Skip to content

lawmakers

News / Economy / Legislature / State

During payday presser, two Alabama Republicans break with Trump, side with liberal advocates

In the media room on the third floor of the State House, a self-identified group of liberals and conservatives took the stage to introduce legislation to restrict small consumer payday loans further. In a surprising move, Republican lawmakers at the event voiced their disagreement with President Donald Trump with one stating he is not a … Continued
April 15, 2019

A good solution to the two-tier retirement system

Unintended consequences are a common problem when it comes to making laws and government policy. A good example of this is the changes lawmakers made in 2012 to the retirement systems for education and state employees. The economic recession that began in 2008 had severely hurt the Retirement Systems of Alabama’s investments. The slowness of … Continued
April 11, 2019

On two fronts: Ethics laws face challenges before Supreme Court and in Statehouse

Alabama’s ethics laws are under attack on two fronts. A bill moving through the Legislature would significantly loosen the state’s “toughest-in-the-nation” ethics rules, which govern the behavior of state officials, lawmakers, lobbyists and those who hire them. In the courts, though, another challenge is brewing. Former Republican House Speaker Mike Hubbard — convicted on 12 … Continued
April 9, 2019

Alabama Moms Demand Action will meet with lawmakers to advocate for gun violence prevention

In an effort to stop gun violence, volunteers with Alabama Moms Demand Action and survivors of gun violence will meet with state legislators this week. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10 in Montgomery, and speakers will include at least two gun violence survivors and one gun owner. The volunteers hope to stop lawmakers … Continued
April 9, 2019

New bill would gut ethics laws — just like voters wanted

Congratulations, Alabama voters, you are about to free state lawmakers from the inconvenient restraints of ethics laws. A bill sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton and co-sponsored by Senate President Del Marsh would wipe out most of the current laws, freeing up lawmakers to again profit immensely from their public service jobs. Just like you voters … Continued
April 5, 2019

Sources: More ‘tribe-friendly’ gambling bill on the way

On Wednesday, numerous lawmakers told APR that they had been informed by lobbyists working for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians that Senate President Del Marsh was expected to sponsor a “more tribe-friendly” gambling bill after meeting with PCI leaders. That bill would counter one offered on Tuesday by Sen. Jim McClendon. Oddly, Marsh is … Continued
March 21, 2019

Britt’s leadership will be tested with infrastructure legislation

If Gov. Kay Ivey’s Build Alabama Act passes, she can point to one of her top allies for its success. Business Council of Alabama President and CEO Katie Boyd Britt is standing with Ivey, working diligently in private meetings and public forums to ensure that lawmakers and stakeholders are aware of the benefits of passing … Continued
March 5, 2019

A time for lions, not sheep

Every four years, Alabama lawmakers have an opportunity to do bold things that are usually politically impossible in other years of the legislative quadrennium. A few big ideas on the table for 2019 are passing a fuel tax to revamp and expand the state’s infrastructure and offering citizens an opportunity to vote on a gaming … Continued
March 4, 2019

The case for state control of alcoholic beverages

It’s that time of year again. The Alabama Legislature is only days from its opening session, and lawmakers across the state are drafting bills they say will make Alabama better. As in years past, some special interest groups – big-box retailers and liquor distributors – are pushing again to privatize liquor sales in Alabama. By … Continued
February 27, 2019

Choosing greatness

Last week, President Donald Trump gave the State of the Union address to the nation. I can say that in all my time in Washington, this was the best State of the Union I have had the honor of attending, and it seems most Americans agree. The president’s message was clear: if we stop with … Continued
February 12, 2019