Alabama Political Reporter

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House Passes Immigration Bill

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter On Wednesday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a new anti-illegal immigration bill to fix unintended consequences in Alabama’s anti-illegal immigration bill, HB56. The new anti-illegal immigration bill passed the Alabama House of Representatives by a margin of 67 to 37. This bill had passed in... Read more

House Passes Both Education Budget and General Fund Budget

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--The Alabama House of Representatives passed the Education budget late in the session on Wednesday by a margin of 96 to 4. The budget had already passed in the Senate. The General Fund Budget, the Court Cost bill, and the Constitutional Amendment (SB147) which would plug... Read more

Jefferson County Tax Increase Dead for this Session

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMRY--Jefferson County’s request for a massive tax increase was blocked in the Alabama House of Representatives in an 18 to 12 vote to remove the vote from the calendar. The debate on the bill was unusually emotional and numerous legislators spoke in favor of or in... Read more

Senate passes bill reducing court docket overcrowding

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--The Senate passed a bill today to alleviate some pressure Alabama's courts with a vote of 33-0 on Wednesday. Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster), seeks to help reduce the backlog of civil cases on the court's docket. It passed the House with an... Read more

Barton Wins Shroud Award for 2012 Legislative Session

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--Every year the House awards a representative the “Shroud” award to the legislator who introduced the bill that was the most spectacular failure in the legislative session. This year’s “Shroud” award went to Rep. Jim Barton (R) from Mobile for his bill, HB610 which defunded the... Read more

GOP Announces Process to Fill Ballot Vacancy for Madison County Distri…

Potential Candidates BIRMINGHAM, AL – Chairman Bill Armistead announced that the Alabama Republican Party is now accepting applications from candidates interested in being placed on the ballot as the Republican nominee for Madison County District Court Judge, Place 3. This vacancy occurred when Chris Messervy was removed from the ballot for... Read more

EDITORIAL: Helping Law Enforcement Fight Meth Abuse

By Rob Savage The men and women of Alabama’s law enforcement agencies are on the front lines in the fight against methamphetamine production and abuse. As a member of that community, I can attest first hand that we have benefitted tremendously from the real-time, stop-sale technology adopted by the Alabama Legislature... Read more

Bentley calls special session to address redistricting

Everyone expected a special session to begin today, but Gov. Robert Bentley literally waited until the last minute of the regular legislative session late Wednesday night to let legislators know he was calling them back for the special session to begin this morning. The special session, called to handle the bitter... Read more

Rumors say fate of Special Session hangs in the balance

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Report MONTGOMERY— If the rumor is true, Gov. Robert Bentley has stepped up his game by threatening not not call a Special Session of the Legislature until he gets his way. In a show of gubernatorial might there is speculation that Bentley will not call a Special Session... Read more

Watson Sentenced in Public Corruption Case

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The former Escambia County Worthless Check Coordinator for the Escambia County District Attorney’s Office, Monica Lynn Watson, was sentenced for her guilty plea to the charges of intentional misuse of her public position for unlawful personal gain for personal gain and committing second degree forgery immediately... Read more

Sewell and Pelosi Visit Troops in Afghanistan on Mother’s Day

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D) from Selma released a statement to announce that she was part of a bi-partisan delegation including Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to Afghanistan. The two-day trip included visits to the provinces of Helmand and Kandahar. The delegation visited with troops on... Read more

Jefferson County Occupation Tax Outcome Remains Mystery

By Brandon Moseley and Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter The Jefferson County Commission is asking the Alabama House of Representatives to give them a massive $62 million tax increase package that never sunsets. The Jefferson County Commission has continued to refuse to close Cooper Green Hospital or present a plan to either... Read more

The fate of many unborn sits and waits for a vote

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY-- Few bills before the Alabama legislature have the ability to actually save lives SB196 is one of those bill. SB196 is designed to provide medicine and services needed in the treatment for at-risk newborn babies particularly those born prematurely. Known as the Healthy infant Act this... Read more

Bill on sagging pants dies in Senate

The Alabama Legislature faces a press of issues when it returns today, but drooping pants won’t be one of them. A bill sponsored by Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, that would have provided for fines against those publicly wearing pants drooping below the waist in Montgomery has died in the Senate. “The fact... Read more

As population grows, so does influence in Montgomery for North Alabama

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Four additional lawmakers to represent parts of Madison, Limestone and Morgan counties will give North Alabama a stronger voice under proposed new legislative districts, area lawmakers say. "It's what I have called a seismic shift in where the lines are," Sen. Bill Holtzclaw, R-Madison, said Monday. The Legislature is... Read more

Bill would redraw districts, stagger terms for Auburn University trust…

MONTGOMERY | Voters would decide whether to make changes in the selection process for the board of trustees at Auburn University under a bill that’s on the House of Representatives’ agenda today. The bill would: -- Update current trustee district lines drawn 50 years ago. -- Stagger appointments. -- Create six at-large seats and... Read more

Time Running Out For Jefferson County’s Proposed Massive Tax Increase

By Brandon Moseley and Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter BIRMINGHAM--On the last full week of the Alabama 2012 legislative session, SB567, a Senate Bill introduced by Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R) from Vestavia, giving bankrupt Jefferson County massive new powers to raise taxes virtually across the board, including on every payroll in the... Read more

Sessions Addresses Immigration

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Senator Jeff Sessions (R) from Alabama criticized the Obama administration’s border policy. Sen. Sessions made his comments on the floor of the United States Senate. Sen. Sessions said, “Immigration security is also vital to stopping cartels, who are creating violence around our borders and in our cities.... Read more

Senator Orr Carries Torch Forward for Children

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY (May 11, 2012) – This week, the children of Alabama, gained another guardian. Senator Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) insured that vital dollars dedicated to state agencies through the Children First Trust Fund were kept intact. The Children First Trust Fund dollars come from the national tobacco... Read more

Bill would give panel the power to alter sentences

MONTGOMERY -- A 21-member commission could set punishment standards for nonviolent crimes that judges generally would have to follow, under a plan that will become law unless Gov. Robert Bentley objects. The plan's sponsor, Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, predicted the Alabama Sentencing Commission would lessen prison time for many nonviolent crimes... Read more

Immigration law changes far from sure thing in Senate

Passing a fix to the state’s controversial immigration law that was approved last year is not a sure thing on Wednesday, the final day of the 2012 legislative session. Even senators who support a state immigration law would like to wait for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on Arizona’s similar... Read more

Governor compliments Legislature and Redstone Arsenal, takes swipe at …

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- A "very optimistic" Gov. Robert Bentley touted a drop in the state's unemployment rate and generally praised the Legislature - particularly the House - as he presented his annual "Alabama Update" Monday to the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce. But, with one day left in the legislative session,... Read more

McClendon talks about Reapportionment; Special Session Begins This Wee…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The special session addressing the decennial Alabama Legislature reapportionment is expected to begin on Thursday, if Alabama Governor Bentley calls for the anticipated special session. The Co-Chairmen of the Joint Committee on Reapportionment are Senator Gerald Dial (R) from Lineville and Representative Jim McClendon (R) from... Read more

PCI, Part 2: Threats, worries, fears and loathings in Escambia County

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter Editor’s note A portion of this story is based on conversation we had with employees at the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel in Atmore, Alabama. We stayed at the hotel and casino complex for two days without reveiling that we were reporters or doing a story on... Read more

Sessions Demand To Know Why Obama Administration Is Releasing a Terror…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Thursday Jeff Sessions and other Republican Senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta demanding answers about how Ali Masa Daqduq is managing to get freedom just a few years after being captured on... Read more

Brooks Examines National Science Foundation Efforts to Prevent Fraud

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Congressman Mo Brooks (R) from Huntsville issued a written statement to announce that the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education had held a committee hearing to examine stewardship of taxpayer dollars at the National Science Foundation (NSF). Representative Brooks is the Chairman of the subcommittee. The... Read more

Brooks Declared Most Conservative Member of Alabama Congressional Dele…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The American Conservative Union (ACU) announced on Wednesday that Congressman Mo Brooks (R) from Huntsville was the most conservative congressman in the Alabama House Delegation in 2011. Rep. Brooks achieved a conservative voting score of 88% in the ACU’s annual ratings of the Congress. Rep. Brooks said,... Read more

Lt. Gov. Ivey to Chair Alabama GOP Delegation to Tampa Convention

From the Office of Lt. Governor Kay Ivey Montgomery, AL - Lt. Governor Kay Ivey was elected Chairman of the Alabama Delegation to the Republican National Convention this morning. Ivey served as Chairman of Governor Mitt Romney's Campaign in Alabama. She was elected at a delegation meeting in Montgomery. Lt. Gov. Ivey... Read more

State lawmakers stalling health care bill for uninsured

Lawmakers are delaying a bill that would possibly provide affordable health care to thousands of uninsured Alabamians due to objections to certain provisions in it. The state Senate failed Thursday to pass the bill to create a health insurance exchange, a marketplace where people can buy health plans. Given that just... Read more

Changes to how Alabama runs indigent defense spark debate

Anyone in the United States charged with a crime has the constitutional right to help from an attorney. Good lawyers don’t work cheap — even when governments wind up footing the bill for defendants who can’t afford to hire attorneys on their own, a type of legal work known as indigent... Read more

Legislature Redistricting Plans Now Are Public

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The proposed new redistricting maps from the Committee on Reapportionment were made available to the public on Thursday. Every ten years the legislature has to reapportion the legislative districts as population shift have occurred over the decade. The constitutionally required redistricting process is based on the... Read more

