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.

Light being shown on Poarch Creek gambling casino monopoly in the Heart of Dixie

Recently an organization was formed with the name, “Poarch Creek Accountability Now.” This nonprofit group is headed by former 40-year veteran State Senator Gerald Dial, who retired from the Alabama Senate in 2018. The stated goal of this nonprofit group is to spread the true and accurate information about the Poarch Band of Creek Indians … Continued

Steve Flowers

October 30, 2019

Opinion

Rick Pate, Will Ainsworth, Jack Hawkins

We have two men who were elected to statewide constitutional offices last year, who seem to be doing a good job. They are both working quietly and diligently in their new posts. Rick Pate was sworn in as the state’s Agriculture Commissioner in January. He followed John McMillan, who served eight years as Agriculture … Continued

Steve Flowers

October 23, 2019

Opinion

Congressman Jack Edwards: An Alabama legend passes away

One of the most outstanding congressmen and leaders in Alabama history is Congressman Jack Edwards. He passed away three weeks ago at age 91. He was born with the full name of William Jackson Edwards, III. However, he was always known as Jack. Although he was renowned as a Mobile/Baldwin County Congressman, he was born … Continued

Steve Flowers

October 16, 2019

Opinion

Prison Issue to be addressed in Special Session in February rather than October

The second year of the reign of Governor Kay Ivey may give her a second major accomplishment in the first two years of her term as governor. In her first year, she spearheaded the measure to increase the state’s gasoline tax in order to allow Alabama to proceed with a much-needed massive infrastructure program … Continued

Steve Flowers

October 9, 2019

Opinion

2020 Senate race right around the corner. GOP field is probably set

Even though qualifying does not begin until October 8, 2019, the field is probably set for the GOP Primary in March to unseat the anomaly Democrat, Doug Jones, who is sitting in Alabama’s Republican U.S. Senate Seat. First District Congressman Bradley Bryne and Secretary of State John Merrill may be the favorites to lead the … Continued

Steve Flowers

October 2, 2019

Opinion

The Political Graveyard is full of Congressmen who have tried to run for the Senate

The field is probably formulated for our 2020 Senate race. A Republican will be heavily favored to capture the seat currently held by our Democratic Senator, Doug Jones. Alabama is one of if not the most Republican states in the nation. It is quite an anomaly that a liberal Democrat has sat in that seat … Continued

Steve Flowers

September 25, 2019

Opinion

Unemployment rates at remarkably low record-breaking numbers

During the late summer, it was revealed that Alabama’s economy set records for the number of people employed along with the lowest unemployment rate in decades. Figures released in August had the state with a record–breaking 3.3 percent unemployment percentage. The numbers indicate a continued upward trend with 57,000 more people employed than at the same … Continued

Steve Flowers

September 18, 2019

Opinion

The omission of the citizenship question from the 2020 questionnaire

The upcoming 2020 census is extremely critical in Alabama and the rest of the states in the nation, as well. The census affects the number of seats a state has in the U.S. Congress and ultimately the number of Electoral College Votes you have for president. Also, very importantly, the amount of federal funds the … Continued

Steve Flowers

September 11, 2019

Opinion

Two open congressional seats in the Heart of Dixie in 2020

Governor Kay Ivey has had a very successful first year as governor. One of the coups she pulled off was getting the legislature to pass legislation granting the governor the power to appoint the Board of Pardons and Paroles. The new law will give her all the new appointments to the Parole Board. Previously, the … Continued

Steve Flowers

September 4, 2019

Opinion

The Summer of 1969

As we say goodbye to the summer of 2019, allow me to reminisce with you and indeed commemorate more than likely a summer exactly 50 years ago that was undoubtedly the most momentous summer in American history – The Summer of 1969. It is amazing what all occurred in America during the last six-weeks of … Continued

Steve Flowers

August 28, 2019