Chip Brownlee

News

Governor joins bipartisan lawmakers in push for regulations to take Uber, Lyft statewide

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter Gov. Kay Ivey joined lawmakers and drivers from ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft to push for a piece of bipartisan legislation that would set statewide regulations for how such companies can operate, which could allow Alabamians to call a ride anywhere in the state. Lyft and Uber, the nation’s … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 12, 2018

State Rep. Danny Garrett will seek re-election

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter State Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Tussville, will seek re-election this year. Garrett filed qualifying papers this week with the Alabama Republican Party to run for another term representing House District 44. Garrett, who was first elected in 2014, currently represents part of Jefferson County including Trussville, Clay and parts of … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 11, 2018

State still behind in LGBT protection as lawmakers return to Montgomery, LGBT group says

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter As lawmakers make their way back to Montgomery for the Legislative Session this year, a branch of the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization says Alabama is still far behind in its protections for LGBT people. The State Equality Index, an annual comprehensive report released by the Human Rights … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 11, 2018

Governor pushes state employee pay raises, investment in education in first State of the State

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter A year ago, former Gov. Robert Bentley delivered his last State of the State address, setting goals for a Legislative Session that not only would see many of his priorities fall short but encompass the end his political career. Last night, Gov. Kay Ivey delivered her first — an … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 10, 2018

In shift from Bentley plan, Ivey calls for new investment in prisons, correctional officers

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey shifted further away from former Gov. Robert Bentley’s plan to build new mega-prison as a solution for overcrowding and prison conditions federal courts have repeatedly ruled as unconstitutional. In her State of the State Tuesday, Ivey pushed for new investment in prisons and the Department … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 10, 2018

Sen. Doug Jones appointed to health, homeland security committees

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, who recently took office as the state’s junior senator, received his committee appointments Tuesday, which include positions on the health and homeland security committees, among others. Senate leadership appointed Jones, who was sworn in Jan. 3, to the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 10, 2018

In post-Moore Alabama, Young Alabama hopes to be a springboard for young leaders

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter A month after embattled Republican Roy Moore lost a safe Republican Senate to Democrat Doug Jones, a group of young conservatives hopes to provide a platform for young leaders, perhaps disenchanted with politics on both sides of the aisle, to speak up and get involved in the future of the … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 9, 2018

Cherokee County farmer announces run for state Senate seat vacated by Phil Williams

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter A fourth-generation Cherokee County farmer and small business owner has announced a run for the Republican nomination to replace state Sen. Phil Williams, R-Rainbow City, who won’t be seeking re-election this year. Andrew Jones, from Centre, announced this week he would be seeking the seat in Senate District 10. … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 4, 2018

Doug Jones, to be sworn in Wednesday, hires only Democratic African American chief of staff

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter Sen.-elect Doug Jones, who will be sworn in Wednesday, will be the only Democratic senator this Congress to hire an African American chief of staff. Jones on Tuesday announced three other top staff picks, including his legislative director, assistant legislative director and transition adviser. Alabama’s newly elected senator has … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 3, 2018

Republican State Rep. Isaac Whorton won’t seek re-election

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter State Rep. Isaac Whorton, R-Valley, won’t seek re-election to Alabama’s House District 38 this year, he announced Tuesday. Instead, Whorton has chosen to run for a circuit judge seat that was recently vacated in the 5th Judicial Circuit. Whorton, a freshman legislator who represented portions of Chambers and Lee … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 3, 2018