Darrio Melton

News

Rep. Melton Refuses Governor’s Demands

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Tuesday, October 13, Rep. Darrio Melton (D-Selma) responded to Governor Bentley’s proposal to reopen rural DMV offices: “Today, Governor Bentley offered a plan to re-open DMV offices across the State, but with a huge catch: rural and Black legislators must commit to vote for “permanent revenue,” which means … Continued

Brandon Moseley

October 15, 2015

Opinion

DMV closings put working families between a rock and a hard place

By Rep. Darrio Melton When you open up the pages of a national newspaper or turn to a major news network and see “Alabama,” you can pretty much bet something has gone terribly wrong, and we are, once again, the butt of jokes nationwide. Over the past weeks, Alabama has made headlines from the New … Continued

Darrio Melton

October 13, 2015

Opinion

You Can’t Run The State Like A Business—Voting Isn’t About The Bottom Line

By Rep. Darrio Melton Fifty years ago, American Democracy fundamentally shifted right here in Selma, Alabama. As men and women from all walks of life joined together to march in solidarity for the precious principle of “one man, one vote,” the nation watched and took note. What happened in Selma 50 years ago changed … Continued

Darrio Melton

October 6, 2015

Opinion

Bentley Dares To Selectively Defend His Rights

By Rep. Darrio Melton “We dare defend our rights.” The state motto has been flaunted by politicians across Montgomery to promote partisan agendas for years, however Governor Bentley is taking the motto a step further by asking the Alabama Supreme Court to determine whether certain parts of the state’s General Fund budget are unconstitutional. … Continued

Darrio Melton

September 29, 2015

Opinion

Bentley Needs To Put Away His Stick And Worry About The People of Alabama

By Rep. Darrio Melton “Walk softly and carry a big stick.” President Teddy Roosevelt’s nutshell-theory on foreign policy has become a common political expression, heard in historical context more often than seen used by political leadership. The theory, of course, refers to the use of soft-power in difficult political situations–using words, strategic planning and diplomacy … Continued

Darrio Melton

September 22, 2015

Opinion

The Republicans Missed The Labor Day Memo About Hard Work

By Rep. Darrio Melton This Labor Day was a time for family and friends to come together and enjoy a day off in celebration of the American Labor Movement–the men and women who have worked hard to guarantee honest pay, safe working conditions, and fair treatment for the people who built this country. The labor … Continued

Darrio Melton

September 8, 2015

Opinion

Budgets Show Our Priorities: Where Are Alabama’s?

By Rep. Darrio Melton When families sit down each year to make our household budgets, it’s a negotiating process. It’s an exercise in give-and-take. It’s a time to sit down and evaluate where we are and prioritize our plans for the upcoming year. Yet as we are still in the process of creating our … Continued

Darrio Melton

August 25, 2015

Opinion

Republican’s Fiscal Irresponsibility Could Rob Our Future

By Rep. Darrio Melton Alabama’s voters should be paying close attention to what’s been going on in Montgomery, and what will play out over the next few months. The Governor has called the Legislature back for a Special Session to pass a budget–a task the Republican supermajority was unable to accomplish successfully in the … Continued

Darrio Melton

August 11, 2015

Opinion

Budget Battles Show Republicans Lack Plan to Lead Alabama

By Rep. Darrio Melton As students across Alabama are preparing to head back to school, Alabama’s legislators are heading back to Montgomery to continue work on the state’s general fund budget. During the regular legislative session, the Republican supermajority brought up bills to name an official state desert and an official state crustacean, which … Continued

Darrio Melton

August 4, 2015

Opinion

Our kids know iPads and iPhones, but do Alabama schools prepare them for the iFuture?

By Rep. Darrio Melton If you’ve spent any amount of time around a young person lately, you’ve probably had a tough time prying the iPhone, iPad, iSomething, away from them. The new generation of students is growing up in a digital age–one where they can’t imagine having to stop to use a pay phone, … Continued

Darrio Melton

July 28, 2015