Update 2: Staff shake-up coming to Governor’s office

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY-- Multiple sources from inside the administration have confirmed staff changes are coming within the governor’s inner circle. According to these sources current Chief of Staff David Perry will be leaving the governor’s office to join RSA. Perry will be replacing Mark Reynolds who has exited RSA. Perry... Read more

Planned Parenthood takes a stand on abortion clinic bill

By Susan Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--A bill requiring state regulation of abortion clinics passed the House Floor on Wednesday night. Sponsored by Representative Mary Sue McClurkin (R-Indian Springs) the bill seeks to place strict restrictions on Planned Parenthood facilities. The bill, according to Planned Parenthood Southeast, would impose burdensome regulations on health... Read more

Bill Seeks to Reduce Prison Overcrowding

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--Wednesday, Senate Bill 386 reforming sentencing guidelines made its way out of the House, carried by Bill Poole (R-Tuscaloosa) and is headed to the Governor. The bill's author and champion Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) said, "The overcrowding situation in our prisons have really helped us see why... Read more

The ACIJ says new immigration bill will create new problems for state

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ACIJ) issued a press release late on Wednesday expressing their dissatisfaction with the latest attempt to rewrite Alabama’s anti-illegal immigration law, HB56. State Senator Scott Beason (R) from Gardendale introduced the new anti-illegal immigration bill Wednesday to replace the House... Read more

Shelby Says It’s Time to Get Serious About Fixing the Housing Market

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Tuesday May 8, 2012, Senator Richard Shelby (R) from Alabama spoke before the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs about the housing crisis which has gripped the nation since the middle of 2008. Senator Shelby is the ranking Republican on the Committee on Banking, Housing... Read more

Editorial: Republicans Should Stand on Principles

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Today, the House will vote on the Jefferson County Tax Increase Package, SB567, which would give the Jefferson County Commission vast new powers to saddle people that work, do business, or shop in Jefferson County with a whole host of Draconian new taxes, because the Jefferson... Read more

Bonner Salutes South Alabama World War II Veterans Visiting Washington

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Congressman Jo Bonner (R) from Mobile and students from Mobile's St. Luke's Episcopal School welcomed South Alabama World War II veterans to Washington, DC, on Wednesday. Ninety South Alabama World War II veterans left Mobile Regional Airport on Honor Flight VII to Washington's Reagan National Airport.... Read more

Governor signs DeMarco bill to stiffen penalties for unemployment comp…

MONTGOMERY – Gov. Robert Bentley on Tuesday signed into law a bill by Rep. Paul DeMarco (R – Homewood) that will stiffen penalties for those who are caught fraudulently receiving unemployment compensation from the state. “Committing fraud to obtain unemployment benefits is a serious crime and its punishment will soon match... Read more

Legislature Passes School Grading and Performance Bonus Bill

Measure could be impetus to major education reforms going forward MONTGOMERY – A plan to bring unprecedented accountability to Alabama’s education system and provide cash incentives for schools to improve performance today received final passage in the Alabama Legislature. House Bill 588, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur) was written to establish... Read more

Senate rejects immigration law repeal attempt

The Alabama Senate began consideration of changes to the state’s immigration law Wednesday by turning back an attempt to repeal it and receiving a list of changes approved by one of the bill’s original sponsors. At press time late Wednesday night, no vote on those changes developed by Sen. Scott Beason,... Read more

Bentley’s jobs bill hits Senate roadblock on a procedural vote

MONTGOMERY — Gov. Robert Bentley’s key job creation bill hit a Senate roadblock Wednesday when it failed to get enough votes to move into position for debate. The Senate vote of 18-15 on a procedural requirement called the Budget Isolation Resolution was insufficient to move House Bill 160 into position for... Read more

Beason Introduces Immigration Substitute for Review

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Senate Committee Passes Plan to Use Rolling Reserve Funds to Bailout M…

By Susan Britt and Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter On Tuesday, the Senate Finance and Taxation - General Fund Committee passed its version of a state operating budget for next year that would give Medicaid $418 million from the Alabama General Fund. State Health Officer Don Williamson says that the program actually... Read more

Bail Bonds Strike Never Intended, apology extended

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--Recently, John Sanders sent an email to members of the state legislature threatening a statewide strike by bail bondsman. In the email Sanders said that bail bondsman across the state to show opposition to HB688, a bill that would place a fee on bonds issued. In the email... Read more

Changes Modernizing Alabama Constitution Up for Vote in November

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--Two bills renovating the language in the Alabama Constitution of 1901 have passed both House and Senate and are scheduled to be on the ballot in November. Sponsored by Representative Paul DeMarco (R-Homewood), HB357 and HB358 seek to update old verbiage in the over 100-year-old document. "In the... Read more

Bachus Announces Hearing Focusing on Cost of Federal Regulations on Ba…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Congressman Spencer Bachus (R) from Vestavia stated on Monday that the House Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee of the House Committee on Financial Services will be holding a hearing on the cost of new federal regulations on the banking and lending industries. Representative Bachus said, “More... Read more

Aderholt Announces Release of FY2013 Homeland Security Appropriations …

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Congressman Robert Aderholt (R) from Haleyville announced in a written statement that the House Appropriations Committee had completed the Fiscal Year 2013 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. Rep. Aderholt said that the “legislation will continue to strengthen America’s homeland security efforts while trimming excess spending.” The House Appropriations... Read more

Bill Allowing PEEHIP to Negotiate Drug Prices Passes Senate

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--The Alabama Senate has passed SB571 which will help the Teachers’ Insurance Fund save hundreds of millions in prescription drug costs. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said, “I'm pleased that we were able to catch this discrepancy in the law while we were in session, this... Read more

Governor Bentley Signs Bill Prohibiting Texting While Driving

From the Office of Governor Robert Bentley MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday signed into law House Bill 2, a measure that prohibits texting while driving. “Signing this bill sends a message that drivers need to focus on driving – not on sending a text,” Governor Bentley said. “There is nothing so... Read more

AG Strange joins call to increase crime victim's fund cap to $1 Billio…

From the Office of Attorney General Luther Strange (MONTGOMERY)—Attorney General Luther Strange today... Read more

Governor Bentley Praises Pension Reform Approval

From the Office of Governor Robert Bentley MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday praised legislative approval of pension reform measures that will ensure the viability of the state’s retirement system while also saving taxpayers more than five billion dollars over 30 years. Senate Bill 388 was approved by the House of Representatives... Read more

Governor Bentley Comments on Passage of Bills Relating to Homeowners I…

From the Office of Governor Robert Bentley MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday released the following statement regarding legislative approval of a series of bills related to homeowners insurance. “The lack of affordable homeowners insurance is an important issue affecting many people in Alabama, especially those living along the Gulf Coast,” Governor... Read more

Governor Bentley Praises Legislative Approval of Supply Money for Teac…

From the Office of Governor Robert Bentley MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday praised legislative approval of Senate Bill 257, a measure that provides each classroom teacher in K-12 public schools $300 for school supplies. “The most important people in a child’s life are the ones who kiss them goodbye in the... Read more

Gourmet beer bill stalls, but could come back

MONTGOMERY — A gourmet beer bill went stale in a procedural vote in the House on Tuesday, but the measure allowing larger containers of beer may get back on the menu. A bill by Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, that would authorize beer containers up to 25.4 ounces for the craft beer... Read more

Alabama House overrides governor's objection to the school start date …

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama public schools are a step closer to having a required 12-week summer vacation. Gov. Robert Bentley today objected to a lawmaker-approved bill that would mandate summer break dates for public schools, saying school systems should be able to set their own schedules. Bentley returned the bill to lawmakers... Read more

Poarch Band of Creek Indians under attack, Part 1, The real reason

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--The Poarch Creek Indians (PCI) of Atmore, Alabama, are being threatened by the Escambia County Commission in a move that could take away their land rights and livelihood. On Friday, April 13, the Escambia County Commission announced that they would seek to find if the PCI have... Read more

Jefferson County Tax Increase Package Before the House

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Representative Jim McClendon (R) from Springville told ‘The Alabama Political Reporter’ Monday that the Jefferson County bailout bill will be in committee in the House on Tuesday. Rep. McClendon expects that the bill will pass out of Committee and could be debated by the full Alabama... Read more

Brooks And Roby Concerned About Possible Defense Cuts

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Congresswoman Martha Roby (R) from Montgomery made comments in Enterprise about defense cuts in a visit with the Enterprise Rotary Club. The Southeast Sun reported that Rep. Roby expressed concerns about the impact of the Budget Control Act on our Military’s capabilities. Rep. Mo Brooks (R)... Read more

Bail Bondsmen to Withhold Issuing Bonds over Bill

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--Alabama State Bail Bondsmen sent an email to legislators on Friday announcing that they will "not bond anyone out of jail for two days before the Senate votes" on a bill imposing additional fees on bond issuing. The protest is designed, according to their email, to... Read more

Immigration law may come up for vote this week

A Senate Republican considered key to passage of revisions to Alabama’s strict immigration law said Monday he expects the bill to come up for a vote this week. Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, declined to discuss many details of the changes, but said he believes the law’s controversial “reasonable suspicion” provision —... Read more

Legislative reapportionment hearings to begin Wednesday

MONTGOMERY | The 22-member Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment will meet Wednesday to discuss new House and Senate districts before the expected May 14 special session. The committee of House and Senate members is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. in the Joint Briefing Room on the eighth floor of the... Read more

Clarity Act, three other insurance bills, on verge of passing Legislat…

MONTGOMERY, Alabama — An insurance industry disclosure bill that once was hotly contested and three other insurance proposals could achieve passage through the full Legislature today, when the House is scheduled to consider them. The Property Insurance Clarity Act, loudly championed by the grass-roots consumer group Homeowners Hurricane Insurance Initiative, met... Read more

