Author

Chip Brownlee

Chip Brownlee is a former political reporter, online content manager and webmaster at the Alabama Political Reporter. He is now a reporter at The Trace, a non-profit newsroom covering guns in America.

News / Legislature

Gov. Kay Ivey calls special session on gas tax

Gov. Kay Ivey has called a special session intended to force lawmakers to focus on her proposed gas tax hike. Her decision comes after she said she would do so “if necessary” during her second State of the State address just an hour earlier on Tuesday. The governor’s call during the beginning of the regular … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 5, 2019

At least 23 killed after “catastrophic” tornadoes hit Lee County

At least 23 people are dead after a series of severe storms and a potential tornado hit a rural area of Lee County south of Auburn and Opelika on Sunday afternoon. Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said the number currently stands at 23, but could potentially rise as search crews are able to comb through … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 4, 2019

Ivey’s infrastructure bill would raise gas tax by 10 cents, place fees on electric and hybrid vehicles

Gov. Kay Ivey’s infrastructure plan would increase the state motor fuels tax by 10 cents over the next three years and implement registration fees on electric and hybrid vehicles. The plan to increase revenues in order to invest in infrastructure — dubbed the Rebuild Alabama Act — is being sponsored in the Alabama House of … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 4, 2019

Sen. Shelby is now Alabama’s longest-serving U.S. senator

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, has now served longer than any other U.S. senator from the state. On Sunday, Shelby surpassed former U.S. Sen. John Sparkman to become the longest-serving U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. Shelby has now served 32 years and 60 days. That’s 11,749 days in the U.S. Senate. Sparkman’s record … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 4, 2019

Alabama takes step to create civil asset forfeiture database

The Alabama District Attorneys Association is taking steps to create a reporting system to keep track of the use of civil asset forfeiture in Alabama. The ADAA, Rep. Arnold Mooney, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and other public policy groups announced the creation of the Alabama Forfeiture Accountability System. The new database system will track … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 1, 2019

Bill would require legislative approval of some agency rule changes

A pre-filed bill would require agencies to seek legislative approval from Alabama lawmakers before enacting any new rule or rule change that would have an economic impact of more than $1 million. Rep. Wes Allen, a Republican, said he is proposing the legislation because new regulations make it hard for small businesses and farmers to … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 1, 2019

Alabama missed out on full funding of Medicaid expansion. This bill would fix that.

Alabama Sen. Doug Jones is partnering with Virginia Sen. Mark Warner to introduce a bill that would make up for federal funding lost to states that chose not to expand Medicaid in the first years of the Affordable Care Act. The bill would allow states to take advantage of a similar match rate to those … Continued

Chip Brownlee

February 27, 2019

Lawmaker files bill to re-up Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee

An Alabama lawmaker filed a bill Monday to reorganize the Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee. The committee reviews the long-term plans and budget for the Alabama Department of Transportation. Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, Monday filed a bill to authorize the reorganization of the committee. “There has been much discussion about the upcoming session and, specifically, funding … Continued

Chip Brownlee

February 26, 2019

Three Alabamians recognized at White House during Black History Month event

Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington and Gov. Kay Ivey’s Minority Affairs Director Nichelle Nix were among 350 guests selected to attend a reception hosted by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in honor of Black History Month. The event Thursday evening honored the extraordinary contributions of African-Americans across the country. Ivey … Continued

Chip Brownlee

February 25, 2019

KKK editorial writer steps down: “I’m going to drink beer and sex young women”

The editor and publisher of a small town newspaper who called for the resurgence of the KKK and for the lynching of Democratic politicians in an editorial published last week is stepping down after several days of backlash. In an phone interview with the Alabama Political Reporter, the editor and publisher of The Democrat-Reporter, Goodloe Sutton, doubled down … Continued

Chip Brownlee

February 22, 2019