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Chip Brownlee

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Governor’s attorney seeks to stop release of Bentley investigation report

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — Gov. Robert Bentley’s attorney is attempting to stop or delay hearings and the release of a written report from the special counsel of the House committee charged with making a recommendation on the Governor’s impeachment. Ross Garber, Bentley’s lawyer, filed an emergency request with the House Judiciary … Continued
March 31, 2017

Tentative impeachment schedule would set House vote in early May

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — The Alabama House Judiciary Committee announced a tentative impeachment schedule Tuesday that would set a vote by the full House on impeachment articles in early May, after almost of year of back and forth over the question. In a letter to attorneys for Gov. Robert Bentley, Judiciary … Continued
March 29, 2017

Nearly 2,000 lawyers ask for Jeff Sessions to be disbarred

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — Almost 2,000 attorneys from across the US have signed on to a complaint addressed to the Alabama State Bar Disciplinary Committee asking that Attorney General Jeff Session be disbarred from the Alabama State Bar. The complaint, filed by the Lawyers for Good Government, alleges that Sessions should be … Continued
March 28, 2017

Senator proposes bill to expand city internet service

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter OPELIKA— Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, has proposed several bills to expand allow a public municipal utility provider, Opelika Power Services, to expand its internet service outside of the municipal jurisdiction of the city of Opelika. Whatley has proposed three different bills this legislative session, one would allow the utility … Continued
March 28, 2017

Auburn appoints new president with a tumultuous past

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter AUBURN — The Auburn University Board of Trustees has appointed the next president of the University: an experienced higher-ed administrator who was previously under a six-week criminal investigation for possible misuse of Iowa State University aircraft. On Monday, the Board appointed Steven Leath, 59, who has served as president of … Continued
March 24, 2017

Despite rumors, the Governor’s Office says Bentley has no plans to resign

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — The Governor’s Office on Monday pushed back against rumors that Gov. Robert Bentley will resign in April before any impeachment vote can happen in the Alabama House of Representatives. A spokesperson from the Governor’s Office said Bentley has no plans to resign. “Governor Bentley takes very seriously his … Continued
March 21, 2017

Hearing on US Senate Special Election delayed until April

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — A March court hearing on Gov. Robert Bentley’s scheduling of the US Senate special election has been rescheduled for April 12. On Friday, Montgomery County Circuit Judge J.R. Gaines rescheduled the March 21 hearing to April 12 at the request of the plaintiffs, State Auditor Jim Ziegler … Continued
March 20, 2017

Impeachment committee investigation can resume after “confusion”

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — The House Judiciary Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to continue an investigation of Gov. Robert Bentley for possible impeachment. The vote Wednesday comes after the committee failed to pass a similar measure at a meeting Tuesday morning. Several legislators were confused about the implications of their vote Tuesday when … Continued
March 9, 2017

Prison Bill compromise would reduce number of new prisons

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — A toned-down version of the bill authorizing the construction of several new prisons with a bond issue is expected to go before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, the bill’s sponsor said. The new plan, shepherded by Sen. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) who has been the bill’s sponsor in the … Continued
March 9, 2017

Governor hospitalized Wednesday for “routine procedure”

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — Gov. Robert Bentley was hospitalized Wednesday for treatment of an irregular heartbeat, involving what his spokesperson said was a “common, routine procedure.” Bentley’s spokesperson, Yasamie August, said Wednesday that Bentley was admitted to Baptist Medical Center South for treatment of atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that causes the upper … Continued
March 9, 2017