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municipalities

Birmingham can solve its own problems if Montgomery steps back

In both municipal government and urban planning, we need fewer “one-size-fits-all plans” and more people willing to try whatever works.
May 17, 2024

Taxation without representation: Clearing up the confusion between cities, counties caused by exterritorial jurisdictions

Just before the Revolutionary War and largely in response to the Stamp Act imposed by the British on the American colonies, the Massachusetts lawyer James Otis famously proclaimed, “Taxation without Representation is Tyranny.” Today, Alabama is one of only three states that permits municipalities to impose police, planning, and other exterritorial jurisdictions in areas well … Continued
February 13, 2019

Online sales tax collection: What does this really mean for Alabama’s municipalities?

The steady increase in online sales over the past decade has triggered an alarming shift in consumer purchasing habits from shopping at local brick and mortar establishments (which support community-owned businesses) to buying via remote sellers. The significant decrease in local sales and use tax collections make it more difficult for Alabama’s municipalities to provide basic … Continued
January 23, 2019

The changing of Alabama’s judicial system

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter State Sen. Cam Ward is still trying to fix Alabama’s judicial system. He doesn’t put it that way. The Republican state senator from Shelby County instead just keeps saying he has a problem with this thing or that thing, and he wants to fix it all. Like charging 13- … Continued
January 17, 2018

Law Enforcement Informs Ethics Commission Sen.Williams Under Criminal Investigation

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—A high-ranking public official has informed the Alabama Political Reporter that State Law Enforcement has sent a letter to the State Ethics Commission confirming that State Senator Phil Williams (R-Rainbow City) is under criminal investigation. In a scathing, statewide press release, Williams accused this publication and me personally of … Continued
January 15, 2016