Black Belt Caucus nominates co-chairs and adopts charter

Members of the Black Belt Caucus met informally after experiencing quorum problems, nominated co-chairs and approved a caucus charter during a session in which Representative Ingram was delayed, participants said.

The charter vote followed discussion about meeting logistics and who would serve as co-chairs. Attendees discussed asking for privileges and meeting as close to the chamber as possible while waiting for a full complement of members. One participant noted Representative Ingram was stuck in traffic and expected to arrive after 9:30 a.m.

After several nominations, a motion was made and seconded to adopt the caucus charter. Meeting audio records the chair calling for the vote: “All in favor? Aye.” The transcript does not identify the members who moved or seconded the motion, nor does it record a formal roll-call tally; the chair indicated the motion passed.

Members also discussed how co-chair responsibilities would rotate, with one person serving the first year and another serving the following year so that both would get opportunities to serve. The group agreed to have legal staff review the charter draft.

A press release will be prepared listing everyone present in the caucus; the two co-chairs were asked to review the draft before it is released to media, members said.

The meeting included logistical notes about room location changes and the need for one more member to reach a formal quorum before some actions could proceed. Participants also referenced recent job losses in an agricultural office in the Black Belt region and suggested the caucus might hold a town hall on that issue in the future.