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US agriculture secretary announces $2.9 million federal grant for rural broadband

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue joined Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, in announcing a $2.9 million e-Connectivity Grant for Brilliant, Alabama. The $2.9 million grant will bring e-Connectivity to rural Marion County, Alabama, through the Tombigbee Electric Cooperative, a Great Depression-era initiative. “In 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke … Continued

Brandon Moseley

May 4, 2018

Speaker gives Legislature either a high B or a low A for legislative session

Following the adjournment of the 2018 regular legislative session, Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, said that he would grade the session a high B or a low A. “In terms of efficiency, cooperation, and significant legislation passed, the 2018 regular session should be considered among the most successful in recent years,” McCutcheon said … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 30, 2018

Senate approves bill intended expand rural broadband access

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Senate on Thursday approved a bill intended to expand rural access to highspeed broadband internet. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Clay Scofield, R-Guntersville, aims to expand private investment in broadband infrastructure by providing tax incentives to telecommunications and cable companies that invest in rural areas. Senate Bill … Continued

Chip Brownlee

February 5, 2018

Week One Legislative Report: 373 bills introduced in the first week of the 2018 Regular Session

Contributed by Beth Marietta Lyons Lyons Law Firm The Alabama Legislature began its annual Regular Session on Tuesday, January 9. As the annual Session is limited by law to 30 session days within a 105 calendar day period, the Session must conclude by April 23, 2018. After convening at noon on Tuesday and conducting general … Continued

Beth Lyons

January 15, 2018

Senate Republicans float income tax break in “Fighting for Alabama” agenda

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter Ahead of what is expected to be a quiet and relatively non-controversial Legislative Session, Senate Republicans released a four-pronged agenda highlighting priorities that include an income tax break and a push for broadband in rural communities. Republican senators announced the agenda — notably less partisan and low key than … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 12, 2018

Shelby announces $1.26 million DRA grant for Thomasville Career Readiness Center

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Friday, December 22, 2017, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., reported that the City of Thomasville will benefit from a $1.26 million Delta Regional Authority (DRA) grant to help establish a new career readiness center in the downtown area. Shelby said, “Many rural areas lack the basic career resources that … Continued

Brandon Moseley

December 26, 2017

Public hearing on broadband bill renews debate on government influence in private businesses

Sam Mattison Alabama Political Reporter A bill that would expand municipal governments’ reach into broadband and internet services renewed a debate on government expansion into private enterprise at a committee meeting on Wednesday, April 12. The House Committee on Commerce and Small Business was a packed house on Wednesday with some people even forced to … Continued

Sam Mattison

April 13, 2017

Bentley Calls His Plan Our Moonshot

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Tuesday, February 2, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) delivered his sixth State of the State Speech to a joint House of the Alabama Legislature in the historic Alabama Capital Building. Gov. Bentley said that on the State’s 150th anniversary, a state man also first landed on the moon. That … Continued

Brandon Moseley

February 3, 2016

BREAKING: Gov. Bentley Great State 2019 Plan Unveiled Tonight

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Later this evening, Governor Robert Bentley will unveil his far-reaching agenda to move the State forward into the future. The bold, yet inactive “Great State 2019” Plan, outlines a list of priorities often discussed, but rarely acted upon. If this Governor is successful in completing his goal for the … Continued

Bill Britt

February 2, 2016