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House Passes Bill Good for Party/Bad for State

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Last Thursday, the House passed HB350 a bill designed to ensure that audits of public accounts will be used as political weapons for generations to come. In 2013, the leadership of the Republican Supermajority tried to pass the consolidation bill SB122, that would have, among other things, placed the … Continued
March 19, 2014

Marsh Seeks New Form of PAC-to-PAC Transfers With SB446

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—In 2010, then Gov. Bob Riley was the overseer of a Special Session of the newly elected GOP Supermajority, to enact ethics and campaign finance reforms. One of the central acts was to ban PAC-to-PAC transfers — a law that Riley immediately violated. Since the passage of those campaign … Continued
March 18, 2014

Marsh Knows Real Estate and Husam Abu Shmais

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Last week, SB 291, a bill designed to favor landlord’s rights over those of their tenants, passed out of the Senate. The bill’s sponsor, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston), is a man with vast real estate holdings. Marsh is perhaps the wealthiest of all sitting legislators. He … Continued
March 10, 2014

They Want More

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter In the 1948 classic film Key Largo, there is a poignant scene between James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart. Cagney plays the mobster Johnny Rocco and Bogie plays a weary war veteran named Frank McCloud. They are joined in the scene by Lionel Barrymore who plays Key Largo Hotel owner … Continued
March 5, 2014

Justice Moore Says Commission a “usurpation” of the people’s rights

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—The idea to rewrite the Alabama State Constitution of 1901 one section at a time was the brain child of the Legislative Republican Super Majority under the direction of Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston) and Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn). Now, conservative Chief Justice Roy … Continued
March 4, 2014

SB11 Gives Legislative Council Ultimate Control of State House

By Susan Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—SB11, referred to as one of “the consolidation bills,” is an exhaustive re-organization of the legislative services pertaining to the State House by amending multiple sections of the Code of Alabama 1975. The bill is a mere 45 pages, but contains some substantial shifts in responsibilities and powers. It … Continued
March 4, 2014

Why are educators being cheated? A few thoughts…

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) sponsored a two-percent Alabama Teachers pay raise for the 2015 Fiscal Year Budget. This was the same as Governor Robert Bentley had requested. However, the Senate Education Budget Committee instead approved a one percent/one-time bonus for teachers. “So goes education, so goes Alabama,” Ward said. … Continued
February 27, 2014

Consolidation Bill and That Old Sneaky Hog

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter The Republican-controlled legislature continues its slow and steady progress toward giving total control of the government over to the will of two men. Last year Sen. Jimmy Holley (R-Alba), a former faithful Democrat and AEA adherent, turned Republican, and introduced SB122. SB122 would have placed immense authority under a … Continued
February 18, 2014

Legislators Most Likely to Kill Bill, Drive Off with Title Lenders Cash

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY— Today, the House Financial Services Committee will hold a public hearing on HB406, a bi-partisan bill that would end the 300 percent interest rate regularly charged for auto title loans. But, this will most likely be a “show” hearing as word came down Tuesday night that the fix … Continued
February 12, 2014

House Bill Will Politicize Examiner of Public Accounts Office

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Freshman Rep. Ed Henry (R-Decatur) has proposed a bill that would place the Examiner of Public Accounts under the State Auditor’s Office. Henry recently criticized the Office of Public Accounts for what he deemed excessive pay for the Assistant Chief Examiner. This was little more than just a theatrical … Continued
February 5, 2014