Economist: Alabama to add 30,000 to 35,000 jobs in 2015
Al.com – Jan. 15
Alabama is projected to add between 30,000 and 35,000 jobs in 2015, economist Ahmad Ijaz said at the Economic Outlook Conference in Montgomery Thursday. Ijaz, the associate director of economic forecasting at the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama, warned that an in increase in jobs hasn’t led to the same increase in tax revenues – and won’t, necessarily. In 2013, 9.43 percent of jobs were in leisure and hospitality – jobs that are typically low-wage and part-time, like food service workers. In the same year, that sector only accounted for 2.86 percent of the state’s GDP. “(Alabama is) adding jobs in a sector that doesn’t pay good wages; it’s not a high value-added sector,” Ijaz said. “One of the reasons the tax revenues are not growing is because we’re adding low value-added jobs.” … But the story has some silver linings, he said: Alabama is one of very few states in the nation that’s still adding manufacturing jobs. Alabama’s manufacturing has shifted drastically in the last two decades, Ijaz said – particularly from non-durable goods, like clothing, to durable goods, like cars.
Montgomery Advertiser – Jan. 15
New look for UA auto tag
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Jan. 15
The University of Alabama is getting its first new look in five years for its collegiate car license tags. You can buy one from county license offices. They can be purchased at any time but tags must still be renewed during your regular renewal month. Regular and personalized tags are available. The money raised goes to scholarships for UA students.
Public invited to view the new comet Lovejoy at University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa News – Jan 15
The newly discovered comet Lovejoy is at its brightest this week, and the University of Alabama is offering the public a free opportunity to see it through a powerful telescope Friday. The comet has been putting on a show for some skywatchers, who have been able to see it without the help of a telescope. “Most of the people who really keep track and obsess over comet behavior didn’t expect it to get bright enough to see with the naked eye,” said Bill Keel, UA professor of physics and astronomy. “So it’s (been) kind of a nice surprise over the last couple weeks.” … People in Tuscaloosa can see the Lovejoy comet through the 16-inch telescope at the observatory on top of Gallalee Hall on the UA campus from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. People will also be able to see Jupiter and the stars in Orion’s Belt.
In the Battle Over Sugar Taxes, Does Big Soda Really Believe in Big Business?
Huffington Post – Jan. 15
Two months ago the citizens of Berkeley, California, made a historic decision to impose a tax on sugary soft drinks sold in the city. Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and their DC-based lobbying arm, the American Beverage Association, spent a lot of money–an estimated $2 million in Berkeley alone –to crush the measure. Their message was simple: “Taxes on food, beverages and containers will be bad for the economy.” We’ve heard this before. Back in the 1970s, this was the same message the beverage industry touted when it sought to combat mandatory deposit bills that would have placed a tax on one-way, throwaway containers in the United States. Then, the industry argued that taxes on disposable containers would essentially destroy beverage businesses and the retailers that depend on them, eliminating thousands of jobs as a consequence. Ignoring the doom and gloom predictions of big business, several states passed mandatory deposit bills in the 1970s to deal with mounting packaging waste, and instead of industry implosion, what we saw was innovation. (Bart Elmore is the author of Citizen Coke: The Making of Coca-Cola Capitalism. He is now assistant professor of environmental history at the University of Alabama.)
Girl with cancer becomes honorary ‘Bama cheerleader
Decatur Daily – Jan. 15
The University of Alabama cheerleaders have a new, much younger member on their squad: an 11-year-old girl from Prattville. Sara Lightsey, who has brain cancer, was welcomed as an honorary Alabama cheerleader this month. Sara, a fifth-grader, tumbles and cheers competitively in her hometown and first started serving as an athletic mascot when she was in preschool. Being adopted by the team was like a dream, said Sara, who hopes to one day become a college cheerleader.
Hoover’s Madeline Powell reflects on year as 2014 Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama
Al.com – Jan. 15
Just a year ago, Madeline Powell of Hoover was one of 48 teenagers competing to become the 2014 Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama. Little did she know then that she would claim the Alabama title and go on to become the first runner-up in the Distinguished Young Women National Finals in Mobile in June. “It’s been amazing,” the 19-year-old University of Alabama student said, reflecting back over her experiences the past year. “I’m kind of sad that it’s coming to a close.” Powell has been spending this week helping a whole new batch of contestants prepare for the 2015 Distinguished Young Women of Alabama competition, taking place Friday and Saturday at Frazier Memorial United Methodist Church in Montgomery.