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Legislature approves state General Fund Budget

Both houses of the Alabama legislature approved the conference committee report on the state General Fund Budget Thursday. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey praised the legislature for their work on the budget. “While remaining steadfast in our fiscally conservative approach, we have put forward a General Fund, which provides important funding that moves our state in … Continued
May 31, 2019

Ivey signs rural broadband initiative into law

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation Thursday that will bring internet access to rural Alabamians. Ivey signed both Senate Bill 90 and House Bill 400. SB90 is sponsored by State Sen. Clay Scofield, R-Guntersville. HB400 is sponsored by State Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Cullman. Sponsors say that SB90 and HB400 will expand and improve rural broadband … Continued
May 31, 2019

Legislature to address education reform this week

For decades, Alabama state government has largely deferred decision making on educational matters to the elected state school board. The governor and legislature prepared budgets and the state school board and their appointed superintendent largely did things their way without a lot of interference. This week the legislature is considering a broad spectrum of bills … Continued
May 27, 2019

Speaker McCutcheon: There aren’t the votes to pass the lottery

Thursday, Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, spoke to reporters about the prospects of reconsidering controversial lottery legislation. “There are not the votes,” McCutcheon told reporters. “It would be a waste of money and time to bring back the lottery.” This was in response to Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh’s, R-Anniston, comment that … Continued
May 24, 2019

The lottery is dead. Long live the lottery

The paper-only lottery bill appears to have mercifully died in the House. It should have failed in the Senate because it was never more than a diversion to ensure that no lottery bill would endanger the Poarch Band of Creek Indians’ monopoly over gaming in the state. The so-called “clean” paper-only lottery sponsored by Sen. … Continued
May 23, 2019

Ivey praises Senate for passing bill to replace the elected school board with appointed board

Thursday, the Alabama State Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would replace the state ’s State Board of Education and replace it with a new appointed board. Senate Bill 397 is sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston. SB397 would change Alabama’s current elected State Board of Education to a Commission appointed … Continued
May 17, 2019

Committee gives favorable report to fantasy sports bill

On Wednesday, the Senate Tourism Committee gave a favorable report that would allow fantasy sports contests to be played legally in Alabama. House Bill 361 is sponsored by State Rep. Kyle South, R-Fayette. During the House debate, South said that fantasy sports contest are games of skill and are not games of chance. Gambling is … Continued
May 16, 2019

Jesus instructed, let your words be true, but that doesn’t apply at State House

Many elected officials in Alabama profess profound allegiance to biblical teachings, but do they actually practice those principles? In two distinct instances during the Legislative Session, promises made to individuals and the people of the state have been broken. Jesus instructed his followers to let their words be true. In Matthew 5:33 (NIV), Jesus said, … Continued
May 15, 2019

No surprise at all: Lawmakers are already trying to get their hands on gas tax money

Two months. That’s how long it took for Alabama politicians to break all of those oh-so-sincere promises to you about the gas tax. Two months ago, when the Legislature was debating this 10-cent gas tax increase — the one that can be increased another penny for years to come — there was one often-repeated promise … Continued
May 14, 2019