HB56 Opponents Marshal Forces for Last Stand Against Illegal Immigrati…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Last week, the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ACIJ) reiterated their position that “the only true remedy for the harm caused by the state’s “worst in the nation” anti-immigrant law is full repeal.” The group did however indicate that they were open to compromise and would... Read more

Brooks Explores Ways to Advance STEM Education

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Last week Congressman Mo Brooks (R) from Alabama released a statement following a field hearing the the subcommittee on Research and Science Education held in Madison, AL. Rep. Brooks is that Chairman of the committee. Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D) from Illinois is the ranking Member of... Read more

Senate Passes Kyle Graddy Act Guaranteeing Students’ Access to Life-Sa…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Thursday the Alabama Senate passed SB412, commonly known as the Kyle Graddy Act. The bill was sponsored by Senator Tom Whatley (R-Beauregard). The bill is named for a 9 year old Alabama boy (Kyle Graddy) who testified before Congress about his need for in-school access to his... Read more

Groups pushing to elect more women in the South

WASHINGTON — Heather McTeer lost her long-shot bid to unseat Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson in Mississippi’s March primary. But she hopes her attempt encourages other women in the South to run for office — whether for a seat on the school board or in Congress. “Women need to see other women... Read more

Bill would raise court fees, costs

A bill pending in the Legislature would make it more expensive to do business in the courthouses of the state. Rep. Mike Hill, R-Columbiana, sponsored the bill in the House that would raise court costs and fees. The added revenue is needed to ward off widespread layoffs in the court system in... Read more

Alabama school Superintendent Tommy Bice wants overhaul of state's tes…

Year after year, she said, at Pizitz Middle in Vestavia Hills, she warned her child's teachers of the girl's math and reading struggles. And year after year, her daughter performed well enough on the Alabama Reading and Math Test to allay all her teachers' fears. She was meeting expectations. She was,... Read more

Democrats offer budget plan to prevent Medicaid death spiral

By Bill Britt and Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter For many poor and elderly Alabamians a dire crisis sits over the horizon as funding for Medicaid is about to face a drastic reduction. Earlier this week Governor Robert Bentley and State Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson held a press conference to layout... Read more

Leaving Children in Car a Crime Bill Passes Senate

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--A bill making leaving a child or mentally/physically incapacitated individuals alone in vehicles by a paid caregiver a crime. Sponsored by Senator Vivian Davis Figures (D-Mobile), SB397, passed the Senate unanimously with one friendly amendment from Senator Paul Bussman (R-Cullman). Named the Amiyah White Unattended Children in Motor... Read more

Amended Home Invasion Bill Passes Senate

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--On Thursday, a bill defining "Home invasion" and outlining the penalties that would be applied passed out of the Senate with an amendment removing specific penalties. The Alabama Home Invasion Act of 2012, SB 310, sponsored by Senator Ben Brooks (R-Mobile) was amended by Senator Bobby Singleton... Read more

Senator McGill Discusses Abortion

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Senator Shadrack McGill (R-Woodville) issued a statement about his views on Senate Bill 20 and the abortion issue. SB20 is sponsored by Sen. McGill and is entitled the Abortion Coverage Prohibition Act. Sen. McGill said, “SB20 is designed to deal with a very real problem about which... Read more

Republican Senate Votes for Tax increase on Jefferson County Workers, …

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter On Thursday, the Alabama Senate passed SB567 by a margin of 16 to 11. The bill, titled the Alabama Financially Distressed Counties Act, was authored by Senator Jabo Waggoner (R) from Vestavia. Sen. Waggoner has issued a written statement on the Senate’s passage of the massive... Read more

Editorial: Pathetic Excuse for a Charter Schools Bill Misses Point of …

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter I am a partisan Republican. I don’t try to hide it, but lets speak some truth here: The Republicans’ charter school proposal was a bad bill when it was first written. It eliminated for profit schools from setting up charter Schools and left the whole issue... Read more

Alabama Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grant…

Staff Report May 3, 2012 – Montgomery, Ala. – The Alabama Legislature passed House Bill 518 yesterday, creating The Alabama Public Interest Energy and Fuel Research and Development Grants Program. The grants program will be administered by The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, and the Center for Alternative Fuels, under... Read more

AG Strange lauds final passage of looting bill

From the Office of Attorney General Luther Strange (MONTGOMERY)—Attorney General Luther Strange called today’s final passage of HB 340 “a fitting tribute to the victims who suffered and struggled through the devastating tornadoes that struck Alabama one year ago.” In the wake of the tragic tornadoes of last year, Attorney General Strange... Read more

Governor Bentley Signs Bill Making Business Tax Filings More Efficient

From the Office of Governor Robert Bentley MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday signed into law Senate Bill 459, a measure that eliminates red tape for business tax filings in Alabama. Under existing law, businesses with multiple locations are burdened by having to file tax returns in multiple jurisdictions using various tax... Read more

Justice Department sends letter on immigration law; protesters seek re…

The Justice Department released a letter late Thursday afternoon, hours after six individuals protesting Alabama’s immigration law conducted a sit-down demonstration near the Alabama Senate chamber, saying Alabama’s controversial immigration law had “significant and measurable” impacts on schoolchildren. The letter, written by Assistant U.S. Attorney General Thomas Perez, said Section 28... Read more

Bill: Let disabled ticket illegal parking

Alabama cities and counties could allow people with disabilities to issue parking tickets to people who illegally use handicap parking spaces, according to a bill that passed the Senate on Thursday. “It’s an optional program that cities or counties could adopt to help enforce handicap parking regulations,” said Sen. Roger Bedford,... Read more

Republican Party Chairman endorses Roy Moore

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter BIRMINGHAM-Former Chief Justice Roy Moore (R) from Gallant held a joint press conference with Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead at the Alabama Republican Party Headquarters in Homewood on Wednesday. Chief Justice Roy Moore is running for Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Moore was... Read more

Healthcare Exchange Bill Receives Multiple Amendments in Public Hearin…

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--Alabama's response to the Affordable Healthcare Act passed out of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee with multiple amendments. To be named the Alabama Health Insurance Marketplace or Small Employer Insurance Marketplace for companies who employ 50 or less. HB245, sponsored by Representative Greg Wren (R-Montgomery), passed with a... Read more

Bentley Announces Almost 900 New Jobs in Montgomery Area

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Alabama Governor Robert Bentley announced Tuesday that Hyundai will be adding a third shift to their Alabama factory. The third shift at the Montgomery car factory will start this September. The plant will be accepting job applications and start training workers for the 877 new jobs... Read more

Bill Regulating Abortion Clinics Passes House Health Committee

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--A bill requiring state regulation of abortion clinics passed out of House Health Committee on Wednesday. Sponsored by Representative Mary Sue McClurkin (R-Indian Springs) brought HB223 before the committee saying, "It addresses the standards of care that the Department of Public Health regulates." In a report prepared for... Read more

Hammon Defends Record on Immigration

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY-Wednesday, Representative Micky Hammon (R) from Decatur released a statement defending his record opposing illegal immigration. Rep. Hammon is the sponsor of HB658. In the statement Rep. Hammon assures citizens that, “HB658 maintains the strength of the original immigration law.” Rep. Hammon said, “In the months since... Read more

Personhood Bill Debated in Public Hearing

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--On Wednesday, a public hearing on when personhood begins was held in the Senate Health Committee. A bill sponsored by Senate Health Committee member Senator Phil Williams (R-Rainbow City), SB5, seeks to determine at what point in the fertilization cycle of pregnancy produces a person. According to the... Read more

Pro-Life Groups Say That Their Legislation is Not Being Acted on By Le…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY-‘The Alabama Political Reporter’ recently talked with Cheryl Ciamarra, the legislative director for Alabama Citizens for Life. Cheryl Ciamarra said that there are several good Pro-Life pieces of legislation that need to be acted on by the Alabama Legislature. The Alabama Republican Party Legislators overwhelmingly all say... Read more

Legislature Passes Bill Restricting Funeral Disruptions

Staff Report MONTGOMERY – A proposed new law restricting hate groups from protesting the funerals of fallen soldiers and other victims today received final passage in the Alabama Legislature. House Bill 238, sponsored by Rep. DuWayne Bridges (R-Valley), sets a perimeter of 1000 feet, or two blocks, for any disruption of a... Read more

AG announces final passage of bill for overtime in law enforcement pen…

From the Office of Attorney General Luther Strange (MONTGOMERY)—Attorney General Luther Strange announced final passage of a bill in his legislative package that would allow the calculation of overtime pay toward retirement benefits for state employees. Attorney General Strange advocated this legislation to provide this benefit for law enforcement... Read more

Statement on SB20 from State Senator McGill

From the Office of Senator Shadrack McGill MONTGOMERY - Abortion is always a subject that can stir emotions and that was certainly true tonight. However, just because a problem is sensitive does not mean we should avoid it. SB20 is designed to deal with a very real problem about which I am... Read more

Governor Bentley Demands That Legislature Raid Education Reserve Fund …

By Brandon Moseley and Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY-Alabama Governor Robert Bentley held a press conference Tuesday to discuss the General Fund Budget and the budget challenges facing the Alabama Medicaid Agency. Governor Bentley said, “We have more than $200 million sitting in a savings account in the Education Trust Fund. Rather... Read more

Bill to change age requirement for school enrollment awaits governor s…

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter On Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. a legislative act that would decrease the minimum age of children required to attend public school was sent to Governor Robert Bentley for his signature. The bi-partisan bill sponsored by Representative John Merrill (R-Tuscaloosa) and Senator Priscilla Dunn (D-Bessemer) would lower the... Read more

