Hello,

Earlier this month, I hit the road and met with Alabamians across our state, listening to folks about their ideas on how we can continue to make Alabama a great place to call home. Whether I'm on the Gulf Coast, in the Tennessee Valley or the Black Belt, I'm continually shown how much we have in common across Alabama.

Town Hall Series Continues

I continued my town hall series with events in Cullman County, Escambia County, and at historic Tuskegee University. Folks came with great questions and we had discussions ranging from rural health care to serving our veterans to making higher education more affordable. With the Senate being in session now, I'm back in Washington with the benefit of constituent ideas and feedback. As I continue to hold town halls, I'll be sure to send you a note to let you know if I'll be in your community. 

Hosting a student town hall at Tuskegee University
where we discussed everything from veteran affairs
to HBCU funding to rural health care.

Improving Rural Health Care 

In Bayou La Batre, I visited BayouClinic for a Bayou On The Move health fair and joined 18th Surgeon General of the United States Regina Benjamin, MD, for a conversation about how we can improve access to health care in rural areas. Alabama seen more than a dozen hospitals close since 2011, seven of them in rural communities. That's one reason why I have been urging state leaders to expand Medicaid. Alabamians in our rural communities have the right to quality, affordable health care. By expanding Medicaid, we can bring back billions of our own tax dollars from Washington, strengthen our economy, and provide health coverage to 326,000 more Alabamians. 

Touring the Bayou Clinic's "Bayou On The Move" health fair and hosting a discussion with 18th Surgeon General of the U.S. Regina Benjamin, MD.

Disaster Recovery Update in Lee County

In March, the communities of Beauregard and Smiths Station were devastated by an EF-4 tornado. Since then, I have been back to Lee County four times to visit with survivors, first responders, elected officials and the Lee County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). I know rebuilding a community takes a lot of time, but I am inspired after each visit by the strength and resolve of these Alabamians in the face of tragedy. 

Visiting Lee County and meeting with local officials to get an
update on tornado recovery. This was my fourth visit
to the area since the tornado struck in March.

Recently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded Lee County with a grant to cover 75-percent of home storm shelter costs. This is a step in the right direction, bu the entire cost must be paid upfront and many folks in the country can't afford to do that. That's why I introduced the Storm Shelter Act earlier this year that would provide a one-time tax credit to homeowners who build a shelter where they live. 

Strengthening Our Manufacturing Industry

Manufacturing is truly the backbone of Alabama's economy and we have much to be proud of when it comes to our leadership in producing quality products for a global market. I had the opportunity to see this up close during a visit to Lincoln, Ala., home to Honda Manufacturing Plant of Alabama. 

Touring the Honda Manufacturing Plant of Alabama in Lincoln, Ala.

In Gadsden, I also hosted a roundtable to discuss the future of the local Goodyear plant and to talk about ways we can prepare the community for a strong economic future. We need to keep those dialogues going so we can work together to keep good jobs here in Alabama and attract new ones. 

And at the University of North Alabama, I also had a chance to learn about some of the great work they are doing to prepare our next generation of workers for a modern economy. In fact, UNA was recently awarded $1.1 million to expand its workforce development programs, something we need to invest more into across the state. 

Engaging Alabama's Business Community

At the end of my visit home, I started my day speaking to the Vestavia Hills Sunrise Rotary Club and then headed straight down to the coast to join the Mobile Chamber of Commerce's Forum Alabama luncheon. Engaging with business and community leaders allows me to hear directly about what issues they're facing as they work to create and sustain good jobs, and it provides me an opportunity to share updates on what we're working on at the federal level.

Delivering remarks at the Vestavia Hills Sunrise Rotary Club (left) and speaking at the Mobile Chamber of Commerce Forum Alabama luncheon.

Whether I'm traveling around Alabama or working in Washington, I want to hear from you about the issues you care about and how you think our government could work better for all our families in Alabama. Please feel free to contact my office with any issues, questions, or comments. My team and I are looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Doug