Steve Flowers

A Tumultuous First Year Of The Quadrennium

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers This first year of the quadrennium has been an interesting mix of politics in the Heart of Dixie. At the heart of the news and interest has been the continuous wrangling over the General Fund budget. From the get go, Gov. Robert Bentley has taken a gung ho approach … Continued

Steve Flowers

September 23, 2015

Opinion

Alabama Legends

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers When Jim Bennett left the Secretary of State’s office earlier this year, he set the record for the longest serving Secretary of State in the state’s history. His 12 years in the office surpassed the legendary ladies, Agnes Baggett and Mabel Amos, who would rotate between State Treasurer and … Continued

Steve Flowers

September 16, 2015

Opinion

Gov. Bentley’s Roots in Shelby County

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers Shelby County, Alabama sits in the geographic center of the state and is the birthplace and childhood home of Gov. Robert Bentley. It is also renowned for being the fastest growing county in Alabama for the past four decades. Shelby County has become a mecca for suburbanites in the … Continued

Steve Flowers

September 9, 2015

Opinion

Alabama Profits from Federal Dollars

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers It is common knowledge that the Indian casinos in Alabama and throughout the country are granted federal sovereignty and are not subject to state intervention and authority. Several years ago state attorney general Luther Strange filed a hail Mary frivolous lawsuit against PCI Gaming Authority for political posturing purposes. … Continued

Steve Flowers

September 2, 2015

Opinion

Proceed with Wisdom

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers Many would argue, and indeed numerous surveys indicate, that Alabama is one of, if not the most, conservative states in America. I would argue that if that is true then our Alabama legislature is reflective of their constituents. A good many of the online and remaining large city daily … Continued

Steve Flowers

August 26, 2015

Opinion

Alabama Business Success Stories

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers Last week we discussed the legendary story of Aflac. Three more remarkable business success stories are just as magnificent. Again, all three of these companies are Alabama born and raised fairytale ventures. Alfa is Alabama’s largest property and casualty insurance company. Today, Alfa employs more than 2300 people and … Continued

Steve Flowers

August 19, 2015

Opinion

Coffee County Has Something to Quack About

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers There is a very iconic company founded in Alabama that has made state, southern, national and international history. It is an insurance corporation known as Aflac. Aflac is one of the greatest success stories in American business lore. Although it is headquartered on Alabama’s border in Columbus, Georgia, we … Continued

Steve Flowers

August 12, 2015

Opinion

Alabama Fire College a Success Story

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers The junior college corruption scandal, which occurred around 2006, was one of the worst white collar crimes in Alabama’s history. This highly publicized federal probe of the state’s two-year college system sent a lot of people to jail. Roy Johnson, the then director, orchestrated one of the most sensational, … Continued

Steve Flowers

August 6, 2015

Steve Flowers Book Released

Staff Report Montgomery, AL: Few states have as fascinating a political history as Alabama, especially in the post-World War II era. Moving onto and off the state’s electoral stage during this time period of remarkable transformation have been some of the most interesting figures in 20th-century American government and politics. Now, the backstage intrigue of … Continued

August 3, 2015

Opinion

General Fund Budget Front and Center

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE By Steve Flowers During the press conference three weeks ago announcing the historic BP settlement and windfall for the state, Gov. Bentley repeatedly said, “The $55 million a year to the General Fund is fantastic but it will not solve the state’s long term financial woes. It only accomplishes about 12 percent … Continued

Steve Flowers

July 29, 2015