Governor Bentley Announces 500 New Coal Mining Jobs

By Brandon Moseley and Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter Governor Robert Bentley announced Tuesday that Walter Energy, Inc., will soon build a new underground coal mine in Tuscaloosa County. The new project will create more than 500 new jobs in four Alabama counties. This announcement follows the recent approval of incentives that... Read more

Senate Passes Education Budget

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY-Late Tuesday night the State of Alabama Senate passed the state’s education operating budget. According to the Senate Republicans, the education budget included funding of $300 in supplies for every grades K-12 classroom for supplies. The Senate also included a $5,000 salary supplement for teachers that are... Read more

Bachus Cleared On All Charges

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter On Friday the Board of the Office of Congressional Ethics voted unanimously to recommend that all allegations against Congressman Spencer Bachus (R) from Vestavia be immediately dismissed. Rep.Bachus issued a statement following his being informed by the Board that it had voted unanimously 6-0 to recommend... Read more

Legislature approves longer summer break

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature passed a bill Tuesday night that’s designed to boost tourism spending by stretching out the summer vacation from school. The Senate voted 25-10 for the bill and the House agreed 58-36. The bill now goes to Gov. Robert Bentley. “Gov. Bentley has some concerns about the bill... Read more

CED gets state Medicaid funding back; AG's office looking at case

MONTGOMERY — State Medicaid funding has been restored to the CED Mental Health Center and service to clients is continuing, but a Medicaid billing question has been turned over to the attorney general’s office, officials said Tuesday. CED Executive Director Sheila Hurley said a plan of action meeting is scheduled late... Read more

Bill requiring classes for parents seeking divorce stalls in House

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- A bill that would require parents of minor children to attend a four-hour class prior to divorcing stalled in the House today, under a filibuster from the House Legislative Black Caucus. Rep. Bill Poole, R-Tuscaloosa, said that his House Bill 482 is intended to address the "very high... Read more

Regarding Revisions to Alabama Immigration Law

From the Office of Attorney General Luther Strange “My recent comments regarding changes to Alabama's immigration legislation were referring to the provisions at issue in the Arizona case that are also a part of the Alabama law. I do not believe that now is the time to make changes to those... Read more

Super-PAC launches to level field for Beason, take on Bachus

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The political gods seem to be shining on Scott Beason (R-Gardendale). Beason has been running a shoe-leather campaign to unseat the Alabama 6th District Republican incumbent Spencer Bachus. Bachus has over a million dollars in his campaign coffers and has not faced a serious challenger in... Read more

PART 4 Alabama Aircraft Industries Sues Boeing  

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter   This is the final chapter in our four part series covering Alabama Aircraft Industries (AAI)/formerly PEMCO) landmark $100 million lawsuit against The Boeing Company. AAI alleges that Boeing used bid rigging, political lobbying, and the theft of trade secrets to drive an Alabama competitor, AAI, out of business. In part 3,... Read more

Home brew bill a cause for heated debate in House

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY-A three hour exchange held the House floor hostage on Thursday over a bill that would make home brewing legal in Alabama. On one side was the bill’s sponsor Representatives Mac McCutcheon (R-Capshaw) on the other was a vocal group of opponents. In a case of republican... Read more

Bachus reflects on April 27 tornados

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter On the one year anniversary of the day that a massive wave of 62 tornados struck Alabama Congressman Spencer Bachus (R) from Vestavia released a written statement. Rep. Bachus said, “The devastation that I saw traveling through places both large and small like Pratt City, Pleasant... Read more

House Passes Bill Creating Small Business Financing Authority

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONGOMERY-Last week the Alabama House passed a bill that would create a Small Business Financing Authority. HB600 is a part of the plan devised by House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s Jobs Commission. “With the economy in the shape it is in and with banks tightening lending this bill will... Read more

Sewell Announces Federal Funds for 7th District Projects

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter MONGOMERY-Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D) from Selma made a string of announcements in the past week of federal funds that have recently been awarded to projects in the Seventh District. The University of West Alabama (UWA) was awarded $235,543 from the U.S. Department of Education under... Read more

Legislative session in home stretch; budgets, immigration on agenda

Alabama school year proposal's legality questioned

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Some officials are questioning the legality of a proposal to give schools more money if a bill is passed to limit when local school boards could start and end their school years. "Our belief is, the move is illegal," said Sally Howell, executive director of the Alabama Association... Read more

House votes unanimously for AlabamaCare, not ObamaCare

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter On Thursday the members of the Alabama House of Representatives unanimously passed HB245. In a vote of 92-0 the house passed legislation that would establish a statewide healthcare exchange. HB245 is a response to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare. The Affordable Care Act... Read more

Shelby Criticizes HUD Budget Request

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Senator Richard C. Shelby released a transcript of his remarks delivered in the Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Senator Shelby was critical of the Obama Administration’s $45 billion Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) fiscal year 2013 budget. Federal spending has grown... Read more

Aderholt Comments on Commerce, Justice and Science Committee Appropria…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter United States Representative Robert Aderholt commended the Commerce, Justice, and Science Committee for including his requests for funding an essential rocket and methamphetamine cleanup. Rep. Aderholt is a member of the House Appropriation Committee’s Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee. Rep. Aderholt said that the committee included his... Read more

Sessions Says Senate Democrats Refusal to Address Budget Is Willful an…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter United States Senator Jeff Sessions (R) from Alabama said that Sunday, April 29th, will mark the three year anniversary of the last time the Democrat led Senate has passed any budget. Sen. Sessions is the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee. Sen. Sessions said, “This Sunday... Read more

Campaign Finance, Election Reform Bill Filed in Senate

By Armon Drysdale MONTGOMERY – When Reform Alabama laid out its legislative agenda in January, the organization listed election law reform as a top priority for 2012. After several months of research and collaboration, the group’s first such bill was filed Tuesday in the Alabama Senate. Sen. Bryan Taylor, R-Prattville, is sponsoring... Read more

Alabama Attorney General targeting Indian gambling

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange has asked the federal agency that oversees Indian gambling to take action to prohibit slot machine-like electronic bingo machines at the state's Indian casinos. Strange sent a letter to the National Indian Gaming Commission during the comment period for proposed regulations on bingo... Read more

Lawmaker wants to delay immigration law revisions

MONTGOMERY | While the Alabama Senate is poised to vote on a revision of the state’s 2011 immigration this week, one state senator has said the Legislature should wait to revise the law until after the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the federal government’s lawsuit against a similar law in... Read more

Bill removes "ectopic pregnancy" from abortion definition

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--A bill passed out of the legislature on Thursday removing the terminology "ectopic pregnancy" from the definition of abortion in the state of Alabama. It also removes a requirement on physicians to require a determination of post-fertilization age of the unborn and limit it only to a... Read more

Bentley Announces FEMA Grant to Help Tornado Disaster Survivors

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter On Wednesday, Governor Robert Bentley announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency had awarded that state a $12.9 million Disaster Case Management Grant to help Alabamians continue the long-term recovery process from the April 2011 tornadoes. Alabama Governor Robert Bentley said, “Since last year’s storms, we have... Read more

Bill Outlawing Synthetic Drugs Passes Legislature

By Brandon Moseley and Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter The Alabama Legislature gave final bipartisan passage today to a bill that outlaws the possession and sale of synthetic marijuana and other so-called designer drugs. The bill was SB208 in the Senate and HB 158 in the House. The Alabama law will be... Read more

Bonner Announces Completion of Gulf Coast Claims Facility Review

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Congressman Jo Bonner (R) from Mobile issued a written statement following the release of the Audit of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility. Rep. Bonner said that the review “found no major inconsistencies within the GCCF's claims operations.” Rep. Bonner said that the review however, “did point out... Read more

Ballot Access Bill Passes Senate Floor

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--Thursday, a bill reducing the number of names of qualified electors' signature required on a petition for third party or independent party candidates to get on the ballot by half passed the Senate Floor. Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) sponsored bill SB15 reducing the percentage of required signatures... Read more

Legislature Grants Final Passage to Bill Establishing Streamlined Tax …

From the Office of the President Pro Tem Del Marsh MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Senate today concurred with technical amendments added by the House to a bill that will streamline the process for businesses filing tax returns with cities and counties across the state, sending the bill to Governor Robert Bentley... Read more

Governor Bentley Signs Sales Tax Holiday for Severe Weather Preparedne…

From the Office of Governor Robert Bentley MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday signed into law House Bill 436, a measure that will provide an annual sales tax holiday for severe weather preparedness items. “The bottom line is this sales tax holiday can help save lives. We want to encourage people to... Read more

Alabama Senate approves homeowners insurance bills

MONTGOMERY, Ala. The Alabama Senate has approved a package of five bills that could bring insurance relief to homeowners in coastal Alabama. “This is real progress,” said state Sen. Ben Brooks, R-Mobile, a leading advocate for insurance reform. “The Senate has done its job, and now the battle shifts to the... Read more

Life saving bill passes House health committee

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--On Wednesday in a public hearing of the House Health Committee Senator Gerald Dial (R-Lineville), made a passionate and concise case for giving premature babies a vaccine that would protect them from a deadly virus and perhaps save their lives. One of the grave dangers for some... Read more

New Case of Mad Cow Disease Discovered: Alabama Cattlemen’s Associatio…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) President Donna Joe Curtis told an audience of the St. Clair County Cattlemen’s Association that a dairy cow in California has been tested positive for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as ‘Mad Cow Disease.’ The cow was sent to a rendering plant... Read more

Bills Aimed at Cigarette Prices Presented at Public Hearing

MONTGOMERY--On Wednesday, three bills regarding raising the cost of cigarettes was presented to the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee in a public hearing. House Bills 9 and 712 were presented by sponsor Representative Joe Hubbard (D-Montgomery), a third, HB725, was presented by sponsor Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham). All bills aim to... Read more

