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Tommy Battle criticizes Gov. Kay Ivey for declining invitation to debate

Republican gubernatorial candidate and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle criticized Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday for having so far refused invitations to debate other candidates in the primary. Several outlets, including AL.com and several television stations across the state, have invited all of the Republican candidates to debate before the June 5, 2018, primary. Ivey is … Continued
April 4, 2018

The sketchiness of “economic development”

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter Let’s be honest, governing well is hard. So hard, in fact, that sometime in the past, most Alabama politicians quit trying. And so, our people found an easier way to make taxpayers at least believe that they’re doing some good. Economic development. Essentially, the idea is this: We pay … Continued
February 13, 2018

ADMH reaches agreement to improve care for defendants awaiting mental health evaluations

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Department of Mental Health has entered into a legal agreement to provide more timely mental health services to people with mental illnesses and intellectual disabilities who are waiting to stand trial. A federal court Thursday entered a consent decree directing the ADMH and Commissioner Lynn Beshear to … Continued
January 26, 2018

Candidate running to replace Mickey Hammon promises to sponsor lottery legislation “on day one”

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter District 4 Alabama House of Representatives candidate Tom Willis has promised to sponsor legislation that would authorize a lottery “on day one.” His legislation, he says, would allow the people of Alabama to vote for or against a lottery. “This issue has dominated conversation and controversy in this state for … Continued
December 6, 2017

The return of intelligence

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter It is time for intelligence to make a comeback. Actually, let me rephrase that: It is time for America to again aspire to and value intelligence. Somewhere along the way — and I think it was when Americans decided that “who’d you rather have a beer with” was a … Continued
November 28, 2017

Remember the failed Daycare Regulation bill? Now a child has died

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter If Kamden Johnson lived in a better state, one governed by better people, he’d be alive today. Unfortunately, in his five short years on earth, Kamden found himself in Alabama, where people like Senators Larry Stutts and Shay Shelnutt and Representatives Jim Carns and Randall Shedd hold some power. … Continued
August 25, 2017

Town Halls are important, ducking them is cowardly

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter Town Halls aren’t exactly a new thing. Neither is anger at Town Halls. In fact, both stretch back to before the founding of America, and helped to shape the country’s formation. Many have been quite contentious, even some of the earliest. But they all also had one thing in … Continued
February 28, 2017

Former State Parks Director: Vote “No” on Amendment 2

By Don Cooley Former Director, Alabama State Parks Division Department of Conservation & Natural Resources As a former State Parks director, nothing would have pleased me more than being able to vote for a constitutional amendment to protect State Park revenues from being raided by the politicians. But I will vote “No” on Amendment 2 … Continued
November 1, 2016

Who Will Be McCutcheon’s Wise Counsel?

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Last week, intense debate over the lottery bill roiled the Senate Chamber. The State House, especially on the fifth floor, seemed to exude a new confidence; a possibility of change. Speaker Mac McCutcheon set the tone when he said, “the days of the Imperial Speakership are over” and pledged … Continued
August 22, 2016

“McLottery” Details Expected Today

By Bill Britt and Susan Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Legislation from Sen. Jim McClendon proposing a vote of the people on a constitutional amendment to approve or reject a statewide lottery is expected later today. A draft of the legislation obtained by the Alabama Political Reporter over the weekend provides some insight as to what … Continued
August 15, 2016