Alabama

Alabama paper plant technician: Overtime tax exemption ‘should not be taken away from us’

Published

1 year ago

March 19, 2025

Alabama paper plant technician: Overtime tax exemption ‘should not be taken away from us’

Mable McIntosh, a technician at the Georgia-Pacific plant in Pennington, says workers at the plant have benefitted from the state income tax exemption on overtime pay, which is scheduled to expire in June.Mike Cason/AL.com

A state income tax exemption on overtime pay that has been in effect since January 2024 will expire at the end of June unless the Alabama Legislature acts.

Democrats in the state House of Representatives support making the exemption permanent.

On Wednesday, they brought employees who have benefitted from the exemption to the Alabama State House to help make their case.

Mable McIntosh, a technician at the Georgia-Pacific plant in Pennington, which makes Angel Soft toilet paper and Sparkle paper towels, said lawmakers need to find a way to keep the exemption in place.

“A lot of our overtime is forced overtime,” McIntosh said. “It’s not that we’re volunteering for this overtime. It’s mandatory, because the companies that we work for, they face shortages, labor shortages. We have to work overtime to keep production going in those mills.

“To have that overtime be exempt, that’s important. That’s well deserved. And it’s something that should not be taken away from us now.”

The exemption came with an expiration date because of concerns about how much it would reduce state income tax revenues, which support public education.

The state Revenue Department reported last year that the exemption amounted to $230 million in the first nine months of 2024, far more than initial estimates.

“We hear all of this about the cost of it,” McIntosh said. “But, hey, find it somewhere else. Don’t put that burden on the workers of Alabama.”

House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, sponsored the bill to create the exemption two years ago, saying it would allow workers to take home more of their pay and would help employers hire and retain workers during a time when some companies are struggling to fill jobs.

Republicans got behind the idea and Daniels’ bill passed with strong bipartisan support.

But the Revenue Department report on how much the exemption cost has created doubts about whether lawmakers will extend it.

Daniels has advocated for making the exemption permanent, saying that it has achieved its intent as an incentive for work and that the benefits outweigh the cost of the exemption because more people are working, paying income taxes, and spending some of their additional income on products that contribute to state and local sales taxes.

He noted that President Trump has advocated for an overtime exemption to the federal income tax.

“These are hard- working Alabamians that are putting into our economy,” Daniels said. “This not money that you’re just handing out. These are not handouts. These are dollars that they’re earning.”

Daniels said he is preparing a bill that would extend the exemption and would include a study to measure the full scope of the impact.

On Tuesday, the Alabama House passed several tax cut bills, including one to reduce the state sales tax on food from 3% to 2% effective Sept. 1.

Another bill doubled the state income tax exemption for withdrawals from individual retirement accounts and 401(k) accounts from $6,000 to $12,000, an exemption that applies to people 65 and older and is estimated to save taxpayers about $45 million a year.

A third bill changed dependent exemptions and standard deductions on state income tax that would allow taxpayers to save about $25 million a year.

The three bills passed without a dissenting vote and go to the Senate.

Daniels said the overtime tax exemption is more beneficial for workers and for the economy. He said a 1-cent cut in the food tax is not enough to offset the sharp rise in many necessities, like eggs.

He said the overtime exemption rewards hard work.

“You’re talking about your law enforcement that are working additional hours because they’re short-staffed,” Daniels said. “You’re talking about your firemen that working additional hours because they’re short-staffed.

“You’re talking about the worker at Hyundai. You’re talking about the worker at Austal. You’re talking the worker at Toyota. You’re talking about workers all across the state of Alabama.”

Nick Doty, a heavy equipment operator at the ABC Coke Plant in Tarrant, said he and his co-workers have seen the benefits of the tax exemption.

“For the first time, I feel like something has affected me immediately,“ Doty said. ”Not tax breaks for big companies. Not tax breaks for huge corporations. But tax breaks for the regular, everyday Alabamian.”

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Alabama

Alabama edge to pattern his game after 2-time Super Bowl Champ

Published

2 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Alabama edge to pattern his game after 2-time Super Bowl Champ

Photo comes via Rodger Champion of Alabama athletics

How electric could Alabama football be on defense this season?

