New insurance bill that will rebuild schools damaged by tornadoes at much lower cost, potentially saving state millions of dollars
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Last week as Alabamians reflected on the third anniversary of the victims of the deadly April 27, 2011 tornadoes that killed hundreds of people and caused billions of dollars of damage across the Southeast, the state got a poignant reminder that you cannot predict Mother Nature.
A series of deadly storms hit Alabama again April 28, twisters again claimed lives and destroyed buildings. Thanks to State Rep. Rod Scott, Alabama has a protective layer in place to replace some of our most sacred school buildings – and save taxpayers millions of dollars at the same time.
During the recently completed legislative session, Scott sponsored a bill called House Act No. 2014-261 that was passed by both the House and Senate and signed into law by Gov. Robert Bentley. The act rebuilds schools after a natural disaster through extra insurance coverage, allowing the state to avoid having to get deeper in debt through issuance of bonds.
Due to storm damage, Alabama spent $99 million rebuilding schools across the state in excess of insurance coverage between 1998 and 2013, with much of that coming from the devastating April 2011 tornadoes. If Alabama had Scott’s insurance bill in place during that period, it would have led to a savings in education costs to the state of $85 million.
“This insurance coverage bill is the gift that keeps on giving,” Scott said. “It will save future generations in Alabama for years to come, allowing those savings in the education budget to go towards educating our most precious resources, our children.”
Scott, D-Fairfield, has represented House District 55 since 2006, and is seeking a third term. The insurance coverage bill was one of four Scott had passed this year. The Alabama Democratic Caucus Scott is an economics professor at Miles College, and has three children. He received a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University and an MBA from Dartmouth College.
