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Jones’s attempt to fund minority colleges blocked by Tennessee senator

Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama,  on Thursday asked for unanimous consent on the floor of the U.S. Senate to pass legislation that would continue funding to minority-serving colleges and universities, but a Tennessee senator objected, putting a halt to its passage, at least for now.  The FUTURE Act would continue for two more years the $225 … Continued
September 20, 2019

GOP now stands for “Get Out, Pronto!”

A lot of Republicans have decided they don’t want to be in Congress anymore. In the House, 15 GOP members, including Alabama’s Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, are calling it quits. In the Senate, four Republicans have thus far decided to leave after their current terms end. Among those retiring is the only African-American Republican in Congress, … Continued
September 6, 2019

A forgotten 40 percent

In an age of hyper-partisan politics, a wide swath of the population feels disenfranchised. Because of straight-ticket voting in Alabama, some 40 percent of its citizens feel the government does not represent their interests or even acknowledge they have an opinion on how the state is run. There was a time when candidates for public … Continued
July 30, 2019

Ivey signs civil asset forfeiture law

On Monday afternoon, Gov. Ivey signed into law the Alabama Forfeiture Information Reporting Act, which will shine a light on law enforcement’s often secretive use of civil forfeiture. Senate Bill 191, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, passed both the House and Senate unanimously during this year’s legislative session. Civil forfeiture is a practice that … Continued
June 13, 2019

Sewell releases statement on House vote enforcing congressional subpoena powers

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell released a statement enforcing the passage of a civil contempt resolution that allows the House to enforce its subpoena powers in court. “Attorney General (William) Barr and former White House Counsel (Don) McGahn have so far defied lawful Congressional subpoenas to appear before Congress on matters of critical importance,” Sewell said. … Continued
June 12, 2019

Bill loosening work restrictions on formerly incarcerated people passes House and Senate

The Alabama State Senate gave final passage to Senate Bill 163, a measure that removes many of the work restrictions that currently face people who have served the entirety of their prison sentence and paid full restitution. The bill, sponsored by Senator Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, received bipartisan support, passing unanimously in the House and the … Continued
May 29, 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

A list of Poarch Creek’s donations ahead of lottery vote

A paper-only lottery bill will be debated on the floor of the House on Tuesday. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians have opposed legislation that would allow others to compete with their gaming operation in the state. The measure before the House is Senate Bill 220 sponsored by State Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore. The bill … Continued
May 20, 2019