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An Alabama Solution to an Alabama Problem: Rebuilding the Alabama Corrections System

In order to correct a problem, you must first admit there is a problem. In Alabama, we have a problem. Our problem is our state’s corrections system. Like many other states, issues of violence, poor living conditions and mental illness persist within our system. These issues, and others, are exacerbated by a crowded inmate population, … Continued
February 12, 2019

Some charges dropped against Trey Glenn, Scott Phillips

Several ethics charges against former Alabama Environmental Management Commissioner Scott Phillips and former U.S. EPA Administrator Trey Glenn have been dropped in a new superseding indictment filed Monday. With the new superseding indictment, which was signed by a grand jury Friday, Phillips and Glenn are both facing fewer ethics charges in total than they faced in the … Continued
February 12, 2019

Giffords Law Center gives Alabama an “F” for weak gun laws

The Giffords Law Center recently released Gun Law Scorecard grades and ranks for all 50 states based on their gun laws. Alabama was among 22 states that receive an F for their lack of gun control legislation. In 2018 state legislatures passed 67 new laws in 26 states limiting their citizens’ Second Amendment rights. The … Continued
February 11, 2019

Remembering Feb. 28, 2013, and the politics of contempt

Feb. 28, 2013 was just another late winter’s day in Montgomery.  The temperature was in the 50’s, the Legislature was in session and the State Board of Education was having a work session. State Superintendent Tommy Bice was at the work session with no clue that Hell was about to break loose two blocks away … Continued
February 11, 2019

Organizational session, legislative leadership with potential new stars

The Legislature has met for their organizational session and elected their leadership for the next four years. Both the House and Senate leadership remain essentially the same as the last quadrennium. Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, was elected Senate President Pro Tem. Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, remains majority leader. Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia, continues as rules … Continued
February 6, 2019

State needs to invest at least $600 million annually in infrastructure, study finds

A report from the University of Alabama’s Alabama Transportation Institute and Alabama Transportation Policy Research Center found that the state needs to invest between $600 million and $800 million annually for the next 20 years to meet infrastructure needs. The report — “Addressing Alabama’s Transporation Infrastructure: Roads and Bridges” — found that Alabama needs to … Continued
February 1, 2019

Economic developers want to expand ethics law exemptions

The Alabama Code of Ethics Clarification and Reform Commission met in Montgomery for a public hearing on proposed “reforms” to the Alabama Ethics Law Tuesday. Many people in the economic development community were present to express their support for efforts to reform the state ethics law. They supported pending legislation to protect economic developers and … Continued
February 1, 2019

Corrections asks for $42 million budget increase

Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn presented the ADOC fiscal year 2020 budget request to an Alabama joint House and Senate budget committee meeting in Montgomery. “The Department of Corrections is undergoing unprecedented change,” Dunn said. The ADOC is, “Transforming the department into the most respected and trusted law enforcement agency in the state.” … Continued
January 31, 2019