Chip Brownlee

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Finance Department is set to terminate its contract with a technology company over the controversial $47-million STAARS software program, according to court documents. The Finance Department purchased the new statewide accounting system software, the State of Alabama Accounting and Resource System, in 2015. In December 2015, The Alabama Political Reporter reported … Continued

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Gov. Kay Ivey has appointed a new communications director—one with social conservative credentials — to work alongside her press staff on communications strategy. Ivey announced Monday that she had appointed Joshua Pendergrass, a lawyer and Baptist pastor who has worked with former Chief Justice Roy Moore, as Communications Director. The … Continued

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY  — More than 90 Legislative Districts could be realigned under the Senate Republicans’ current Reapportionment Plan, according to the top Republican on the committee handling the changes. In an interview Thursday, Sen. Gerald Dial said as many as 66 Legislative House districts in Alabama and 25 Senate districts could … Continued

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — The State Senate voted largely along party lines Thursday to pass three pieces of Legislation that would declare Alabama a “Pro-Life State” in its constitution, give an opt-out option to health care workers and officially outlaw assisted suicide. The bills were passed in a marathon of pro-life … Continued

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Special Supreme Court empaneled to hear Chief Justice Roy Moore’s appeal has upheld his permanent suspension, which lasts until his term ends in 2019. The suspension effectively ended his judicial career. The Court of the Judiciary — a nine-member panel that reviews ethics complaints against the State’s judges — suspended … Continued

Photo: Dakota Sumpter / The Auburn Plainsman By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter AUBURN— White nationalist leader Richard Spencer, known for coining the term “alt-right,” faced down the administrative opposition and hundreds of protestors to speak at Auburn University Tuesday night. Inside the event, Spencer, who became known nationally for being punched at an anti-Trump rally in January, … Continued

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — The first bill Gov. Kay Ivey signed after becoming Governor Monday evening was a bill that will put an end to Judicial Override in capital punishment. The bill will now become law. Ivey signed her first act, Senate Bill 16, sponsored by Sen. Dick Brewbaker in the Senate … Continued

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — There are no more Masons in the Governor’s Office, at least not any related to Rebekah Mason. On Tuesday, Gov. Kay Ivey accepted the resignation of Jon Mason, the director of SERVE Alabama who also happens to be the husband of Rebekah Mason. Rebekah had been embroiled … Continued

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter AUBURN — Former House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s criminal appeals trial may soon move forward after Lee County Circuit Clerk Mary Roberson filed a long-awaited court record last week. Roberson filed the court record, which includes all motions, orders and trial transcripts, on March 29 after several months of delays. The … Continued