Author

Steve Flowers

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

Senate runoff resumes with Trump, Sessions in a Twitter battle

The U.S. Senate runoff between former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions was put on hold by the coronavirus. The original primary on March 3 had Tuberville and Sessions in a dead heat. The runoff was scheduled for March 31. However, the pandemic shutdown placed a freeze on everything … Continued

Steve Flowers

June 11, 2020

Opinion

Stellar group studying gambling in the state

Another legislation session has passed, and Alabama still has no lottery. Actually, the Legislature does not in itself have the authority to pass a state lottery, they can only authorize a ballot initiative to let you vote on a lottery. It takes a constitutional amendment. The lottery would pass in a vote in Alabama simply … Continued

Steve Flowers

June 3, 2020

Opinion

Mike Hubbard conviction finally upheld

Over the past four years during my travels and speaking events over the state, the most asked question posed to me has been, “Why in the world is Mike Hubbard not in jail?” It was four years ago in June 2016 that the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, Mike Hubbard, was convicted by … Continued

Steve Flowers

May 27, 2020

Opinion

Speaker Sam Rayburn and Congressman Bob Jones

The legendary Speaker of the U.S. House, Sam Rayburn, coined a famous phrase he used often and imparted to young congressmen when they would arrive on Capitol Hill full of vim and vigor. He would sit down with them and invite them to have a bourbon and branch water with him. The old gentleman, who … Continued

Steve Flowers

May 20, 2020

Opinion

The 1965 special succession session

The legislature meets in regular session every year for three-and-a-half months. However, an extraordinary special session can be called by the governor if he/she deems there is a dire emergency in the state government that needs addressing. This provision in the Constitution gives the governor inherent advantage in a special session. The official proclamation calling … Continued

Steve Flowers

May 13, 2020

Opinion

Budget is priority number one for Legislative Session

The 2020 Regular Legislative Session has resumed after a six-week hiatus due to the coronavirus shutdown of the state and nation. The session must end by May 18, 2020. The only thing they will do is pass barebones budgets. The most important and actually the only constitutionally mandated act that must be accomplished is the … Continued

Steve Flowers

May 6, 2020

Opinion

Alabama leaders under 45 who affect the political arena

Last week I discussed Alabama’s outstanding leaders in the political arena. This week allow me to share with you some of the state’s leaders under 45 who are shaping and molding our state from outside the actual pit of the political arena. The most prominent political power in the under 45 category, who is not … Continued

Steve Flowers

April 29, 2020

Opinion

Alabama has some outstanding political leaders under 45

Many of you have lamented to me that it appears that all or most of our state political leaders are older folks. On first glance, that appears to be true. However, on a deeper observation we have some extremely talented younger stars on the horizon. In fact, they are already in the ring and making … Continued

Steve Flowers

April 22, 2020

Opinion

More observations

Allow me to share some more observations from the year. One of my favorite people in the world and one of the finest gentlemen I have ever known is State Representative Steve Clouse of Ozark. My relationship with Steve goes under the category of Alabama is one Big Front Porch. His sweet mother, Mrs. Ruth … Continued

Steve Flowers

April 14, 2020

Opinion

Some observations

Allow me to share some observations from the year thus far. First of all, I have never seen anything like the coronavirus shutdown of the country. Hopefully, it is a once in a lifetime disaster. Governor Kay Ivey remains popular. Even though some people consider the defeat of Amendment One a personal rejection, it was … Continued

Steve Flowers

April 8, 2020