voted

Historians will view 2019 Legislative Session among the state’s most important and influential

When Alabama historians look back at this era decades from now, they may well determine that the recently completed 2019 Legislative Session was the most important and influential of its time. In terms of the depth and breadth of important issues that were debated, considered, and voted upon, the session set new precedents that will … Continued

Nathaniel Ledbetter

June 10, 2019

Sewell votes for legislation to strengthen protections for pre-existing conditions

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Alabama, voted Thursday in favor of legislation to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions. The Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act aims to block President Donald Trump’s administration’s efforts to weaken the Affordable Care Act’s protections for people with pre-existing conditions. “The Trump administration’s efforts to weaken protections for those with pre-existing … Continued

Jessica Ballard

May 10, 2019

Opinion

The most reprehensible moment in the Alabama abortion debate

A few years ago, I covered the case of a 12-year-old girl who had been raped repeatedly by an uncle and was pregnant. Earlier this week, the Alabama House of Representatives voted to force that little girl to carry her rapist’s baby to term, deliver it, and then fight with her rapist over custody. They … Continued

Josh Moon

May 3, 2019

Opinion

JeffCo school board votes to repeal AAA. Will Alabama teachers finally take a stand?

The state’s largest school system is calling for an end to the state’s largest ongoing scam. The Jefferson County Board of Education on Monday voted to pass a resolution calling for an end to the Alabama Accountability Act — the Republican-passed tax scam that funnels millions of dollars every year out of public school classrooms … Continued

Josh Moon

February 5, 2019

Opinion

“Cussing” the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Leaders of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute ought to be ashamed. They have tarnished the institute’s standing in a way that may be hard to recover from. Last fall, the board of the BCRI voted to honor author, activist, and scholar Dr. Angela Davis, a Birmingham native, with its Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award. … Continued

Joey Kennedy

January 10, 2019

Opinion

The duty of the voter

Now that Labor Day is behind us, the political campaigns for November’s General Election are in full swing. Or should be. While polls indicate Democrats likely will take back the U.S. House of Representatives, nothing is certain. It depends on which side can get out their voters. In Alabama, these “midterm” elections are always a … Continued

Joey Kennedy

September 6, 2018

Opinion

Border security must always come first

If you have turned on your television recently, you have probably heard about the ongoing immigration debate in our country. Here in Congress, it is an issue that has drawn much of our attention as well. Since being elected to Congress, I have held two top principles when it comes to the immigration debate. First, … Continued

Bradley Byrne

July 10, 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

Opinion

Inside the Statehouse: Buck’s pocket

You voted Tuesday on a crowded ballot. Historically, in Alabama we have voted more heavily in our Governor’s race year than in a presidential year. That is probably because we were more interested in the local sheriff and probate judge’s races, which run in a gubernatorial year, than who is president. The old adage, “all politics is … Continued

Steve Flowers

June 6, 2018

Opinion

Inside the Statehouse: Court of Appeals races on ballot this year

Last week we made you aware that five of the nine seats on our State Supreme Court are up for election this year. In addition, our Court of Civil Appeals and Criminal Appeals have several members up for election. The folks who sit on these courts essentially have zero name identification. Even when polling is … Continued

Steve Flowers

May 2, 2018