Steve Flowers

Some Thoughts on Political Analysts, Reporting

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers During this election year I have watched all the politics on television. In order to judge the coverage I have perused all the channels. Over the years political observers have bemoaned the fact that certain networks are biased. Folks, I am here to tell you they are. There is … Continued

Steve Flowers

October 6, 2016

Opinion

Bentley Doing The Right Thing

By Steve Flowers Folks, I have been observing and participating in the legislative process for over 50 years. Lest you think I am real old, I started paging in the legislature when I was 12, served in the House of Representatives close to two decades, and have been reporting on the legislative process for now … Continued

Steve Flowers

September 21, 2016

Opinion

Sen. Sessions Alabama’s Man in D.C.

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers Throughout this year’s prodigious presidential selection process our junior senator, Jeff Sessions, has been at the forefront. He has become the darling of the extreme right throughout the country. He is and has been one of the most conservative members of the U.S. Senate for close to two decades … Continued

Steve Flowers

September 7, 2016

Opinion

Long Hot Summer Coming to an End

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers With Labor Day approaching it signifies that the long hot summer will soon be coming to an end. It seems that the summers are getting hotter and hotter. I was born and raised in south Alabama so I was accustomed to long hot summers. I remember when there was … Continued

Steve Flowers

August 31, 2016

Opinion

How Media Changes Elections

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers In 1960 television was a new medium. Most Americans did not have televisions in the early 1950’s. However, by 1960 the majority of the country had fallen in love with Lucy and TV. Presidential races had been run by party bosses in urban enclaves like New York and Boston. … Continued

Steve Flowers

August 24, 2016

Opinion

Dire Threats, Opportunities

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers As anticipated, a special Legislative Session has been called by Governor Robert Bentley. The Session is set to begin this Monday, August 15. Dr. Bentley has bemoaned the fact that the legislature refused to grant Medicaid the $85 million they said they needed in the budget fiscal year, which … Continued

Steve Flowers

August 10, 2016

Opinion

The Future of the Supreme Court at Stake

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers As we have watched and participated in the presidential foray this entire year, an equally important event occurred. The death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in February is a very important event in American government. Scalia’s unexpected death at 79 could affect the ideological tilt of the … Continued

Steve Flowers

July 27, 2016

Opinion

The Balance of Power

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers Sometimes when I observe national politics I am enthralled by the magnificent creation of our American government. When our forefathers founded our democracy it was grounded in British parliamentarian philosophy with a unique American blend, which of course omitted a monarchy. Now, 240 years later, it is a very … Continued

Steve Flowers

July 20, 2016

Opinion

The Fall of Mike Hubbard

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers The conviction and downfall of Alabama Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard is the political story of the year. It has not been the most profound conviction of an Alabama public official in my lifetime. We have had two governors convicted of crimes while in office and removed in … Continued

Steve Flowers

July 6, 2016

Opinion

The Mike Hubbard Saga

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE by Steve Flowers The older you get the more you realize that old adages you heard as a child are true. There is a political maxim that says, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” It could very aptly be applied to the Mike Hubbard saga. Mike Hubbard was born and raised … Continued

Steve Flowers

June 29, 2016