2017

By Steve Flowers Inside the Statehouse At the close of each year, my tradition is to acknowledge the passing away of significant political leaders from the political stage in our beloved state. We lost some icons this year. As I sit in my office writing this year-end column, pictures of two of my favorite friends … Continued

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter After President Donald J. Trump’s speech in Huntsville Friday night, it is tempting to feel sorry for the state’s appointed junior U.S. Sen. Luther Strange, but as it turns out, it was a fleeting bit of nausea. If Strange wins, he can thank President Trump. If he loses, he … Continued

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter As the Republican runoff for U.S. Senate draws closer to its end on Tuesday, it’s important to reflect upon how exactly the race got here. When Jeff Sessions vacated the seat last year after his appointment as U.S. Attorney General, it was up to then Gov. Robert Bentley to … Continued

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Tuesday, February 7, the Alabama 2017 regular legislative session begins. Almost anything can happen when the Alabama legislature is in session and this session is no different. Here are a few of the issues facing our State Legislators. 1) Medicaid needs more money. Anybody who has been paying … Continued

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Medicaid is funded for 2017, with $105 million for 2018, which gives legislators an opportunity to do nothing controversial or terribly important in an election year. Strange, how these little things happen to workout, I guess. Governor Bentley received his Medicaid dollars so he can stop worrying about the … Continued

By Susan Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—The Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee passed the General Fund Budget on Wednesday. Most agencies were level-funded, and they will receive the same amount of funding as last year, without any adjustments for inflation. In most agencies, this is akin to a cut, since many have been level-funded … Continued