By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — At this month’s DeKalb County Republican Breakfast, state legislators addressed fellow Republicans on the controversial gas tax that passed the Alabama House of Representatives by a vote of 84-20 on Friday. Representative Ginny Shaver was the keynote speaker.

DeKalb County Republican Executive Committee member Derwood Ragan confronted House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) on the gas tax increase. Ledbetter voted in favor of the bill.

Ragan expressed his disappointment with Ledbetter’s support of the gas tax bill after being a supporter of his in previous campaigns.

“We voted you in to represent the people of DeKalb County, but I feel like you let us down,” said Ragan. “I will campaign against you from now on.”

Ledbetter replied, “I disagree...You need to look back and see how much I’ve brought to this County since I’ve been here. You’re wrong. We polled it (the gas tax bill) and 45% of the people were in favor of it.”

Several proponents, including DeKalb County Commissioner Lester Black, and opponents spoke on the gas tax bill. The bill passed through the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee today and will face the full Senate and likely the Governor’s desk, tomorrow.

All videos are courtesy of an anonymous Jackson County citizen.