Alabama

A prison solution that is both fiscally responsible and effective

Last week in Gov. Kay Ivey’s inaugural address, she said, “the status of our corrections system is an Alabama problem that must be solved by an Alabama solution.” It is high time we seriously take on the crisis within corrections in a way that makes sense for our citizens and state. Alabama needs to build … Continued

Christopher England

January 25, 2019

Study: Nurses, truck drivers, retail are the most sought-after employees in Alabama

Nurses, truck drivers and retail workers are among the most highly sought-after employees in Alabama, a new report found. The study conducted by the Alabama Department of Labor’s Labor Market Information Division looked at online help-wanted ads placed during December 2018. The Help Wanted Online data compiled for the state of Alabama showed out of a … Continued

Mikayla Burns

January 24, 2019

Opinion

The high price of protecting the public

Barely three weeks into the New Year – a time that is supposed to be full of optimism for the future – Alabama has already reached a somber milestone. Our state is tied with Texas for the highest number of law enforcement line-of-duty deaths in the country for 2019. Two Sundays in a row, major … Continued

Steve Marshall

January 24, 2019

High death rate, low immigration levels leave Alabama with one of nation’s lowest growth rates

New numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that Alabama has one of the nation’s lowest growth rates. “As Alabama approaches its 200th birthday, the state is still adding population but at a slower rate than most of its Southeastern neighbors,” analysts wrote in a Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama analysis of the Census … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 23, 2019

Alabama tax revenues are up but still below pre-Great Recession levels

Last year was a great year for most state governments, with a few notable exceptions. In Alabama, tax revenues are soaring, but have not entirely recovered from pre-Great Recession levels. According to a new study by the Pew Charitable Trust, 36 states collected more tax revenue than they did at their pre-Great Recession peaks, after … Continued

Brandon Moseley

January 23, 2019

Opinion

Vilification of the poor continues to hamper Alabama growth

Two sessions ago, in a legislative committee meeting of some sorts, there was — believe it or not — a meaningful and sincere conversation among lawmakers about a controversial topic. Drug testing welfare recipients. The sponsor of the bill that wanted to require that every person who received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) money be … Continued

Josh Moon

January 23, 2019

Red state governors tout economic success of Medicaid expansion

Montana’s Gov. Steve Bullock presented a report in early January that shows Medicaid expansion has added $270 million to the state’s economy annually since its passage in 2015, according to The Great Falls Tribune. “I think that it’s time we finally fully recognize the value of Medicaid expansion is as much for Montana businesses as it … Continued

Bill Britt

January 22, 2019

Opinion

Alabama’s continued honoring of Robert Lee is a slap in the face to black Americans

Today, the State of Alabama will honor two men. One was a man who advocated for peace and justice, who led peaceful protests and demanded non-violent resistance to abhorrent mistreatment of Americans based solely on the color of their skin. All across America, people will celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King … Continued

Josh Moon

January 21, 2019

PCI investing heavily in out-of-state casinos using un-taxed dollars from Alabama

The Poarch Creek Indians are buying a billion-dollar casino in Pennsylvania using un-taxed dollars siphoned out of Alabama. PCI is paying $1.3 billion for the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem in a bid to expand the tribe’s lucrative gaming syndicate beyond the borders of Alabama. According to lehighvalleylive.com, once the purchase is approved, the tribe, “plans to … Continued

Bill Britt

January 17, 2019

Sen. Cam Ward will again chair the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee

The senator largely responsible for rewriting many of Alabama’s antiquated sentencing laws and who has led an effort to reform Alabama’s prisons will again chair the Alabama Senate’s Judiciary Committee. Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, was selected to chair the powerful committee responsible for oversight of Alabama’s criminal justice system. Ward, who has served in the … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 17, 2019