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Chip Brownlee

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Attorney General OKs withholding millions from educators

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Quietly under cover of so-called attorney-client privilege, educators are being denied millions of dollars, and the state’s Open Meetings Act is in jeopardy. The Alabama Education Association recently celebrated winning a lawsuit alleging the Retirement System of Alabama’s PEEHIP Board met illegally to improperly raise state employees’ health insurance … Continued
September 10, 2017

State Auditor announces exploratory campaign for Governor

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter State Auditor Jim Zeigler, who made a name for himself by being a harsh critic of former Governor Robert Bentley, has confirmed an exploratory campaign for Governor. Zeigler, who has served as State Auditor since 2015, will make a final decision later as he assesses a possible run in … Continued
June 21, 2017

Death Row inmate Thomas Arthur executed after seven previous attempts

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — He escaped death seven times, but he didn’t escape the eighth. The Alabama Department of Corrections executed death row inmate, Thomas “Tommy” Arthur, late Thursday night after several hours of delays. Arthur was put to death by lethal injection at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama, using a … Continued
May 26, 2017

In-depth: Former House Speaker files written brief in appeals case

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter AUBURN — Former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard and his team of attorneys have filed their opening brief with the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, taking the first major step in the appeals process as his defense team works to overturn his 12 felony ethics convictions. Hubbard’s defense attorneys … Continued
May 25, 2017

Midwifery, Monument bills under review by Governor’s legal team

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — Two high-profile pieces of Legislation that were passed and enrolled late last week are still undergoing a routine legal review, Gov. Kay Ivey’s office said Monday. Ivey’s legal team is combing through HB315, which would legalize the practice of Midwifery, and SB60, which would prohibit cities and … Continued
May 23, 2017

Governor may consider a Special Session over prison construction

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — Governor Kay Ivey may already be considering calling a Special Session to give lawmakers time to address one issue that didn’t make it the 2017 Legislative Session this year: prison construction. At a press conference Friday, Ivey said she would consider calling a Special Session if Sen. Cam … Continued
May 22, 2017

Gov. Ivey refuses to answer our questions about her health

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter At a bill signing ceremony on Friday, Gov. Kay Ivey told reporters, “My health is fine. I’ve never felt better,” adding: “What’s the old saying? There’s never a step too high for a high stepper.” Despite the hyperbole, it’s good to know the Governor is feeling good. Here at … Continued
May 22, 2017

More children with Autism will soon have access to needed therapy

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — More children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Alabama will soon have access to a needed but expensive therapy after the passage of one of this Session’s most-watched pieces of Legislation. Last week, the Legislature approved a bill that would force insurance companies to provide insurance coverage for an … Continued
May 22, 2017

$845 million prison construction bill dead for Session, sponsor says

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — The plan to build four new “mega” prisons at a cost of up to $845 million is dead for this Legislative Session, the bill’s sponsor confirmed to the Alabama Political Reporter. With the Legislative Session hastening to an end and only a few meaningful hours left to … Continued
May 18, 2017

House committee approves $845 million prison construction plan

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY  — The Alabama House Judiciary Committee has approved an ambitious, albeit controversial plan to build three new regional men’s prisons and a new women’s prison at a cost of up to $845 million, which would be financed through revenue bonds. The committee voted Tuesday morning 9-5 to give … Continued
May 16, 2017