Bentley Announces FEMA Grant to Help Tornado Disaster Survivors

Luther Strange Comments about Arizona Immigration Law Case

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange was at attendance during the U.S. Supreme Courts hearing of oral arguments about Arizona’s anti-illegal immigration case. Following the oral arguments, AG Strange released his comments about the case. AG Strange said, “I was pleased today to attend the U.S. Supreme Court... Read more

Armistead Says Republicans Are Enthusiastic About Presidential Campaig…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead said that he recently attended the Republican National Committee meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney met with the powerful group and “Gov. Romney got a great reception. Everyone was united and excited.” Sen. John McCain was also... Read more

Private Judges Bill Passes Alabama House, Awaits Governor Bentley’s Si…

Staff Report MONTGOMERY--Representative Mike Jones (R-Andalusia) and The Alabama House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 138, the so-called “Private Judges Bill” Sponsored by Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) and Co-Sponsors Senators Whatley (R-Auburn) and Fielding (D-Sylacauga) which allow parties in a dispute to pay the costs of a judge to hear their... Read more

Immigration law changes divisive

The Alabama Senate is moving quickly to a vote on overhauling the state’s controversial immigration law, but one of the statute’s original sponsors said the changes weaken the law. The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a public hearing and vote at 4 p.m. today on the proposed changes to the law,... Read more

Beason’s Anti-illegal Immigration Bill Passes Senate Committee 7 to 1

By Brandon Moseley and Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter Last week the Alabama House of Representatives passed HB658 which addressed many of the questions and concerns about HB56, the Hammon-Beason Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, which the Alabama legislature passed last year and which went into effect in October. Senator Scott... Read more

Opposing Sides Come Together on Abortion Coverage

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--Something that has come as a recent phenomena republicans and democrats agreeing on a particular bill but for very different reason, all couched under the notion of good policy makes change bedfellows. On Tuesday, Republicans and Democrats came together to pass a bill on the Senate... Read more

GOP Chairman Armistead Favors Voter Party Registration in Alabama

Bill Would Form More Efficient Department of Labor

From the Office of Alabama Senate Majority Caucus MONTGOMERY - Last week, SB450 passed out of the committee on Governmental Affairs. The bill would merge the Department of Industrial Relations and the Department of Labor into one department. This bill is a part of a larger initiative to streamline state government. Merging... Read more

Cavanaugh to face Baxley for PSC president

Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh won the Republican runoff for president of the Public Service Commission on Tuesday to set up a rematch with commission President Lucy Baxley. Cavanaugh defeated Mobile businessman Chip Brown on Tuesday to face Baxley, the former lieutenant governor, in the November election. Baxley is the last statewide Democratic... Read more

Budget cuts put Medicaid in jeopardy

Health care providers who serve low-income Alabamians are concerned about an already substantial cut to Medicaid and are disturbed by rumors of additional cuts to the 2013 budget. The Alabama House approved a $1.39 billion General Fund budget earlier this month, appropriating $400 million to Medicaid. That’s about $175 million less... Read more

Job Creation Act HB160 is Passed Out of Committee in the Senate

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The Alabama Job Creation Act, of 2012, sponsored by Alabama Senator Phil Williams, passed out of committee last week. The bill, HB160 would allow new and existing companies to retain a percentage of state income taxes withheld from eligible employees. Sen. Phil Williams, who is sponsoring the... Read more

Bill Could Bring More Film Production to Alabama

MONTGOMERY -- Alabama Governor Robert Bentley Thursday signed a bill that will allow Alabama to compete more effectively for film production in the state. HB243, sponsored by Representative Terri Collins and carried by Senator Gerald Dial, increases incentives allowed for filming projects in the State of Alabama from $10 million per... Read more

Newman Technologies To Locate New Plant in Albertville

ALBERTVILLE-- The City of Albertville and Marshall County on Friday welcomed Newman Technology to the Albertville Industrial Park. The new plant, a supplier to the Honda Manufacturing of Alabama plant in Lincoln, initially will employ 60 people and begin production in early 2013. Newman, which manufactures door sashes and exhaust components for... Read more

President Obama Congratulates Alabama Crimson Tide on BCS Championship

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Senator Richard Shelby (R) from Alabama and Rep. Terri Sewell (D) from Selma both released statements expressing their pride following the Alabama Bowl Championship Series (BCS) winning Alabama Crimson Tide football team’s visit to the White House. Rep. Sewell said in her written statement, “Today I was... Read more

Sessions Says Obama’s Management Style is Responsible for Recent Scand…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The Secret Service has become embroiled in an international scandal involving Columbian prostitutes while the General Services Administration (GSA) has been criticized for their lavish trip to Las Vegas. Sen. Jeff Sessions has issued a statement blaming the President’s lax management style for leading to these... Read more

McClendon Says Tax Increase is Unlikely to Pass Legislature

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Saturday, Rep. Jim McClendon (R) from Springville told ‘The Alabama Political Reporter’ in exclusive phone comments that the state legislature is very unlikely to pass a new tobacco tax to prevent expected cuts to the Alabama General Fund. We asked Rep. McClendon about HB712 which would... Read more

Superintendent elections could be thing of past

MONTGOMERY — A Morgan County lawmaker believes all Alabama school superintendents should worry about running their school systems, not getting re-elected. Rep. Jeremy Oden, R-Eva, has a bill that could be voted on in the state House today requiring public school superintendents to be appointed by local school boards. Currently, 39... Read more

Rep. Spencer Bachus paid more for lawyers than TV ads during campaign

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus spent more of his campaign money paying lawyers than buying television advertising in the closing days of the March 13 Republican primary, according to new Federal Election Commission reports. Bachus, who soundly defeated three challengers from his own party, is cooperating with an investigation by... Read more

Stopping the nearly silent crime of elder abuse

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter A most heinous and hideous crime is on the rise in Alabama. A crime that mostly go unreported, unprosecuted and ignored by legislations and citizens. The crime that like a cancer grows is elder abuse, it is cruel and sometimes violent and always wrong. For years, as a state... Read more

Bachus and Aderholt Support Small Business Tax Cut Act

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Congressmen Robert Aderholt (R) from Haleyville and Spencer Bachus (R) from Vestavia both released statement in support of H.R. 9, the Small Business Tax Act. Rep. Aderholt’s written statement said that the legislation reduces regulatory burdens for our nation’s small business job creators. The Small Business... Read more

Alabama’s Unemployment Rate Drops Again

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Friday, Governor Robert Bentley released a written statement announcing that Alabama’s March preliminary unemployment rate had dropped to just 7.3%. That is down from February’s revised rate of 7.5%. Gov. Bentley said, “We are encouraged to see that Alabama's unemployment rate has dropped once again, and we... Read more

Rep. Joe Hubbard Wants New Cigarette Tax to Pay for Medicaid

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Alabama State Representative Joe Hubbard (D) from Montgomery released a statement announcing that is building bi-partisan support for HB712. HB712 would raise the user fee on cigarettes and ear-mark those additional funds for Medicaid. Rep. Hubbard said, “You ask taxpayers to pay for the services they use.”... Read more

Alabama Tea Party Groups Focus on Defeating Obama in Florida

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The Republican Presidential Primary season appears to be winding down. After former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum suspended his campaign and since neither Newt Gingrich nor Ron Paul have enough money to continue active campaigning, it seems almost certain that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will be... Read more

Twinkle travels the state to get out the vote on Tuesday

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter On Saturday we caught up with Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh who is in the runoff to be the republican candidate for PSC President. Twinkle was making a sweep of the state to shore up her position and remind people that Tuesday 23, is election day. “It's been a great... Read more

First Lady Dianne Bentley Releases PSA to Highlight Severe Weather Pre…

From the Office of Governor Robert Bentley  MONTGOMERY - With the first anniversary of the April 27th tornadoes approaching, First Lady Dianne Bentley today joined with representatives from Safe America Foundation, Verizon Wireless, and Ready Alabama, to release a public service announcement regarding a way to prepare Alabamians for future emergencies. “Text... Read more

Court ruling puts future of Creek casinos in doubt

State Sen. Bryan Taylor, a Prattville Republican working as a private attorney for a south Alabama county, is pushing the federal government to clarify its position on tribal land in the state — and the answer has the potential to shut down the Poarch Band of Creek Indians’ three casinos... Read more

House Pay Raise Bill Resurrected by Committee on Conference with Few C…

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--On Thursday, a joint committee on conference between the House and Senate put the final touches on House Bill 276 and signed off sending back to the two houses. Late Thursday, the House concurred. The bill designed to limit legislative pay was sponsored by Representative Mike Ball... Read more

Alabama’s Anti-Illegal Immigration Bill Passes House: Opponents Vow to…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--Last year the Alabama State Legislature passed HB 56, Hammon-Beason Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, by a wide margin with bipartisan support. Since then, groups as diverse as the Obama Justice Department, the ACLU, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church,... Read more

Alabama House Passes School Grading Plan

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--Success or Failure for a student is measured in grades. If a kid generally gets all As, it normally means they work hard and are naturally smart. All Fs normally means a kid did not make much of an effort. How do we know that an... Read more

Editorial: It is NOT About the Morning After Pill

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter Understanding that people these days do not have a great deal of time for research, call me a geek, but I heavily research subjects before typing a word. Bills that we report on are read before writing about them. While understanding that there is room for error,... Read more

Meth Bill ready for Governor’s pen

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--On Thursday the Alabama Legislature passed House Bill 363 which will give law enforcement the tools that they need to curb the "meth," epidemic that is rampant in the state. The bill was sponsored in the House by Representative Blaine Galither (R-Gadsden) and in the Senate... Read more

Bachus Beats Back Attack by Congressional Democrats on Northern Beltli…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter On Wednesday Rep. Jared Polis (D) from Colorado on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives proposed an amendment which would have denied the State of Alabama funding for the completion of the Northern Beltline project that it is due to receive from the Appalachian... Read more

Former worthless check coordinator pleads guilty to ethics and forgery…

From the Office of Attorney General Luther Strange MONTGOMERY—Just before her trial was set to begin this week, the former worthless check coordinator for the Escambia County District Attorney’s Office pleaded guilty to a felony ethics charge and second-degree forgery. A probation and sentencing hearing for Monica Lynn Watson is scheduled... Read more

Bill To Help Businesses Recover After Deadly Storms. 