Alabama edge updates development of 4-star inside linebacker

The answer comes down to how many players Kane Wommack can produce to affect opposing quarterbacks in the pocket.

He returns Yhonzae Pierre, a fourth-year edge rusher, following a season where he collected eight sacks (team-high), 14.5 tackles for loss (team-high), nine quarterback hurries (team-high), and three forced fumbles. Pierre will draw much attention from offensive coaches; however, the Crimson Tide has a sophomore ready to help him on the outside.

Justin Hill, a former four-star from Cincinnati, Ohio, has made it his mission to become a complete pass rusher.

Alabama edge Justin Hill (#8) is modeling his game after a former two-time Suer Bowl Champion.

3/25/25 MFB Spring Practice
Alabama Linebacker Justin Hill (8)
Photo by Kent Gidley

He provided some excitement in 15 games last year, posting 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup.

Former 4-star edge “will stand out” at Alabama in 2026 season, per Yhonzae Pierre

Who is Justin Hill modeling his game after?

The 6-foot-3, 244-pounder had a good spring, and the coaching staff looks at him as someone that brings speed, power, and edge-bending abilities to harass quarterbacks. Hill mentioned to reporters after A-Day that he wants to ‘go through’ quarterbacks in generating pressure.

He also wants to pattern his game after a former two-time Super Bowl Champion.

Hill detailed the former two-time Butkus Award winner he’s emulating.

“I am watching guys like Von Miller,” Hill said. “I’m watching a lot of speed to power guys.”

Hill stated Nik Bonitto of the Denver Broncos as another National Football League pass rusher he is studying. Bonitto has 37 sacks and 44 tackles for loss in four seasons with the Broncos – including a career-high 14 sacks in 2025.

Miller is one of the greatest pass rushers in the history of the league. He has 138.5 career sacks, including seven seasons with 10-plus sacks.

Miller has two Super Bowl rings, a Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honor, three first-team All-Pro honors, eight Pro Bowl nods, and is on the NFL’s 2010 All-Decade Team.

Hill learned to ‘cut it loose’ as an edge rusher from Pierre, so the combination of that and studying film on Miller should prepare him to be a force in the fall.

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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama.
He is a seasoned writer that has covered Alabama football for Touchdown Alabama Magazine since 2009. Smith has extensive knowledge within the program, which has made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Throughout his career, Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.

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Alabama

YMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort

Published

14 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

YMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort

SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) – The YMCA of South Alabama held a Healthy Kids Day at Spanish Fort Town Center Park.

Saturday’s event featured games and demonstrations, along with interactive activities featuring police and fire vehicles.

“I think just seeing so many organizations come together that serve kids, and just seeing kids have fun,” said Gwen Summer, CEO of the YMCA of South Alabama.

Marissa Rennaker, director of development for the YMCA of South Alabama, said the event exposed children to new activities.

“I think it’s been seeing all the kids laugh and try different things that they probably haven’t tried before,” Rennaker said. “There was a big group doing pickleball and yoga. We had ballet earlier, so just getting them out and exposed to things, I think it’s been great.”

The event was designed to kick off a healthy, active summer.

The YMCA of South Alabama is located at 27080 Pollard Road in Daphne.

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Alabama

Former Alabama superstar signs massive extension with NFL team

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Former Alabama superstar signs massive extension with NFL team

Former Alabama star Will Anderson Jr. has reportedly signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Houston Texans, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Anderson instantly solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in football throughout his rookie campaign in 2023. The star defensive end was named as the Rookie of the Year in 2023, as Anderson’s extension will officially keep him in Houston long-term, as well as make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

Anderson recorded an impressive 12 sacks on the Texans’ defensive line in 2025, as the former Alabama star has made history following his head turning extension with Houston.

Anderson was nothing short of a superstar throughout his time at Alabama. Houston drafted the talented lineman with the third overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, as Anderson was widely regarded as one of the top overall selections from his class.

The former Crimson Tide superstar has officially inked a massive extension with the Texans, as Anderson will undoubtedly continue playing a critical role on Houston’s defensive line over the coming seasons.

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