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SB11 Passes by Three Votes Despite Filibusters, Some GOP opposition (W/Video)

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter “I’m sure if we can’t work some things out, we will.” That is what Democratic Senate Minority Leader Vivian Figures told the Alabama Political Reporter earlier this week when asked whether her party would filibuster SB11, a bill that makes major changes in the way legislative department are structured … Continued
January 24, 2014

AUDIO: Health Conscience in the Alabama House

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter Yesterday in the Alabama House of Representative, the topic was health care providers and issues like sterilization, stem cell research, and the Plan B pill. On the House agenda was a bill sponsored by Republican Representative Becky Nordgren which would prevent any retribution or liability for a health care … Continued
January 22, 2014

VIDEO: Senate Leadership on SB11, Consolidation Changes

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter Some unexpected action came in the Senate chamber yesterday when a de facto filibuster bill title reading was begun by Senator Bobby Singleton, a Democrat, who was frustrated with the procedural barriers being put up by the GOP. In the end, the protest by legislators took the form of … Continued
January 22, 2014

ACLU of Alabama Challenges the Proposed “Fair Justice Act”

Staff Report MONTGOMERY—The ACLU of Alabama, Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty in Alabama, the NAACP, and the Equal Justice Initiative confronted a Joint House and Senate hearing today regarding the proposed “Fair Justice Act” that would erroneously accelerate the death penalty appeals process and create greater room for serious judicial error. “Bill supporters … Continued
January 22, 2014

This Week in Montgomery: A Goat Hill Update

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter Week Two of the 2014 legislative session begins today, and there is much to watch in Alabama politics. With both the House and Senate prepared to consider and vote on more bills this week, this session is already beginning to have an impact. Week One Review Last week, Speaker … Continued
January 21, 2014

Hubbard’s House “Tax Relief” Day Bill May Increase Taxes, Costs

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter Yesterday on Twitter, Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Mike Hubbard declared it “Tax Relief” Day in the body. Brought up and passed were four tax-related bills: HB97, HB105, HB108, and HB151. House Bill 108, one of these bills, is sponsored by Representative Greg Wren, who recently announced … Continued
January 17, 2014

Governor Announces Proposed Changes to Open Meeting Act, Democrats React

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter Early Thursday morning in the Capitol auditorium, Governor Bentley announced that he will support new legislation that he says, if passed, would strengthen Alabama’s Open Meetings Act. The law, which requires elected bodies to meet in public, was effectively gutted over the last two years by a series of … Continued
January 17, 2014

LRS Delays Bill Infuriating Bedford

by Susan Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—On Thursday, Senator Roger Bedford (D-Russellville) went to the podium empty handed when his bill was called by the Lt. Governor. Bedford expressed his anger for the Legislative Reference Service for failing to have a substitute ready in time for discussion on the Floor of the Senate. Before the … Continued
January 17, 2014

Honey Bees, Tax Exemptions. and Other Bills You Won’t Hear About Again

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter All those well-versed in Alabama politics seem to agree: 2014’s legislative session, which begins today, is due to be nothing more than a quiet, happy-go-lucky campaign ad for the (mostly) Republican incumbents who are ready to campaign for the 2014 election cycle. Nothing could be further down the Alabama … Continued
January 14, 2014

Proposed Ten Commandments Bill May Lead to Devilish Outcomes

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter Controversy over the public display of the Ten Commandments has again and again reared its head since the removal of Chief Justice Roy Moore in 2003 because of his refusal to comply with now-recently retired Federal District Court Judge Myron Thompson’s injunction to remove a statue of the Ten … Continued
January 13, 2014