Local constituents express concerns to Rep. Gary Palmer during town hall

Hundreds of people gathered outside of Hoover City Hall the morning of Feb. 25 to participate in the town hall meeting held by Representative Gary Palmer, and while only approximately 140 guests fit in the chambers, they made sure their voices were heard.

Throughout the meeting, Palmer took questions and comments from residents of his district who were concerned with healthcare, Planned Parenthood, recent threats against Islamic and Jewish communities, immigration, the EPA, education and the general state of the country under President Donald Trump.

In the press briefing before the town hall, Palmer spoke to the idea to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare or the ACA, and echoed his sentiments from the Eggs and Issues breakfast held on Feb. 21.

“It’s failing,” he said. “It’s collapsing under its own weight, and I think we have an obligation to tell the American people the truth and what it takes to fix it.”

He continued, saying that currently they are looking at a plan that would “phase in,” and incorporate what he called a “health savings account” as well as “other options for preexisting conditions.” 

“I’d hope to make sure that we have a plan to have all people insured " he said to the crowd.

Members of the crowd also questioned Palmer about what is being done and what is going to be done about recent threatening acts to local Islamic and Jewish communities.

“I think it’s a federal issue,” he said, “…and I’m very concerned where this is headed.”

He added that he believes these issues should be addressed through law enforcement and through intelligence agencies. This conversation continued to hear from members of the community who are concerned with potential changes to immigration policies. 

“I feel like we can do so much better for the immigrant community,” said a local resident to Palmer. “I want you to know that we feel, here, in Alabama, that we [as immigrants] feel less than equal and we should not feel like that.”

Palmer agreed that everyone should feel welcomed as American citizens, but added that those who are here should become citizens legally. “As I’ve said, we’re not going to deport 11 million people…but at the same time, a nation without borders is not a nation,” Palmer said. He added that he is for an immigration reform and more secure borders.

Other community members expressed their concern with how Palmer is going to protect public school resources and education funding under school choice. “I’m a 30 year public school teacher, and I believe that public education is a defense of democracy and freedom,” said a local teacher. “We need to do everything we can to support public education in America because if we don’t, and it goes away to private and charter, we are diluting ourselves and we are deluding ourselves.”

Palmer stated that he plans to continue to fund programs that are working and succeeding, but added he is “not willing to confine people to a failed school if there is another option.”

One of the final questions brought up by one of the guests addressed the bill Palmer introduced to regulate the actions of the Environmental Protection Agency, and what that could mean for both the agency and the environment.

“What you’ve got to understand is that, if you allow agencies to make law … you can’t hold anybody accountable. You don’t vote for agency directors or bureaucrats, you don’t even know their names,” Palmer said. “They’re bypassing Congress, and what I’m saying is if we’re going to do this, we need to do it legislatively so that you can hold people accountable.”

He continued saying that he does believe there is climate change, but through natural variation. “I do not think our biggest problem is anthropomorphic climate change. And you’re wrong about the arctic ice sheets, they’re expanding,” he said. “Look it up.”

While many questions and comments weren’t answered due to time constraints, resident Laura Nadell felt the town hall had a positive outcome.

“I thought that we did a lot to hopefully convince to other representatives to hold town hall meetings,” she said. “I don’t know that he necessarily answered a lot of questions pointedly … but I still respect him and thank him for coming out.” Nadell added that she hopes he still listens to and considers the opinions of his constituents, even those who are progressives and Democrats.

Palmer did agree to schedule another town hall meeting after hearing the outcries of those who were unable to fit in Hoover City Hall, asking for an additional chance to speak with him in a larger, more accommodating location. 

To view the town hall in its entirety, see our Facebook video.