By Bob Howell – WSFA 12 News Anchor – Montgomery, AL 

GOP gubernatorial hopeful Kay Ivey signs gas tax pledge in north Alabama.  Here’s her release:

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Kay Ivey:

“When you consider how much North Alabama adds to our state’s economy, it’s just plain wrong that you don’t get it back in the roads and roads you deserve,” Ivey said. “After all, you have already paid for them. For too many years, the roads a community gets have been the result of how much political power some politicians have held. We pay for them with our taxes, but our roads are paved with pork spending. This must stop now.”

Ivey said the need for improved roads and bridges is critical with BRAC expansion underway, adding Madison County’s current road system is woefully outdated for the needs of the new decade. “It’s especially outrageous considering the tremendous growth coming from BRAC and all the economic development happening as a result of that expansion. If we want to continue it, we must make an investment in the Tennessee Valley’s infrastructure. I stand before you now to sign this gas tax pledge because it is not only the right thing to do, but it is also critical to helping keep this region’s economy expanding.”

Ivey is no stranger to the needs of North Alabama. She announced last fall that upon becoming Governor, she will task a senior member of her cabinet to serve as BRAC liaison. That person will help county and city governments cut through red tape delays and make sure they receive all the assistance the state can offer.

She also explained how her experience as State Treasurer has produced effective results for local communities across the state. “I have worked with local leaders to improve services and efficiencies, and to build a collaborative relationship between local and state governments. When I took office seven years ago, gas tax receipts were mailed out to local government offices on the 10th of each month. This process led to errors and delays in receiving the money that cities and counties desperately need. One of the first things I did as Treasurer was to change the gas tax transfer process from a paper approach to direct deposit into the local government’s bank account. Now, Huntsville, Madison County, and the rest of Alabama’s local governments get their gas tax dollars on the 10th of each month without delay.”

Ivey said she will be returning to the Tennessee Valley often in the coming weeks to spell out in greater detail her plans for providing Alabamians conservative leadership with effective results. 

With a row of gasoline pumps standing behind her, State Treasurer and Republican gubernatorial candidate Kay Ivey signed the North Alabama Gas Tax Pledge at a gas station in Huntsville this morning.

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