Issues

 Nationwide, the average age of a farmer is 58. Many family farms are closing their doors. As your State Senator, Andrew will continue working to keep the agriculture industry vibrant in Alabama.

Andrew serves on the Agriculture and Forestry committee and has supported legislation to prevent purchases of Alabama farmland by foreign adversaries like China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Additionally, he voted to cap and restrict property tax increases that can hit farmers the hardest.

  Recent rankings have placed Alabama in the top 10 states in the US for doing business, and Andrew knows that small business is the backbone of our local economy. That’s why he was proud to be a driving force behind the Community Pharmacy Relief Act to keep Alabama’s independent pharmacies open. Andrew also worked to support Alabama’s small farm wineries, sponsoring 3 bills to help them get their products to market. 

 The Coosa River basin, including Weiss Lake and Neely Henry Lake, are part of the lifeblood of Senate District 10. These waters draw tourists, boaters, and anglers from around the world. Andrew has fought to protect these natural resources, and has worked to bring grant money home to further enhance amenities along the Coosa. He has been a supporter of fishing tournaments and events like the Great Alabama 650, a paddle race that begins on Weiss Lake 

 Andrew is proud to serve as the Vice-Chair of the Alabama Digital Expansion Authority, the committee charged with overseeing the deployment of broadband internet around the state. Andrew is proud to have secured multiple rounds of funding to provide new first-time connections to fast, affordable internet for District 10 and he will not stop until every constituent is connected. Reliable internet is just as essential today as electricity was 100 years ago.

 Andrew is a proud supporter of ACES - the Alabama version of DOGE. This legislation was passed 6 years before DOGE even existed. The goal of ACES is to eliminate ineffective programs and wasteful spending in Montgomery. Cutting red tape and burdensome regulations is also a priority of Andrew’s. Small, limited government is the best government, and Andrew believes the state of Alabama needs to be a good steward of every single tax dollar.

 Whether it’s helping to bring home $17 million for the NEAR Megasite, $24 million for Gadsden State’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, or $8.5 million for a new Challenger Learning Center, Andrew knows how to get things done and build a better future for our area. He knows that ultimately, these dollars are not just about providing funding for land or buildings, but rather they are investments in our greatest asset, our people.

For years, we were in a bare-minimum maintenance situation with our infrastructure. In Montgomery, Andrew has continued to fight to repair our crumbling roads and bridges. Many of our roads are simply unsafe, and many of our bridges are past their intended lifespan. 

For too long, North Alabama’s roads and bridges were neglected by Montgomery. We must keep prioritizing funding for our aging infrastructure, both to enhance safety and also alleviate congestion.

 Just like widening U.S. Highway 411, extending I-759 and building a new Southside Bridge will mean much more than just relieving traffic congestion. Andrew believes that these projects will contribute to the economic development of our entire region, help recruit industry, and improve our quality of life. Infrastructure is a determining factor for where businesses decide to locate, and major road and bridge projects help us compete for jobs and investment.

 Andrew has the relationships in Montgomery and Washington DC to bring home critical funding for road and bridge projects. He has been proud to partner with local leaders to secure needed grant funding and ensure that District 10 receives its fair share. Details matter. Andrew’s first ever amendment offered on the Senate floor was to prioritize a county’s first 4-lane access to the interstate. This little-noticed amendment helped pave the way for the widening of U.S. 411.

 Andrew firmly believes that we must expand access to Pre-K. These years are the most learning-critical time in a child's life. Andrew is proud of all the new pre-K classrooms opened in District 10 during his tenure, and he will keep working until all families have access. Like Kindergarten, pre-K should never be mandatory, but Andrew believes that we can’t cut corners with the necessary skills for first grade. This is why Andrew supported the First Grade Readiness Act.

