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.

State budgets: Priority number one

After their successful special five-day Special Session, the Legislature has been in their Regular Session for a few weeks now. The session will end in June so it is about one-fourth over. Almost one-third of the members are new — freshmen if you will. Even though they are, for the most part, a bright and … Continued

Steve Flowers

April 3, 2019

Opinion

Infrastructure: Alabama needs a road program. Wallace and Big Jim knew this.

One of the obvious political changes in Alabama government over the last decades with the Republican takeover of the Legislature has been the reluctance to raise new revenue to fund state government. Many of the current Republican legislators came to Montgomery in 2010 with a no new tax pledge. Voting for any kind of tax … Continued

Steve Flowers

March 27, 2019

Opinion

Rural roads need fixing

Last week we talked about the importance that roads are to the economic development of our state. We spoke about urban growth and expansion, especially the needs for highways in Huntsville and the improvement of the Port in Mobile. Well, I overlooked the needs and importance of our rural roads. Make no doubt about it, … Continued

Steve Flowers

March 20, 2019

Opinion

Governor and Legislature successfully pass infrastructure program. Timing is good

Gov. Kay Ivey made infrastructure improvement in the state her cornerstone issue for this year, and more importantly for her term as governor. Within less than three months in office she and the Legislature have successfully accomplished this mission. Last Friday the Alabama House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed monumental legislation on an 84-20 vote. It … Continued

Steve Flowers

March 13, 2019

Opinion

State revenues up as Legislature prepares for Session and crafting of state budgets

The Governor has been inaugurated and the Legislature has had its organizational session. The quadrennium has begun. Therefore, it is time for our state officials to get to work. Among the three branches of government, Legislative, Executive and Judicial, our 1901 Alabama Constitution renders our Legislative Branch as the most powerful. Some of you who … Continued

Steve Flowers

March 6, 2019

Opinion

New quadrennium, launch of 2020 campaigns

A lot has happened politically in the first quarter of 2019. The governor and all of our constitutional officials have been sworn in and have begun their four-year terms in office with Kay Ivey as Governor, Will Ainsworth as Lt. Governor, John Merrill as Secretary of State, John McMillan as State Treasurer, Rick Pate as … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 27, 2019

Opinion

Alabama leads the way with women in governmental leadership

There has been a lot of talk about the advancement of women in politics over the past year. It has been suggested that more progressive states have led the way with this change. Alabama can very well make the case that we lead the nation in women taking leadership roles in our state. It is … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 20, 2019

Opinion

AEA dead or not? The NEA needs to go home — the in-laws have overstayed their welcome

The Alabama Education Association was the most powerful and influential political organization in Alabama for close to three decades. The late Paul Hubbert was the builder and king of this powerful organization. He became known as the king of goat hill. He reigned omnipotently over the Legislature. All dynasties have to end. The AEA reign … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 13, 2019

Opinion

Organizational session, legislative leadership with potential new stars

The Legislature has met for their organizational session and elected their leadership for the next four years. Both the House and Senate leadership remain essentially the same as the last quadrennium. Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, was elected Senate President Pro Tem. Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, remains majority leader. Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia, continues as rules … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 6, 2019

Opinion

Infrastructure program should be priority one

As the new quadrennium crests in Alabama government, everybody looks toward a new beginning. There is a new fresh four years ahead for the newly elected leaders. They are overwhelmingly Republican. The governor is Republican, and all of the accompanying constitutional officeholders are members of the GOP. More importantly, the State Legislature, both the House … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 30, 2019