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Chip Brownlee

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Bill to take ride-hailing services statewide makes it out of committee

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter A bill that could bring ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft statewide is a step closer to becoming law after a Senate committee Thursday voted to give the bill a favorable report. Senate Bill 143, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, … Continued
January 19, 2018

Alabama not on Amazon’s Top 20 list for second headquarters

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter Despite creative efforts from Birmingham and Huntsville, Amazon didn’t choose any Alabama city when narrowing down the list of candidates for its second headquarters. Huntsville and Birmingham both vied for headquarters, Birmingham even going so far as to put a massive Amazon “big box” on one of its city … Continued
January 18, 2018

Senators vote nearly unanimously to do away with marriage licenses

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter Marriage licenses and state-mandated marriage ceremonies may soon be a thing of the past if the Alabama Senate has anything to say about. The Alabama Senate voted Tuesday to approve a bill that would abolish the requirement for marriage licenses and allow two people to enter into a marriage … Continued
January 17, 2018

Alabama Senate passes bill to prohibit, track racial profiling in traffic stops

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama State Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday in favor of a bill that would define racial profiling, prohibit law enforcement officers from engaging in it and require law enforcement agencies to track the race of those pulled over for traffic stops. Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, introduced the bill, which … Continued
January 17, 2018

Alabama set to move forward with Medicaid work requirements on Gov. Kay Ivey’s orders

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter Alabama may become one of nearly a dozen mostly Republican states that are seeking a waiver from the federal government that could allow the state to institute work requirements for some of those who are on Medicaid. Gov. Kay Ivey said Tuesday that she has directed Medicaid Commissioner Stefanie … Continued
January 17, 2018

Sen. Doug Jones co-sponsors legislation to push back against FCC’s vote on net neutrality

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter Sen. Doug Jones is picking his first fight in the U.S. Senate. Jones’ office said Tuesday that he will be co-sponsoring legislation that would repeal the Federal Communication Commission’s recent policy change that did away with net neutrality protections. Those protections, sometimes referred to the open internet, required internet … Continued
January 17, 2018

Ivey’s General Fund budget bill introduced in State Senate

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter Gov. Kay Ivey’s proposed General Fund budget dropped in the Senate Tuesday. The bill, which funds Alabama’s non-education agencies, is being carried by Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose, who chairs the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee. Ivey’s proposal would bring a 9.5 percent increase for the General Fund … Continued
January 17, 2018

Ivey declares State of Emergency ahead of winter weather system

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter Gov. Kay Ivey issued a State of Emergency Monday afternoon ahead of what is expected to be a serious winter weather event Tuesday into Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service based in Birmingham is forecasting that the system could bring snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice across most of … Continued
January 16, 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
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
January 12, 2018