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Legislature passes the Alabama Incentives Modernization Act

The State Senate approved the Alabama Incentives Modernization Act Wednesday to modernize Alabama’s incentives to take advantage of federal opportunity zones, recruit businesses to rural counties and attract technology companies to the state. The bill was sponsored by State Rep. Bill Poole, R-Tuscaloosa. The bill was carried in the Senate by Majority Leader Greg Reed, … Continued
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May 31, 2019

House passes bills to allow for modern toll roads

The Alabama House of Representatives passed two bills Wednesday to allow for the state to modernize and update the toll road authority. Presently, the only toll roads in the state are private toll roads, most notably the beach express bridge to go to Orange Beach in Baldwin County. That will change with the new Interstate-10 … Continued
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May 31, 2019
Nameplate reads J. Pepper Bryars
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Time to stop daydreaming about a lottery

Lottery supporters were left saying “so close …” last week after the latest attempt to establish the game in Alabama collapsed under the weight of competing interests and power plays. It was reminiscent of the failed lotto player, successfully matching his numbers one by one until his hopes are dashed when that final digit proves … Continued
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May 30, 2019
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Finally, something that might work

Expanding workforce development and rural broadband could very well be the most significant accomplishments of the 2019 Legislative Session. Both actions have the potential to change Alabama’s future by fostering middle-skill jobs and connecting rural communities to the global economy. The education budget passed in the Senate includes a $6 million increase for workforce development … Continued
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May 29, 2019

Legislature approves fantasy sports contests

On Tuesday, the Senate passed a bill that would allow fantasy sports contests to be played legally in Alabama. House Bill 361 is sponsored by State Rep. Kyle South, R-Fayette. During the House debate, South said fantasy sports contest are games of skill and are not games of chance. Gambling is forbidden by the Alabama … Continued
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May 29, 2019
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Counteroffer: A gaming plan the dog track owners would likely accept

Last week, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians laid out its starting point for any negotiations concerning a lottery and gambling legislation. Arthur Mothershed, who’s in charge of the tribe’s business development for gaming operations, spelled out PCI’s base plan, which included hefty licensing fees for other casino locations, new casinos in Birmingham and northeast … Continued
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May 28, 2019
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The bad bills aren’t dead yet

The end is near for the legislative session, but it’s not over yet, which means there is still time for a few more bad bills to slip through. In fact, if you’re going to slip a bad bill through, now is the time. Attention is waning. The kids are out of school and families are … Continued
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May 24, 2019

Ivey announces YKTA will create 650 jobs at Huntsville plant

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) was in Huntsville Wednesday for a ceremony where it was announced that Y-tec Keylex Toyotestsu Alabama will create a new auto parts manufacturing plant that will create 650 new jobs. “YKT Alabama is a significant addition to the growing automotive cluster centered around the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing U.S.A. auto assembly … Continued
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May 23, 2019

Japanese automakers disappointed with Trump’s finding on auto tariffs

Japanese automakers announced Tuesday that they were disappointed that President Donald Trump concurred with a Commerce Department finding that auto imports are a national security threat. JAMA Chairman Akio Toyoda expressed his “profound disappointment” in Trump’s proclamation, which concurred with the conclusion of the Commerce Department’s Section 232 report classifying auto and auto parts imports … Continued
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May 22, 2019

Ivey announces record tourism growth in Alabama

On Monday, Gov. Kay Ivey announced record-breaking tourism statistics for 2018. The tourism industry attracted 27.7 million visitors in 2018, a million more than ever before. “We are excited our tourism industry grew by 8.5 percent in 2018, and we are proud to welcome millions of visitors to every region of our state, from the … Continued
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May 21, 2019