Alabama

Opinion

Trump’s con game is almost over

It’s all true. All of the rumors. All of the speculation. All of the oh-my-God-have-you-heard-about whispers. All of it is true. All of the things that Donald Trump and his administration and family have been accused of doing … they actually did them. All of them. Even the really dumb ones. Even the really awful … Continued

Josh Moon

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December 14, 2018

Jones appointed to powerful Senate Armed Services Committee

After a brief stint with no representation on the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, Alabama is back in the mix. U.S. Sen. Doug Jones has been appointed to the influential committee tasked with overseeing the nation’s armed forces, national security and military research and development. Jones will assume his position on the committee when the … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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December 14, 2018

Opinion

Can Alabama’s one-party system deliver for all the people?

Alabama is a one-party state. For 136 years, the Democratic Party was the sole governing body which ruled the state under a one-party system. Voters switched sides in 2010, and now there is one-party control by Republicans. Of the many problems created by a one-party system are the elimination of checks and balances, disregard for … Continued

Bill Britt

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December 13, 2018

Opinion

Inside the Statehouse: Last of famous probate judges: Hardy McCollum

In Alabama political history, the office of Probate Judge was the most powerful and prestigious position. In the old days, in every county in Alabama, the probate judge was not only judge, he also appointed all county positions, hired all county employees and was Chairman of the County Commission. He was essentially the “King of … Continued

Steve Flowers

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December 13, 2018

As lawmakers consider new gas tax, Alabama remains last in per capita state, local tax collection

As state lawmakers prepare to consider a gas tax increase during the next legislative session, a new report from the Public Affairs Research Council shows Alabama’s state and local governments collect less in taxes per capita than any other state in the country. Alabama has been behind in tax collection since the early 1990s, according … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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December 12, 2018

Alabama joins other states in effort to stop pesky robocalls

Alabama is joining a multistate coalition to stop or reduce annoying robocalls. Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Thursday that Alabama will participate in a bipartisan group of 39 attorneys general who are working to find a solution to stop malicious robocalls by focusing on the technology that major telecom companies are pursuing to stop the illegal … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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December 7, 2018

Opinion

A real outsider

Donald Trump got a lot of votes in Alabama. Even today, after two years of implementing policies that have undeniably hurt this state, he still enjoys healthy support in Alabama. While it would be easy to tie that support to Alabama’s history of racism and Trump’s tendency to say racist things and support racist people … Continued

Josh Moon

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December 6, 2018

Analysis

The 2019 gas tax, gambling fight is under way

The fight over a gas tax increase has begun. Just out of public view, lawmakers and lobbyists and business interests are working together and against each other to draw up bills that will increase Alabama’s gas tax as much as 18 cents initially, depending on the type of fuel being purchased. But there is broad … Continued

Josh Moon

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December 5, 2018

Opinion

Jo Bonner comes to Montgomery

Gov. Kay Ivey has just announced that former U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner is joining her staff as “senior advisor.” In my opinion, this is great news for the people of Alabama. I have known Jo since 1982. And if I could sum him up in just one word, it would be GENUINE. What you see … Continued

Larry Lee

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December 5, 2018