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General Fund uncertainty may hinder more criminal justice appropriations

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—The Alabama Medicaid Agency isn’t the only part of the State government with funding issues, and uncertainty over the future of Medicaid is spilling over into other agencies’ funding as well. The Alabama Legislature will begin its regular legislative session in just a few weeks. As lawmakers prepare, the session … Continued
January 26, 2017

Governor suggests investigation into information leaked to APR

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Gov. Robert Bentley on Monday suggested retaliation for leaks to The Alabama Political Reporter about an ongoing Ethics Commission investigation surrounding his relationship with Rebekah Mason, one of his former top political advisers. Bentley, speaking to reporters in Montgomery at the winter meeting of the Alabama Sheriff’s Association, said that the … Continued
January 24, 2017

SACS wants Bentley removed from all college boards

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter The agency responsible for accrediting all of Alabama’s two- and four-year colleges and universities is asking the state legislature to remove Gov. Robert Bentley from all state college boards because of a conflict-of-interest issue, according to a letter from the agency obtained the Alabama Political Reporter. The Southern Association … Continued
January 23, 2017

House bill would allow up to 6 days of early voting in Alabama

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—During the 2016 General Election, 37 states and the District of Columbia allowed for some type of early voting, giving voters the opportunity to cast their votes up to a month before Election Day arrived on Nov. 9. House Minority Leader Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, wants Alabama to become an … Continued
January 18, 2017

Something fishy about “failing schools” list

By Larry Lee The State Department of Education just released the latest “failing schools” list, an annual ranking is required by the infamous Alabama Accountability Act. The Legislature decreed that the bottom six percent of all public schools are “failing” and should be identified annually. So lists were distributed in June 2013 and January 2014, … Continued
January 17, 2017

Remembering those we lost in 2016

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers At the close of every year, my tradition is to acknowledge the passing away of significant political players from the political stage in Alabama. We have lost some icons from politics in the Heart of Dixie this year. Lucy Baxley passed away in October in Birmingham at 78. She … Continued
December 28, 2016

Save the indignation as Alabama’s clown show goes national

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter The outrage was evident from coast to coast on Wednesday. As news outlets learned that disgraced Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore – twice removed from the bench for failing to meet the standards of judicial ethics – had been interviewed by Gov. Robert Bentley to possibly fill … Continued
December 22, 2016

Court rules against Birmingham Water Works Board

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Monday, December 19, 2016, Jefferson County Circuit Judges Robert Vance Jr. ruled that legislation sponsored by State Senator Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia) , SB89 to expand the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) was passed legally and can now be implemented. Former State Representative Paul DeMarco (R-Homewood) said, “Great news for … Continued
December 21, 2016

State Legislature receives high marks from the American Conservative Union

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—The 2016 Session of the Alabama Legislature received high marks for fiscal and social conservatism from the American Conservative Union on their conservatism report card this year. The ACU praised the Alabama House and Senate for enacting more conservative legislation during their session this year. The ACU scores ever … Continued
December 13, 2016

Ethics Commission withdraws McCalla opinion after charities line-up

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter In a unanimous vote on September 1, 2016, the Alabama Ethics Commission issued advisory opinion 2016-24, which it believed clarified the question regarding public officials soliciting lobbyists and principals for contributions to a charitable organization, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The issue was raised by the nonprofit group, Friends … Continued
December 8, 2016