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General Fund uncertainty may hinder more criminal justice appropriations

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—The Alabama Medicaid Agency isn’t the only part of the State government with funding issues, and uncertainty over the future of Medicaid is spilling over into other agencies’ funding as well. The Alabama Legislature will begin its regular legislative session in just a few weeks. As lawmakers prepare, the session … Continued
January 26, 2017

Alabama judicial override safe from Supreme Court review

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—The US Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a challenge to Alabama’s system of judicial override for the death penalty from several death-row inmates in the State. In a list of orders on pending cases released Monday, the Court denied certiorari in the case of Thomas Arthur v. Alabama. … Continued
January 24, 2017

With Trump’s inauguration, many Alabamians wonder what happens after Obamacare repeal

Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter OPELIKA, Ala.—In Opelika, Alabama, there is a small office, tucked away on the second floor of a law practice along the small town’s main street. There’s no sign on the front door indicating its placement, and most wouldn’t know it’s there. The office belongs to Hannah Duncan, a recent graduate of … Continued
January 20, 2017

Alabamians wonder what happens after Obamacare is repealed

Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter OPELIKA — In Opelika, Alabama, there is a small office, tucked away on the second floor of a law practice along the small town’s main street. There’s no sign on the front door indicating its placement, and most wouldn’t know it’s there. The office belongs to Hannah Duncan, a recent graduate of … Continued
January 20, 2017

House bill would allow up to 6 days of early voting in Alabama

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—During the 2016 General Election, 37 states and the District of Columbia allowed for some type of early voting, giving voters the opportunity to cast their votes up to a month before Election Day arrived on Nov. 9. House Minority Leader Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, wants Alabama to become an … Continued
January 18, 2017

Alabama receives failing grade on forfeiture transparency

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Property forfeiture accountability and transparency laws in Alabama are in bad shape, according to a new report from the Institute for Justice. Forfeiture is the legal process by which law enforcement agencies often seize property across the country from people who are suspected of involvement with crime or other … Continued
January 18, 2017

The Governor is devising a plan to combat Alabama’s opioid epidemic

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Seventy-eight people die in the US every day from opioid painkiller overdose, and the Yellowhammer State has the highest rate of painkiller prescribing in the country and one of the highest rates of opioid abuse in the country. Gov. Robert Bentley wants a better plan to attack the epidemic. … Continued
December 16, 2016

Collier Accuses Governor of Using ALEA as a “Political Tool”

By Chip Brownlee The Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Spencer Collier — who was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing Thursday by a Montgomery County Special Grand Jury — said Friday that he believes Gov. Robert Bentley used ALEA as a “political tool.” “It is now abundantly clear that the governor and Secretary … Continued
October 21, 2016

Petition to Remove Sen. Jeff Sessions from Judiciary Committee Reaches 30K Signatures

By Chip Brownlee The Alabama Political Reporter A petition launched online to remove Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) from the US Senate Committee on the Judiciary has reached more than 30,000 signatures, following controversial remarks from the senator on Republican Nominee Donald Trump. At least 32,000 people have signed the petition on UltraViolet.org, according to … Continued
October 13, 2016

Governor Challenges Subpoena Committee, Turns Over 10,000 Documents

By Chip Brownlee The Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Gov. Robert Bentley’s legal team is putting up a legal fight against the House Judiciary Committee’s investigation into the governor’s possible impeachment. The Governor’s legal team filed a motion with the Committee Monday objecting to subpoenas issued by the Committee’s legal counsel Jackson Sharman late last month, but … Continued
October 13, 2016