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Phil Williams

News / State

Alabama leaders comment on Memorial Day

Monday, a number of Alabama leaders made comments and statements expressing their gratitude to those who paid the ultimate price for this country in our many, many wars and armed conflicts. Below are the comments by the leaders: “Today on Memorial Day, we remember the courageous men & women who have made the ultimate sacrifice … Continued
May 29, 2018

Attorney paid by unnamed client to write, negotiate HB317

Is it appropriate for a lawyer working for an unidentified private client to write laws for a department of state government? Doesn’t the public have a right to know if a private individual pays for a bill to be written? How is it ethical for a piece of legislation to be sponsored by a member … Continued
April 17, 2018

House sends economic developer bill to governor’s desk

Just before ending this year’s legislative session, the Alabama House of Representatives voted to send a controversial economic development bill — one that would exempt a large group of “economic development professionals” from having to register as lobbyists — to Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk. By a vote of 52 to 22 with a large contingency … Continued
March 30, 2018

Bill to exempt economic developers from registering as lobbyists passes Senate

Economic developers may soon be exempted from registering as lobbyist after a tense day in the Legislature characterized with delay tactics and a narrow Senate vote. House bill 314, which would exempt economic developers from registering as lobbyist, cleared the Senate on Wednesday, but it took many hours of delay tactics by opposing senators. Sens. … Continued
March 29, 2018

House concurs on Education Budget, passes bonus money for education retirees

Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives voted to concur with the conference committee version of the Education Trust Fund budget. The House also passed legislation giving Alabama’s Education retirees a one-time bonus check. House Bill 175, the Education Trust Fund (ETF) budget, had already passed both Houses of the Alabama Legislature; but each House had … Continued
March 28, 2018

Senate committee gives favorable report to economic developer bill HB317

The Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee gave a favorable report to a much-amended version of House Bill 317 after a lengthy discussion. House Bill 317 is sponsored by state Rep. Ken Johnson, R-Moulton, and is being carried by Senate Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, in the Senate. The Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development … Continued
March 22, 2018

AG, commerce secretary hide real problem with economic development bill

During a hearing on Wednesday to discuss the controversial economic development bill, HB317, not a soul present addressed the critical problem with the bill — the gaping loophole created by allowing individuals to work as part-time economic development professionals. Of course, the bill doesn’t use the words part-time. Instead, it calls this individual a “less … Continued
March 16, 2018

Etowah County sheriff’s deputies win Law Enforcement Medal of Honor

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Three Etowah County Sheriff’s deputies were awarded the 2018 Alabama Legislative Medal of Honor for Law Enforcement on Thursday. Deputies Hayden Clements, Tyler Cline, and Andy Reed received the honor for their heroism in going into a burning jail to in Etowah County’s maximum security section to rescue the … Continued
March 12, 2018

Senate vote on daycare bill postponed — again

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Senate has again delayed a long-awaited vote on a bill to regulate church-affiliated daycares after some members of the caucus, concerned that the bill would intrude on faith-based daycares, appeared ready to fight the bill. The bill was up for a vote in the Senate on Thursday, … Continued
March 9, 2018

Bill to loosen marijuana laws gets favorable report from committee

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday gave a favorable report to a bill that would decrease the criminal penalties for marijuana possession. Senate Bill 251, sponsored by Sen. Dick Brewbaker, R-Montgomery, would reclassify the possession of 1 ounce of less of marijuana as a fine-only offense. It would also … Continued
February 22, 2018