AL SJR58

Opposes proposed changes by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget that would increase the population threshold for metropolitan statistical areas from 50,000 to 100,000, based solely on national population doubling since the original threshold was established.

Seven Alabama population centers would be downgraded from metropolitan to micropolitan statistical areas under the proposed standards, including Decatur, Auburn-Opelika, Anniston-Oxford, Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, Dothan, Florence-Muscle Shoals, and Gadsden.

Contends that downgrading these areas would negatively impact business recruitment and job expansion despite their demonstrated suitability for economic development, citing that Decatur ranked second nationally in its class for total projects and Auburn-Opelika ranked sixth in its class.

Directs copies of this resolution be delivered to the President of the United States and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to formally register Alabama's opposition as an official public comment on the proposal.