction to myself-the plaintiff’s map is under discussion (and presumably will be voted on) even if it wasn’t in the handouts. #alpolitics

Sen. Figures reads a detailed assessment of the maps and concludes that the plaintiff’s map meets the courts requirements and should be approved.Pringle and Smitherman both speak in opposition to the splitting of their counties (Mobile and Jefferson) in that plan. #alpolitics

There is a tension here between local interests (Mobile and Butler Counties have nothing in common) and the interest in creating a second Black majority district. Committee members are splitting on racial, party and geographic lines. #alpolitics

Joe Reed, Alabama Democratic Conference, invited to speak in support of Hatcher Plan. It creates two districts more than 50% Black but splits a lot of counties. Tells Black committee members “you’re falling down on the job today”. #alpolitics

Rep. Pringle says that the Hatcher plan moves Terri Sewell out of District 7. Reed points out that you don’t have to live in the district to be elected from it. #alpolitics

Committee R’s moved to approve the community of interest plan. Figures moved the plaintiffs plan as a substitute. Her motion defeated on party-line vote. Smitherman moves CLE plan. Defeated. Pringle’s plan approved. #alpolitcs