Jim Toomey

Education Investing in education in Alabama and thereby increasing the number of well-educated workers will improve the strength of Alabama's economy and our ability to attract high-wage employers. We need an educated work force to attract new industry. I am a strong supporter of public school education (Pre-K to at least 2 years of post-secondary studies) and the obligations that come with it. Healthcare Medicaid expansion would help to lower these costs by covering more preventive care. Not only do our citizens in the coverage gap need the insurance, but our economy needs the potential 30,000 jobs and millions in related revenue that would result. We need to be innovative in determining ways to cover our 10% matching investment, but as long as the expansion option is available, we should take it. Civil Rights We should provide more places to register to vote with more convenient hours of operation, not fewer places with fewer hours. We should allow more forms of identification, like we did in the past, rather than a picture ID provided by the government, or at least make it free. Government Reform We must stop gerrymandering our voting districts through the manipulation of the boundaries that favors one political party over the other. Environment / Energy In addition to water use by humans, Alabama's waterways are an integral part of a productive freshwater ecosystem that supports some of the most biologically rich and diverse plant and animal life in North America. Freshwater is one of Alabama's greatest assets and must be protected. Healthcare Alabama’s refusal to expand Medicaid eligibility to 235,000 uninsured, low-income residents is hindering the state’s economic development efforts. No matter where you stand on this issue, not taking advantage of the Medicaid expansion option was and remains an irresponsible decision for our state. Environment / Energy I am an avid supporter of common sense legislation to protect the quality and quantity of water in our state’s 132,000-mile system of rivers and streams.