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].

Poarch Creeks subject of multiple federal probes, White House is watching

UPDATE: Late Friday evening, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians released a statement disputing that the tribe is under investigation, calling the comments from sources cited in the story below “untrue.” Tribal chairwoman Stephanie Bryan called the story an “attack” on the Poarch Creeks and said the tribe operates its businesses “with the highest degree … Continued

Bill Britt

May 9, 2019

Russian expat hires Poarch Creek’s lobbyist to hawk legislation to monitor contractor’s work

A former Russian banker’s company is now offering software to the state that would take screen captures of contractor PCs at least once every three minutes and also track keystrokes and mouse activity. Poarch Creek’s lobbyist, Barton & Kinney, LLC, is pushing legislation similar to that being hawked in New Jersey and 20-plus other states … Continued

Bill Britt

May 6, 2019

Opinion

State lawmaker should not continue to give the Poarch Creeks a monopoly

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which is comprised of fewer than 4,000 members, have a monopoly over gaming in Alabama. The lottery legislation passed last week by the Senate, if adopted unamended in the House, will ensure the tribe’s monopoly not only continues but will grow exponentially. A “paper lottery,” as sponsored by the … Continued

Bill Britt

April 29, 2019

Opinion

Senate must wake up before selling out the state to Poarch Creeks

On Twitter, former conservative Senate Republican lawmaker Dick Brewbaker called on his colleagues to “Wake up!!!” It now appears a few senators are coming out from under the fog surrounding the pro-Indian lottery bill and realizing that not only have they been played for fools by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, they have also … Continued

Bill Britt

April 25, 2019

What do Alabama Republican lawmakers and Trump haters have in common?

Alabama Republican lawmakers want the public to believe they are among President Donald Trump’s most avid supporters; however, many take money from those who back Trump haters. A look at campaign donations given by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians finds they financially back Trump’s most ardent enemies. From Hillary Clinton to Speaker of the … Continued

Bill Britt

April 24, 2019

Out-of-state corporate interests fighting legislation to protect Alabama’s small businesses

Washington, D.C.-based International Franchise Association has come to Alabama to battle against legislation proposed by Rep. Connie Rowe, R-Jasper, that would protect the state’s small business interests. At the State House, IFA is portraying its efforts as advocacy for small franchises, when in fact, the group fronts for corporate giants; McDonald’s, PepsiCo, Coca Cola, CKE … Continued

Bill Britt

April 24, 2019

Over 50 percent of Senate Republicans accepted money from Indian casino; now they want their vote

As a floor vote on a pro-Indian lottery bill nears, Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh said he has the votes to pass the bill he is co-sponsoring along with Sen. Greg Albritton. Marsh and Albritton are pushing a constitutional amendment that would further solidify the Poarch Band of Creek Indians gaming monopoly in … Continued

Bill Britt

April 23, 2019

Optometrists push back against survey

A recent statewide survey of 500 likely voters published by Alabama Political Reporter found that an overwhelming majority of those polled oppose a proposed change in state law that would allow individuals who are not medical doctors to perform eye surgery. Nearly 80 percent of Alabamians oppose such a move, according to the survey. Alabamians … Continued

Bill Britt

April 23, 2019

Five Republicans who may approve a pro-Indian lottery received over $100,000 from the tribe

The Senate Tourism and Marketing committee will vote Tuesday on a bill that, if approved, would give the Poarch Band of Creek Indians a complete monopoly over gaming operations in the state. If adopted, it will also eliminate legal pari-mutuel gaming at the state’s four race tracks, cost jobs in Macon, Greene and Jefferson Counties … Continued

Bill Britt

April 22, 2019

Opinion

Promises give way to buzzards’ feast

Just east of I-65 on the way into Montgomery this week, buzzards circled overhead as Buffalo Springfield’s ’60s protest song, “For What It’s Worth,” played on satellite radio. Perhaps a fitting omen for a legislative session that has so far seen little in the way of actual proposals that benefit the people of Alabama. What … Continued

Bill Britt

April 18, 2019