• About $1.9 billion in federal coronavirus relief money for Alabama received a lot of attention in May as state lawmakers and Gov. Kay Ivey grappled for control of it.
• But that was only about half the total money flowing into the state under the federal CARES Act.
• The rest of the funds were mostly made available directly to state agencies through existing programs in order to address pressing needs at the beginning of the pandemic.
• Where exactly did those funds go and how are they being spent?
• Good questions! That's why we asked them.
• ADN's Caroline Beck did a deep dive into how Alabama's pass-thru coronavirus money was allocated, how it is being spent and what the state is doing to keep the spending accountable.
• Think health care, education, child care, community grants, etc.
• She also went "In the Weeds" with State Finance Director Kelly Butler, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow for that podcast interview.
• Read the full, in-depth story HERE.

• According to a recent survey of small businesses, there seems to be some momentum building as the country tries to rebound from the economic recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
• Conducted in May by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) Research Center, the Small Business Economic Trends Survey gauges several different factors to give a current snapshot of where small businesses stand. Such factors include optimism and uncertainty, sales, capital outlays, earnings and labor market.
• “As states begin to reopen, small businesses continue to navigate the economic landscape rocked by COVID-19 and new government policies,” said NFIB’s Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “It’s still uncertain when consumers will feel comfortable returning to small businesses and begin spending again, but owners are taking the necessary precautions to reopen safely.”
• The Small Business Optimism Index increased 3.5 points in May to 94.4, up from April’s 90.9 reading. Eight of the 10 Index components improved in May while two declined. The NFIB Uncertainty Index increased seven in May to 82, up from April’s level of 75. Reports of expected business conditions in the next six months increased five points to a net 34%, following a 24-point increase in April. Owners are optimistic about future business conditions and expect the recession to be short-lived.
• “Small business optimism was good before the shutdown, and it should continue to improve as the restrictions are lifted and things get back to normal,” said NFIB Alabama State Director Rosemary Elebash. 
• Some optimism, albeit limited, is shown in expectations of sales. Sales expectations in the next three months increased 18 points to a net negative 24%.
• Full story from ADN's Will Whatley HERE.

• You may have heard that Congressman Bradley Byrne is making a "major political announcement" today. That word comes from his Senate campaign manager Seth Morrow, and the announcement will be in Daphne at 10:00.

• What will he announce? Good question! I really doubt he's running for anything, as I regrettably confused folks about yesterday. But I think it's a good bet that he'll offer his support in one of the two races where his endorsement could carry weight: Senate or House District 1. To me, House District 1 makes a lot more sense because it is personal to him and Club for Growth is so involved (Byrne and Club acrimony goes way back). But a Senate endorsement is possible and could mean something in South Alabama.

• Speaking of South Alabama, the Alabama Forestry Association has a new poll showing a tight race for U.S. Senate in the 1st & 2nd Congressional Districts. Their poll shows Tommy Tuberville and Jeff Sessions literally tied in those two districts combined. Granted, those districts only make up about 28% of the state, but they could play an outsized role on July 14 because of the competitive congressional runoffs in each. See the poll results HERE.

• And speaking of the Senate race, Sessions is out with a new ad this morning attacking Tuberville on his residency. It uses old campaign trail footage of the coach saying he is "not a full time resident" of the state. Tuberville’s opponents have repeatedly made his residency an issue in the campaign for the GOP Senate nomination. After retiring from coaching, Tuberville located in the Florida panhandle, but has owned a house in Auburn since 2017. Watch the ad HERE.

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