Author

Darrio Melton

News

Entrepreneurs are the Heart of the American Dream

By Rep. Darrio Melton The American Dream is built on the principles of hard work and ingenuity. In today’s economy, though, these virtues are paying off less and less as more people are unable or unwilling to pursue their dreams. The ability to create your own path–to start a business, to develop an idea, to … Continued

Darrio Melton

May 13, 2014

Opinion

Celebrate the Gift of a Mother This Week

By Rep. Darrio Melton This week, families will come together to honor our mothers, our matriarchs, and the women who made the biggest impacts on our lives as we grew into adults. I was raised by a single mom with the assistance of my grandmother. I watched both of them work and sacrifice to give … Continued

Darrio Melton

May 6, 2014

Opinion

We Must Find a Solution for Our Broken Prison System

By Rep. Darrio Melton The United States incarcerates its citizens at a higher rate than any other nation in the world. As a percent of the total population, there are more Americans in prison than in Russia, North Korea, Syria or Iran. These tough on crime” policies that began with the War on Drugs have … Continued

Darrio Melton

April 29, 2014

Opinion

Alabama must embrace a spirit of new energy to tackle tough issues

By Rep. Darrio Melton Easter is a special type of holiday because it comes with a sense of new energy, new beginnings and new growth. Easter is a chance to challenge ourselves to find things in that are broken and dead that need rebirth. It is our chance to find those things in our life … Continued

Darrio Melton

April 22, 2014

Opinion

We Can Learn from Holy Week- Love One Another

By Rep. Darrio Melton On Sunday, we gathered together at church to celebrate Palm Sunday, marking the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem and began his journey to the cross. Holy Week, the week from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, is one of the more symbolic and important weeks of our Christian faith, giving us several … Continued

Darrio Melton

April 15, 2014

Opinion

Governor Bentley Needs to Send the Legislature to Summer School

By Rep. Darrio Melton The Legislature has officially adjourned for 2014, leaving the Governor with a tough decision to make by April 13. On March 5, Governor Bentley came out strong in support of teachers, saying that he would veto an education budget that did not include a two-percent teacher pay raise and full funding … Continued

Darrio Melton

April 8, 2014

Opinion

The Republican Supermajority Has Undermined The Principles Of Democracy

By Rep. Darrio Melton This week is the last week of the 2014 legislative session and the last legislative days before the 2014 election cycle. Looking back on the past four years under the Republican Supermajority’s control, I’m struggling to think of many good things that have come out of this quadrennium. I’m hoping for a change … Continued

Darrio Melton

April 1, 2014

Opinion

It’s Time for Governor to Quit Breaking Promises

By Rep. Darrio Melton Governor Bentley has gone back on another promise to the people of Alabama, proving once again that his interests are intimately intertwined with the Montgomery insiders–the group of well-off politicians who profit off the people. On March 5, Bentley said that he would attach an executive amendment to any education budget … Continued

Darrio Melton

March 25, 2014

Opinion

Teacher Pay Raise Should be Legislative Priority

By Rep. Darrio Melton Every year, the last legislative days are crowded with budget debates. This year is shaping up to be no different. The Education Trust Fund budget, the budget that funds public education, is always a delicate balance between the requests of the Governor, the Legislature and the Department of Education. This year, … Continued

Darrio Melton

March 18, 2014

Opinion

Republicans are Wasting Tax Dollars and Avoiding Issues

By Rep. Darrio Melton This legislative session, we have watched the Alabama Republican supermajority waste tax payer money and avoid doing the jobs they were elected to do. Each day the House has convened this legislative session, they have only worked for two to three hours before adjourning. This is an attempt to slow down … Continued

Darrio Melton

March 4, 2014