From the Office of Senator Greg Reed MONTGOMERY - The Senate passed SB400 earlier today, a bill aimed at helping businesses affected by the deadly storms that ravaged the state last year. The bill, sponsored by Senator Greg Reed, would allow tax abatement incentive protection for businesses that have to relocate because of... Read more

Critical Job-Creating Legislation Passes Out of Committee

MONTGOMERY - The Alabama Job Creation Act of 2012, passed out of committee yesterday. The bill, HB160 would allow new and existing companies to retain a percentage of state income taxes withheld from eligible employees. Sen. Phil Williams, who is sponsoring the legislation in the Senate, said the bill is going... Read more

Senator Ward, Representative Wallace Save Confederate Memorial Park Fu…

Senate, House Committees Attempt To Redistribute Vital State Park Funding from Chilton County, Delegation Stops April 18, 2012 – Montgomery, Ala. – Senator Cam Ward and Representative Kurt Wallace banded together to beat back simultaneous attempts in Senate and House Committees to redistribute funding for The Confederate Memorial Park in Clanton,... Read more

Saving Alabama’s at risk newborns

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--SB196 is a bill designed to provide medicine and services needed in the treatment for at-risk newborn babies particularly those born prematurely. The act would require that the state Medicaid Agency develop and implement policies and procedures to streamline the process for access to covered outpatient drugs for... Read more

Legislative Pay Bill Sparks Senate

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--On Tuesday, Senator Phil Williams (R-Rainbow City) introduced a bill (HB276) on the Senate floor which quickly turned into a heated debate. House sponsor Representative Mike Ball (R-Huntsville) saw the bill through the House that would "repeal existing laws regarding the compensation and expense reimbursement of the... Read more

Sessions Condemns Killing of Budget Process in Senate Committee

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Senator Sessions issued a statement following Senator Conrad’s, (D) from North Dakota, announcement that the Senate Budget Committee would not be allowed to vote on or amend the budget that he, the Chairman, brought to the Committee. Senator Jeff Sessions (R) from Alabama is the ranking... Read more

Midwifery Bill Passes Out of Senate Committee

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--A bill concerning midwifery in the state of Alabama, SB314, passed out of Senate Health Committee Wednesday. This bill seeks to legalize out-of-hospital midwifery so Certified Professional Midwifes (CPM) could assist with home births. There are 26 states that license professional midwives. Introduced in a public hearing last... Read more

Governor Bentley Announces Beginning of Coastal Restoration Projects

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Governor Robert Bentley issued a written statement on the first round of Gulf Coast restoration projects. The statement Wednesday praised the work of a multi-state and federal council that has finalized the plans. Gov. Bentley said, “These projects are part of our comprehensive efforts to address the... Read more

Alabama Whooping Cranes Are Migrating To Wisconsin

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has issued a press release to announce that the nine whooping cranes that wintered in the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Decatur, Alabama left to go on their Spring Migration on April 12th. The nine cranes are flying... Read more

Senate committee narrowly passes charter proposal

MONTGOMERY -- A Senate proposal that would allow public charter schools in Alabama squeaked through the Senate Education Committee this morning, on a 5-4, largely party-line vote. The bill now awaits action in the full Senate, which Pike Road Republican Sen. Dick Brewbaker, the bill's sponsor and chairman of the committee,... Read more

Nugent to meet with Secret Service

Rocker and gun rights champion Ted Nugent says he will meet with the Secret Service on Thursday to explain his raucous remarks about what he called Barack Obama's "evil, America-hating administration" — comments some critics interpreted as a threat against the president."The conclusion will be obvious that I threatened no... Read more

Caylee's Law: Bills Combined, Passes Senate

MONTGOMERY--Senate bills concerning reporting of a missing child by parents, combined into Senate Bill 38 passed the Senate on Tuesday. The bills seek to make it a crime not to report a missing child. Senator Priscilla Dunn (D-Bessemer) (sponsored bill SB 38 filed September 16, 2011), and Senator Brian Taylor (R-Prattville) (sponsored... Read more

Mo Brooks' Statement on North Korean Missile Launch

By Brandon Moseley Rep. Mo Brooks (R) from Huntsville released a statement about North Korea’s launch of a ballistic missile in violation of its agreement with the United States and United Nations resolutions. Rep. Brooks said, “North Korea has repeatedly demonstrated that it does not honor its agreements, and this recent launch... Read more

Alabamians Deserve Options

Opinion editorial by Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten. Alabama’s students know far too well how true that statement really is. For decades, we have watched our state’s education system perform at mediocre and far... Read more

Bachus Announces Website to Help Public Keep Track of New Dodd-Frank R…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Congressman Spencer Bachus (R) from Vestavia announced Tuesday that the U.S. House Financial Services Committee had unveiled the new Dodd-Frank Burden Tracker website. Rep. Bachus said the site is an online resource to help the public follow “all the new government rules and red tape required... Read more

State school chief: Let's suspend No Child Left Behind

Alabama’s state school superintendent says he will ask the Alabama Department of Education this month to support him in an attempt to freeze benchmark provisions in the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Superintendent Tommy Bice made the comment Tuesday in a speech at Word Alive International Outreach in Oxford. “No Child... Read more

Legislative pay 'monstrosity' goes to House

State lawmakers are closer to passing legislation that would deal with the controversial pay raise that they voted for themselves in 2007, but one Senate leader acknowledged the version passed by the Senate on Tuesday is a “monstrosity” that they expect to work with the House of Representatives to change. “The... Read more

Alabama legislative panel to vote on plan on Jefferson County occupati…

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- A legislative committee today is scheduled to vote on plans that would let the Jefferson County Commission impose a new occupational tax that would raise about $60 million a year. Each of the plans, House Bill 184 and House Bill 235, both by Rep. Demetrius Newton, D-Birmingham, would... Read more

PART 3: Alabama Aircraft Industries Sues Boeing

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter This is part three in our series covering Alabama Aircraft Industries (AAI)/formerly PEMCO) landmark $100 million lawsuit against The Boeing Company. AAI alleges that Boeing used bid rigging, politics, and violated trade secrets to drive an Alabama competitor, AAI, out of business. Last week we discussed... Read more

Bill aims for real consequences in gambling prosecution

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter For years gambling has been an illegal, controversial and lucrative business in Alabama. While against the law, the consequences of opening and operating gambling facilities have been minor for the perpetrators. That is all about to change if the substitute to HB414 becomes law. The bill introduced by Representative... Read more

Sessions Wants Action on Budget

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter President Barack H. Obama’s administration sent a budget to the Congress. The U.S. House of Representatives rejected the Obama budget and passed a budget drafted by House Republicans. Both budgets are in the U.S. Senate where the budget process died last year. The U.S. Senate has... Read more

Rep. Barton Goes Out on a Limb for Children

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter In Ways and Means General Fund Committee, earlier this month, HB560 sponsor Rep. Jim Barton (R-Mobile) withdrew the proposal to alter funding between two departments involving children's services. The proposal would have moved all of the money from the Department of Youth Services (DYS) over to Department... Read more

Alabama Children's Agency Takes Action Early

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter In anticipation of proration, Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Director Kelley Parris-Barnes, MSM, put plans into motion last year and made dramatic changes to the way her department operates. Parris-Barnes, took a proactive approach to insure that the department would continue to provide the vital... Read more

Alabama Children's Agency Takes Action Early

Grand jury cites problems with Alabama campaign law

A Montgomery County grand jury urged the Legislature to revisit ethics reform in a report issued last Friday, saying the state’s financial disclosure requirements and ban on PAC-to-PAC transfers were not clear enough to allow prosecution of offenses. The grand jury, empaneled by Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Johnny Hardwick, examined... Read more

JSU trustees: no tuition increase if state will pony up

Jacksonville State University will be spared a tuition rate increase if the state Legislature responds to a little nudging from the institution’s board of trustees. If the state’s lawmaking body gives the institution the same $36.1 million it did this year, tuition won’t go up. But if the state can’t come... Read more

Alabama House to debate bill that would add requirement for parents se…

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - No husband or wife, if the couple had at least one child 18 or younger, could file for divorce unless he or she completed a four-hour ''marriage dissolution education program," under a plan scheduled for debate Tuesday in the state House of Representatives. If the person decided to... Read more

Bentley Response to AEA Rally

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) issued a written statement in response to the Capitol rally organized by the state of Alabama’s largest education union, Alabama Education Association (AEA). Gov. Bentley said, "The AEA has criticized the budget I recommended without providing a better alternative. My budget proposals... Read more

Senate Passes Bill Restoring Pay for National Board Certified Teachers…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Tuesday the Alabama Senate approved Senate Bill 143, sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R) from Vestavia. The bill, which will provide the funds to give teachers and principals who are certified with the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards a $5,000 salary supplement. The bill is... Read more

