Samuel Mattison

News

State Sen. Hank Sanders, the longest serving senator, will not seek re-election

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter State Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, is leaving the Alabama Senate after serving 9 terms in the upper chamber. Sanders, who had qualified to run, made the decision last-minute through a press release saying “Some times it is time.” “I had thought that I would run to serve one more … Continued

Sam Mattison

February 13, 2018

Lawmakers request ALSDE give back $1.4 million to MPS after clerical error

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter State Reps. John Knight, D-Montgomery, and Thad McClammy, D-Montgomery, called on the Alabama State Department of Education to return $1.4 million that was mistakenly sent to another school district in a letter and press conference on Thursday. Their complaint stems from a clerical error by the Alabama State Department … Continued

Sam Mattison

February 9, 2018

Ivey announces new education policies, asks for new categories in state report card

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter Following a report card that left Alabama with a C in education, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced a slew of new policies as a part of her “Strong Start, Strong Finish” education initiative. Ivey announced the policies on Friday during a speech at a Public Affairs Research Council meeting … Continued

Sam Mattison

February 5, 2018

Roy Moore collects funds for legal defense

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter Former GOP U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore established a fund to pay for legal battles he will soon face in court regarding a recent defamation suit by Leigh Corfman, who accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 14 years old. The Washington Post reported that Moore pursued … Continued

Sam Mattison

January 26, 2018

Day care bill gains support from municipalities

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter As the Legislative Session moves forward, a piece of legislation requiring all day cares be licensed in Alabama is gaining momentum in support. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, would revoke a licensing exemption status that nonprofit and religious day cares, and bring them under regulation … Continued

Sam Mattison

January 24, 2018

House GOP caucus passes two resolutions regarding border wall funding, respecting the flag

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter Alabama House Republicans adopted two resolutions on Friday as part of their 2018 agenda entitled “Flag, Family, and Country.” The House Republican Caucus adopted a resolution to urge Congress to fund a border wall with Mexico and urge that Americans citizens respect the American flag during ceremonies. Both issues … Continued

Sam Mattison

January 15, 2018

Canvassing Board certifies Jones win after Moore’s complaint thrown out

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter The State Canvassing Board — a panel made up of Gov. Kay Ivey, Attorney General Steve Marshall and Secretary of State John Merrill — officially certified December’s Senate special election results on Thursday after GOP candidate Roy Moore challenged the results with a legal motion filed the night before. … Continued

Sam Mattison

December 29, 2017

Richard Shelby didn’t vote for Moore, says “Alabama deserves better”

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby cemented his opposition to Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore on Sunday saying that he “couldn’t vote for Moore.” The senator appeared on the CNN program “State of the Union” to to discuss the election with host Jake Tapper. In the interview, he said he would … Continued

Sam Mattison

December 11, 2017

Strange preaches bipartisanship, laments divides in farewell speech to Senate

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter U.S. Sen. Luther Strange, R-Ala., called for bipartisanship and an end to “entrenched factionalism” between the two political parties as he gave his last speech on the Senate floor. Strange will not be returning to the chamber as he lost the party primary to Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore … Continued

Sam Mattison

December 8, 2017

Hurricane Nate leaves thousands without power; Trump approves FEMA support

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter Tropical Storm Nate left behind it a series of power outages as it moved relatively fast across the state on Sunday. As of midnight Monday, Alabama Power reported thousands of statewide outages with the plurality being in the Mobile area. Mobile had 10,900 outages, and even Birmingham Metro reported … Continued

Sam Mattison

October 9, 2017