Crybaby Andrew Jones derails legislative session during tantrum over supposed delay to his local bill designed to destroy a small business in his Senate district

It seems these days in Alabama you can't go much more than a week without news of Andrew Jones stinking up the joint. Jones tries hard to be everywhere and anywhere he can get his beak wet with a flashing camera offering a photo opportunity or a hack journalist lurking around to validate his existence. Considering the desperate efforts by Jones to somehow become relevant in Alabama politics, this latest legislative dustup with the senator from Cherokee County at the center of it should come as no surprise.

1819 News;

MONTGOMERY — Lawmakers in the House and Senate engaged in a brief bout of gamesmanship Tuesday, as the chambers refused to pass each other's bills with only nine legislative days left in the 2025 regular session.

After a relatively normal start, the day took an unusual turn when House leadership suddenly began carrying over every Senate bill. This happened after State Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre) asked the Senate to carry over House bills while threatening a filibuster.

Jones cited issues with how House leadership handled Senate bills and threatened to hold up House bills for the remainder of the session.

"It's nothing against the bill or the content of the bill; I've just got some concerns with our processes, which are common courtesies between the House and Senate, and how I feel like our Senate bills are not being handled properly in the House," Jones said in the Senate chamber. "I don't think that's good for anyone. When we change the process up and do things that are not customary, then that's not a good posture to be in."

"This is not just a today thing. I'm happy to be up here every day from here on out, long as I need to on these [House Bills] until we get this ironed out. I'm hopeful we'll get it ironed out. You know, we just got nine legislative days left. I am going to bring some comfy shoes again if I have to be here for all nine days. We'll just see how that shakes out."

The House swiftly reciprocated, with House Rules Committee chairman State Rep. Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn) motioning to carry over the remaining Senate bills on the House Special Order Calendar.

Jones did not reveal which bills, in particular, his actions were based on.

Downstairs in the House, Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) was thoroughly unimpressed with the display, calling the Senate's claim of unequal bill passage "hogwash."

This Senator Andy mess all hit the front page of 1819 News on the same day as another article featuring Jones making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

1819 News;

LaBreeska Ponder, co-owner of Indian Mountain ATV Park in Piedmont, told 1819 News, "This bill totally is designed to regulate our small business and only our small business. We are the sole and only off-road park in Cherokee County."

"This bill puts our operating of business solely into the hands of the county commission. It does not allow us to regulate our own business anymore. That is a big way it affects us," Ponder said.

The bill has generated heated discussions on social media. The local bill passed the Senate unanimously and is currently in the House County and Municipal Government Committee.

The Senate delayed multiple bills sponsored by House members scheduled for votes on Tuesday after Jones requested they be carried due to "processes and common courtesies" being subverted in ways that are "outside of the norm." The House responded to the Senate's delay by postponing votes on bills sponsored by Senators. Jones was asked by a reporter if his requests to carry over House bills had anything to do with his local off-road vehicle park bill.

"That bill is in House committee, and that's all I know about the status of it at the moment," Jones said.

Jones told local WEIS radio, "The Facebook warriors seem to be forgetting about the local Cherokee County residents who live around the ATV Park."

Here are some excerpts from the article by Cherokee County local news outlet WEIS Radio;

WEIS Radio;

Locally, the bill has been met with much resistance. Especially from those in the tight family of ATV and off road enthusiasts. They have been very vocal against the bill, and state they feel it is an over reach and over regulation, that many feel would be harmful to not only Indian Mountain ATV Park, but the local and area economy. In speaking with individuals this week, who want to see the bill killed in committee, a theme that was very common was their support for the Ponder family who owns and operates Indian Mountain ATV park.

