Jefferson County Commission
Commissioner of Environmental Services
Jim Carns

Commissioner Carns oversees the Department of Environmental Services, Economic Development, Community Development, and Board of Registrars.

Current Speeches

Biography

Jim Carns served Alabama in the Alabama House of Representatives since 1990 and now represents District 5 on the Jefferson County Commission. Jim is a successful businessman as well as a conservative politician. He recently sold his manufacturing business, and he knows what it takes to grow a business, create jobs, and meet a payroll. He knows how hard you work to pay the bills and raise your family and that you pay enough in taxes, sending over $6 billion annually to Montgomery. He believes we need tax reform and better government, not more taxes and bigger government.

Jim’s leadership abilities always put him on the front lines earning the respect of his colleagues who have noted his wisdom and understanding of the issues and his ability to tackle tough issues and ask direct questions. Jim is past chairman of the House Republican Caucus and served as the House Minority Leader. He serves on the Rules Committee, Ways and Means Committee, and is Vice-Chairman of Commerce. He was past chairman of the former Industrial Development and Economic Growth Committee. He has been elected by his peers for 3 of his 4 terms to co-chair the 18-member Jefferson County Legislative Delegation. Jim passed landmark legislation that set up the Holocaust Commission and also serves on it. He has consistently fought all forms of gambling and he requested the opinion of the Alabama Supreme Court that removed video gambling machines from the state. He has always been a champion in pro-family legislation, education issues, tort reform, voter fraud and welfare reform.

Under Jim’s leadership as Chairman of Alabama’s Welfare Reform Commission, Alabama is consistently ranked in the top five states in the nation in implementing welfare reform. Jim drafted, sponsored, and saw through to passage welfare reform legislation in Alabama. He represented Alabama at regional and national conferences on welfare reform.

Jim has remained steadfast in writing, sponsoring and getting strong and effective Voter ID legislation passed for 7 years, finally persevering and seeing it become law in 2003.

Jim promotes expanding and improving our educational system by advocating sensible, responsible, and accountable administration of our tax dollars by removing waste and putting dollars into the classroom. Jim wrote and passed landmark drug intervention legislation requiring strong anti-drug education in every public school.

Jim communicates and works well with other lawmakers and is State Chairman of the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). He also serves on the Energy Council and the Children, Families & Health Committee of the Assembly on State Issues in the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). He serves on the Commission on Manufacturing Economic Stimulus and Free and Fair Trade. Jim is a conservative leader with a global vision and a local focus. He sees Alabama as a state of opportunity and his expertise in economic development has taken him to several countries representing the State of Alabama’s interests.

Jim is a member of numerous organizations including The Federalist Society, Heritage Foundation and Americans United for Life. He has received honor and appreciation from the Alabama Libraries, the Eagle Award from Eagle Forum and garnered a 100% voting record with the Christian Coalition. He is active in the community and serves as an Elder in his church (Briarwood Presbyterian).

Jim, a Birmingham native, graduated from Woodlawn High School. He was selected to be in his high school’s Hall of Fame for Outstanding Achievement in Business. He was President of his social fraternity in college and obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from the University of Alabama in 1962.

Jim enjoys golf, jogging, snow skiing, and is a pilot. Jim’s tireless and unfailing commitment to the preservation of the family in America stems from his devotion to his own family. He has been married to his wife, Judy, for 42 years and they have three adult children and four grandchildren.

Suite 230
Jefferson County Commission
Jefferson County Courthouse
716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd North
Birmingham, AL 35203

Phone: (205) 325-5503
Fax: (205) 325-5960