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.

Ominous and Obvious Problems

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers As the legislature and governor prepare for the upcoming initial legislative session of the quadrennium, they are facing ominous and obvious problems. The General Fund is in dire straits, primarily due to the escalating costs of Medicaid and prisons. The problems in the Prison System may be even more … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 12, 2015

Opinion

Legislators Have Their Work Cut Out for Them

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers The legislature completed their week long organizational session last month with very little fanfare or controversy. They will get to work on substantive issues beginning with the Regular Session in March. Their work will be cut out for them. They are facing a General Fund Budget that has at … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 5, 2015

Opinion

Fixing Budget Hole a Big Task

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers The most pressing problem facing the governor and legislature as they enter this new quadrennium is the financial shortfall in the General Fund Budget. Last year the governor floated a trial balloon to see if there was any traction to combine the two state budgets in order to give … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 28, 2015

Opinion

Inauguration Day

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers Dr. Robert Bentley was inaugurated Monday as our governor for the second time. He and his lovely wife, Diane, are good people. When you get to be my age, four years goes by in a hurry. It seems like only yesterday that Gov. Bentley was enjoying his first inauguration. … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 22, 2015

Opinion

Tuscaloosa County’s Power Politicos

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers Throughout Alabama political history, certain cities, counties and enclaves have had a proclivity for having an inordinate number of their citizenry serve in Alabama politics. The most dominant example is the unbelievable number of governors produced by Barbour County. It is referred to as the Home of Governors. However, … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 14, 2015

Opinion

Bentley Rolled Up His Sleeves, Went to Work

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers During the 2010 Governor’s Race, I continuously made the statement that whomever won the 2010 Governor’s Race would be a one-term governor. My prophecy was based on the fact that the state was flat broke and it would take a lot of tough decisions and probably tax increases to … Continued

Steve Flowers

January 7, 2015

Opinion

Thoughts and Observations on Politics 2014

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers As we approach the end of the political year, a few thoughts and observations on 2014 political happenings in the Heart of Dixie. Jim Sumner retired as Executive Director of the Alabama Ethics Commission in October. He had been Ethics Commission Chairman for 16 years. Jim had an outstanding … Continued

Steve Flowers

December 17, 2014

Opinion

A Silver Lining for Alabama

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers The GOP takeover of the U.S. Senate has a silver lining for Alabama. We came out like gangbusters with the Republican victory. Both of our U.S. Senators are Republican and both have seniority. Our Senior Senator Richard Shelby has been in the U.S. Senate 28 years. He is in … Continued

Steve Flowers

December 10, 2014

Opinion

Republicans Waltzed to Reelection

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers The 2014 elections were quite uneventful. The seven statewide constitutional offices were all retained by Republicans. In fact, the reason the election was so dull was because the top five constitutional offices were held by incumbent Republicans who all waltzed to reelection. These included, Gov. Robert Bentley, Lt. Gov. … Continued

Steve Flowers

December 4, 2014

Opinion

How Voters Came to Elect Gary Palmer as Congressman

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers This was probably one of the dullest and least interesting gubernatorial election years in memory. It stemmed from the fact that Robert Bentley was a popular incumbent governor and nobody dared to run against him in the Republican Primary. These days winning the Republican Primary is tantamount to election … Continued

Steve Flowers

November 21, 2014