Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh

Marsh’s budget hearing compared to revenge porn

Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, has scheduled a general fund budget hearing for early July — purportedly to prepare for the 2021 Legislative Session that begins in February. But that is not the real reason for the budget hearing, according to Senate insiders who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid provoking … Continued

Bill Britt

June 29, 2020

Ivey’s response to controversy surrounding “wish list,” CARES Act

Suspicion and controversy surround the recently passed General Fund Budget, which includes around $1.8 billion given to the state to combat the economic ravages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Money appropriated by the U.S. Congress under the CARES Act and signed into law by President Donald Trump was directly sent to the State Treasurer by … Continued

Bill Britt

May 9, 2020

Opinion

Legislature’s return on May 4 sends a terrible message

The Alabama Legislature is returning on May 4. May the odds be ever in their favor. Because, with dozens of members over the age of 60 — and many of the lawmakers in not-so-great shape — that is “Hunger Games”-level stuff. But hey, if you want to be able to dip into that cornucopia of … Continued

Josh Moon

April 27, 2020

Marsh holds meeting with gaming interests day after Ivey calls for the Legislature to stand down on gaming

Despite Gov. Kay Ivey’s call for the Legislature to give her “time to get the facts,” on a lottery and gaming before proceeding with legislation, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh summoned representatives of the Poarch Creek Band of Indians and two of the state’s dog tracks to sit down and discuss moving ahead on … Continued

Bill Britt

February 10, 2020

Alabamians for Fair Justice calls for major criminal justice reforms

Alabama Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh have said that lawmakers will address state prisons in the coming Legislative Session. It is not certain whether the Legislature will consider criminal justice reforms as a part of an overall solution to prison overcrowding, but Alabamians for Fair Justice (AFJ) … Continued

Bill Britt

January 15, 2020

Opinion

2019 Legislative Session deserves a solid C-

After the closing of the 2019 Legislative Session, both House Speaker Mac McCutcheon and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh gave the session high marks. When judging the success-failure of a legislative session, it is elementary to understand a few key factors. Never confuse activity with accomplishments. Never judge legislation by its intentions. Never believe … Continued

Bill Britt

June 10, 2019

Opinion

Don’t be fooled: The plan to kill the Alabama School Board is about money, not helping kids and teachers

On Thursday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh summed up Alabama governance quite nicely in an eight-page bill and a one-page press release. The bill, filed by Marsh, would effectively kill the state school board, replacing it with an appointed bunch of bureaucrats who would be beholden the clowns who … Continued

Josh Moon

May 10, 2019

Opinion

A legacy for the ages

In a column on Wednesday, Alabama Political Reporter Editor-in-Chief Bill Britt noted that Gov. Kay Ivey’s time is now to do big things for Alabama. That may well come to pass. Ivey, Britt noted, wants to do great things, and among those great things are overhauling “significant portions of the state’s education system,” opening three … Continued

Joey Kennedy

January 31, 2019

State House leadership not yet committed to BCA summer affair

According to the Business Council of Alabama, its August conference, “routinely attracts more than 500 guests.” This year, it will be missing more than a few, and some of its biggest sponsors, as some of the state’s marquee corporations, have left the business group over what they describe as CEO Billy Canary’s failed leadership. This … Continued

Bill Britt

July 3, 2018

Ethics reform bill to sit on hold until next session as lawmakers begin discussions

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter A wide-ranging rewrite of Alabama’s ethics law proposed last week is expected to remain on hold this session as lawmakers and a new commission made up of legislators and state officials review the potential changes. The long-awaited rewrite — encased in a 119-page bill proposed by Senate President Pro Tem … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 2, 2018