 Andrew is proud to have supported legislation like the Parent’s Right To Know Act to allow parents to have access to the full curriculum that is being taught in Alabama’s classrooms. Ultimately, Andrew believes that Alabama parents should have the right to be hands-on with their children’’s education. He knows that schools work better when local school boards, parents, and teachers can make most of the decisions for our students- not Montgomery or D.C. politicians.

 Students at even the smallest schools deserve to have access to electives and advanced courses that will prepare them for college or entering the workforce. Andrew is a big supporter of vocational programs and co-op opportunities, and advocates for the availability of dual enrollment and AP courses. Andrew believes that there is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” education, and students need to be able to prepare for their own individual future paths.

 Andrew works hard to bring home funding, grants, and opportunities to support our students and teachers. Every year, each teacher in District 10 is eligible to apply for a $100 grant to purchase classroom supplies. In addition, every school can apply for a grant, up to $5000, for a special project. Both of these grant programs were started by Senator Jones to ensure that all 48 schools in the district receive equal opportunities for funding.

  Andrew believes that every graduate entering the workforce should be prepared for the high-wage, in-demand jobs of the future, and these young folks shouldn’t have to move away to find them. Gadsden State’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, a $24 million facility that Senator Jones worked to fund, will help prepare them. To reach our students even earlier, Andrew secured $8.5 million for a new Challenger Learning Center to get our students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

   Whether it’s cracking down on student vaping, banning cell phones, or enhancing security, Andrew supports the highest standards for our schools. Legislation like the Alabama Literacy Act and Numeracy Act ensures that students receive fundamental skills in reading and math before moving on. The result? Alabama has moved from near last place in 4th grade reading and math to the middle of the pack. Additionally, legislation like the Paperwork Reduction Act means that teachers can devote more time to teaching.

 Alabama has some of the lowest taxes in the nation, and it is essential that we keep them that way. Families are struggling to make ends meet, and as a small businessman and farmer, Andrew knows the sacrifices that working Alabamians are already making. That’s why Andrew sponsored legislation to cut Alabama’s grocery tax in half. He pushed this legislation for over 5 years, and it resulted in the largest tax cut in Alabama history.

 Andrew believes the 2nd Amendment is under attack in Washington, and our state legislature must do everything possible to stand up to DC and protect our right to bear arms. Andrew was proud to be a crucial vote in committee to pass Alabama’s permitless concealed carry law, also known as constitutional carry. He believes that our constitutional rights should never be for sale and that a permit should never be required to exercise them.

As a born-again Christian, Andrew is committed to do everything possible to help protect the sanctity of human life. He will always be an advocate for the most vulnerable among us. To Andrew, being pro-life also means being pro-adoption, and he has carried three bills to promote adoption, make adoption easier, and provide tax credits for those who adopt in Alabama. Andrew is personally invested, serving on the board of a local non-profit for foster children.

Alabama has become a de facto border state, and Andrew believes that turning a blind eye to illegal immigration is the wrong answer. There should be zero tolerance for sanctuary cities in our state. That’s why Andrew supported strong legislation to rein in illegal immigration. In addition to collecting fingerprints and DNA from all illegals in custody, these bills increase penalties for human smuggling, prevent foreign IDs from being used at the polls, and ban foreign drivers’ licenses.

In Alabama, it’s just common sense that men shouldn’t use women’s restrooms or play in women’s sports. Bills like the What is a Woman Act, passed by the Alabama legislature, clarify the basic, timeless definitions that we all grew up with.  Legislation like the Divisive Concepts Act clarifies that liberal teachings and DEI have no part in schools or state institutions. Andrew believes that outside influences have no business pushing their woke agenda on our traditional way of life.

Andrew believes that free and fair elections are the backbone of any democracy. That’s why he is proud to have voted to require paper ballots and mandate election machines that aren’t capable of connecting to the internet. Additionally, Senator Jones has voted to ban ballot harvesting and prohibit curbside voting, both of which open the door to election interference.  Finally, Andrew also voted to criminalize the creation of election deep fakes, which are designed to deceive voters.