Author

Bill Britt

Bill Britt is editor-in-chief at the Alabama Political Reporter and host of The Voice of Alabama Politics. You can email him at [email protected].

News / Stealing the Statehouse

Using Campaign Donations For Legal Defense: Back Story

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—The Attorney General’s opinion that has led to public officials using campaign donations to pay criminal defense legal fees, began with the indictment of Jefferson County Sheriff Jimmy Woodward in August of 1999. According to the Attorney General’s Office, “Often state law can be confusing; therefore, public officials may … Continued

February 13, 2015

Senate GOP Conference Holding Big Luncheon

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—If having a tasty lunch with 26 Republican State Senators next week tickles your fancy, you might consider writing a big check for the privilege. Just days before the beginning of the 2015 Legislative session, the Alabama Senate Republican Conference, Inc., is hosting a fundraising luncheon. The Conference is … Continued

February 11, 2015

Is Hubbard Breaking The Law With Criminal Defense Payments?

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — Over the last year, Hubbard has used around $300,000 in campaign contributions from his personal account to pay his criminal defense team. Hubbard has never publicly addressed this issue, however, several news outlets around the State have noted that he was using the funds in accordance with … Continued

February 10, 2015

Attorney General Expresses Regret Over SCOTUS Decision

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Today the US Supreme Court denied the State’s request to stay Federal Judge Ginny Granade’s, ruling striking down the State’s ban on same-sex marriage. Attorney General Luther Strange had asked the Court to delay the implementation of that ruling until after the Court rules on the pending challenges to … Continued

February 9, 2015

UAB’s Watts “Academic Profiles in Courage” Recipient

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Recently, UAB President Dr. Ray Watts was lauded as an example of academic courage by The Center for College Affordability and Productivity (CCAP). Watts, who for the last several months has withstood constant hostile fire for his decision to scuttle the university’s football program, would not seem a likely … Continued

February 9, 2015

Could This Be Who Is Paying Hubbard’s Legal Fees?

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Since the fall of 2013, indicted Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard has been collecting campaign donations to pay at least a portion of his criminal defense legal fees. The latest figures show that he has spent just over $286,000 with White Arnold & Dowd and Trussell, Funderburg, Rea … Continued

February 6, 2015

Stan Cooke Running For ALGOP Treasurer

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Conservative Republican Dr. Stan Cooke says, it is not enough for Alabama’s Republican Party to be the “party of choice,” it must also be “the party of leadership,” and this is why he is running for ALGOP treasurer. With a background in business finance, accounting and tax law, Cooke … Continued

February 5, 2015

A Lie Masquerading As A Reason

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Many of the House members who reelected Mike Hubbard as Speaker of the House, even though he has been indicted by the State on 23 Felony counts of public corruption, cite the well-worn phrase, “In this country you are innocent until proven guilty.” The presumption of innocence is a … Continued

February 4, 2015

Paris Group Buys Company With Ties To Hubbard Indictment

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter An Auburn-based company with ties to Speaker Mike Hubbard’s felony incidents has been sold to a global investment firm. CSP Technologies, whose parent company is CV Holdings, LLC, has been purchased by the Paris-based investment group Wendel for $360 million. Among the State’s 23 felony charges against Hubbard, CV … Continued

February 3, 2015

Prison Plan Presents Problems, Challenges, Opportunities

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Last week, the Council of State Governments Justice Center (CSG) gave its fourth presentation on prison reform to the State’s Prison Reform Task Force. CSG has been advising the State on how to affect change at its overcrowded prison as part of Governor Bentley’s prison reform initiative. The report … Continued

February 3, 2015