Author

Josh Moon

Josh Moon is an investigative reporter and columnist. You can reach him at [email protected].

Economy / State

Counteroffer: A gaming plan the dog track owners would likely accept

Last week, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians laid out its starting point for any negotiations concerning a lottery and gambling legislation. Arthur Mothershed, who’s in charge of the tribe’s business development for gaming operations, spelled out PCI’s base plan, which included hefty licensing fees for other casino locations, new casinos in Birmingham and northeast … Continued

Josh Moon

May 28, 2019

Opinion

The bad bills aren’t dead yet

The end is near for the legislative session, but it’s not over yet, which means there is still time for a few more bad bills to slip through. In fact, if you’re going to slip a bad bill through, now is the time. Attention is waning. The kids are out of school and families are … Continued

Josh Moon

May 24, 2019

Opinion

A better Alabama is up to you

A decent lottery that, if approved by voters, we could use to establish a college scholarship program, additional tech training in high schools, expanded pre-K and free two-year college tuition. Commercial casinos that, if approved by voters, would contribute around $100 million annually in tax revenue to the state, along with the creation of at … Continued

Josh Moon

May 23, 2019

Opinion

Forget a paper lottery, the Poarch Creeks have a much bigger proposal for gambling in Alabama

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians has an idea for gambling in Alabama. A big idea. One much bigger than a simple paper lottery. One bigger than a handful of gambling machines at a few casinos. “We want something that’s a bit more thought out,” said Arthur Mothershed, who is in charge of the tribe’s … Continued

Josh Moon

May 22, 2019

Opinion

Want to change Alabama? Speak up.

Speak up. After last week’s abortion ruling, and the surrounding outrage, I continue to hear from people who want to know what they can do to protect their rights and to stop this insanity. The answers are easy. Speak up. Get involved early. Vote for your own interests. And research the candidates. But mostly, … Continued

Josh Moon

May 21, 2019

A special session on prisons is likely on the way

Brace yourselves, another special session is coming. At a press conference Thursday morning, Alabama legislators provided updates on the ongoing prison debacle and encouraged Gov. Kay Ivey to call a special session this fall to allow them to fully address the many issues. Ivey issued a press release later in the day saying she would … Continued

Josh Moon

May 17, 2019

Opinion

Stop telling people that Alabama is better than this. It’s not.

This is who we are. We are the state that just told rape victims they have to carry their rape babies to term. We are the state that just told pre-teen girls that they have to carry their incest babies to term. This is who we are. Stop telling me otherwise. Please. I’m sick of … Continued

Josh Moon

May 15, 2019

Opinion

No surprise at all: Lawmakers are already trying to get their hands on gas tax money

Two months. That’s how long it took for Alabama politicians to break all of those oh-so-sincere promises to you about the gas tax. Two months ago, when the Legislature was debating this 10-cent gas tax increase — the one that can be increased another penny for years to come — there was one often-repeated promise … Continued

Josh Moon

May 14, 2019

Opinion

Don’t be fooled: The plan to kill the Alabama School Board is about money, not helping kids and teachers

On Thursday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh summed up Alabama governance quite nicely in an eight-page bill and a one-page press release. The bill, filed by Marsh, would effectively kill the state school board, replacing it with an appointed bunch of bureaucrats who would be beholden the clowns who … Continued

Josh Moon

May 10, 2019

Opinion

The feds are monitoring Alabama’s lottery debate because something stinks

A couple of weeks ago, as one of the worst lottery bills in history passed the Alabama Senate, I wrote that it would be amazing if the process that led to its passage didn’t get a hard look from one law enforcement agency or another. Well, guess what? As Bill Britt reports today in APR, … Continued

Josh Moon

May 9, 2019