The Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM) marked its 90th anniversary last week at a celebratory convention in Huntsville, touting decades of support for the state’s 465 cities and towns. Sherry Sullivan, mayor of Fairhope, was elected president and Rusty Jessup, mayor of Riverside, as its new vice president during the three-day convention. But while the speeches painted a glowing picture of collaboration and progress, some policy experts and residents are asking a sharper question: Are state leaders walking the talk when it comes to supporting local governments?

ALM Executive Director Greg Cochran emphasized the League’s role in providing legal guidance, legislative advocacy, and infrastructure support to cities across Alabama. “We make sure they have the resources and tools they need to build vibrant communities,” Cochran said. The organization’s annual Expo drew nearly 800 government officials to Huntsville’s Von Braun Center, showcasing everything from fire trucks to infrastructure models.

But the convention wasn’t just about public works—it was also political. Governor Kay Ivey opened the event by celebrating legislative efforts she said would benefit municipalities. These included measures to restrict bail for violent offenders, ban illegal gun modifications, and her support for House Bill 202.

Disconnect Between Rhetoric and Reality

In her proclamation for Municipal Government Week, Ivey praised the “critical role local governments play in quality of life” and encouraged citizens to get involved. But that statement contrasts with State legislative trends, in which lawmakers have chipped away at municipal authority.

Over the last ten years, Alabama’s state government has preempted cities on a wide range of issues, including:

Minimum wage ordinances: Birmingham’s attempt to raise the minimum wage was nullified by state law in 2016 [1].
Occupational taxes: In 2020, the State Legislature passed a law requiring state approval for any new local occupational taxes—directly targeting efforts to address budget shortfalls [2].
Short-term rental zoning: State-level proposals have sought to limit municipalities’ ability to regulate platforms like Airbnb, even as city leaders cite zoning concerns [3].

Cochran himself raised the alarm about preserving local control during the conference. “We help cities on the advocacy side, ensuring that the legislature isn’t hindering their local authority to impose taxes or administer business licenses,” he said. But with legislation regularly passed to do exactly that [4], it’s unclear whether state leaders’ public support for municipalities reflects a deeper commitment.

Does ‘Back the Blue’ Mean Backing Victims of Police Misconduct Against the Wall?

The most contentious topic of the week was House Bill 202. Governor Ivey characterized the measure as a way to protect law enforcement from frivolous lawsuits, saying it would allow officers “to carry out their duties courageously and effectively.” But civil rights advocates have warned that the bill could weaken public accountability by making it nearly impossible for victims of police misconduct to pursue justice in court. The proposed law requires plaintiffs to prove that an officer acted with reckless disregard and without any legitimate law enforcement purpose—a high legal bar that critics argue shields misconduct and violates constitutional protections [5]. This legislative move coincides with the recent disbandment of the Hanceville Police Department, following a grand jury’s finding of ‘a rampant culture of corruption’ they say led to the death of one officer, the indictments of five others, and the dismissals of 58 felony cases [6].

Infrastructure Windfall Falls Short

Cochran and Ivey both emphasized the high cost of municipal infrastructure, noting that a single mile of two-lane road can cost more than $1 million. “You can’t raise enough money internally,” Cochran said, pointing to the need for state and federal collaboration. But critics note that the same lawmakers calling for infrastructure investment have been reluctant to support sustainable funding mechanisms.

Despite Alabama’s ongoing federal windfall through programs like the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [7], the state has funneled only limited portions of that money directly to municipalities—especially smaller ones without full-time grant-writing staff. Many cities are still waiting on funds for broadband expansion, clean water, and road repairs. Meanwhile, Alabama’s general fund budget remains one of the smallest in the nation per capita [8].

The Lip Service Loop

At the convention, Cochran pointed to issues like affordable housing and job access, as top concerns for municipal leaders. But again, critics say these priorities have not translated into robust legislative action. While cities try to encourage development and expand services, state law often limits their ability to raise revenue or implement inclusive zoning practices [9].

The Alabama League of Municipalities marks 90 years of service—a milestone worthy of recognition. However, this anniversary comes at a time when a noticeable gap exists between the support for local governance expressed by state leaders and the policies that are enacted. For Alabama’s municipalities to succeed over the next 90 years, more than symbolic gestures will be required. A genuine commitment to shared governance and collaborative policymaking at the state level will be essential. Newly elected ALM leaders Mayor Sullivan and Mayor Jessup have their work cut out for them.