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Conservatives urge voters to vote “no” on Amendment One

On February 4 conservative thought leaders from across the State of Alabama spoke in front of the Alabama Statehouse urging voters to vote No on Amendment One. Amendment one would strip Alabama voters of their ability to elect the state school board and replace the elected board with a commission appointed by the Governor. Former … Continued
February 25, 2020

Hot political summer in the City of Montgomery

It has been a long hot summer in Montgomery, and I do not mean at the Capitol or Statehouse, but in the City of Montgomery itself. There is a heated and pivotal mayor’s race.  It has been considered a foregone conclusion that Montgomery will elect their first African American mayor this year.  It is probably … Continued
August 21, 2019

“I Just Feel So Unnecessary”

Once again I show my age because the headline quote was a favorite of the country musician-comic known as Stringbean.  Years ago he was a regular on the Grand Ole Opry and later on the TV show, Hee Haw. His words definitely seem to fit the world of public schools we deal with each and … Continued
June 13, 2019

Human trafficking bills pass state House

The State House unanimously passed three bills on Wednesday and Thursday aimed at combating human trafficking.  Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, Assistant Minority Leader, and Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, Education Policy Chair, co-sponsored the bills. “This is a great step in continuing the fight against human trafficking,” Coleman said. “The unanimous, bi-partisan passage of all three … Continued
May 24, 2019

For the sake of the state, please sine die soon

Every year, there is hope that the Alabama Legislature will come to Montgomery with the goal of making our state a better, more prosperous place to work and live, and every year, they fail to deliver mostly. With just days left in the 2019 session, it is difficult to see any real long-term, positive accomplishments … Continued
May 20, 2019

No surprise at all: Lawmakers are already trying to get their hands on gas tax money

Two months. That’s how long it took for Alabama politicians to break all of those oh-so-sincere promises to you about the gas tax. Two months ago, when the Legislature was debating this 10-cent gas tax increase — the one that can be increased another penny for years to come — there was one often-repeated promise … Continued
May 14, 2019

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
May 10, 2019

A weird legislative session rolls on

Ah, the freedom of being unconcerned with election consequences. That’s what we’re seeing in the Alabama Legislature this session — this weird, strange, oddball session. This session where everything is turned upside down, with Republicans pushing tax increases and marijuana and Democrats playing key roles in crucial votes. The Montgomery Advertiser’s Brian Lyman first mentioned … Continued
May 8, 2019

Senate must wake up before selling out the state to Poarch Creeks

On Twitter, former conservative Senate Republican lawmaker Dick Brewbaker called on his colleagues to “Wake up!!!” It now appears a few senators are coming out from under the fog surrounding the pro-Indian lottery bill and realizing that not only have they been played for fools by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, they have also … Continued
April 25, 2019

Out-of-state corporate interests fighting legislation to protect Alabama’s small businesses

Washington, D.C.-based International Franchise Association has come to Alabama to battle against legislation proposed by Rep. Connie Rowe, R-Jasper, that would protect the state’s small business interests. At the State House, IFA is portraying its efforts as advocacy for small franchises, when in fact, the group fronts for corporate giants; McDonald’s, PepsiCo, Coca Cola, CKE … Continued
April 24, 2019