Groups from around the state rally for life

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter A gathering of hundreds of Pro-life advocates assembled on the steps of the Statehouse last Thursday. Group from around the state came for Pro-Life Legislative day, a day when they hoped to once agin remind members of state government that their cause was to save lives by... Read more

Bachus Promotes Financial Services Committee Plan To Cut Deficit By $3…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The House Financial Services Committee will vote on legislation Wednesday that reduces the deficit by $35 billion. The plan would help avert “catastrophic” automatic spending cuts to national security. Rep. Spencer Bachus (R) from Vestavia is the Chairman of the Financial Services Committee. Rep Bachus... Read more

Efforts to Defund Confederate Memorial Park Defeated in State House

By Brandon Moseley and Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter HB 610 would have cut the funding of the Confederate Memorial Park in Chilton County by an estimated $400,000. HB 610 would have diverted: $100,000 to Historic Blakeley State Park, $50,000 to Fort Gaines, $50,000 to Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, $100,000 to... Read more

Medical Groups Want Tobacco Tax to Pay for Medicaid Shortfall

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The Medical Association of the State of Alabama (MASA) wants the state legislature to raise the excise taxes on cigarettes and tobacco to prevent the Alabama Medicaid Program from taking a 38% cut in the 2012/2013 budget. The General Fund budget that the Alabama House of... Read more

Senate Passes State Retirement Restructure Bill

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--On Tuesday, a bill restructuring retirement for teachers and state employees received final passage on the Senate Floor with a vote of 25-8. Senate Bill 388 establishes a new defined benefit plan for employees who become a member on or before January 1, 2013. New general state employees... Read more

House passes resolution to create Medicaid Task Force

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter On Thursday, the Alabama House passed a resolution to establish a Medicaid task force to oversee the troubled agency. Sponsor by Representative Greg Wren (R-Montgomery) the task force will take steps to look deeper into the agencies budget woes and the stonewalling but bureaucrats within the department. “The... Read more

Strange Announces More Focus By Alabama AG’s Office on Public Corrupti…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange (R) announced Thursday that he has created a new division within the Alabama Attorney General’s Office to fight public corruption within the state. To further this goal Strange launched a major cooperative initiative among state agencies. The Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Alliance... Read more

USFWS Alabama Sturgeon Recovery Plan Open For Public Comment

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The Alabama sturgeon is an endangered species according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The USFWS is seeking public comment on the draft recovery plan for the Alabama sturgeon. The USFWS is asking the public, business community, and local, state, and federal governments to make... Read more

Bridges, Roads Repair Bill Passes Senate

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--On Thursday, a bill authorizing the sale of bonds by the Alabama Highway Authority to raise money for counties and cities to repair bridges and roads passed on the Senate Floor. Senate Bill 339, sponsored by Senator Paul Bussman (R-Cullman), states: "The Alabama Highway Authority…may sell and issue... Read more

Supporter rally for Child Abuse Prevention Month

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter As a part of April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month a rally was held Wednesday on the plaza of the Statehouse. Led by Kerrey Parris-Barnes, Director of the Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, over two hundred supporter came to support the agencies cause. There were many speakers... Read more

Sewell Promotes Selma Textiles Plant to Defense Logistics Agency

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D) from Selma led Senior Procurement executives from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) in Philadelphia, PA to tour the American Apparel factory headquarters in Selma. Rep. Sewell invited DLA executives to come to Selma to discuss military procurement opportunities with American Apparel... Read more

Obama’s FDA Puts New Demands on America’s Farmers and Ranchers

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Wednesday President Barack H. Obama’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that they want meat and poultry producers to stop giving antibiotics to their animals to make them grow faster. The FDA's deputy commissioner for foods, Michael Taylor said, "This is a sea change. We're finally ready... Read more

Midwives seek approval from Senate

By Susan Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--Senate Health Subcommittee concerning midwifery, SB314, gave its report to Health Committee Chairman Greg Reed (R-Cordova) on Wednesday. Two senators were assigned to the committee: Senator and bill sponsor Paul Bussman (R-Cullman) and Senator Gerald Dial (R-Lineville). Senator Bussman was appointed as chairman. This bill would legalize out-of-hospital... Read more

Controversy surrounds Democratic candidate for chief justice

The perennial candidate, who has become the controversial Democratic nominee for chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, said someone has made him a handsome offer to drop off the ballot, but Harry Lyon said he is staying in the race and is convinced, looking at the math, that he... Read more

Parker Griffith files lawsuit against former campaign manager

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Parker Griffith, who was defeated in the March 13 Republican primary in his bid to return to Congress, filed a lawsuit today against his former campaign manager, alleging breach of contract and failure to properly account for campaign funds. The suit filed in Madison County Circuit Court contends... Read more

Drake Sponsors Savannah Hardin Bill

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Legislation sponsored by Dickie Drake (R) from Leeds would require Alabama citizens to report cases of child abuse or neglect to police or the Alabama Department of Human Resources. The Bill, HB 604, is known as the Savannah Hardin Mandatory Reporting Bill. Rep. Drake said, ““ Placing... Read more

Public hearing held for competing immigration bills

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--On Wednesday, two bill directed at the immigration law as codified in HB 56 were open for public hearing. House Bill 658 (Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee) seeks to clarify and strengthen HB 56 while Senate Bill 41 (Senate Judiciary Committee) would repeal the bill... Read more

Luther Strange Announces National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Alabama’s Attorney General announced that National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be held on April 28th. At a Press Conference Wednesday Attorney General Luther Strange with U.S. Attorney George Beck for the Middle District of Alabama, U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance for the Northern District, U.S.... Read more

Education called key in preventing abuse of children

Kelley Parris-Barnes has seen too many child abuse cases. She is now convinced the only way to slow the number of cases and to protect the children is through education. That’s the message Parris-Barnes carries with her on a daily basis as director of the Department of Child Abuse and Neglect... Read more

Insurance proposals stall in Montgomery

MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Time is running short for property insurance bills, with the 2012 regular session past the halfway point and nearly every insurance proposal still far from becoming law. That changed little on Wednesday, despite three different panels in the state capital discussing insurance issues for a combined four hours. Only... Read more

Immigration Bill Opponents Not Satisfied by HB 658

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Opponents of Alabama’s anti-illegal immigration bill (HB 56) say that they are not satisfied with efforts by the bill’s sponsors, Alabama State Senator Scott Beason (R) from Gardendale and Alabama State Representative Micky Hammon (R) form Decatur, to modify HB and clarify HB 56 by passage... Read more

Gov. Bentley Signs Aviation Amendment into Law

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Governor Robert Bentley signed House Bill 39 (HB 39), commonly called the “Aviation Amendment” on Tuesday. HB 39 exempts aircraft manufacturing parts, components, and systems used to maintain and repair aircraft from state sales taxes. More than 10 other states currently provide similar exemptions and use... Read more

Autism Bill Gets New Name, Passes Senate Floor

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--Officially named the Riley Ward Act by an amendment written by Rep. Slade Blackwell (R-Birmingham), the autism bill (Senate Bill 283) passed the Senate Floor Tuesday with a vote of 32-0. Blackwell stated that he and other senators wanted the name to be in honor of... Read more

McMillan Promotes Alabama Agriculture and Industries Department Bills

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Tuesday, four Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) supported bills passed the Alabama House of Representatives and have moved on to the Alabama Senate. The Commissioner of Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan graciously agreed to an exclusive telephone interview with The Alabama... Read more

Senate moves to cuts business red-tape with One Spot Act

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY-One Spot, the acronym for Optional Network Election for Single Point Online Transactions was designed to facilitate a streamline statewide electronic filling and remittance system for sales, use, land and retail taxes in Alabama. The electronic filling system was a part of the “President Pro Tem’s Initiative... Read more

Governor Bentley Praises Senate For Approval of Pension Reform

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The Alabama Senate approved pension reform measures (SB 388) that supporters say will make the state retirement system viable and save taxpayers over $5 billion over the next 30 years. Gov. Bentley in a written statement said, “The measures approved by the Senate today protect the retirements... Read more

Rep. Todd Raises More Concerns About Charter Schools

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--Big business, buildings and applicants remain a concerns for some Democrats regarding the charter schools portion of the Education Options Act of 2012. According to Rep. Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham) there is a possibility that "big business" will control these schools. "A nonprofit charter will partner with a... Read more

House Democrats: General Fund Budget Puts Lives At Risk

From the Office of House Minority Leader Craig Ford Montgomery, AL – House Democrats this evening voted against the General Fund Budget, arguing the budget would endanger the lives of thousands of Alabama children, seniors, and others who depend on services such as Medicaid and the Department of Human Resources. “Cutting the... Read more

Lt. Governor Kay Ivey applauds Santorum

From the Office of Lt. Governor Kay Ivey Montgomery, AL - Lt. Governor Kay Ivey, Chairman of Mitt Romney's Campaign in Alabama released the following statement this afternoon: "I applaud Sen. Santorum for running a fine race. His personal story of American exceptionalism was an inspiration to us all. Sen. Santorum not only... Read more

Senate Passes Alabama Residential Mortgage Satisfaction Act

MONTGOMERY - Earlier today, The Alabama Senate passed the Alabama Residential Mortgage Satisfaction Act. The Bill would require a creditor to comply with a request for a payoff statement from a landowner. Senator Clay Scofield, who carried the bill in the senate, said the bill would be beneficial to home-buyers and... Read more

Senate Passes School Board Governance Improvement Act

MONTGOMERY - Today, the Senate passed the School Board Governance Improvement Act of 2012, which will ensure accountability of local boards of education and implement training and continuing education for all board members. The bill, HB431, seeks to enhance the effectiveness of public education governance in Alabama by establishing training requirements,... Read more

Governor Bentley Praises Senate Approval of Streamlined Business Tax F…

From the Office of Governor Robert Bentley MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday praised Senate approval of a measure that eliminates red tape for business tax filings in Alabama. Under existing law, businesses with locations in more than one city or county in the state must file separate tax returns with each... Read more

Part 2, Alabama Aircraft Industries Sues Boeing

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter This is the second part of our series on how The Boeing Company allegedly used bid rigging, politics, and violated trade secrets to drive an Alabama competitor (Alabama Aircraft Industries/formerly PEMCO) out of business. Last week we discussed how Hayes Aircraft, later Precision Standard, then PEMCO,... Read more

Bills Introduced to Raise AL Agricuture and Industries Department Reve…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter This week, a series of Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) supported bills will be discussed in the Alabama State Legislature. HB 601, HB 544, and HB 542 would raise revenues for the ADAI which was struck hard last year by budget cuts to the... Read more

Behind the scene not all Republicans are on board with HB159,160

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--House Bill 159 and 160 have come under fire from Democrats and most notability by the AEA since it introduction at the beginning of the 2012 Legislative session. However, in what might be an unusual twist of fate, it is not the Democrats or the AEA that... Read more

‘Spice’: Guilty until proven innocent?

