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Chip Brownlee

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 / State

Senate to put economic developer bill on fast track

A bill that would create a new class of individuals dubbed “economic development professionals” and essentially exempt them from lobbying provisions in the state’s ethics laws is on the fast track in the Alabama Senate. A Senate committee will consider the bill, HB317 by Rep. Ken Johnson, R-Moulton, on Wednesday, and Senate President Pro Tem Del … Continued
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March 21, 2018

Lieutenant governor bill likely dead for this session

A bill that would place a referendum on November’s ballot to drastically redefine the role of the lieutenant governor and strip many of the position’s responsibilities is likely dead for this session. The bill, proposed by Republican Sen. Gerald Dial, has been on and off of the Senate floor for the past several weeks as … Continued
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March 21, 2018

Governor signs contract with prison health care provider

Gov. Kay Ivey’s recently signed a contract with Wexford Health — a company that has been the subject of legislative scrutiny because of its proximity to a prison bribery scandal in Mississippi. Ivey’s press office said Monday the governor signed the $360 million contract between the Alabama Department of Corrections and the Pittsburgh-based prison healthcare … Continued
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March 20, 2018

Senate vote on daycare bill postponed — again

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Senate has again delayed a long-awaited vote on a bill to regulate church-affiliated daycares after some members of the caucus, concerned that the bill would intrude on faith-based daycares, appeared ready to fight the bill. The bill was up for a vote in the Senate on Thursday, … Continued
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March 9, 2018

Senate approves extension to payday loan repayment periods

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter Those hoping to reform the payday lending industry marked down a win Thursday when the Senate passed a hotly debated bill that would extend the repayment period for the typical payday loan, giving borrowers more time to repay their loan without racking up excessive interest. The move will effectively cut … Continued
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March 9, 2018

After death of Auburn 3-year-old, Legislature sends Governor “Sadie’s Bill” requiring more oversight of grease pits

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The bill’s sponsors say Sadie Grace Andrew’s death won’t be in vain and her legacy will be one of protecting other little kids just like her. The Senate on Thursday sent the governor “Sadie’s Bill” for her signature. The legislation that would require restaurants and other commercial food establishments … Continued
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March 9, 2018