POINT CLEAR – Rep. Mac McCutcheon (R-Huntsville) recently received the 2013 Legislative Leadership Award from the Alabama Association of Regional Councils (AARC).

Earlier this year, Rep. Mac McCutcheon, center, presented a check for $10,000 to Dr. Brian Clayton, at right, principal at James Clemens High School and Madison City Schools Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler. (CONTRIBUTED)

McCutcheon accepted the honor at the AARC annual training conference at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear. This annual meeting with county and municipal employees focuses on senior service programs, economic development and transportation.

McCutcheon, who is chairman of House Rules Committee, received the award for his advocacy for services to help senior citizens and retail growth. In the 2013 legislative session, McCutcheon was house sponsor for a bill that diverted a portion of license tag revenue from the Penny Trust Fund into the senior service meals program.

“This (bill) is a great example of how the legislature and AARC can work together to benefit citizens,” McCutcheon said. The Legislative Fiscal Office estimates the legislation will raise approximately $500,000 for additional meals for seniors and make progress to accommodate 10,000 elderly citizens on the waiting list.

“Rep. McCutcheon has been a great leader in Alabama and has worked hard to give more resources to our seniors,” AARC President Greg Clark said at the Point Clear meeting. “We … express our gratitude for his leadership.”

For 20 years, the regional councils have received state funding to provide technical assistance to fund programs that help local communities. A portion of these funds serve as matching capital to create jobs with the Revolving Loan Fund, enhance community development and enact programs for the elderly.

Each of the AARC’s 12 regional councils is a public organization that directly serves local governments with pertinent legislation. To help communities, the councils plan, make policy and give technical assistance.

For more information, visit alarc.org.