Cam Ward

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

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February 22, 2018

Bill to allow police to arrest shoplifters in stores is carried over in committee

By Brandon Moseley  Alabama Political Reporter The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to carry over a bill that would have made it easier and quicker for police to arrest shoplifters at last weeks committee meeting. Senate Bill 58 is sponsored by state Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville. Chambliss said that the Prattville Police Department has had some … Continued

Brandon Moseley

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February 20, 2018

Civil asset forfeiture reform passes out of committee

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The Senate Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report to a bill last week that promises to reform civil asset forfeiture laws in the state of Alabama to provide some basic protection the rights of the accused. Senate Bill 213 is sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur. “This is not … Continued

Brandon Moseley

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February 19, 2018

Proponents argue that juvenile justice reform will reduce youth crime

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Tuesday, Americans for Tax Reform hosted a presentation on Juvenile Justice Reform. ATR’s Jorge Marin argues that out-of-home placements for youth in the juvenile justice system cost taxpayers up to $162,000 per youth per year. Jorge Marin and ATR argue that these kinds of expenditures could be better applied … Continued

Brandon Moseley

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February 15, 2018

Voyeurism law gets favorable report by Senate Judiciary Committee

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report to make the taking of a video or photo depicting intimate areas of a person without that person’s consent a crime.  The voyeurism bill, Senate Bill 57, is sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville. Chambliss told the committee that the … Continued

Brandon Moseley

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February 1, 2018

Bill to “ban the box” from state job applications gets favorable report in committee

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Wednesday, the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report to a bill that would remove the box asking, “Have you ever been convicted of a crime,” from state job applications. The bill is supported by Alabama Appleseed and the Southern Poverty Law Center. “SB198 ensures that the … Continued

Brandon Moseley

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January 26, 2018

Bill removing state superintendent from UA School Board gets favorable report

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The Senate Judiciary Committee voted for a favorable report for Senate Bill 194 dealing with the University of Alabama Board of Trustees. The bill allows the University of Alabama to maintain the districts that they already have anticipating the strong possibility that Alabama will lose a congressional district after … Continued

Brandon Moseley

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January 26, 2018

Lawmakers eye 2.5–3 percent raise for state educators, employees

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter With high revenues and confidence in the budgets this year, state lawmakers are hoping for what could be as high as a 2.5–3 percent pay raise for K-12 educators and state employees. Gov. Kay Ivey proposed the pay increase in her first State of the State Address last week but … Continued

Chip Brownlee

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January 15, 2018

McCutcheon, Ward, Whatley, and Patterson awarded for autism bill efforts

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The National Autism Law Summit was held in San Diego, California.  Several members of the Alabama legislative delegation were awarded as legislative champions for their efforts to pass legislation requiring that insurers cover autism therapy.  State Representative Jim Patterson, R-Meridianville, Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, state Senate … Continued

Brandon Moseley

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January 2, 2018