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Senate committee expected to consider juvenile justice reform bill Wednesday

A Senate committee will consider legislation Wednesday aimed at creating better outcomes for youth in Alabama’s juvenile justice system by reducing the number of youth placed in state detention for low-level offenses. The bill — sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster — aims to keep low-level offenders at home instead of in state facilities, … Continued

April 30, 2019

Sen. Cam Ward will again chair the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee

The senator largely responsible for rewriting many of Alabama’s antiquated sentencing laws and who has led an effort to reform Alabama’s prisons will again chair the Alabama Senate’s Judiciary Committee. Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, was selected to chair the powerful committee responsible for oversight of Alabama’s criminal justice system. Ward, who has served in the … Continued

January 17, 2019

Senate committee assignments released leave Democrats spread thin across multiple committees

New committee assignments in the Alabama Senate have been decided as the Legislature heads home from its organizational session and prepares for the upcoming regular session, which will begin in March. Members assigned to standing committees will serve on those committees until 2022, the end of this legislative term. The Alabama Senate Committee on Assignments determined … Continued

January 10, 2019

Great opportunity awaits at the Business Council of Alabama

The Business Council of Alabama (BCA) is poised for greatness in its search for a new President and CEO. This comes on the heels of the scarred departure of William (Billy) Canary. The BCA since supporting the 2003 Amendment One tax increase has drifted apart into isolation from its core coalition of conservative economic, moral, … Continued

August 23, 2018

Email acknowledges it’s time for Canary to go

As discussion continues to heat up over embattled Business Council of Alabama’s C.E.O. Billy Canary’s future desperation, deception and political wrangling are playing out in real-time. In hopes of saving his position, Canary is even misleading the committee about his relationship with Alabama’s senior U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, suggesting he has Shelby’s support to remain … Continued

April 26, 2018

Marsh to meet with Gov. Ivey to decide fate of economic developer bill

Senate President Del Marsh, R-Anniston, asked the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee to hold over a bill Wednesday to exempt economic developers from the state’s lobbying requirements until after he meets with Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on the matter today. House Bill 317, titled The Alabama Jobs Enhancement Act, is sponsored by State … Continued

March 15, 2018

Senate committee approves supplemental funding bill to give Corrections $30 million

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter A Senate committee passed a supplement to the General Fund Wednesday that appropriates an additional $30 million for the Department of Correction in their ongoing dilemma to raise standards of mental health and prisoner health care. The Senate Committee on Taxation General Fund approved the measure yesterday after chairman … Continued

February 22, 2018

Bill to license some day cares passes Senate committee unanimously, goes to floor

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter The day care bill, which would license certain day cares in the state, gained a favorable report Wednesday from the Senate Judiciary Committee after overwhelming approval on the House floor a couple weeks ago. In a release after its approval, the bill’s sponsor state Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, said … Continued

February 22, 2018

Senate committee approves bill to allow display of Ten Commandments on public property

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter An Alabama Senate committee approved a bill Thursday that will allow for the public display of the Ten Commandments on public property including government building grounds and public schools. The bill, by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, received a unanimous vote from the Senate Constitution, Ethics and Elections committee after … Continued

February 9, 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