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Has Bentley’s Political Intrigue with PCI Doomed Special Session?

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Concerns that Gov. Robert Bentley is planning to negotiate a State-Tribal Compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI), reached a boiling point in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, with the Governor’s bill taking a fatal blow. Several Black Caucus members are weary of Bentley’s tactics and … Continued
August 24, 2016

Lottery Is Dead For November 8 Ballot and Foreseeable Future

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama Senate debated the lottery for four days of this Special Session. On Tuesday, August 23, it took the Alabama House of Representatives just a few minutes to effectively kill the lottery, without ever even discussing it in a committee. Freshly energized lottery opponents used the tight timeline … Continued
August 24, 2016

Some Republicans Claim Lottery Could Hurt Republican Candidates

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter A growing chorus of GOP insiders are urging the members of the House of Representatives to reject a controversial constitutional amendment, to vote on a lottery on the November 8, Presidential election ballot. They argue that a lottery vote will only bring a disproportionate number of Democrats to the … Continued
August 23, 2016

Debt Is The Real Reason For The Special Legislative Session

By Minority Leader Rep. Craig Ford The Alabama Legislature returned to Montgomery this week for what may end up being only the first of more special legislative sessions. The governor said the purpose for this legislative session was to vote on a lottery to fund Medicaid and other general fund proposals. While the lottery is … Continued
August 19, 2016

House Passes BP Oil Settlement Raid to Prop Up Medicaid

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Wednesday, August 17, 2016, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a plan to take the BP oil settlement revenue stream and sell it to investors for one time money. This scheme would prop up the troubled Alabama Medicaid program for another year and allow Alabama Governor to implement his … Continued
August 18, 2016

Indians Oppose Bill to Help Alabama’s Children

By Susan Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Yesterday, in a Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee’s public hearing on the lottery, Robbie McGee spoke in support of one bill, while being in strict opposition of another. McGee, vice chairman for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI), first spoke against Senator Jim McClendon’s (R-Springville) lottery bill, and … Continued
August 17, 2016

Speaker McCutcheon: We Are Moving into a New Era

By Susan Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—In a press conference held immediately after the new Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon (R-Madison) left the Chamber Floor, he promised that the House would be entering a new era, returning the body to the people of Alabama. McCutcheon said, his leadership style will be more to listen … Continued
August 16, 2016

Did The Tea Party Get Beat At Their Own Game?

Education Matters By Larry Lee My friends involved with Tea Party politics in Alabama decidedly favored either Michael Sentance of Massachusetts or Bill Evers of California as the next school superintendent. The reason? They said both were against Common Core standards. Sentance was selected. On Aug. 10 board member Matt Brown sent an email across … Continued
August 16, 2016

Sanford to Introduce His Version of Lottery

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama legislature is back in Montgomery for a special session to consider passing a constitutional amendment to allow a lottery. State Senator Paul Sanford (R-Huntsville) wrote in a statement on social media, “I will introduce a Multi-State Lottery Bill (no scratch-offs & very limited personnel needed.” Sanford estimated … Continued
August 16, 2016

Lottery Wars Begin

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Later today, Senator Jim McClendon (R-Springville) will file two lottery bills: one coming from Governor Robert Bentley; the other, crafted by McClendon, with input from his Senate colleagues. Both bills will attract friends and enemies. As the Art of War instructs, “Know your enemy.” The ancient Chinese military strategist … Continued
August 15, 2016