Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
6:27 am Thursday, January 31, 2008

I like 'no English, no license'

By Staff
Jerry Fancher
I agree with Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow that the driver's license examination should only be given in English. If a person cannot read English, how can they follow the laws of the highway and read the signs. If a person does not understand the rules of the road, how can they safely operate a vehicle?
Sen. Roger Bedford has a different view about this law. He says that it will hurt the pro business image that Alabama has developed with foreign corporations who have recently located in Alabama. He said "…It may hurt the image of the state if those people are here and they can't even drive on our roads."
I find it hard to believe that a foreign company would send over executives to work here that do not have a command of the English Language. I would think that giving instructions to employees through an interpreter would hinder the plants productivity.
Perhaps, Sen. Bedford would like to rethink his position on this important legislation, or give his real reason for opposing the bill.
The article also points out that any legislation must be approved by a 60 percent majority, until the Legislature has passed the state budgets. The state budgets never are passed until the twelfth hour. This is an opportunity for both Rep. Morrow and Sen. Bedford to exhibit statesmanship and change the rules of the Legislature to modernize the flow of bills in an orderly fashion.
The citizens of Alabama have suffered many times because these rules have been used to stifle the flow of bills through our Legislature.
These rules are used so a minority of House and Senate members can dictate our Legislative process.
Tuesday is Presidential Primary day in Alabama. Ask, which candidate best reflects your views on the issues? Make your voice count, vote Tuesday.
Jerry Fancher is Chairman of the Franklin County Republican Executive Committee. He can be reached via email at fancherjd@yahoo.com

Also on Franklin County Times
Sheriff: Contraband is constant battle in jails
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said the county jail is not immune to the problem jail officials everywhere face: Inmates coming...
Oliver, Shackelford qualify for sheriff
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver will have to hit the campaign trail to seek a fifth term this year. Oliver, a Republican and Fra...
New welding shop a plus for students
Franklin County, Main, News, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — A new welding shop inside the Russellville High School’s remodeled career tech building offers students more time and space to learn th...
Vina seniors tour NWSCC campuses
News, Vina Red Devils
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
VINA — Vina High School seniors toured the Phil Campbell and Muscle Shoals campuses of Northwest Shoals Community College as part of career planning a...
Can the US solve its electricity crisis?
Columnists, Opinion
January 21, 2026
As America embraces a new year 2026, consumers are looking for relief from an ongoing “affordability crisis.” While prices for some key items have mer...
Book Lovers Study Club helps Safeplace
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
January 21, 2026
Safeplace provides safety, shelter and practical support to people experiencing domestic violence and education aimed at preventing abuse. The regiona...
CB&S Bank announces promotion of Woodard
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE CB&S Bank will have a new chief credit officer this spring as longtime executive Jeff Daniel prepares to retire at the end of the first q...
Vaughn retires from First Metro Bank
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
January 21, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — After a 45-year career in the financial industry, Mike Vaughn has retired from First Metro Bank, where he spent the last three decades ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *