Alabama Legislature

Inside the Statehouse: Kay just needs to say nothing or do nothing

Recently, I wrote about Alfa’s influence in Alabama politics. In my August 8 column, I said, the Alabama Farmers Federation still controls the Legislature. They use to play in the Governor’s Race. However, they got burned badly by Bob Riley when they helped him get elected and the first thing he did was stab them … Continued

Steve Flowers

August 22, 2018

Alabama Senate Republicans lead Democrats 12 to 6 going into fall elections

Senate Republicans already have a twelve to six Advantage in State Senate seats headed into the general election. Senate Republicans need to win just six seats in the November election to maintain their control of the Alabama Senate. Presently the Republican Party holds a commanding 26 to 8 to 1 supermajority on the Alabama Senate. … Continued

Brandon Moseley

August 13, 2018

Opinion

Inside the Statehouse: Primary political potpourri

Now that the dust has settled on the primaries, allow me to share with you some thoughts on the Alabama political stage. There is an old saying that says the more things change, the more they stay the same. This old adage is true in Alabama politics. First of all, “All politics is local.” In the … Continued

Steve Flowers

August 9, 2018

Ethics Commission finds an exception for speaker’s chief of staff

Retiring Republican Rep. Mark Tuggle of District 81 is in line for the position of Chief of Staff to Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon. An opinion from the Ethics Commission issued last week concluded that Tuggle’s duties as Chief of Staff would not violate the state’s revolving door provision which prohibits elected officials from … Continued

Bill Britt

August 6, 2018

Opinion

Refuse to be ignored

Watching the way Republicans in Alabama are campaigning for their offices – statewide, congressional seats, Legislature – is discouraging to people who care. They are running invisible campaigns against their Democratic opponents. Their strategy appears to be out-of-sight, out-of-trouble-with-their-views. They don’t want to stick their heads up too far and end up the victim of … Continued

Joey Kennedy

August 2, 2018

Court allows Birmingham minimum wage lawsuit to move forward

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals made a decision yesterday to allow plaintiffs to proceed in their endeavor to bring a lawsuit that challenges Alabama’s actions to nullify a City of Birmingham minimum wage ordinance that claims intentional racial discrimination. The Southern Poverty Law Center and the Partnership for Working Families weighed in on the … Continued

Charlie Walker

July 26, 2018

Knight, Holmes are defeated in Montgomery

Two Montgomery powerhouses — and two of the most prominent Democrats in the state — fell Tuesday night. Rep. Alvin Holmes, the longest-serving member of the Legislature having served 45 years, and Rep. John Knight, a powerful lawmaker who has himself served for 26 years, were defeated in primary runoff races by relatively unknown opponents. Kirk … Continued

Josh Moon

July 18, 2018

Secretary Merrill reminds voters that crossover voting rules are in effect

Today, July 17, 2018, voters will return to the polls to make a final selection for the candidates they want to represent the Republican or Democratic party in the November General Election which will be held on November 6, 2018. Secretary of State John Merrill (R) reminded voters that, as a result of legislation passed … Continued

Brandon Moseley

July 17, 2018

McCutcheon chief of staff Jim Entrekin moves on; new chief of staff in limbo

House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, announced on Monday, that Jim Entrekin, his chief of staff accepted a new position within the state Legislature as general counsel for the Legislative Services Agency. “I congratulate Jimmy on this well-earned new opportunity, and as grateful as I am to have had him as my chief of staff, it … Continued

Charlie Walker

July 17, 2018

Ainsworth earns endorsement from Alabama Citizens for Life

On Wednesday, Lieutenant Governor candidate Will Ainsworth, R – Guntersville, received an endorsement from the Alabama Citizens for Life, the state’s broadest and most active pro-life organization. The Alabama Citizens for Life President and Board Director, Bill Klein and Cheryl Ciamarra, respectively, cited in the organization’s endorsement letter that Ainsworth’s “100 percent Pro-Life voting record in … Continued

Charlie Walker

July 12, 2018