Alabama Legislature

Governor / News

Why do Alabama governors insist on taking the unpopular path?

We’re doing it again. The same thing. We’re doing the same thing again, and hoping for a different outcome. Which I believe is the definition of insanity. And that might as well be our state motto at this point. Alabama: The Insane State. The state where the people continue to elect people who promise to … Continued

Josh Moon

January 15, 2019

Ivey uses inaugural address to call for infrastructure, corrections funding

During her inaugural address Monday, Gov. Kay Ivey, who is beginning her first full term as Alabama’s 54th governor, called on the Legislature to improve the state’s infrastructure and replace aging prisons. The governor was sworn into office Monday morning on the steps of the State Capitol. Ivey used the legacy of Gov. Lurleen Wallace, … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 14, 2019

Opinion

There’s a reason the state legislature has no oversight of the AHSAA

Kyle South is the reason that the Alabama Legislature has no authority over the Alabama High School Athletic Association. South, a Republican state representative from Fayette, announced on Wednesday that he would be filing legislation that, if passed, would give the state legislature and the Alabama Department of Education some oversight of AHSAA rulings and … Continued

Josh Moon

January 10, 2019

Senate committee assignments released leave Democrats spread thin across multiple committees

New committee assignments in the Alabama Senate have been decided as the Legislature heads home from its organizational session and prepares for the upcoming regular session, which will begin in March. Members assigned to standing committees will serve on those committees until 2022, the end of this legislative term. The Alabama Senate Committee on Assignments determined … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 10, 2019

Sen. Del Marsh re-elected President pro tempore of Alabama Senate

The Alabama Senate has unanimously elected Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, as President pro tempore. In a vote of 32-0, Marsh captured support from both Republican and Democratic senators. Democrats did not nominate their own candidate for the position, largely because the Republican caucus holds a supermajority in the Legislature’s upper chamber. Marsh, the only Republican … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 9, 2019

Opinion

ALGOP House rule changes eliminate democracy

Elections have consequences. In Alabama, the consequence is the death of democracy. Or, at least, it will be if the Republicans who increased their supermajority stronghold in the state Legislature in November have their way. On Monday, APR received a copy of Republicans’ proposed rules changes for the upcoming 2019 legislative session. The changes are … Continued

Josh Moon

January 8, 2019

Opinion

Poarch Creek leadership keeps taking from state while giving nothing in return

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Affairs, federally recognized tribes like the Poarch Band of Creek Indians are protected against encroachment by other sovereigns, such as the states. So, why does the Alabama State Legislature show submissiveness to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians? For at least ten years, PCI has slowly … Continued

Bill Britt

January 8, 2019

Opinion

Montgomery’s struggles will be Alabama’s future if public education funding isn’t addressed

The report cards for Alabama’s public schools dropped this week, and once again, we’re all failing. Oh, don’t get me wrong, Alabama’s public schools are doing a fine job educating the overwhelming majority of students who enter their doors each day. There are fantastic teachers in those schools, great administrators and some of the finest … Continued

Josh Moon

January 2, 2019

Nine stories to keep an eye on in 2019

9. Who will challenge Sen. Doug Jones in 2020? It may have been only a year ago that Doug Jones won in a historic victory that sent a Democrat from Alabama to the U.S. Senate for the first time in a quarter century, but he’s up for re-election in 2020. With that election just around the corner, … Continued

Chip Brownlee

December 31, 2018

Opinion

Ivey righted the ship of state; now it is time to steer it audaciously

When Gov. Kay Ivey took the helm as Alabama’s 54th Governor, she promised to steady the ship of state. Over the last 622 days, she kept that promise. Gov. Ivey is signaling that she wants to tackle systemic problems that have been bandaged or ignored by her predecessors. Aided by a competent staff, Ivey’s administration … Continued

Bill Britt

December 24, 2018