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Samuel Mattison

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Reporter Sam Mattison has passed away

Rising political journalist Samuel “Sam” Mattison has passed away. Sam broke into the world of journalism as an intern with the Alabama Political Reporter in March 2017, where he covered the Alabama Legislature and most of the major events affecting state government in Alabama. After his internship, Sam was retained as a regular contributor because … Continued
September 8, 2018

NRA endorses Ivey in GOP race for governor

The National Rifle Association, a powerful gun lobby group, waded into the gubernatorial race in support of sitting Gov. Kay Ivey. In their statement on Thursday, the group cited that they awarded Ivey with an “A” rating, which the organization gives to lawmakers who uphold their interpretation of the Second Amendment. While the group has … Continued
May 18, 2018

Walt Maddox releases mental health plan focused on funding and restructuring

Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Walt Maddox released his plan to address mental health in Alabama that proposes an increase in spending and changing of responsibilities of the Alabama Department of Mental Health. Maddox, in a statement to the press, said his plan would involve expanding Medicaid, which is a point that Maddox has brought up when … Continued
April 10, 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

Fantasy Sports bill gets unanimous approval in Senate Committee

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter The path to legal fantasy sports in Alabama cleared its first hurdle Wednesday after a Senate committee gave a bill to legalize it a unanimous favorable report. Bill sponsor state Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, said that while the bill passed the committee, its chances of passing out this year … Continued
March 1, 2018

Senate committee approves supplemental funding bill to give Corrections $30 million

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter A Senate committee passed a supplement to the General Fund Wednesday that appropriates an additional $30 million for the Department of Correction in their ongoing dilemma to raise standards of mental health and prisoner health care. The Senate Committee on Taxation General Fund approved the measure yesterday after chairman … Continued
February 22, 2018

Bill to license some day cares passes Senate committee unanimously, goes to floor

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter The day care bill, which would license certain day cares in the state, gained a favorable report Wednesday from the Senate Judiciary Committee after overwhelming approval on the House floor a couple weeks ago. In a release after its approval, the bill’s sponsor state Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, said … Continued
February 22, 2018

Pew Report: Alabama tax revenue close to pre-Great Recession levels, growing slowly

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter A new report from the Pew Research Center found that Alabama’s tax revenue has slowly grown over the past two years, but has seen significant improvement since the late 2000s crash that almost derailed the global economy. The report, which accounts for inflation, showed that while Alabama has grown … Continued
February 19, 2018

Debate over formation of city school boards dominates Senate committee meeting

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter One committee meeting in the statehouse on Wednesday was met with debates over the qualifications to start a school board by city governments. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, would raise the requirements for the formation of school boards by increasing the population requirement from 5,000 to … Continued
February 16, 2018