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Alabama Political Reporter

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Who Has the Moral Authority to Lead Ethics Reform?

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Even before former Speaker Mike Hubbard’s conviction on 12 counts of public corruption, due to criminal ethics violations, his minions were spinning a narrative that the laws, under which he was indicted, were hastily prepared and passed without question (merely a deceptive plan to cast doubt on his indictment). … Continued
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September 19, 2016

Budget Task Force Leaders Committed to Reform, But Can It Be Achieved?

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Tackling budget reform is priority one, according to Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia). Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston) called for reforms and voiced his commitment during the recent Special Legislative Session. During this Session, McCutcheon sponsored and passed JHR62, which establishes a task force with … Continued
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September 16, 2016

Hubbard’s Lee County Trial Finally Ends in Silence

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—The post-trial appeal of convicted felon and former Speaker of the House, Mike Hubbard, finally expired on September 8, in silence, according to the Attorney General’s office calculations. For almost four years, Hubbard, aided by his criminal lawyers, used the State House, the Governor’s Office and some within the … Continued
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September 14, 2016

Victoryland Reopens With Blowout Attendance

By Susan Britt Alabama Political Reporter SHORTER—Starting before noon on Tuesday, people were lining up, along with the traffic, around Victoryland in Macon County, for its “Grand” reopening at 2:00 pm. People poured through the doors and flooded the lobby, as they all rushed to get their chance to gamble at Victoryland, again. At a … Continued
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September 14, 2016

CARES: Ripe for Fraud and Identity Theft

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Due to gross mismanagement of the CARES system, not only are Alabama’s most needy citizens in danger of identity theft, but the system’s many failures also open a gaping door to unchecked, fraudulent claims for CHIPs and Medicaid. After publication of APR’s article, “CARES: A Massive Technology Failure Costing … Continued
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September 13, 2016

Britt Puts Another Crack in the Glass Ceiling as Chief of Staff

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—At a time when Democrats are trumpeting the cracks made in the glass ceiling separating women from the highest positions in government, Alabama’s Republican Senior Senator Richard Shelby, quietly opened a new fissure by hiring Katie Boyd Britt as his new Chief of Staff. “Katie is a talented and … Continued
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September 13, 2016

CARES: A Massive Technology Failure Costing Taxpayers Tens of Millions

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Under the banner of “streamlining government,” Governor Robert Bentley issued Executive Order 44 on June 30, 2014. EO44 combined various agencies into one software system to administer and enroll individuals, in state and federal benefit programs such as, Medicaid, children’s services, public health and senior programs. After two years, … Continued
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September 12, 2016

Lovvorn’s Consultant Linked to Hubbard’s Machine

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—The Republican primary to elect a replacement for disgraced lawmaker and convicted felon Rep. Mike Hubbard will be held on Tuesday. Jay Conner, Joe Lovvorn, Sandy Toomer and Brett Smith are all in the running to represent District 79, but parts of the former Hubbard machine are pushing Lovvorn … Continued
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September 12, 2016

Big PAC Money Flows to One Candidate in Race to Replace Hubbard

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Four candidates are vying for the seat once held by convicted felon, Mike Hubbard in the Republican primary on September 13. The voters of District 79 have yet to pick a candidate, but the well-heeled of Auburn and influential Montgomery PACs have already chosen theirs. Jay Conner, Joe Lovvorn, … Continued
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September 9, 2016

Merrill Expedites Business Filing Process

By Susan Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Secretary of State John Merrill’s Office has developed a new solution to shorten the window between when a new business filing is received and when the business’ information first appears on the SOS website. “During my time working to earn the People of Alabama’s trust to serve as their … Continued
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September 9, 2016