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.

Politics as Usual

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers As our primary selection day approaches, it appears that we are seeing significant campaign attention from the presidential candidates. The move by the legislature to make us an early primary state was a good one. As is generally the case, we are seeing negative ads. That is not unusual … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 24, 2016

Opinion

In the Heart of Dixie We Love Colorful Characters Like Trump

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers The presidential primary parade has been colorful and fun to watch this year. It has been even more amusing because of the pervasive presence of one Donald Trump and the fact that those of us in the Heart of Dixie have a front row seat to the show. Since … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 17, 2016

Opinion

Primary Predictions: Not Much Change Expected

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers We are only a few weeks away from our March 1st primary. We have an early primary date this year due to the fact that we are in the SEC Presidential Primary. Therefore, we will have some say in who will be the GOP and Democratic nominees. Indeed, the … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 10, 2016

Opinion

A Legendary Tale

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers There are a good many stories about elections of the 1940’s and 50’s where vote were bought and elections stolen. The most brazen and blatant stealing of an election occurred in the 1948 race for the U.S. Senate in Texas. The players were Coke Stevenson versus Lyndon B. Johnson. … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 3, 2016

Opinion

Is is Time for Higher Education To Step Up?

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers As discussed last week, several of the headline Alabama news stories of 2015 may also be the blockbusters of 2016. The Mike Hubbard trial and the decision of the federal courts on Alabama’s legislative district lines will be determined in the first half of this year. The biggest news … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 27, 2016

Opinion

Political News from 2015 Will Dominate 2016

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers A good many of the news stories that were the most noteworthy events of 2015 will continue into this new year of 2016 and may repeat as the major headlines of this year. Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard will go on trial in his home of Lee County … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 20, 2016

Opinion

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers Last week we discussed the presidential race. The GOP race for the nomination has been one of the most illuminating in history. Never before have political novices been the frontrunners. It is obvious that voters prefer an outsider with no governmental experience. Donald Trump and Ben Carson would both … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 13, 2016

Opinion

Predicting the Presidential Race

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers Folks, we are in the midst of a presidential race. It has been ongoing for well over a year. We will select a new president in November. Barack Obama has served his eight year limit. Thus, the parade of candidates seeking to occupy the Oval Office has been long, … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 6, 2016

Opinion

Remembering Those Who Passed

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers As we close the final page on the 2015 book, my year-end tradition is to reminisce about the passing away of significant players on the Alabama political stage. The first obituary is not a person but an entity. The Alabama Education Association is essentially dead as a political organization. … Continued

Steve Flowers

December 30, 2015

Opinion

Moore Has Found His Horse

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers As we look back over the past year’s political events one week stands out. During one week in the middle of 2015, three momentous events occurred. All three came down bang, bang, bang in the week leading up to the fourth of July. First was the landmark decision by … Continued

Steve Flowers

December 23, 2015