mental health

House passes general fund budget, 2 percent state employee pay increase

The Alabama House of Representatives passed the state general fund budget, HB152, on Tuesday. HB152 is sponsored by House Ways and Means Chairman Steve Clouse, R-Ozark. HB152 passed 103 to 0. The House also passed HB166, sponsored by the late Rep. Dimitri Polizos, R-Montgomery, to give state employees a 2 percent cost of living allowance. … Continued

April 10, 2019

We dare tilt at windmills

Alabama’s state motto is “We Dare Defend Our Rights.” You’ll see it at practically every rest area welcoming visitors to our state. It’s a lie, though. I have my own twist on the motto: “We Dare Defend Our Wrongs.” Because, indeed, that’s what Alabama’s history is all about – defending lost, ugly causes against the … Continued

April 4, 2019

Prisons, pay raises and pre-K: Gov. Kay Ivey’s ambitious agenda

From prison construction to pay raises for teachers and state employees, Gov. Kay Ivey pitched a wide-ranging and ambitious agenda to members of the Legislature gathered in the Old House Chambers of the State Capitol Tuesday for her second State of the State address. Ivey’s main priorities are raising the state’s motor fuels tax and … Continued

March 6, 2019

2019 legislative session begins Tuesday

The 2019 regular session of the Alabama legislature begins today Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey will give her annual state of the state address to a joint session of the Alabama Legislature tonight at 6:30 p.m. There are several key issues that will be decided by the legislature in these weeks. Fuel tax increase – This … Continued

March 5, 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

Corrections asks for $42 million budget increase

Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn presented the ADOC fiscal year 2020 budget request to an Alabama joint House and Senate budget committee meeting in Montgomery. “The Department of Corrections is undergoing unprecedented change,” Dunn said. The ADOC is, “Transforming the department into the most respected and trusted law enforcement agency in the state.” … Continued

January 31, 2019

Department of Education makes budget request

Alabama Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey addressed the budget committees Tuesday for both the Alabama House of Representatives and Senate. Mackey appeared to be asking for more funds for almost every area. “There is nothing more important that we can do beyond getting the best prepared five year old that we can,” Mackey said of … Continued

January 30, 2019

Moving to a better Alabama

I have spent my working life – a mere four plus decades – with a simple philosophy: The stronger we make Alabama, the stronger the RSA will be in the future. I wish I could say all my attempts were home runs, but that would be incorrect. A few years ago, the Arnold Foundation, the … Continued

October 2, 2018

Small business group endorses Kay Ivey for governor

Tuesday, September 18, 2018 the NFIB Alabama Political Action Committee has endorsed Kay Ivey for governor. The National Federation of Independent Businesses is the nation’s leading small-business association. NFIB State Director Rosemary Elebash announced the endorsement Monday at a news conference at Southern Distributor/Auto Electric and Carburetor Co., an NFIB member business in Birmingham. The … Continued

September 19, 2018

Murfreesboro PD: Bridgette Marshall’s death still an active investigation

The investigation into the death of Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall’s wife remains an open case in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and police officials there would not answer on Monday whether Bridgette Marshall’s death has officially been ruled a suicide. Additionally, Murfreesboro Police will not disclose basic details about the firearm used in Marshall’s death, and the … Continued

July 3, 2018