Ken Johnson

News / State

Scott Dawson criticizes Ivey on decision to sign HB317

Friday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed controversial HB317 into law. GOP gubernatorial primary opponent Scott Dawson reacted to Ivey’s signing of House Bill 317. “After decades in politics and over a million dollars in special interest money, today’s signing of House Bill 317 is to be expected from Kay Ivey,” Dawson said. “Follow the money … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 9, 2018

House sends economic developer bill to governor’s desk

Just before ending this year’s legislative session, the Alabama House of Representatives voted to send a controversial economic development bill — one that would exempt a large group of “economic development professionals” from having to register as lobbyists — to Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk. By a vote of 52 to 22 with a large contingency … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 30, 2018

Alabama Legislature adjourns for Wednesday with budgets still incomplete

Wednesday, the Alabama legislature arrived expecting to finish the budgets and end the session on a positive note. When the day ended, the Senate still had not completed the budget and the two chambers had exchanged more than a few harsh words. The session did not end and instead continues at least through Thursday. The … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 29, 2018

Senate delays vote on economic developer bill after negotiations

A controversial bill that would exempt a class of “economic development professionals” from having to register with the state as lobbyists appears to have made it through a round of intense negotiations and sits in a position to pass. Those negotiations, which took the better part of the weekend and most of Tuesday, produced a … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 28, 2018

Senate committee gives favorable report to economic developer bill HB317

The Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee gave a favorable report to a much-amended version of House Bill 317 after a lengthy discussion. House Bill 317 is sponsored by state Rep. Ken Johnson, R-Moulton, and is being carried by Senate Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, in the Senate. The Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 22, 2018

Senate to put economic developer bill on fast track

A bill that would create a new class of individuals dubbed “economic development professionals” and essentially exempt them from lobbying provisions in the state’s ethics laws is on the fast track in the Alabama Senate. A Senate committee will consider the bill, HB317 by Rep. Ken Johnson, R-Moulton, on Wednesday, and Senate President Pro Tem Del … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 21, 2018

Debate over ethics is being watched nationally in the economic development community

On Wednesday, proponents of House Bill 317 argued before the Senate about passing the legislation that would exempt economic developers from Alabama’s landmark 2010 ethics bill. Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said that the bill is necessary so that economic developers can do their jobs and continue to bring jobs and investment to Alabama. That … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 20, 2018

Marsh to meet with Gov. Ivey to decide fate of economic developer bill

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

Brandon Moseley

March 15, 2018

Legislature expected to deal with budgets this week

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama House of Representatives will meet today to consider the state General Fund Budget (SGF). The state of Alabama is unique among the states in that most of the money is earmarked for specific purposes allowing the legislature little year to year flexibility in moving funds around. The … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 13, 2018

Bill to clarify the role of economic developers passes House

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a controversial bill that specified that economic developers are not lobbyists. The House Bill 317’s sponsor is state Rep. Ken Johnson, R-Moulton. Johnson said that this bill is the Alabama Commerce Department’s. This bill has been widely panned in the media for … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 7, 2018