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Steve Flowers

Steve Flowers

Steve Flowers served 16 years in the state legislature. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. Steve may be reached at [email protected].

News

Just a Good Ole Boy

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers Ole Bill Baxley has been in the news a lot this year. He was the lead defense counsel for former Speaker Mike Hubbard’s ethics conviction trial over in Opelika. Baxley practices law in Birmingham and is one of the state’s premier and most expensive criminal defense lawyers. Like a … Continued
October 19, 2016

Sessions: Conservative Stalwart

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers Our junior U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions has risen to national prominence in this pivotal presidential year. His arch conservative senate voting record and impeccable pedigree as one of the most rock solid Republicans in the U.S. Senate has made him a marquee persona among right wing Fox News conservatives … Continued
October 12, 2016

Some Thoughts on Political Analysts, Reporting

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers During this election year I have watched all the politics on television. In order to judge the coverage I have perused all the channels. Over the years political observers have bemoaned the fact that certain networks are biased. Folks, I am here to tell you they are. There is … Continued
October 6, 2016

E-Light Delights

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers Alabama’s most famous political restaurant and watering hole for 50 years was Montgomery’s Elite Restaurant. Until it closed about 1995, the Elite (pronounced “E-light”) was the place to eat and be seen. Many a political deal was struck at its back tables. Legislators, politicians, and socialites in Montgomery frequented … Continued
September 28, 2016

Bentley Doing The Right Thing

By Steve Flowers Folks, I have been observing and participating in the legislative process for over 50 years. Lest you think I am real old, I started paging in the legislature when I was 12, served in the House of Representatives close to two decades, and have been reporting on the legislative process for now … Continued
September 21, 2016

All Politics is local

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers There is no truer adage in the political world than “all politics is local.” therefore, the best politics and the best governing in the state is at the local level. The mayors of cities and towns throughout Alabama are the real governors of the state. Running a city is … Continued
September 14, 2016

Sen. Sessions Alabama’s Man in D.C.

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers Throughout this year’s prodigious presidential selection process our junior senator, Jeff Sessions, has been at the forefront. He has become the darling of the extreme right throughout the country. He is and has been one of the most conservative members of the U.S. Senate for close to two decades … Continued
September 7, 2016

Long Hot Summer Coming to an End

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers With Labor Day approaching it signifies that the long hot summer will soon be coming to an end. It seems that the summers are getting hotter and hotter. I was born and raised in south Alabama so I was accustomed to long hot summers. I remember when there was … Continued
August 31, 2016

How Media Changes Elections

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers In 1960 television was a new medium. Most Americans did not have televisions in the early 1950’s. However, by 1960 the majority of the country had fallen in love with Lucy and TV. Presidential races had been run by party bosses in urban enclaves like New York and Boston. … Continued
August 24, 2016

Dire Threats, Opportunities

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers As anticipated, a special Legislative Session has been called by Governor Robert Bentley. The Session is set to begin this Monday, August 15. Dr. Bentley has bemoaned the fact that the legislature refused to grant Medicaid the $85 million they said they needed in the budget fiscal year, which … Continued
August 10, 2016