Sparks brings campaign to city
By Staff
Jonathan Willis
Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Ron Sparks made his way through the county over the weekend visiting with potential voters and pushing his ideas for change.
Sparks, a two-term commissioner of agriculture, is seeking the Democratic Party's nomination for governor.
"I have the vision to move the state forward," Sparks said while taking a break from Saturday's heat during the annual Watermelon Festival.
"Alabama is going through a period of time that we didn't think we would ever see."
One of the issues on Sparks' platform is his commitment to keeping taxes off the working class.
"I have made a commitment to the people of Alabama that I am not going to raise taxes on working men and women," he said.
"I am going to raise taxes on the fastest growing industry in the state – gambling. Like it or not, gaming is here in Alabama, and it's getting bigger every day. I want to tax it and put the money in the education trust fund, Medicaid and to provide relief to Alabama farmers during times of drought and disease."
Another issue Sparks thinks Alabamians are ready for is a statewide lottery to fund education.
Even though a lottery was voted down in 1999, Sparks feels this is the time to implement one in Alabama.
"A life start education lottery would give every child in Alabama a chance at a good education," he said.
Sparks said if elected, he'd seek laws requiring that lottery proceeds go only toward providing college scholarships for students who maintain a "C" average and trade-school tuition for those who aren't suited for college.
Sparks said that if the state's graduation rate rose by five percent, it would save Alabama $125 million a year.
"If there was a better way I would look at it," Sparks said. "But, I want to take the money that we are spending in Mississippi and Georgia and educate our children here in Alabama."
Another key platform for Sparks is rolling back property tax appraisals to every four years and to remove taxes from food.
"I have gotten up every day and fought for the farmers of this state," Sparks said. "When I am elected, I will get up each day to fight for the working men and women of Alabama."
Sparks is running against U.S. Rep. Artur Davis.
