BIRMINGHAM – The Business Council of Alabama board of directors today approved the 2015 BCA Legislative Agenda and in so doing presented a clear message: Support policies that will boost private sector job growth and create a world-class education system.
“During the last quadrennium, many pro-business items that have been a part of our legislative agenda for several years were enacted,” said BCA President and CEO William J. Canary. “We look to Governor Bentley and the pro-business Legislature to continue the momentum in 2015 by promoting job creation and education reform issues. In 2015, the BCA will continue to be the leading advocate for Alabama business by standing for more accountable and efficient state government so that employers can do what they do best: Create jobs and sign the front of a paycheck so others can sign the back.”
Education reform and job creation remain the two pillars of Business Council of Alabama's 2015 legislative priorities. Alabama's business community believes that successful small and large businesses and an educated workforce cement a strong state economy. Initiatives focused on growing existing industry, both small businesses and manufacturers; establishing a cabinet level position for a small business advocate; providing small businesses access to capital; overturning the so-called “innovator-liability” standard; prohibiting third-party litigation financing; and supporting entrepreneurship are all priorities for 2015.
“As we work to create jobs, we also realize that it has become the responsibility of the business community to engage in preparing our students for bright futures,” Canary said. “At the tip of the spear is fully implementing Alabama's Plan 2020, applying the recommendations from the Business and Education Alliance of Alabama's report to achieve a 90 percent high school graduation rate by 2020, fully funding First Class Pre-K and dual enrollment for high school students, and providing choice for parents.”
Members of the BCA also elected officers and board members for 2015. Marty Abroms, president and managing shareholder of Abroms and Associates, P.C., was elected BCA’s 2015 chairman, taking over for 2014 Chairman Fred McCallum, president of AT&T Alabama.
Other officers elected were Tommy Lee, president and CEO of Vulcan, Inc., first vice chairman; Jeff Coleman, president and CEO of Coleman World Group, second vice chairman; Phil Dotts, principal, Public FA, secretary; and Charles Nailen, president and owner, BBG Specialty Foods, treasurer. Fournier J. “Boots” Gale, senior vice president and general counsel, Regions Financial Corporation, was elected legal counsel. All board member and officer terms begin January 1, 2015.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 6, 2014
Contact: Nancy Wall Hewston (334) 834-6000
