2019 legislative session

Bill to abolish elected county superintendents stalled in Alabama House

The Alabama House of Representatives rejected a proposal Friday to force all Alabama counties to adopt a system where the county board of education hires a school superintendent. In many Alabama counties, the county school superintendent is an elected official over the schools analogous to the Sheriff with law enforcement. City systems already have appointed … Continued

Brandon Moseley

June 3, 2019

Opinion

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

Bill Britt

May 29, 2019

Senate passes bill to allow retired law enforcement officers to work as school security

The Alabama Senate approved a bill Thursday by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, that would allow local school boards of education to hire retired law enforcement officers to serve as armed school security staff, provided they possess 25 years of experience. The officers must complete active shooter prevention training approved by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 19, 2019

Opinion

A time for lions, not sheep

Every four years, Alabama lawmakers have an opportunity to do bold things that are usually politically impossible in other years of the legislative quadrennium. A few big ideas on the table for 2019 are passing a fuel tax to revamp and expand the state’s infrastructure and offering citizens an opportunity to vote on a gaming … Continued

Bill Britt

March 4, 2019

Poll: Alabamians split on whether to raise gas tax for infrastructure investment

Alabamians are split on whether to raise the state’s gas tax to fund investments in road and bridge infrastructure. A poll conducted Feb. 8 through 12 shows Alabamians divided on the issue. About 45 percent of respondents said the state should increase fuel taxes to pay for investments, while 48 percent said the state should … Continued

Chip Brownlee

February 22, 2019

Alabama Real Estate Commission once again appears to side-step Gov. Ivey’s directive

The Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC) in the past has ignored a standing Executive Order by hiring a high-priced lobbyist to act on its behalf. It appears the Commission is looking to once again employ a lobbyist ahead of the 2019 Legislative Session contrary to Gov. Ivey’s directive. Governor Kay Ivey on July 13, 2017, … Continued

Bill Britt

January 4, 2019

Opinion

Can Alabama’s one-party system deliver for all the people?

Alabama is a one-party state. For 136 years, the Democratic Party was the sole governing body which ruled the state under a one-party system. Voters switched sides in 2010, and now there is one-party control by Republicans. Of the many problems created by a one-party system are the elimination of checks and balances, disregard for … Continued

Bill Britt

December 13, 2018

Marsh may draft legislation to keep animals from being left in vehicles

State Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, announced on Facebook that he is considering writing legislation making it a crime to leave pets unattended in cars. We have all been to a big box store parking lot and seen people who for some reason took their pet(s) with them to town and inexplicably left … Continued

Brandon Moseley

July 9, 2018