Del Marsh

During a hearing on Wednesday to discuss the controversial economic development bill, HB317, not a soul present addressed the critical problem with the bill — the gaping loophole created by allowing individuals to work as part-time economic development professionals. Of course, the bill doesn’t use the words part-time. Instead, it calls this individual a “less … Continued

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

Two bills designed to dramatically alter current ethics laws were approved by the House Ethics Committee last week. As introduced in the House, HB387, sponsored by Republican lawmaker Rep. Rich Wingo, would among other things allow public officials to hide potentially illegal acts under a new notifications rule. Wingo’s bill is companion legislation to SB221, … Continued

The two top leaders of Alabama’s Legislature seemed somewhat divided Thursday about the realities of getting gun and school safety legislation out of their chambers before the fast-approaching end of the legislative session. House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, was more optimistic about the chances of school and gun safety legislation getting out of the House, … Continued

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Senate has again delayed a long-awaited vote on a bill to regulate church-affiliated daycares after some members of the caucus, concerned that the bill would intrude on faith-based daycares, appeared ready to fight the bill. The bill was up for a vote in the Senate on Thursday, … Continued

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter Those hoping to reform the payday lending industry marked down a win Thursday when the Senate passed a hotly debated bill that would extend the repayment period for the typical payday loan, giving borrowers more time to repay their loan without racking up excessive interest. The move will effectively cut … Continued

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Senate cleared a bill Tuesday that would give most retired state employees and retired educators a small one-time bonus. The two bills to authorize the bonuses, the size of which will depend on how long the employee or teacher worked with the state, slid through the Senate … Continued

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Wednesday, Manufacture Alabama announced that it has endorsed Public Service Commission President Twinkle Cavanaugh for lieutenant governor, an office in the 2018 Republican primary. Manufacture Alabama’s President, George Clark, cited Cavanaugh’s conservative leadership, experience and reputation for the association’s endorsement and said, “Throughout her tenure at the PSC, Twinkle … Continued

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The Mobile Police Department announced that the funeral of slain Police Officer Justin Billa will be held Tuesday at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. Public visitation will take place at 8:30 a.m. with a funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. Officer Billa will be laid to rest at Mobile Memorial … Continued