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News / State

The myth of the “simple lottery bill”

There is no such thing as a “simple lottery bill” in the state of Alabama. You hear this phrase a lot from state lawmakers, as they field the inevitable questions about gambling that pop up prior to each legislative session or prior to elections in which one candidate — usually a Democrat — has proposed … Continued
September 6, 2018

President’s American heart, hands and grit promise may spur infrastructure campaign

As part of his Make America Great Again promise, President Donald Trump offered the American Infrastructure Initiative in February of this year. Many Alabama lawmakers hoped to pass a statewide infrastructure package during the last legislative session, but like President Trump’s plan, it stalled because Republicans feared voter backlash in an election year. As reported … Continued
July 10, 2018

Ethics Review Committee is a long con

After last week’s initial meeting of the Ethics Review Committee, it’s now apparent that the body, as far as its leaders are concerned, is not assembled to strengthen and clarify the state’s ethics laws but weaken it through a wholesale rewrite. In other words, the Ethics Review Committee is a prop in a confidence scheme. … Continued
May 24, 2018

Exempt from Open Meetings Act, high stakes ethics committee begins work

A meeting that will potentially impact Alabama for generations is being held at 1 p.m. today, at the office of the attorney general. But the public would know about this important conference if they had only searched the legislative resource site dubbed, ALISON. However, one would have to know to click on the ‘Meetings & Announcements’ … Continued
May 17, 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
March 30, 2018

The most important decision our government will make: Who will be our next state superintendent of education

The Legislative Session has come to an end, but legislators won’t be the ones making the most important decision our government will make this year. The State Board of Education will make that decision in April when they choose our next State Superintendent of Education. For all of the high-profile issues that have been raised … Continued
March 30, 2018

“Zombie Bill:” Thought dead, juvenile justice reform bill resurfaces in Alabama Senate

Previously thought to be dead for this legislative session, a massive rewrite of Alabama’s juvenile justice statutes surfaced in the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday, again raising the possibility that the legislation may make it into the law books this year. The House passed the legislation last week. “For a while there this bill has been … Continued
March 23, 2018

State still behind in LGBT protection as lawmakers return to Montgomery, LGBT group says

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter As lawmakers make their way back to Montgomery for the Legislative Session this year, a branch of the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization says Alabama is still far behind in its protections for LGBT people. The State Equality Index, an annual comprehensive report released by the Human Rights … Continued
January 11, 2018