consequences

A good solution to the two-tier retirement system

Unintended consequences are a common problem when it comes to making laws and government policy. A good example of this is the changes lawmakers made in 2012 to the retirement systems for education and state employees. The economic recession that began in 2008 had severely hurt the Retirement Systems of Alabama’s investments. The slowness of … Continued

Craig Ford

April 11, 2019

Opinion

Alabama Republican Legislature should follow Trump’s lead on lending

Earlier this month, the Trump Administration took a giant step toward helping low-income Americans by rolling back Obama-era regulations that damaged low-income Americans. At President Donald Trump’s direction, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau signaled a possible rollback of a previous rule that severely restricted access to capital for low and lower-middle income Americans. Under the … Continued

Susan Britt

March 5, 2019

Opinion

Hoover ISIS bride should face the U.S. justice system

Hoda Muthana should face the U.S. justice system. Let’s get that out of the way right up front. The young woman from Hoover who left the country a few years ago to join the Islamic State, or ISIS, should not be granted free entry into the country again simply because she’s now realized that she … Continued

Josh Moon

February 22, 2019

Opinion

The secret to avoiding lobbying laws in Alabama

Attention, lobbyists: Stop registering as lobbyists. Look, I know you guys don’t need more money — and Lord knows you don’t need any additional breaks from the people who are supposed to be policing you — but I’m here with a little piece of advice that could provide you with more of both, money and … Continued

Josh Moon

February 14, 2019

Opinion

ALGOP House rule changes eliminate democracy

Elections have consequences. In Alabama, the consequence is the death of democracy. Or, at least, it will be if the Republicans who increased their supermajority stronghold in the state Legislature in November have their way. On Monday, APR received a copy of Republicans’ proposed rules changes for the upcoming 2019 legislative session. The changes are … Continued

Josh Moon

January 8, 2019

Opinion

Republicans playing by different rules when it comes to state ethics laws

The law is simple: Candidates running for public office in Alabama must file a statement of economic interests when they qualify, and then must file an annual SEI by the yearly deadline. That’s not hard, right? File an SEI when you qualify. File again at the next year’s deadline. Simple. But then, following ethics laws … Continued

Josh Moon

August 14, 2018

Opinion

Beware the Ides of March

Beware the Ides of March, warned the seer to Julius Caesar, but Caesar didn’t, and the Roman emperor was reportedly assassinated on March 15, 44 BC. On this Ides of March, there are other warnings going out, not for a literal assassination but, perhaps, massive political consequences. Politicians on all levels – federal, state, and … Continued

Joey Kennedy

March 15, 2018

Opinion

What can we learn on the Plains of Weehawken?

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter “If we had an Attorney General, there’d be a Grand Jury,” said a retired judge referring to revelations in APR’s exit interview with Ethics Commissioner, Dr. Stewart Tankersley. Examples of collusion, questionable opinions, and other suspect activity, he said, “should be before a Grand Jury, and we should ask … Continued

Bill Britt

August 9, 2017

Opinion

Leaving Paris Accord benefits American workers

By U.S. Representative Bradley Byrne (AL-1) “I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.” Those were the words of President Donald Trump during a recent ceremony in the White House Rose Garden to announce he was withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Accord. The United States should have never entered … Continued

Bradley Byrne

June 5, 2017

Opinion

Grow up: Obamacare didn’t raise insurance rates, you did

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter Let’s have a conversation about health care. Specifically, let’s talk about Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act, and the cost of health insurance these days – a matter several people in this State say led to their vote for Donald Trump. If that sounds like you, let me begin … Continued

Josh Moon

December 1, 2016