Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has thrown his support toward efforts to promote better disaster preparedness, endorsing an annual one-week tax holiday for items like first aid supplies and electric generators.
Bentley said in connection with his proclamation of Feb. 19-24 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Alabama that efforts are ongoing to put recommendations for the sales tax holiday in place. No legislation has been introduced in the state Legislature, as yet.
The idea was suggested by the Tornado Recovery Action Council formed following the deadly April 27, 2011 tornadoes that killed at least 250 people in the state. Alabama already has a similar sales tax holiday in August for back-to-school supplies.
“Anything we can do to encourage people to take this seriously,” Alabama Department of Emergency Management Agency Director Art Faulkner told the Associated Press. “It’s great to give people an incentive to be proactive.”
