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Sam Mattison

Sam Mattison

News / State

Photos: Scenes from the Statehouse

The 2018 Legislative Session was filled with ups, downs, triumphs, defeats, frustration, and a bit of humor. With camera in hand, the Alabama Political Reporter attempted to capture some of those moments.
April 5, 2018

Bill to exempt economic developers from registering as lobbyists passes Senate

Economic developers may soon be exempted from registering as lobbyist after a tense day in the Legislature characterized with delay tactics and a narrow Senate vote. House bill 314, which would exempt economic developers from registering as lobbyist, cleared the Senate on Wednesday, but it took many hours of delay tactics by opposing senators. Sens. … Continued
March 29, 2018

Senate does not pass ETF after tensions with House

The Alabama Senate did not pass the Education Trust Fund and adjourn for the year on Wednesday after tensions between the House and Senate reached a boiling point. After surviving filibusters and delay tactics over the economic developer bill and the deer baiting bill, the Senate began to take up House bills that needed to … Continued
March 29, 2018

Hunting over bait bill flops on Senate floor

Feral hog and deer hunting over bait was nixed for this year after a long morning in the Senate that threatened to derail the chamber during what was supposed to be its pivotal last day this session. The bill’s trajectory has let it clear the House earlier this year, and a Senate committee gave its … Continued
March 29, 2018

Senate sends General Fund budget to governor’s desk

The Alabama Senate unanimously passed the General Fund budget on Wednesday after a long debate over the funding of the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs, affording the bill final passage and sending it to the governor for her signature. Smitherman said that funding to the office has declined in recent years with the loss of … Continued
March 22, 2018

Differences in punishment arise in two bills to restrict firearm possession at schools

As lawmakers debate whether educators should be armed, two bills in the Legislature are tackling whether people should face legal ramifications for bringing a gun on school property. The House bill is sponsored by Rep. Allen Farley, R-McCalla, and would prohibit possessing a firearm on school property. In 2018 alone, multiple students from around Alabama … Continued
March 20, 2018

Day Care bill passes out of Legislature, heads to governor’s desk

The day care bill that would license certain day cares in Alabama has left the Legislature to the governor’s desk after a long tussle in the State House. Alabama’s Senate approved the bill 23-4 Thursday after state Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, relented on Wednesday saying that he would no longer “stand in the way” of … Continued
March 16, 2018

Senate passes education budget after battle over ASU’s funding on floor

The Alabama Senate managed to pass the Education Trust Fund budget on Thursday after a nearly 4-hour debate that threatened to derail its passage. Thursday’s debate of the budget started off relatively calm with state Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman, stating his problems with the bill but making no action to change the appropriations amount. Bussman, … Continued
March 16, 2018