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Graddick orders all pardons and parole hearings scheduled for next week cancelled

Friday, the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles has cancelled more than 100 hearings set for next week because new Director Charlie Graddick says that the prior administration failed to perform due diligence to meet requirements set forth under a new state law passed in May regarding notifications to victims and witnesses. Director Charlie Graddick, … Continued
September 6, 2019

It’s time for criminal justice reform

Evangelist Scott Dawson recently expressed a profound thought in an opinion column in Alabama Political Reporter. “Protecting life is a universal moral imperative. At every stage of human development, we, as good Christians and good people, should value life and who God has put on this earth,” wrote Dawson. The role of the church in … Continued
July 17, 2019

Governor signs bill reforming Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation Thursday that will reform the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles.   House Bill 380 is designed to increase the efficiency of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. This bill creates a Director of Pardons and Paroles, appointed by the governor, and provides strict rules and guidelines to … Continued
June 7, 2019

Growing votes or harvesting votes

A vote is and should be treated as a sacred right of every eligible American. The 26th amendment of the U.S. Constitution, Section One states: “The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by … Continued
May 8, 2019

AG supports bill to reform pardons and paroles board

Attorney General Steve Marshall is supporting legislation intended to reform the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. The legislation, proposed by the attorney general’s office, is sponsored by Republican Sen. Cam Ward and Republican State Rep. Connie Rowe. The bill comes after months of controversy surrounding the parole board and its release practices. In October, … Continued
April 11, 2019

Jones backs sweeping ballot box access reform legislation

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, is co-sponsoring sweeping reform legislation that is intended to strengthen democracy in the United States by removing barriers to voting, reigning in the influence of money in politics and ensuring public officials work for the public interest. The legislation is being called the For the People Act. If passed, the … Continued
March 28, 2019

Gov. Ivey to move forward with $900 million prison plan

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is poised to move forward with a plan to build three new prisons and invest more in prison staff as the state’s aging and overpopulated correctional system faces continued calls for reform from both activists and the federal courts. Ivey announced a broad outline of her plan during a press conference … Continued
February 12, 2019

Brooks votes to delay medical device tax, protect churches’ First Amendment rights

Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, last week voted “Yes” on HR88, the combined Retirement, Savings, and Other Tax Relief Act of 2018 and Taxpayer First Act of 2018. Amongst other things, the bill delays many of the Affordable Care Act’s taxes and protects churches from losing their tax-exempt status for engaging in normal political speech in … Continued
December 25, 2018

Terminal corruption and its accomplices

There is at present a deliberate, brazen unraveling of the Republican’s signature 2010 legislation on ethics. Bastardization of the laws are not only happening at the so-called Alabama Ethics and Reform and Clarification Commission, but it’s also taking place at the state’s Ethics Commission where a group of appointed individuals are interpreting ethics and campaign … Continued
October 8, 2018