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Evan Mealins

Author

Evan Mealins

Evan Mealins is a reporting intern at the Alabama Political Reporter and student at Auburn University working toward a B.A. in media studies. You can follow him on Twitter @EvanMealins or email him at [email protected].

Legislature / News / State

“Fair tax” legislation would replace income, sales tax with consumption tax

Alabama Rep. Mike Holmes, R-Wetumpka, prefiled “fair tax” legislation for the 2020 regular session that replaces state income and sales taxes with a statewide consumption tax.  The legislation, called the Alabama Economic Freedom Act, would create a uniform 8.03 percent tax on all purchases of goods and services in the state. The tax is designed … Continued
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July 23, 2019

Chris Lewis gains endorsement for U.S. Congress

A Huntsville-based defense firm has endorsed Chris Lewis for U.S. Congress.  Dynetics announced Sunday that it is supporting Lewis’s run for Alabama’s 5th Congressional district seat held by five-term incumbent Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville. The Republican primary will be held on March 3, 2020. Dynetics is a science and technology company whose primary customers include the … Continued
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July 22, 2019

New index shows rising prosperity in Alabama and the U.S.

A new U.S. Prosperity Index shows that Alabama is the fifth-lowest ranked state in the Union based on 11 “pillars of prosperity.”  Those pillars — defined by the Legatum Institute, which published the index — are used to quantify the overall prosperity of each state, the results of which are used to rank the 50 … Continued
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July 18, 2019

John Merrill: Voter registration hero or villain?

In Secretary of State John Merrill’s announcement video for his 2020 Senate bid, Merrill said, “Doug Jones does not represent Alabama values.” On most political issues, Merrill is a strict conservative, like many Alabamians. His beliefs about voter registration are no exception. Merrill has said he views voting as a constitutional right, but one that … Continued
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July 12, 2019

Opinions on higher education revealed in new survey

A Third Way survey found that Alabamians want greater accountability with their higher education institutions. Ninety-four percent of survey respondents agreed that the skills required in today’s job market are different than in the past, a belief that may be tied to the large majority of respondents that think college is still a beneficial investment.  … Continued
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July 11, 2019

ADECA asks for public input: Opportunity Zones, state tax incentives

On Wednesday, Gov. Kay Ivey encouraged Alabamians to respond to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs’ request for public input regarding low-income areas where investors can receive federal tax incentives to invest their unrealized capital gains into the community. These areas are called Opportunity Zones, and they were created as a consequence of … Continued
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July 4, 2019

State leaders celebrate 65th anniversary of AG Gaston Motel

Alabama and Birmingham leaders gathered at the A.G. Gaston Motel today to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the opening of the civil rights landmark. Sen. Doug Jones, Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin stood alongside former civil rights leaders and some of A.G. Gaston’s family members. The A.G. Gaston Motel served as a … Continued
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July 2, 2019

Supreme Court won’t review blocked 2016 Alabama abortion law

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review a lower court ruling that blocked an Alabama law restricting the procedure most commonly used during second-trimester abortions. The Alabama Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Act that was passed in 2016 made it a crime for physicians to perform dilation and evacuation abortions, the procedure used for … Continued
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June 28, 2019