FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2024

MONTGOMERY, Ala. —Senator Chris Elliott and Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston today released the following statement after Senate Bill 77 advanced out of the County and Municipal Government Committee.

The bill, sponsored by Elliott, revises the governing structure of the Department of Archives and History’s Board of Trustees.

“Unelected bureaucrats claiming superiority over the very people they’re meant to serve goes against the foundation of our republic. State-funded institutions are meant to reflect the will of the people, yet the Department of Archives and History has blatantly disregarded Alabama’s longstanding commitment to defending democracy and instead promoted their own professional political class,” said Elliott. “Legislators have heard the concerns of our constituents across Alabama, and we have answered with a legislative result to implement good governance. I am proud to sponsor legislation that defends democracy for the people of Alabama.”

“The Department of Archives and History board is the definition of self-perpetuating power within bureaucracy. The current board of trustees has supported programming and education that undermines Alabama’s values,” said Livingston. The Legislature established the Archives to research and preserve Alabama’s history, not to utilize public funds to promote a social agenda inconsistent with our state’s principles. Senate Republicans are committed to reining in the power of unelected boards and holding people accountable, especially when using taxpayers’ money.”

###