The park features 4,700 acres of riding trails, as well as hiking, cabins, camping, and fishing and is owned and operated by Kirk and Labreeska Ponder. It is located at 11620 County Road 8, Piedmont. This is located in District One of Cherokee County, in the district represented by Andrew Jones’ Father Randy Jones. WEIS Radio had the opportunity to speak with Mrs. Ponder this week regarding the bill and she provided us with this statement:

“In reference to the Senate Bill 234, Just reading it and watching it transpire down in Montgomery, it has been truly heartbreaking for us to watch, and see that our elected officials from the county to the state level have targeted a small business, a single small business, our small business. I know that we provide much needed tax revenue for Cherokee County, as well we have created other businesses , or other people have created small businesses I should say, in their small businesses and through those small businesses we have assisted with fundraisers and charity. We have proudly supported many of the local schools and civic groups, food banks in the area in Cherokee County and the surrounding areas. The Bill that Senator Jones has represented is a direct government overreach and should very much frighten the people in this area and this community in the way it is using legislative and executive power in this state to attack local business , and Indian Mountain ATV Park, Our Business. “

We also spoke with Max Lawrence, the owner of Max Offroad LLC in Adger. Max told us about how he had sold everything and poured everything he had into opening his business. He expressed concern over how he felt the bill could negatively impact his business and those of others in the industry.

Lawrence first spoke of the Ponders and Indian Mountain ATV Park. He echoed what we have been told by almost everyone we spoke with in the ATV community, that “They are the best park around.” He said he was “Afraid if this passes, people will be less likely to go there and ride. A lot of people who read this bill feel like it will end up making it too expensive to ride.” “It could help take Indian Mountain ATV Park away, and that would effect a lot of people. It is big to us. We do not want to lose that. We cannot afford to lose that park. I believe the bill would make things too expensive.”

Lawrence went on to say he believed the end goal was to close the park. It was his belief, and that of others we spoke to, that they think the property may be wanted to use for walking trails. Of Jones, he said “I think he is trying to make it where (inspections) are not passable for the park. The bill is designed so they can take it away to put in walking trails.”

Lawrence said he believed strongly that the bill would end up decreasing business not only at the park, but for himself, and the many other businesses that depend on the park in the ATV industry. A belief echoed by other business owners in the area who wished to not go on record in Senator Jones’ District. Lawrence said “Most of my business comes from out of state, or from hours away. I own one of the best shops around, and if less people come from that park and area, it will definitely hurt my business. A lot of people come to me from that park, the come after rides and events for repairs. It would hurt my business and others I have talked to in this industry.”

Speaking on the Ponders, he reflected what Mrs. Ponder said of their charity. He said “The Ponders are some of the best people I know. They do a ton to help people, and they help a lot of kids. If they need something, they tell them to come on. Then they do a fundraiser. A lot of kids who may not have a Christmas or know what Christmas is like, they help out with that. It will take money away from a park that helps veterans, kids, and people with cancer.”

Economic studies have shown the park generates close to 15 million dollars to the local economy. We have reached out to Senator Jones for a statement and for the opportunity to answer critics of the bill.

We reached out to Senator Andrew Jones, who proved us with the following statement in response to the feedback on the bill:

"The Facebook warriors seem to be forgetting about the local Cherokee County residents who live around the ATV Park."

Senator Andy derides his constituents that he is actively seeking to disenfranchise as "facebook warriors" when he has cravenly failed to provide them with a forum to air their concerns publicly over the stunning government overreach which he has packed into his local bill. As if Andy is some profile in courage to question the bravery of those who criticize his big government antics. That could very well open the door to questioning the logic or lack thereof of Jones chairing the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Safety Committee when he himself has never served his country. Singing a swishy karaoke version of "In the Navy" as an honorary member of the Village People is the closest Jones has ever come to wearing the uniform.

These histrionic fits thrown by Jones are reminiscent of the Queen of Hearts crying "off with their heads" after someone had knocked a crown from his head that was never there to begin with. Heaven forbid the house were to pass this local bill and it was signed into law by the governor in the face of overwhelming opposition to it by the voters of Alabama who put these elected officials into office. Don't repeat the grave errors of the Senate that failed to read this local bill before passing it. Read the bill, listen to your voters and let this local bill die an inglorious death as the clock runs out on it for the second year in a row.