By MARY SELL, Alabama Daily News
Rep. Lynn Greer, R-Rogersville, will not seek reelection this year.
Greer was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1974 and has served a total of six terms, three continuously since 2010. His public service career also includes nine years on the Public Service Commission.
“I promised my family four years ago I would not run again,” Greer told Alabama Daily News on Friday.
Greer, 80, is still heavily involved in his two businesses, Greer Construction and Greer Management, which manages more than 49 apartment complexes in Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi.
“I have a lot of stress and it’s time for me to get out of the State House,” Greer said.
No other current House member was serving in 1974 and Greer has been a mentor to other Shoals legislators.
“It’s been an honor to serve with him for eight years,” Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence said. Melson said any legislative success he’s had in his two terms is because of Greer’s guidance.
“I support his decision, but I hate it,” Melson said. “He’s going to be missed, for sure.
Some of Greer’s most noteworthy legislation includes the decades-old laws that directed most of the Tennessee Valley Authorities in-lieu-of-taxes funds to counties and communities in north Alabama. Since 1981, Lauderdale County alone has received about $155 million, Greer said.
In his last session, he hopes to pass a bill to remove the state tax on defined contribution retirement plans, something he’s worked on for years.
Senate Bill 18, pre-filed for the session that starts next week, would allow up to $10,000 from defined contribution deferred compensation plans, such as 401Ks, to be exempt from income tax for individuals 65 and older. This exemption will be phased in over a two-year period. Currently, Greer is the chairman of the Transportation Utilities and Infrastructure committee.
The House District 2 seat will be one of at least 20 without an incumbent in this year’s election.
So far, Republican Kimberly Butler is the only candidate raising money for a campaign in the district that includes eastern Lauderdale County and western Limestone County. Candidates’ qualifying deadline is Jan. 28.