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Figures is running for chair of Alabama Democratic Party

Thursday, Alabama state Senator Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, announced that she is running for the position of chair of the Alabama Democratic Party. “It’s going to take a team effort to unify the party,” Senator Figures said. “My leadership skills, experience in politics and, more importantly, my ability to bring people together around issues with … Continued
April 26, 2019

Bill aims to protect free speech on state campuses

Alabama students’ and faculty’s free speech may gain more legal protections to speak out on campus soon. Representatives in Alabama have proposed a bill aimed at protecting the free speech rights of students and faculty, and at upholding consequences if those rights are violated. The bill recognized public universities’ work to provide an atmosphere for … Continued
April 26, 2019

Reps. Merika Coleman, Terri Collins introduce legislation aimed at fighting human trafficking

Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, and Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, introduced four bills aimed at fighting human trafficking on Wednesday in honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Three of the bills passed unanimously through the committee. One, HB260, will receive a public hearing and will be voted on next week. “Human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal … Continued
April 26, 2019
Red heart shape and medical stethoscope on blue background top view. Health care, medicare and cardiology concept.

Alabama Congressional Delegation praises proposal to adjust Medicare reimbursements

Tuesday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced changes to the Inpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule that provides relief from the increasing disproportion of reimbursement to hospitals created by the Medicare wage index. U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby’s office said that while CMS uses wage index data based on regional labor costs to determine … Continued
April 26, 2019

Legislature passes bill to allow Alabama nurses to obtain multi-state licenses

Thursday, the Alabama legislature approved legislation allowing Alabama nurses to become licensed in multiple states. Senate Bill 38 is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Greg Reed, R-Jasper. The bill was carried in the Alabama House of Representatives by state Rep. April Weaver, R-Alabaster. Weaver is a nurse herself. SB38 passed the House of Representatives on … Continued
April 26, 2019

Senate must wake up before selling out the state to Poarch Creeks

On Twitter, former conservative Senate Republican lawmaker Dick Brewbaker called on his colleagues to “Wake up!!!” It now appears a few senators are coming out from under the fog surrounding the pro-Indian lottery bill and realizing that not only have they been played for fools by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, they have also … Continued
April 25, 2019

Committee considers bill allowing optometrists to increase their scope of practice

Wednesday, the Alabama Senate Health Committee debated a bill that would allow optometrists to add minor surgical procedures to their scope of practice. Ophthalmologists, doctors with a medical degree who treat the eye as a specialty, oppose the legislation. Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, is the sponsor of Senate Bill 114. Whatley said that he has … Continued
April 25, 2019

Committee considers bill requiring local school funding follow children to public charter schools

The Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee held a public hearing Wednesday on a bill that would require that more local public school funding follow children whose parents choose instead to enroll them in public charter schools instead of the local public school where the state has assigned them. Senate Bill 311 is sponsored by Senate … Continued
April 25, 2019