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.

Things are getting complex

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers This third year of the quadrennium Regular Session of the legislature has recently gotten a lot more complex. These next four months will be trying times for the Alabama legislature. They will not only have to deal with a beleaguered General Fund Budget that has to feed a money-eating … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 15, 2017

Opinion

The people want to vote

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers During the past couple of months everywhere I go people continually ask me why in the world the legislature could not simply put the issue of whether they could vote for or against a lottery on the November ballot. The fact that this inquiry has lingered for this long … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 1, 2017

Opinion

Is it time for another female governor?

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers Hillary Clinton’s failure to break the proverbial glass ceiling in American politics came up a little short. More than 100 men have been nominated for president by the nation’s political parties over the past 220 years. She was the first female to be the nominee of one of the … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 25, 2017

Opinion

Remembering Gov. Brewer

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers The passing of Governor Albert Brewer on January 2nd at 88 years old, marks the passing of an era in Alabama politics. Albert P. Brewer was a good man and a true public servant. Brewer was born in Tennessee, but his folks moved to Decatur when he was very … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 18, 2017

Opinion

Who’s in or out in 2018 and Trump is good for Alabama

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers Alabama is going to fare wall under President Trump. There is an old adage that says, “Those that bake the pie get to eat it.” We truly baked the pie for Trump. We overwhelmingly supported him in the GOP primary and helped him secure the nomination. We then gave … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 11, 2017

Opinion

Bentley should let Trump pick Sessions’ replacement

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers This past year in Alabama politics was surprisingly more interesting than was expected. The judicial inquiry commission removed Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore from the bench for telling the probate judges in the state to not perform marriage ceremonies for gay people. He said marriage should be between … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 4, 2017

Opinion

Remembering those we lost in 2016

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers At the close of every year, my tradition is to acknowledge the passing away of significant political players from the political stage in Alabama. We have lost some icons from politics in the Heart of Dixie this year. Lucy Baxley passed away in October in Birmingham at 78. She … Continued

Steve Flowers

December 28, 2016

Opinion

Ain’t Alabama politics fun?

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers Historically speaking, Alabamians have been more interested in the governor’s race than presidential politics. For years, from 1876 to 1964, we were a totally Democratic state, more so out of tradition than philosophically. The hatred for the radical Republican Reconstruction shackles invoked on the South made an indelible mark … Continued

Steve Flowers

December 21, 2016

Opinion

Prison central item for upcoming session

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers While the presidential race played out this year, several things happened in Alabama politics that went under the radar. First, a federal appeals court upheld the legislature’s banning PAC to PAC transfers. The new Republican legislative majority that marched into the Statehouse in 2011 set out to destroy and … Continued

Steve Flowers

December 14, 2016

Opinion

Ethics ruling risks charity fundraising

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers In a political season…giver beware!!! It is Christmas time, and since Alabama is one of the most charitable states in the nation, I would expect that many of us are in the giving mood and plan to help many worthy causes across our great state. Unfortunately, it appears that … Continued

Steve Flowers

December 7, 2016