Skip to content

Sen. Cam Ward

News

Bill would have feds take up 70 percent of county prisoner medical costs

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — Counties across Alabama currently pay nearly all medical costs for Medicaid-eligible inmates in their county jails who lose their health coverage once they’re arrested. A proposal in the Senate would change that. After being arrested and going to jail for just a day, anyone who has Medicaid … Continued
February 22, 2017

Prison construction bill to be considered by Senate Committee in March

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — The Senate version of the bill authorizing the Alabama Prison Transformation Initiative will be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 1, the bill’s sponsor said Thursday. The plan would authorize the Department of Corrections to issue an $800 million bond to construct three new 4,000-bed men’s … Continued
February 17, 2017

Fentanyl possession would become Class C felony under Senate bill

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — A Senate Bill given a favorable report in committee on Wednesday would dramatically increase penalties for trafficking and possession of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50–100 times stronger than heroin and morphine. The bill would make fentanyl a class I controlled substance and change the penalty for … Continued
February 16, 2017

Steve Marshall is Alabama’s new Attorney General

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Friday, February 10, 2017, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley appointed Steve Marshall as Attorney General. Many of Alabama’s leaders congratulated the former Marshall County District Attorney. Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan released a statement: “The Alabama Republican Party congratulates Steve Marshall on his appointment to the office of Alabama … Continued
February 14, 2017

Prison fellowship changes lives

By Sen. Cam Ward Life has its ups and downs. Sometimes only when we get outside of our own little bubble and experience something different can we truly appreciate all the challenges the world can offer. If we choose to hide our faces from uncomfortable subjects, it can lead to a much more narrow view … Continued
February 13, 2017

Autism bill carried over

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Wednesday, February 8, 2017, the Alabama Senate Health Committee voted to carry over a bill that would have provided funding for early intervention in Autism cases. SB57 is sponsored by State Senator Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa). Sen. Allen said that the bill would have provided for families with autistic children. … Continued
February 13, 2017

The next Attorney General: Who will Bentley pick for his own oversight?

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — Newly appointed Senator Luther Strange’s departure for Washington on Thursday leaves a vacancy at the top of Alabama’s Attorney General’s Office, begging the question: Who will replace Strange, and what will he or she do about the investigation into Gov. Robert Bentley, if there ever was one? … Continued
February 10, 2017

Prison reform takes the forefront in Bentley’s annual address

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — Gov. Robert Bentley wasted no time during his annual address Tuesday night in placing his prison construction plan at the forefront of this year’s legislative agenda. Bentley told lawmakers, officials and judges gathered for the State of the State Address that Alabama’s prisoners are forced to live in … Continued
February 8, 2017

$800 million prison construction plan to be a top priority in 2017 session

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY — Gov. Robert Bentley’s plan to build four new State prisons through an $800 million bond issue will be a top priority for legislators with the start of the 2017 Regular Session today. On Tuesday, Sen. Cam Ward, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, proposed a 2017 version of the … Continued
February 7, 2017

General Fund uncertainty may hinder more criminal justice appropriations

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—The Alabama Medicaid Agency isn’t the only part of the State government with funding issues, and uncertainty over the future of Medicaid is spilling over into other agencies’ funding as well. The Alabama Legislature will begin its regular legislative session in just a few weeks. As lawmakers prepare, the session … Continued
January 26, 2017