You Deserve More of Your Overtime Pay

CONTRIBUTED BY REP. ANTHONY DANIELS

—

OPINION

As we prepare for the 2023 Alabama Legislative Session, my Democratic colleagues and I will be presenting several pro-growth economic bills designed to help hard-working Alabamians prosper and keep more money in their pockets. Our comprehensive economic plan includes ending regressive taxes, ensuring that businesses have the infrastructure and resources they need, and that we create a worker- and business-friendly environment that will nurture entrepreneurship and attract high-paying jobs to Alabama. The first bill in our economic plan is about you — you, the worker, and you, the business owner.

A common misconception about taxes is that overtime wages are taxed at a higher rate than a worker’s regular hours. The truth is that both are taxed at the same rate, but it definitely feels like much more when that percentage is taken from one and a half times the normal rate of pay. Of course, right now,

FLOWERS >>

FROM B9 district.

As a freshman many hard-working Alabamians are feeling financially squeezed due to rising grocery and gas prices, not to mention state taxes on top of these essentials.

Yet, this is why so many Alabama workers choose to work overtime when they have the opportunity so that they can offset the rising cost of living. Wouldn’t it help workers and their families put more money in their pockets if we eliminated the state tax on overtime pay? Simply, yes. Wouldn’t it also benefit employers dealing with the current staffing shortage who need employees willing to put in extra hours to make up for labor shortfalls? Yes. In fact, this is a big win for both — employee and employer — and could ease labor shortages in critical areas such as health care, as well as manufacturing and retail.

Here's how it would work: So, let’s say John has a full-time job making $15 per hour and gets paid every other week. His usual paycheck is $960, after taxes. Right now, if John was to work 10 hours of overtime, his pay would be $1,140 after taxes. If we take congressman, Strong’s appointment to the Armed Services Committee is a great feather for him given the importance of the Redstone Arsenal and the immense amount of defense out Alabama’s tax on the 10 hours of overtime pay, John’s check would then be $1,251.25. That’s $111.25 more, which is more money in John’s pocket to spend on the things that he and his family need.

You deserve more of your overtime pay. Especially because you chose to go above and beyond for your employer, and that extra money will likely be spent locally, benefitting Alabama’s economy. That’s the difference between a “trickle-down” economy that favors the wealthiest versus an economy that grows from the bottom up and the middle out.

In Alabama, this is an innovative and practical idea that would bring an immediate economic benefit to workers and their families. During the pandemic, we learned how important it was to give targeted tax breaks, financial incentives and other types of economic relief as a way to keep local businesses and economies afloat. Although we seem to have weathered the worst of the financial storm brought on by the pandemic, many Alabama families are dollars in Huntsville.

Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) landed an appointment to the prestigious Judiciary Committee.

Alabama’s lone congressional Democrat, Rep.

I had a fellow grad student at Auburn University who was a retired U.S. Navy captain. He said there was too much classification of items as top secret when he was in the military. He argued so many top secret documents might make people jaded — the opposite of what they should be: alert. In 2011, there were about as many people with top secret access as attorneys (1.2 to 1.23 million) in the United States.

While serving in an Army military history attachment at Fort McPherson, we all had top secret clearances. Why? Because we handled documents that were justifiably classed top secret. In assessing plans, doctrines and interviews, we and three training and doctrine command PhD historians had to always be on guard.

HEROES >>

FROM B9 still struggling to pay basic bills. Eliminating the state tax on overtime pay would provide a significant and real-time relief for these families. The point is that you deserve to keep more of what you earn. Whether it’s bolstering workforce training or incentivizing employer-provided child care, we strongly believe that investing in Alabama workers is how we nurture sustainable long-term growth. For too long, we’ve given incentives and breaks to those at the top hoping the economic benefits would “trickle down,” but that seems to have only widened income inequality. That’s why we need a more practical and balanced approach that rewards hard workers like you. Contact your representative today, and let them know that you strongly support eliminating the tax on overtime pay because you deserve more money in your pocket, and you want trained and trusted workers to stay on the job. fourth, fifth and sixth graders each month. And twice a year, she works with high schoolers, helping them learn how to work with their hands and grow their own produce.

Together, this is how we build a more prosperous Alabama.

“Now, Sgt. Smith helps develop new curriculums for students, including a ‘Respect for the Flag’ lesson that teaches the American flag’s history, meaning and how to properly care for it.

“Sgt. Smith credits the military for giving her greater awareness and compassion for the needs of others around the world. She went to Guatemala for the first time on a medical mission while in the service, which inspired her and her husband to continue mission trips to Guatemala and Alaska after their retirement.”

During her time in the Air Force, Smith served as a missile maintainer, ophthalmology technician and non-commissioned officer academy instruc-

COMMISSION >>

FROM B9 the request of a citizen.

- The commission approved the FY2023FY2024 Annual Levy of Alcoholic Beverage Fees.

- The commission approved an ABC License Application for Premium Pours Bartending for a one-day event.

- The commission

Terri Sewell, will retain her position as chief deputy whip within the Democratic caucus. Sewell will also continue to serve on the powerful and prestigious House Ways and Means Committee.

When I had to leave for the day and no one I worked with was available, I could call someone at the main headquarters (“head shed”) and he or she would come there and sign, if they had the appropriate clearance and access.

This two-part series concludes next week with “Biden’s Blunders” and “Pence’s Problems.” tor. After retiring, she started a cattle operation called Lone Oak Farm with her husband Tim, who is also a U.S. Air Force veteran. The Smiths now sell fresh beef to families across Alabama. Additionally, Smith uses her military and farming experience as a 4-H agent assistant for the Tallapoosa County School System. approved an ABC License Transfer Application for Happy Hour Bar and Grill.

Greg Markley moved to Lee County in 1996. He has a master’s in education from AUM and a master’s in history from Auburn University. He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama. An award-winning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has contributed to The Observer since 2011. He writes on politics, education and books. gm.markley@charter.net.

Smith’s recognition is the first in Tuberville’s new “Veteran of the Month” video series in which the senator will recognize a different Alabama veteran each month for their service and contribution to their community. Constituents can nominate an Alabama veteran and submit their information to Tuberville’s office for consideration by emailing press_office@tuberville. senate.gov.

Tuberville represents Alabama in the U.S. Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and HELP Committees.

- The commission approved a speed limit reduction for Lee Road 371 and 785.

- The commission approved two new positions for the Building and Maintenance Facility: supervisor and administrative assistant.

The paradigm of our power in Washington has moved to the U.S. House of Representatives.

See you next week.

Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist.

His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www. steveflowers.us.

BY SAM DICHIARA THE OBSERVER

LEE COUNTY —

The Lee County branch of the NAACP held a community and law enforcement town hall discussion on Friday, Feb. 10.

Citizens gathered at Southside Center for the Arts to voice questions and concerns to a panel of top law enforcement officials, including Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones, Auburn Chief of Police Cedric Anderson and Opelika Chief of Police Shane Healey.

The conversation began with discussion of the police killing of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee, on Jan. 7. This expanded into topics such as hiring and decertification policies, relationships between police and the community, and training in de-escalation, unconscious bias and mental health.

“The more we talk about tonight, the more questions we answer for you guys, the more