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.

The Fall of Mike Hubbard

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers The conviction and downfall of Alabama Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard is the political story of the year. It has not been the most profound conviction of an Alabama public official in my lifetime. We have had two governors convicted of crimes while in office and removed in … Continued

Steve Flowers

July 6, 2016

Opinion

The Mike Hubbard Saga

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers The older you get the more you realize that old adages you heard as a child are true. There is a political maxim that says, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” It could very aptly be applied to the Mike Hubbard saga. Mike Hubbard was born and raised … Continued

Steve Flowers

June 29, 2016

Opinion

Seatmates Were My Best Friends

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers One of my most cherished lifetime memories is the almost two decades I served in the Alabama House of Representatives. It was because of the lifetime friends made during that era. The House was not as partisan as it is today. This day and time it seems like legislators … Continued

Steve Flowers

June 22, 2016

Opinion

Waggoner’s 50 Years of Service

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers A few Friday nights ago, a large throng of people gathered at The Club in Birmingham despite a torrential thunderstorm. The event was called Jubilee for Jabo. It was a commemoration of Jabo Waggoner’s 50 years of service in the Alabama Legislature. Jabo Waggoner Jr. has made his mark … Continued

Steve Flowers

June 15, 2016

Republican Assembly Thanks Hubbard Trial Jurors and Hart and Hopes for Reforms

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Sunday, June 12 the Alabama Republican Assembly Steering Committee issued a statement thanking the jurors in the corruption trial of the then current House Speaker Mike Hubbard (R from Auburn). The group also thanked prosecutor Matt Hart for his efforts fighting corruption and expressed hope that the Alabama House … Continued

Steve Flowers

June 15, 2016

Opinion

Memories of Days at The Statehouse

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers While observing the legislature the other day, I fondly remembered a very eventful day as a youth. As a teenager, I grew up working at the Capitol as a Page in the House and Senate. Albert Brewer had been elected to the House from Morgan County in his late … Continued

Steve Flowers

June 8, 2016

Opinion

2016 Regular Session Gets B-

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers Sometimes the best thing that the legislature can do in a session is to pass very little legislation. That can be said of this year’s regular legislative session, which ended several weeks ago. Not many bills made it through the legislative labyrinth. Gov. Robert Bentley made a proposed $800 … Continued

Steve Flowers

June 1, 2016

Opinion

Remembering Chief Justice Perry O. Hooper Sr.

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers A few weeks ago former Alabama Chief Justice Perry O. Hooper Sr. died at his home in Montgomery at age 91. He was the epitome of the southern gentleman. He was also one of the founding fathers of the modern Republican Party in Alabama. Hooper Sr. was a GOP … Continued

Steve Flowers

May 25, 2016

Opinion

One Vote Can Make a Difference

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers Last week we talked about how difficult it is to win passage of a legislative act. It does not matter if the proposed legislation is for apple pie and motherhood. If for nothing else, the bill has to go before both House and Senate committees, win approval, and not … Continued

Steve Flowers

May 18, 2016

Opinion

Lawmakers Take Ax to Cultural Heritage Agencies

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers For the past five or six years the legislature has pretty much cut state government to the bone. One of the areas that legislators have taken an ax to are Alabama’s cultural heritage agencies. These organizations throughout the state have taken it on the chin. There is an informal … Continued

Steve Flowers

May 11, 2016