A rock quarry in Limestone County has been the center of attention before the Alabama Senate this week in Montgomery.
Two local legislators, Sens. Tom Butler, D-Madison, and Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, shut down the senate Tuesday in a dispute over legislation that would block a rock quarry in the Tanner community.
Butler and Orr launched a filibuster to protest inaction by a Senate committee on local bills affecting the project.
“We’ve shut it down for the past days and I intend to do the same when we go back into session tomorrow,” Butler said Wednesday. “I’ve been talking for an hour on each bill and I’m going to continue doing that until I get some attention.”
The Senate was not in session Wednesday. Butler said the session would resume today and probably end May 20.
The rock quarry bills he and Orr sponsored are being held up intentionally “by the rock quarry people,” Butler said.
“They are asking for a public hearing just to delay the bills,” he said. “They have tentatively set a public hearing for March 26.”
A public hearing was set last week but was canceled due to the lack of a quorum.
Two bills, one that would give the Limestone County Commission the authority to approve rock quarries in the county and another that would ban construction of any quarry within 10 miles from a nuclear plant, are being proposed.
The bills have passed the House and are awaiting Senate action.
Local News
Butler: Filibuster will last until I get some attention
- Local News
-
-
Ala. House starts session with job creation bills
The House also approved bills offering tax incentives to coal mining businesses and to data processing companies.
-
Judge: Bishop inquest transcript to be made public
Bishop is in prison awaiting trial, charged with opening fire on her co-workers at the University of Alabama in Huntsville in February 2010, killing three and wounding three.
-
Gas prices up; could hit $4 by spring
Gas prices have risen steadily over the past several days to above the $3.30 mark in most locations across the state.
-
Williams reflects on 1st week of session
With the first week of the 2012 Alabama Legislative session in the books, Rep. Dan Williams, R-Athens, is enjoying a victory after the House passed a jobs bill that includes an amendment he sponsored.
-
Cook, eat or bid on goods at upcoming Chili Challenge
The 24th annual Hospice of Limestone County Chili Challenge and Silent Auction will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Athens High School. - AMVETS offer free membership
-
MORE STORIES: Click LOCAL NEWS bar at top left
Click "Local News" bar at top left for more stories
-
Calhoun offers course in solar energy
he Alabama Center for Excellence in Clean Energy Technology at Calhoun Community College is offering a 40-hour course for those interested in learning the basics of solar photovoltaic design and installation.
-
Shot of winter coming this weekend
The cooler weather is in stark contrast to the unseasonably warm and wet winter that has impacted the Tennessee Valley.
-
Sex offender arrested for failing to register
- More Local News Headlines
-
Ala. House starts session with job creation bills
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
