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ACLU sues John Merrill for blocking followers on Twitter

Secretary of State John Merrill is facing a lawsuit over his blocking of individuals on Twitter. The American Civil Liberties Union sued Merrill Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2018, on behalf of three Alabama citizens who say they were blocked on Merrill’s Twitter. They say an elected official shouldn’t be allowed to block constituents on Twitter because … Continued

Chip Brownlee

September 20, 2018

Alabama Republican lawmakers have broken the law. Should all Republicans in the state lose their rights?

It’s time for Republicans in Alabama to give up some rights. Over the last few years, GOP lawmakers have violated the law on an almost daily basis, and seven of them have been indicted, convicted or pleaded guilty of misusing their offices for public gain. They have violated the public’s trust repeatedly. They have sought … Continued

Josh Moon

August 21, 2018

With dismay and outrage, Zeigler asks the Alabama Supreme Court to reconsider its STAARS decision

Not that anyone expected him to, but state auditor Jim Zeigler isn’t giving up quietly on his lawsuit claiming the state violated competitive bid laws when purchasing software and support for it State of Alabama Accounting and Resource System, or STAARS. The Alabama Supreme Court tossed the lawsuit last month, but on Thursday Zeigler and … Continued

Josh Moon

August 10, 2018

Ethics Commission clears Luther Strange

Luther Strange is off the hook. The executive director of the Alabama Ethics Commission told APR on Wednesday that the commission determined a few sessions ago that allegations that Strange violated campaign finance laws were unfounded. The two allegations, which were filed by Secretary of State John Merrill’s office during Strange’s special election campaign for … Continued

Josh Moon

June 21, 2018

Ethics Commission again rewrites campaign finance laws

Ignorance of the law is no defense, unless you happen to be a person who makes the laws. The Alabama Ethics Commission on Wednesday voted unanimously to — for the third time — wipe away the fees levied against politicians, donors and political action committees who violated campaign finance laws by filing reports late. In … Continued

Josh Moon

June 7, 2018

Judge blocks Montgomery’s first charter school

Hold up on those charter school plans. A Montgomery County Circuit Court judge on Tuesday tossed a big wrench into the rushed plans for Montgomery’s first charter school, LEAD Academy, saying the state’s Charter School Commission violated its bylaws by approving LEAD’s application without a majority of the commission voting for approval. The Commission approved … Continued

Josh Moon

May 2, 2018

Bentley investigation not the first time Ellen Brooks cited gaps in law to let perps walk free

If the findings of a special grand jury empaneled to hear allegations of wrongdoings against former Gov. Robert Bentley and his cronies sound familiar, it should. In 2012, after an eight-month investigation, a Montgomery grand jury found that the state’s ethics and campaign finance laws were not specific enough to indict former Gov. Bob Riley … Continued

Bill Britt

April 9, 2018

Democrat Mayor Walt Maddox sees what lawmakers and governor can’t

Politicos across the state are recognizing that the state’s Republican leadership is endangering their legacy by passing legislation to weaken current ethics statutes. Gubernatorial candidate Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox early this morning called on Gov. Kay Ivey to veto the hotly contentious House Bill 317, which carves out a certain class of economic professionals who … Continued

Bill Britt

March 29, 2018