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Lee Hedgepeth

Lee Hedgepeth

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Politics, Inaccurate Claims Plague Intro to Troy Medicaid Study

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter Troy University Professor and recent Medicaid expansion analysis coauthor Scott Beaulier has been out in the media – on television and in print – defending his research, which directly challenges two previous studies done by UAB and UA examining the potential economic impact expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care … Continued
March 12, 2014

Troy University Medicaid Study: Following the Money

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter Troy University’s Johnson Center for Political Economy recently released a study examining the legitimacy of two previous analyses done by UAB and Alabama considering the economic impact of Medicaid expansion in the Yellowhammer State. The Troy study’s conclusions fly in the face of those of the earlier studies, which … Continued
March 11, 2014

Marsh Backs Down On Core Vow

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter The fight over what has become known as the Common Core educational standards has made its way into both the Education Trust Fund budget and into two Senate bills, one of which is scheduled for a public hearing tomorrow at the State House in Montgomery. The educational guidelines, also … Continued
March 11, 2014

Rep. Alvin Holmes Makes Controversial Abortion Comments (w/ exclusive video)

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter On Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representative had on its special order agenda, four “pro-life” bills, all of which were hotly contested by State Democrats. The most controversial bill was sponsored by Indian Springs Republican Mary Sue McClurkin, who said in a committee hearing that using a stethoscope may … Continued
March 6, 2014

McClurkin Says Brown v. BOE was “Overturned, Thankfully” (w/video)

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama House on Tuesday took up debate on four “pro-life” bills, culminating in heated debate, pumped up political rhetoric, and a long legislative day – and night. Details about each piece of legislation can be seen here. Much of the debate on the House floor, though, got particularly … Continued
March 6, 2014

Attempt to Push Through B’ham Water Works Bill Fails in Senate

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter Yesterday, the Alabama Senate unexpectedly took up for discussion an issue that has proved to be one of the most contested points of debate this session – a bill addressing the Birmingham Water Works board. Although some of the details differ in the House and Senate bills, the thrust … Continued
March 6, 2014

Bill Would Remove Individual Cap on Accountability Act Tax Credits

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter Alabama House Representative Chad Fincher has introduced a bill that would remove the individual cap on tax credits available through the Alabama Accountability Act and allow some corporate entities to donate as “individual taxpayers.” The tax credit cap, which is currently set at $7,500 per individual taxpayer, would be … Continued
March 4, 2014

Strange Tries to Avoid Testifying in Lowell Barron Trial

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Attorney General’s office has said that they will soon make preliminary motions to quash a subpoena sent to Attorney General Luther Strange at the request of former State Senator Lowell Barron’s defense in his upcoming trial on campaign finance charges. Lowell Barron, who was an Alabama Senator … Continued
March 4, 2014

House Committee Pulls Teeth from Revolving Door Bill

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter Last week, the House Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee considered SB36, the so-called “revolving door” bill spearheaded by Senator Del Marsh. The bill passed the full Senate earlier this session after a chaotic fight over an unwanted amendment proposed –successfully– by veteran Democratic Senator Hank Sanders. Although it was … Continued
March 3, 2014

ASU Funding Cuts Become Focus of Higher Ed Day (w/video)

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter Yesterday was Higher Education Day at the State House, a day when students from colleges and universities across the State come together for a rally at the Capitol to lobby for their share of the Education Trust Fund budget. Hundreds of students attended the event, with crowds filling not … Continued
February 28, 2014