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Trump administration cutting regulation while State lawmakers do the opposite

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter As the administration of President Donald J. Trump moves to dismantle Obama-era regulations on lending, the opposite is true here in Alabama, where some legislators are pushing for more rules, not less. Earlier this month, the Trump administration signaled its intentions to roll back and limit the powers of … Continued
March 20, 2017

Official State Republican women’s group denies support for small lending legislation

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter Recently the word has gone out that the “Republican women” are supporting legislation to further regulate small lenders and place a 36 percent cap on all loans. In the political arena, there are often strange alliances created to accomplish a given task. Shay Farley, representing the Southern Poverty Law … Continued
March 1, 2017

Mayor: Suspended judge was disadvantaged by punishment

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange said Thursday that suspended Municipal Court judge Lester Hayes had been “disadvantaged” by his suspension from the bench for locking up indigent defendants, which was one reason the City of Montgomery signed Hayes to a consulting contract. “He couldn’t work as a judge, he couldn’t … Continued
January 26, 2017

Judicial reform: Why the JIC and COJ must go in 2017

By Maggie Ford On January 6, 2016, Chief Justice Roy Moore issued a factual and legal Administrative Order. Since then, we have seen the Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC) file charges against him because of it. They also shared confidential information with The Montgomery Advertiser and The New York Times, and displayed a conflict of interest … Continued
January 12, 2017

Private probation company to pay settlement to three Alabamians

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Three Alabamians will receive a settlement from a private probation company after a lawsuit filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center in March. Judicial Correction Services, a company based in Georgia that functions as a private parole agency for municipal courts, will pay an undisclosed amount of money to three … Continued
December 14, 2016

Thanksgiving Day brings little to be thankful for in State government

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter For those who honestly care about the future of our State, there are few bright spots this Thanksgiving. Even as we engage in polite conversation over turkey and dressing or pecan pie, the subject will naturally turn to the state of the State. While, “Who will replace Senator Jeff … Continued
November 24, 2016

Parker Asks That Judicial Canon Limiting Speech Be Declared Unconstitutional

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Tuesday October 25, 2016, Alabama Supreme Court Justice Tom Parker (R) has asked the Federal court to rule on the merits of his constitutional challenge to Judicial Canon 3(A)(6) and the automatic removal provision requiring that any judge charged by the Alabama Judicial Inquiry. The Alabama Political Reporter spoke … Continued
October 26, 2016

JIC Dismisses Complaint Against Justice Parker

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Friday, October 21, 2016 the Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC) dismissed the complaint filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) against Alabama Supreme Court Justice Tom Parker (R). Parker is being represented by Liberty Counsel. Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “We are pleased that the complaint … Continued
October 24, 2016

Justice Department Launches Investigation into Alabama Prison System

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Thursday, October 6, 2016, the US Justice Department opened an investigation into Alabama’s overcrowded and underfunded Department of Corrections. Governor Robert Bentley said that he welcomed the investigation. Gov. Bentley said in a statement, “I welcome an investigation by the Department of Justice into Alabama’s prisons. We both … Continued
October 7, 2016

Is Justice Parker Next?

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Friday, September 30, 2016, the Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC) won a major victory when the Court of the Judiciary suspended Chief Justice Roy Moore through the remainder of his term. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) may have already picked out its next conservative jurist to purge: Associate … Continued
October 4, 2016