Doug Jones discusses Alabama issues in WVTM 13 interview
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —
Alabama gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones, a former U.S. senator and U.S. attorney, sat down with WVTM 13 to discuss some of the biggest issues facing the state, including data centers, affordability, crime, health care, education and Alabama’s prison system.
WVTM 13 has reached out to Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s campaign repeatedly to request a sit-down interview with the Republican candidate, but has been unable to get one scheduled.
Data centers
Jones addressed the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and data centers in Alabama. He said the state needs to slow down long enough to establish rules for the industry.
“I want to make sure every community knows exactly what’s going on in their community, and that they have the final say,” Jones said.
Jones proposed a one-year moratorium on new hyperscale data center construction while the state establishes regulations covering issues such as power, water, noise and tax incentives. He said the companies should be required to pay their own costs rather than passing them on to consumers.
Affordability and workforce challenges
Affordability was another major topic. Jones said he would support temporarily suspending Alabama’s gas tax and eliminating the state’s 2% grocery tax.
“Gas, groceries, that’s a start,” Jones said. “Long term, we’ve got to look at housing and we’ve got to look at cost.”
Jones also discussed the state’s workforce challenges, pointing to child care, eldercare and transportation as barriers keeping some Alabamians from working.
“We’ve got to figure out ways to get more child care centers and get childcare costs down,” Jones said.
Crime
On crime, Jones pushed back against Republican candidate Tommy Tuberville’s proposal to potentially deploy the National Guard to Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile.
“The National Guard is not trained for law enforcement purposes,” Jones said. “That is not what they should be there for.”
Jones said he would instead focus on cooperation between local, state and federal law enforcement, as well as additional training and resources.
Health care and Medicaid
Jones said he supports expanding Medicaid in Alabama, arguing the state has missed out on health care funding and that expansion could help struggling rural hospitals.
“We’ve got to invest in our own state health care. We’ve got to invest in people’s health,” Jones said.
He also discussed the state’s shortage of health care access and said expanding Medicaid would be one part of a broader effort to address rural health care.
Lottery and education
Jones said he supports allowing Alabama voters to decide whether to establish a state lottery. He said he would also support a broader gambling bill but would push for a lottery even if a larger package could not pass.
“It’s time that we join the rest of the nation in trying to keep that money at home,” Jones said.
Jones also said he would seek to phase out the portions of the CHOOSE Act that provide public money for private school expenses while keeping assistance for families who homeschool.
“I want to see public education investments, not money going away,” Jones said.
Alabama prisons
Jones said he does not believe Alabama can solve its prison problems simply by building more facilities. He called for an independent review of the Department of Corrections and said he would consider pausing construction of another planned mega prison while its costs and plans are reviewed.
“I don’t think you can build your way out of this problem,” Jones said.
Jones also called for changes to Alabama’s parole and reentry systems and said the state should settle lawsuits over prison conditions.
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