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Bill to limit Disability exemptions for expensive homes gets favorable report

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Wednesday, February 8, 2017, the Senate General Fund Committee gave a favorable report to a bill that would prevent owners of homes worth over $200,000 from being able to get an ad valorem tax exemption if they become disabled. Senate Bill 226 is sponsored by Senator Trip Pittman (R-Montrose), … Continued
March 9, 2017

Finance, Revenue officials suggest reforms for budget process

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Legislators are attempting to find a long-term fix for Alabama’s seemingly endless General Fund budgeting woes. But that long-term fix seems far in the distance. Today, officials from the executive branch offered their input to the Legislative Task Force on Budget Reform, a joint committee of the Alabama Legislature … Continued
December 15, 2016

Groundbreaking Study Shows Enormous Financial Impact of Alabama’s Energy Industry

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter A first of its kind study found that Alabama’s energy industry contributes more than $13 billion to the State’s economy each year, and that at least 124,000 jobs depend on the energy sector. This groundbreaking study released by the Energy Institute of Alabama showed that Alabama’s General Fund and … Continued
November 10, 2016

Regional Care Organizations Collapsing

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—The promised dream of Regional Care Organizations (RCOs) saving the State’s underfunded and overburdened Medicaid system continues to unravel. Just recently, the University of Birmingham Medical Systems and Viva Heath Inc., abandoned their programs indefinitely, citing the instability of State funding. Last month, The Alabama Political Reporter obtained a … Continued
October 27, 2016

Amid Investigations, Lawsuits, Bentley Appoints New Finance Director

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—After a Federal audit of the State’s Finance Department, which has yet to be made public, Governor Robert Bentley announced, on Friday, that Clinton Carter, the State’s Deputy Finance Director, will step up to serve as the new State Finance Director. After serving for nearly three years as the … Continued
October 4, 2016

Bentley Doing The Right Thing

By Steve Flowers Folks, I have been observing and participating in the legislative process for over 50 years. Lest you think I am real old, I started paging in the legislature when I was 12, served in the House of Representatives close to two decades, and have been reporting on the legislative process for now … Continued
September 21, 2016

Budget Task Force Leaders Committed to Reform, But Can It Be Achieved?

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Tackling budget reform is priority one, according to Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia). Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston) called for reforms and voiced his commitment during the recent Special Legislative Session. During this Session, McCutcheon sponsored and passed JHR62, which establishes a task force with … Continued
September 16, 2016

BP Settlement Bill Passes Legislature, Signed By Governor

By Susan Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—On Wednesday, the bill proposing use of BP Settlement funds to pay back debt to the General Fund, free up money for Medicaid and appropriate money for Southern Alabama counties passed out of a joint conference committee, the House and the Senate, and was then signed by Governor Robert … Continued
September 8, 2016

Senate To Continue Debate BP Bill

By Susan Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—As the Senate gathers this week, using BP Settlement monies to pay back the State’s debts and assist in the Medicaid crisis will again be up for debate. HB36, sponsored by House Ways and Means General Fund Chairman Representative Steve Clouse (R-Ozark) has already been approved by the House … Continued
September 6, 2016

Zeigler Thinks Special Session Heading Toward Failure

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—State Auditor Jim Zeigler believes, if a proposed BP bill fails, the entire Legislative Session will be a waste. Zeigler favors the compromise bill to allocate $850 million in BP settlement split between State debt and Baldwin and Mobile counties. Under the agreement $448 million would repay State debts … Continued
September 6, 2016