Legislature

State Rep. Will Dismukes says mask order is “a ridiculous crock”

Several Republican lawmakers have not taken kindly to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s decision to issue a statewide mask order. This is being done to slow the spread of the coronavirus, which is ravaging the state, but State Rep. Will Dismukes, R-Prattville, dismissed the idea as “the dumbest thing that could be done.” “The statewide mask … Continued

Brandon Moseley

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July 16, 2020

Mark Gidley announces run for Rep. Becky Nordgren’s House seat

Republican voters in Etowah County went to the polls and elected State Rep. Becky Nordgren, R-Gadsden, as their nominee for revenue commissioner, defeating Jeff Overstreet in the Republican primary runoff. No Democrat qualified for the seat, so Nordgren will likely be the commissioner once the current commissioner’s term runs out. At that time, the governor … Continued

Brandon Moseley

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July 15, 2020

State Rep. Ron Johnson, longest-serving House member, has died

State Rep. Ronald “Ron” Johnson, R-Sylacauga, died Tuesday of complications from liver cancer. He was 76. “I was saddened to learn of the passing of Rep. Johnson this evening, following his recent cancer diagnosis,” said Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey. “Ron and I have served together for many years. He was a real champion for the … Continued

Brandon Moseley

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July 15, 2020

Legislature told budgets are in good shape despite pandemic and economic downturn

Members of the Alabama Senate were in Montgomery Thursday for hearings on the budget, where Senators were told that both of the budgets are in good shape looking forward to 2021. The meeting was chaired by Senate Finance & Taxation Committee Chairman Greg Albritton. Kirk Fulford is the Deputy Director for the Fiscal Division of … Continued

Brandon Moseley

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July 13, 2020

State senators briefed on prison construction plans

Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn told members of the Senate budget committees Thursday that the department is moving forward with the process of seeking bids on three new state prisons. Among other topics addressed was the status of the Alabama Prison Program. Dunn said that because of the long neglected maintenance of the … Continued

Brandon Moseley

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July 13, 2020

Alabama lawmaker pre-files legislation to allow removal of Confederate monuments

If passed, the measure would permit counties and cities to relocate historic monuments currently located on public property.

Brandon Moseley

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July 8, 2020

Marsh’s budget hearing compared to revenge porn

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, has scheduled a general fund budget hearing for early July — purportedly to prepare for the 2021 Legislative Session that begins in February. But that is not the real reason for the budget hearing, according to Senate insiders who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid provoking … Continued

Bill Britt

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June 29, 2020

Senate pro tem requests general fund committee begin hearings in July

Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh, R-Anniston, announced today that he has asked Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Chairman Greg Albritton, R-Range, to begin holding General Fund Committee meetings in preparation for the next session. In an effort to be better prepared because of uncertainty in state revenue as a result of COVID-19 … Continued

June 23, 2020

Part-time employee in lieutenant governor’s office tests positive for COVID-19

A part-time employee in Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth’s office, who the office said works only a handful of hours each week, tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, according to a press statement. The employee, whose work area is separated from the rest of the staff, last worked in the office on the morning of Thursday, … Continued

June 23, 2020