state house

During payday presser, two Alabama Republicans break with Trump, side with liberal advocates

In the media room on the third floor of the State House, a self-identified group of liberals and conservatives took the stage to introduce legislation to restrict small consumer payday loans further. In a surprising move, Republican lawmakers at the event voiced their disagreement with President Donald Trump with one stating he is not a … Continued

Bill Britt

April 15, 2019

Opinion

ALGOP House rule changes eliminate democracy

Elections have consequences. In Alabama, the consequence is the death of democracy. Or, at least, it will be if the Republicans who increased their supermajority stronghold in the state Legislature in November have their way. On Monday, APR received a copy of Republicans’ proposed rules changes for the upcoming 2019 legislative session. The changes are … Continued

Josh Moon

January 8, 2019

Zeigler completes year-end audit

As 2018 closes, State Auditor Jim Zeigler says that his office, which he calls “the watchman for the people” suffered adversities in 2018, but overcame them with solid improvements. The biggest setback was when the Auditor’s staff were kicked out of Alabama State House. In April, the Legislative Council notified Zeigler that his staff must … Continued

Brandon Moseley

December 26, 2018

Opinion

Inside the Statehouse: very few white Democrats left in Legislature

The Republican tidal wave that swept Alabama’s statewide officeholders to landslide victories filtered down to legislative races. Even though our legislature really didn’t need to become any more conservative or Republican, it did anyway. We had a super majority Republican State House and Senate. We now have a super, super GOP majority. Republicans picked up … Continued

Steve Flowers

December 18, 2018

Opinion

The Alabama Democratic Party has no plan, no hope for the future

The Alabama Democratic Party is a dumpster fire. This cannot be news to you by now. Not after last Tuesday. Not after the last eight years. Actually, that description might not be harsh enough. Try this: The Alabama Democratic Party is a flaming bag of poop way down at the bottom of a dumpster fire. … Continued

Josh Moon

November 13, 2018

Opinion

Will Republicans bring change or status quo?

For eight years, Republicans have dominated state government in Alabama, but those years are not a fair representation of Republican leadership because, for most of that time, corrupt, crazy or compromised men were at the helms in the State House, the governor’s office and throughout the political infrastructure. Already, Republicans are laying the groundwork for … Continued

Bill Britt

November 12, 2018

Opinion

The worst candidate in Alabama

It takes some real effort to be the worst candidate for the state Legislature in Alabama. Our State House is typically filled with more crooks than a roadside trash crew and enough brain power to make a pocket flashlight flicker. I mean, let’s remember that this bunch, just three years ago, voted nearly unanimously to … Continued

Josh Moon

November 5, 2018

Opinion

Labor Day’s forgotten meaning still hotly debated

Labor Day is intended to be a tribute to the labor movement and, “is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers,” according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s website. Today, in Republican-dominated states, labor unions are seen as an enemy to free enterprise. David Macaray writing for CounterPunch suggests it’s not the … Continued

Bill Britt

September 3, 2018

Opinion

MIke Hubbard broke our laws, and no one should be trying to change them

Hold on to your hat. I’m about to tell you a story that you won’t believe. It will be so farfetched, so incredible that you’ll be convinced that I’m making it up. But I’m not. This is a true story, every word of it. And here it goes. Every day in Alabama, elected politicians get … Continued

Josh Moon

August 29, 2018

Opinion

The BCA mess isn’t difficult to unravel

It’s been a rough week for the Business Council of Alabama. The top lobbyist group in the state has been decimated by big-name defections. It started with Alabama Power and PowerSouth. Then Regions Bank. Then Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. And now Protective Life Insurance. And there are strong rumors that Drummond Coal and … Continued

Josh Moon

June 22, 2018