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General Fund Budget in a Morass

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Wednesday, June 3: Again, no one in the legislature could come together on a plan on what to do about the State General Fund (SGF) before this session began, and with this session rapidly coming to an end, no resolution appears in sight. An angrily divided Senate adjourned after lunch … Continued
June 4, 2015

Gaming Bills On Hold

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Last week came and went and no gaming bills were brought to the floor of either House. With only four legislative days left, time has run out on gaming legislation. When this legislative session began, the State was struggling to deal with a budget shortfall in the State General … Continued
June 1, 2015

Tax Increase Package Pulled at Last Minute: Could Come Back

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Tuesday, May 12, the Republican controlled Alabama House of Representatives opened the legislative day with a calendar featuring tax increases – something most Republican House members have pledged to voters never to vote for.  In the hours before the session began though a number of sources were saying … Continued
May 13, 2015

Hubbard Tax Career Killer (Opinion)

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter The Special Order Calendar set to be heard in the House today, could endanger the political careers of every Republican member of the State House of Representatives. Speaker of the House, Mike Hubbard, has forced through a package of tax increases that will test the mettle of House Republicans, … Continued
May 12, 2015

Exclusive Poll Shows Voters Favor Vote on Gambling, Strongly Oppose Taxes

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—A statewide poll commissioned by the Alabama Political Reporter shows Governor Bentley is still very popular, but not as popular as a vote on a lottery and Las Vegas-style gambling. Governor Bentley’s biggest weakness may very well be his plan to raise taxes, a plan overwhelmingly disfavored by Alabama … Continued
May 10, 2015

State Constitution, Case Law, Calls for Legislature, Voters to Approve Exclusive Gaming Compact

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Lobbyists for the Poarch Creek Indians (PCI) have reportedly been telling members in the State’s House of Representatives that the Governor has the authority to sign an exclusive gaming compact with the Tribe, without authorization from the Legislature. However, the State’s 1901 Constitution, as well as case law, would … Continued
May 7, 2015

Hubbard Plan Will Raise Taxes, Give Poarch Creek Tribe Monopoly (Opinion)

  By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—In a stunning move of political one-upsmanship, Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard announced that the House Republican Caucus has agreed to an alternative plan, just minutes after Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh released his omnibus gaming bill. Hubbard’s plan to raise taxes and raid the Education … Continued
May 6, 2015

Marsh Meets the Press

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Tuesday, May 5, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston) unveiled the latest version of his gambling expansion plan at a press conference in the State House. Reporters asked Senator Marsh what he thought of Governor Robert Bentley (R) calling his gambling bill an ugly bill.  Marsh retorted, … Continued
May 6, 2015

Marsh’s “Let The People Vote” on Gaming/Lottery Bill Has Opposition

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Tuesday, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston) proposed a bill that would allow the Alabama voters to decide whether they want Class III gaming and a lottery.  Marsh’s bill, if passed, would require favorable referendum votes to become an amendment to the Alabama Constitution. However, on Tuesday, a plan, … Continued
May 6, 2015

Legislature Faces Several General Fund Options

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter State General Fund agencies want more money than the General Fund is likely to have in tax receipts. By most accounts, the State needs $261 million to cover the needs of the various agencies and departments in the troubled Alabama General Fund. Most of this shortfall dates back to … Continued
May 5, 2015