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 / Legislature

Medical marijuana bill “is not about getting high” — it’s “about getting well.”

More than half of U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana in some form. Last week, the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee passed SB165 on an 8 to 1 vote. If the measure becomes law, it will allow Alabama residents to obtain medical marijuana under rigorously imposed conditions. Known as the Compassion … Continued

Bill Britt

February 26, 2020

Paper lottery said to be close to having votes for House passage

A yet to be submitted paper only lottery bill by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, the House budget chairman, reportedly has over 60 co-sponsors, according to those familiar with the legislation. Any lottery measure requires a constitutional amendment that can only pass with a three-fifths vote of the membership in both chambers, which equates to 63 … Continued

Bill Britt

February 25, 2020

Bill unlocks the “revolving door” for public employees

After a brief introduction lasting approximately three minutes, SB177 passed out of the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee with a favorable report. If the legislation sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, becomes law, it will radically alter the “revolving door” statute permitting any public employee to leave a government job and immediately return … Continued

Bill Britt

February 24, 2020

Likely Republican primary voters reject Poarch Creeks “winning” plan

A survey of likely Republican primary voters obtained by APR shows that a majority do not support giving the Poarch Band of Creek Indians a monopoly over gaming in the state despite the tribe’s promise of a billion dollars. Over the last several months, PCI has orchestrated a massive media blitz to convince Alabamians that … Continued

Bill Britt

February 18, 2020

Speaker McCutcheon standing with governor on gaming workgroup

During her 2020 State of the State address, Gov. Kay Ivey said she would be signing an Executive Order to establish a small working group to gather all the facts on how much money the State could gain if some form of gaming expansion occurred. She also asked the Legislature to give her time for … Continued

Bill Britt

February 13, 2020

Opinion

Deception, subtlety and the wholesale destruction of current ethics laws mark proposed rewrite

Legislation proposed by Rep. Mike Ball, R-Madison, would radically alter the existing State Ethics Act rendering it useless as an effective tool to regulate the behavior of public officials, much less prosecute a rouge lawmaker. Testifying at a pre-trial hearing in the criminal case against then-Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard in April 2015, Ball … Continued

Bill Britt

February 12, 2020

Developer Tim James proposes privately-funded toll road as “catalyst for economic growth”

A proposed privately-fund toll road connecting U.S. 280 in Sylacauga to I-65 in Calera will open miles of new highway, giving travelers and businesses much needed access for east-to-west traffic in both counties, according to the company behind the project. “Imagine faster trips west and south while avoiding U.S. Highway 280 traffic to Birmingham,” writes … Continued

Bill Britt

February 12, 2020

Marsh holds meeting with gaming interests day after Ivey calls for the Legislature to stand down on gaming

Despite Gov. Kay Ivey’s call for the Legislature to give her “time to get the facts,” on a lottery and gaming before proceeding with legislation, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh summoned representatives of the Poarch Creek Band of Indians and two of the state’s dog tracks to sit down and discuss moving ahead on … Continued

Bill Britt

February 10, 2020

Ivey seizes gaming issue

Toward the end of her 2020 State of the State address, Gov. Kay Ivey snatched the issue of a state lottery and gaming from the hands of the Legislature. “I will be signing an Executive Order to establish a small working group of some of Alabama’s most distinguished citizens, to begin working, to gather all … Continued

Bill Britt

February 6, 2020

McClendon introduces legislation to rein in gambling influence in state politics

At a press conference earlier today, Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, introduced legislation that prohibits gambling interests from giving money to candidates for the Legislature, the lieutenant governor, and the governor. It likewise bans candidates for those offices from accepting campaign contributions from gambling interests. “The purpose of this legislation is to get things in Alabama … Continued

Bill Britt

February 3, 2020