2015 is not just the start of a new year; it’s the beginning of a new quadrennium for Alabama’s elected officials. On January 19, 2015, on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol, I took the oath of office as Lieutenant Governor for the second time and for the fourth time in my career of public service. We were blessed with a warm and beautiful day in the Capital City. I placed my hand on the Bible that belonged to my mother to reaffirm my commitment to Alabama and vow to complete the duties of Lieutenant Governor to the best of my ability.
Inauguration Day marked the turning of a page on a new chapter in Alabama history. The next four years are full of promise. We have many opportunities and many challenges ahead. Lawmakers and Governor Bentley have difficult choices to make to address the budget, prisons, education, and healthcare. When Legislators return in March for the Legislative Session, I’ll preside over the Senate as they field solutions and discuss the consequences. If history is any indication, I anticipate lively debate. A week before Inauguration, the Senate met for Organizational Session to elect leadership and adopt the rules by which they will abide over the next four years. They can be modified as necessary, but the rules adopted during Organizational Session lay the groundwork for how the Senate will operate during Legislative proceedings. Every new group of legislators has this opportunity to make changes to the rules. The rules are not the most thrilling part of the Legislative process, but they help set the pace and tone for the upcoming Session and they’re necessary. In baseball, a batter is allowed three strikes before he’s compelled back to the dugout. Even the most talented and athletic baseball players with years of experience must abide by this rule to keep the game going. We have a limited amount of time in the Senate -- just 30 Legislative days -- to conduct the people’s business. With the adoption of effective rules, it is my goal and the goal of Senate leadership to keep the proceedings going and run the Senate as efficiently as possible for the benefit of Alabamians.
Before a bill makes it to the Senate floor for a vote, I assign it to one of several committees and it goes through the committee process. Previously, the Senate had 20 standing committees. Some committees struggled to reach a quorum because Senators were spread too thin trying to make several meetings at once, a few committees rarely received a bill assignment, and others duplicated the function of another committee. In an effort to encourage efficiency and ensure each bill is given proper attention, the committees were streamlined and reduced to 16. The Committee on Assignments, on which I serve, was the group tasked with organizing the committee structure and the Senators voted to approve the changes. Every Senator serves on at least one committee and each committee is made up of Republicans and Democrats. Every effort has been made to ensure that no one is left out.
As Lieutenant Governor, I serve the people of Alabama. All the people of Alabama. You will see passionate debate on the Senate floor -- that’s the video that makes the news. As you watch the debate and follow Legislative action, keep in mind that as President of the Senate, I don’t make the rules; I apply the rules that the Senators have adopted. And I endeavor to do so, as the oath of office says, to the best of my ability.
By Lt. Governor Kay Ivey
