Alabama Senate

News

Alabama Senate votes to adopt formal sexual harassment policy

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter In the wake of months of sexual harassment and assault allegations against high-profile politicians and public figures across the country, the Alabama Senate on Tuesday voted to adopt a formal sexual harassment policy. The Senate voted to implement the wide-ranging and specific workplace harassment policy, which covers members, staff … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 7, 2018

Upset: Burkette knocks off Knight in District 26 primary runoff

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter In what could only be described as an upset, Montgomery City Councilman David Burkette has won the Democratic primary runoff for the District 26 seat in the Alabama Senate, knocking off longtime state Rep. John Knight. Knight was considered an overwhelming favorite and had easily bested a field of … Continued

Josh Moon

February 28, 2018

Senator says Ten Commandments in public schools could potentially prevent school shootings

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Senate on Tuesday approved a bill by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, that would authorize a state referendum on whether to allow the display of the Ten Commandments on public property and public schools — a proposal he says may prevent some mass shootings. The bill passed the … Continued

Chip Brownlee

February 28, 2018

Alabama Senate OKs one-time bonuses for retired educators, state employees

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Senate cleared a bill Tuesday that would give most retired state employees and retired educators a small one-time bonus. The two bills to authorize the bonuses, the size of which will depend on how long the employee or teacher worked with the state, slid through the Senate … Continued

Chip Brownlee

February 28, 2018

Schools Transportation Association fears Senate bill might lead to aging school bus fleets

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter A bill passed in the Alabama Senate and awaiting action in the House Ways and Means Education Committee could reduce the amount of state funding school systems could receive to offset the costs of new school buses, the Alabama Schools Transportation Association has warned. Local school systems under current … Continued

Chip Brownlee

February 28, 2018

Senate committee approves supplemental funding bill to give Corrections $30 million

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter A Senate committee passed a supplement to the General Fund Wednesday that appropriates an additional $30 million for the Department of Correction in their ongoing dilemma to raise standards of mental health and prisoner health care. The Senate Committee on Taxation General Fund approved the measure yesterday after chairman … Continued

Sam Mattison

February 22, 2018

State Sen. Hank Sanders, the longest serving senator, will not seek re-election

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter State Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, is leaving the Alabama Senate after serving 9 terms in the upper chamber. Sanders, who had qualified to run, made the decision last-minute through a press release saying “Some times it is time.” “I had thought that I would run to serve one more … Continued

Sam Mattison

February 13, 2018

Alabama Senate moves to make “upskirting” illegal

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Senate on Thursday voted unanimously to pass a bill that would make a voyeuristic act known as “upskirting” a felony. If passed by the House and signed into law, the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, would make it illegal for anyone to take a photo … Continued

Chip Brownlee

February 9, 2018

Senate committee approves bill to allow display of Ten Commandments on public property

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter An Alabama Senate committee approved a bill Thursday that will allow for the public display of the Ten Commandments on public property including government building grounds and public schools. The bill, by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, received a unanimous vote from the Senate Constitution, Ethics and Elections committee after … Continued

Chip Brownlee

February 9, 2018

Small income tax break gets Senate approval

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Senate approved a small income tax break Thursday. Part of the Republican agenda, the break would increase the adjusted gross income range for the largest standard income tax deduction, meaning some families will have a smaller tax burden next year. “We finally have some dollars to deal … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 26, 2018