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Legislature

Ivey supports Marsh’s school reform ending state’s elected state school board

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey delivered a letter to the State Board of Education Thursday announcing her support for a sweeping education reform proposal being filed by Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh, R-Anniston. The bill would change the state’s current elected State Board of Education to a commission appointed by the governor and confirmed by … Continued
May 10, 2019

Alabama House OKs fantasy sports legalization

The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday legalizing fantasy sports contests in Alabama, including daily fantasy games. HB361 is sponsored by State Rep. Kyle South, R-Fayette. State Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Cullman, said this should be passed as a constitutional amendment. South said fantasy sports contest are games of skills and are not games … Continued
May 10, 2019

Poarch Creeks subject of multiple federal probes, White House is watching

UPDATE: Late Friday evening, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians released a statement disputing that the tribe is under investigation, calling the comments from sources cited in the story below “untrue.” Tribal chairwoman Stephanie Bryan called the story an “attack” on the Poarch Creeks and said the tribe operates its businesses “with the highest degree … Continued
May 9, 2019

Senate to consider abortion ban Thursday

The Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report Wednesday to a bill that would ban most abortions in the state of Alabama following a public hearing. The full Senate is expected to consider the bill Thursday. House Bill 314 is sponsored by state Representative Terri Collins, R-Decatur. Rep. Collins asked the Senate to pass … Continued
May 9, 2019

Warren, McCampbell sponsor bills to allow electronic bingo in Macon and Greene counties

State Reps. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, and A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis, held a public hearing Wednesday to promote their local constitutional amendments legalizing electronic bingo in Macon and Greene counties. Warren’s bill is House Bill 422, while McCampbell’s is HB545. “This is an issue that are very important for the Alabama Democratic Caucus and the Black Caucus,” … Continued
May 9, 2019

Senate Committee approves pay raises for corrections officers

The Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee gave a favorable report Wednesday to a bill to raise pay for Alabama Corrections officers. House Bill 468 is sponsored by State Rep. Christopher John England, D-Tuscaloosa. “We have already paid for this one,” England said. “This is the compensation package for corrections officers.” The money is … Continued
May 9, 2019

Senate Committee passes tax exemptions for Barber’s Motorsports Park and Museum

The Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education committee passed a bill Wednesday giving tax exemptions to the Barber’s Race Track for its expansion. Senate Bill 296 is sponsored by State Sen. Bill Roberts, R-Mountain Brook. Roberts said the Barber’s Motorsports Park and Museum is the number one tourist attraction in the state and the largest … Continued
May 9, 2019

A weird legislative session rolls on

Ah, the freedom of being unconcerned with election consequences. That’s what we’re seeing in the Alabama Legislature this session — this weird, strange, oddball session. This session where everything is turned upside down, with Republicans pushing tax increases and marijuana and Democrats playing key roles in crucial votes. The Montgomery Advertiser’s Brian Lyman first mentioned … Continued
May 8, 2019