Legislature

Small Business Commission to announce recommendations for reopening the Alabama economy

Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and State Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, will hold a news conference Friday to announce a series of recommended steps for reopening Alabama’s economy, which were formulated at the request of Gov. Kay Ivey. According to the statement, the COVID-19 infection rate indicates that a downward trend has begun last week. … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 17, 2020

Governor: It would be “irresponsible” for Alabama to expand Medicaid right now

Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday tamped down discussion about expanding Medicaid in Alabama, saying it would be financially irresponsible to expand the program, which provides health insurance to low-income people, during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Certainly we’re concerned about the health and welfare of all of our citizens, wherever they may live,” Ivey said. “But at … Continued

Chip Brownlee

April 14, 2020

McCutcheon says Hubbard ruling made it clear: ethics law has flaws

Friday, Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R – Monrovia, issued a statement following the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling affirming five of the convictions of former Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn. “The Supreme Court’s ruling has made it clear that our ethics law has flaws that must be addressed,” said McCutcheon. “Our task … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 13, 2020

State leaders briefed on efforts to combat coronavirus

State leaders held a conference call Monday led by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on the coronavirus that is sweeping the state of Alabama and state efforts to fight the spread of the deadly virus. State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said that he appreciated Governor Ivey’s statewide shelter in place order that was issued through … Continued

Brandon Moseley and Nicole Jones

April 7, 2020

Alabama municipalities may be left out of $2 trillion stimulus package

As the largest economic stimulus in American history flows to states and municipalities around the nation, stipulations in the two-trillion dollar emergency fund may leave Alabama cities out altogether. As enacted, the third stimulus bill, the CARE Act, directs funding for states, and local governments, the catch is that the act only allocates funds for … Continued

Bill Britt

April 2, 2020

Alabama Legislature meets under heightened health concerns

The Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday gaveled in for what was supposed to be their first day back from a two-week spring break—well rested and ready to tackle the state’s pressing issues. Instead, like everything else in American society, it was a somber event overshadowed by concerns about the coronavirus, which has killed approximately … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 1, 2020

Legislature returns to a much different Statehouse

The Alabama Legislature will return from their spring break vacation Tuesday, but nothing is the same as it was two weeks ago. Monday, the press was informed that the corps will be removed from the press rooms behind the chambers. Those rooms are being given to the legislators so that they can sit the necessary … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 31, 2020

State ramping up for COVID-19 fight

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, State Health Officer Scott Harris, Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield, Public Health Commissioner Lynn Beshear and Alabama National Guard Major General Sheryl Gordon briefed state legislators Monday about how the state intends to address the looming wave of COVID-19 cases as the virus spread across the state of Alabama virtually unchecked. Ivey … Continued

Brandon Moseley and Nicole Jones

March 31, 2020

Alabama Legislature plans to return to work briefly March 31

The Alabama Senate is planning to get to only a few big, constitutionally mandated items before calling an end to the year’s legislative session amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but whether they’ll get those tasks accomplished remains to be seen. Senate leadership is advising lawmakers who fall into “at-risk” categories because of their age or pre-existing … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

March 27, 2020

$200,000 in campaign finance penalties deposited into State General Fund

Act 2015-495, which went into effect beginning with the 2018 Election Cycle, allows the Secretary of State’s Office to issue penalties to Political Action Committees (PACs) and Principal Campaign Committees (PCCs) that fail to timely file campaign finance reports. As of today, the Office of the Secretary of State has collected $202,504.20 which has been … Continued

March 26, 2020