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Bill Britt

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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].

AG, commerce secretary hide real problem with economic development bill

During a hearing on Wednesday to discuss the controversial economic development bill, HB317, not a soul present addressed the critical problem with the bill — the gaping loophole created by allowing individuals to work as part-time economic development professionals. Of course, the bill doesn’t use the words part-time. Instead, it calls this individual a “less … Continued
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March 16, 2018
Opinion

Opinion

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Piecemeal approach to ethics reform continues, and it’s questionable

Two bills designed to dramatically alter current ethics laws were approved by the House Ethics Committee last week. As introduced in the House, HB387, sponsored by Republican lawmaker Rep. Rich Wingo, would among other things allow public officials to hide potentially illegal acts under a new notifications rule. Wingo’s bill is companion legislation to SB221, … Continued
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March 12, 2018

County sheriffs under fire, but the facts are a little skewed

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Recently, a lawsuit led primarily by Atlanta-based Southern Center for Human Rights and joined by Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, has garnered some provocative headlines while ignoring or distorting facts about specific county sheriffs’ use of funds provided to feed inmates held in county jails. Under current … Continued
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March 7, 2018
Opinion

Opinion

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Crusaders against payday lenders sink to new low

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter When well-intentioned organizations host speakers whose goal is to tar a particular individual or business, it dirties the good works mission of the group and cast doubts over the program’s real purpose. So it was when Leadership Birmingham invited Dr. Neal Berte. e, retired head of Birmingham Southern College … Continued
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March 6, 2018

State ignores potential for financial collapse in selecting troubled company to fix beleaguered prisons

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter The state’s Legislative Contract Review Committee has momentarily halted a nearly $400 million contract with a prison health provider that is currently being charged with participating in one of, “the largest and longest-running criminal conspiracies, in the history of Mississippi,” according to the state’s attorney general. Alabama  selected Wexford Heath … Continued
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March 5, 2018
Opinion

Opinion

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Notes on a theme: Nonsense

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Mammoth prison spending contract headed to contract review The State of Alabama is entering into a contract to pay Wexford Health Sources Inc., nearly $400 million over the next two years to provide, “comprehensive healthcare including medical and mental health care and management services to state inmates,” according to … Continued
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February 28, 2018
Opinion

Opinion

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New ethics reforms are born to die

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Long-awaited legislation to strengthen and clarify existing ethics laws is being sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh, R-Anniston. Senate Bill 343 pointedly addresses significant concerns — both real and theoretical — within the code, from charitable giving, who is a principal, what are acceptable gifts under the … Continued
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February 27, 2018