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Legislature

Alabama’s gambling impasse: It’s not the Baptists, it’s the lobbyists

Gambling legislation this session is unlikely, but a group of lawmakers, with House leadership's encouragement, are crafting a potential bill.
April 4, 2023

State ethics law not tough enough for ole Rankin Fite

State Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia, has been in the Alabama House and Alabama Senate for over 40 years. That is a record in Alabama history and definitely a record of longevity for any Jefferson County legislator in history. Waggoner has had a significant impact on behalf of the folks in Jefferson County over his stellar … Continued
June 26, 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

New ethics law: A brief analysis

An initial analysis of Senate Bill 230, which repeals and replaces sections of the Alabama Ethics Act as adopted in the 2010 special legislative session, finds that it makes two radical changes. First, it removes the section of code that governs using a public office for personal gain, and secondly, it essentially turns the Alabama … Continued
April 8, 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

House and Senate “gas chamber”

Over confident and newly elected Republicans “gravely underestimate” the politically lethal notion of supporting a “Gas Tax Hike” in the first session of 2019. I can assure you this without equivocation, NO Republican in this state ran their 2018 campaign on a PRO TAX, pro Planned Parenthood, pro same sex marriage and pro gambling platform … Continued
March 4, 2019

The secret to avoiding lobbying laws in Alabama

Attention, lobbyists: Stop registering as lobbyists. Look, I know you guys don’t need more money — and Lord knows you don’t need any additional breaks from the people who are supposed to be policing you — but I’m here with a little piece of advice that could provide you with more of both, money and … Continued
February 14, 2019