Decatur store owners are wondering when, if ever, they will get back thousands of dollars worth of seized merchandise they argue is legal. But Alabama Beverage Control agents said they have no plans to send products taken from local stores to test for banned chemicals because a broad statewide executive order... Read more

Luther Stranges Pushes Stiffer Penalties for Illegal Gaming

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Attorney General Luther Strange issued a written statement on Thursday announcing that the House Judiciary Committee has approved House Bill 414, legislation recommended by the Attorney General to fight illegal gambling. Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange said, "I am pleased that the House Judiciary Committee has taken... Read more

Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell Joins President Obama at JOBS Act Bill S…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D) from Selma announced in a written statement that President Barack Obama signed the JOBS Act into law at the White House. Rep. Sewell was present for the bill signing ceremony for the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. Rep. Sewell said, “I... Read more

Sessions Response To Obama's Budget Speech

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter United States Sen. Jeff Sessions, (R) from Alabama, issued a written statement Wednesday in response to President Obama’s budget speech. Senator Sessions is the ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee. Sen. Sessions said, “Our per-person government debt is now worse than that of Greece. Yet the... Read more

Senate Approves Key Job Creation Bill

From the Office of Senator Trip Pittman MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Senate passed a bill late Thursday evening that will expand the scope of certain tax incentives in order to focus on recruiting data processing centers to the state. The Alabama Data Processing Center Economic Incentive Enhancement Act, House Bill 154 sponsored by... Read more

Governor Bentley Details Long-Term Plan for Alabama Department of Ment…

From the Office of Governor Robert Bentley TUSCALOOSA – Governor Robert Bentley on Friday detailed long-range plans for the treatment of patients within the Alabama Department of Mental Health. The Governor was joined by Mental Health Commissioner Zelia Baugh. “A month ago, I ordered construction of the new Bryce Hospital to stop while... Read more

President’s Challenge of Supreme Court Emblematic of Overreach of Admi…

Some Ala. counties can't enforce immigration law

WASHINGTON — Thirty Alabama counties that are barred from setting up an immigration-verification system for jail inmates may be able to do so next year. “Our intent is to have Secure Communities in place universally throughout the country — which, of course, will include Alabama — by 2013,” Homeland Security Secretary... Read more

Alabama’s version of stand-your-ground law draws questions

It seemed everyone in the room had a “what if” scenario. What if they met an armed man threatening a waiter at a restaurant? What if five men broke into their home while they were outside? What if a man offended them on their own property? Did the law allow them... Read more

Governor Bentley Discusses Revisions of Alabama Immigration Bill

From the Office of Governor Robert Bentley MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday discussed proposed revisions to Alabama’s immigration law. The revisions are contained within House Bill 658, which was filed Thursday afternoon. “Over the last several months, we have worked closely with legislative leaders and various groups to clarify and simplify... Read more

Bill to amend PACT settlement passes House

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter. On Thursday the Alabama House passed HB603 in an attempt to remedy problems with the Alabama PACT settlement. In 2010 the state informed the parents that they would not be able to honor the contracts under the PACT program. Some parents then filed a class action lawsuit... Read more

House members vote themselves a pay cut

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter Today, the Alabama House of Representatives did something unprecedented in the world of politics, they voted themselves a pay cut. In what is said to be an effort to restore public trust and to bring sanity to legislative compensation the House passed a bill today to... Read more

Senator Beason, President Pro Tem Marsh Comment on House Bill Aimed at…

From the Office of the President Pro Tem Del Marsh MONTGOMERY – Senator Scott Beason (R-Gardendale) and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh say a proposal introduced today in the Alabama House of Representatives will improve the state’s anti-illegal immigration law. House Bill 658, sponsored by Representative Mickey Hammon (R-Decatur), will revise the... Read more

House Passes Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights Legislation

DeMarco bill brings fairness and organization to tax appeals process From the Office of the Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard MONTGOMERY – The House of Representatives today passed Rep. Paul DeMarco’s (R – Homewood) “Alabama Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights II” bill, a measure that streamlines the process for appealing tax assessments... Read more

House Pay Raises

Letters Returned Not Accepting Raise Representatives Mike Hubbard ($67,296), Alan Baker ($49,296), Michael Ball ($49,296), Jim Barton ($51,888), Richard Baughn ($49,296), Elaine Beech ($50,088), K.L. Brown ($49,296), Marvin Buttram ($49,296), Jim Carns ($50,088), Donny Chesteen ($50,088), Steven Clouse ($50,088), Terri Collins ($49,296), Randy Davis ($50,088), Paul DeMarco ($27,360), Edgar Drake ($50,088),... Read more

Senate Pay Raises

Letters Returned Not Accepting Raise Senators Gerald Allen ($47,496/$3,958), Billy Beasley ($49,296/$4,108), J.S. Beason ($49,296/$4,108), Dick Brewbaker ($27,360/$2,280), Benjamin H. Brooks, III ($27,360/$2,280), Paul Bussman ($49,296/$4,108), Vivian Davis Figures ($47,496/$3,958), Jimmy W. Holley ($40,368/$3,364), Bill Holtzclaw ($49,296/$4,108), Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey ($67,296/$5,608), President Pro Tem Del Marsh ($27,360/$2,280), Senators Arthur W.... Read more

House Passes Bill to Toughen Penalties on Street-Level Drug Dealers

From the Office of Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard MONTGOMERY – The Alabama House of Representatives today passed Rep. Blaine Galliher’s (R-Gadsden) bill that will make it easier to prosecute street-level drug dealers by redefining the penalties for carrying significant amounts of illegal substances. According to current state law, possession... Read more

Statement from Mary Bauer, legal director for the Southern Poverty Law…

From the Office of the Southern Poverty Law Center "The Republican leadership’s bill is a half-hearted response to the economic and humanitarian crisis that is gripping our State as a result of HB 56. It will do little to alleviate the problems that have plagued Alabama farmers and small businesses since... Read more

FACT SHEET: Illegal Immigration Law Revisions

From the Office of Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard Every year legislators examine state laws to look for ways to make them better. Alabama’s illegal immigration law is no different. Make no mistake: the law will not be repealed or weakened. However, technical adjustments can be made to make sure... Read more

Proposed Changes to Illegal Immigration Law Introduced

Revisions make the law more enforceable, less burdensome From the Office of Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard MONTGOMERY – A bill proposing revisions to Alabama’s law cracking down on illegal immigration was introduced today in the Alabama House of Representatives. House Bill 658, sponsored by Rep. Micky Hammon (R-Decatur), is aimed to... Read more

Congress Investigating AEA/NEA Fundraising for Political Action Commit…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has held hearing about possibly inappropriate fundraising efforts that the National Education Association (NEA) and its Alabama affiliate, the Alabama Education Association (AEA), have conducted to fund their political activities. Claire Waites is a teacher in Baldwin County that... Read more

Teacher Testifies to Congress About Improper AEA Conduct

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter On February 8th 2012 of this year, Baldwin County Teacher Claire Waites testified to the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform about alleged improper conduct by the Alabama Education Association (AEA) in their efforts to raise funds for Democratic Party aligned Political Action Committees.... Read more

Proration Hits Alabama State House Staff

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--A little over two weeks after Governor Bentley declared proration, the Alabama State House begins to feel the effects. Those that attend the State House on a regular basis may have noticed that there are fewer security officers than before. Proration has caused a reduction in contracted... Read more

Prison Industry bill set for governor's signature

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter The Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections has a vision, one that will give meaningful work and hope for tomorrow to those inmates who truly want to improve their lot in life. Commissioner Kim Thomas saw that vision come in to clearer focus this week with... Read more

Governor Bentley Signs Bill to Help Unemployed Veterans Find New Jobs

From the Office of Governor Robert Bentley MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Wednesday signed into law the Heroes for Hire Act, which will help veterans returning from deployment find new jobs or start new businesses. “When our service men and women were called to defend our freedoms, they didn’t ask questions. They... Read more

House and Senate Committees Approve Legislation to Establish Streamlin…

From the Office of Senator Slade Blackwell MONTGOMERY – Alabama House and Senate Committees today passed legislation that will streamline the process for businesses filing certain tax returns with cities and counties across the state, a bill recommended by both Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh’s Initiative to Streamline Government and House... Read more

Fate of Alabama Anti-Immigration Law Likely Decided by Supreme Court i…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter On April 25th, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Arizona v. United States. Like in Alabama the Obama Administration has sued the state of Arizona over the legality of the immigration law. Where Alabama’s immigration law is HB 56, their law is known as... Read more

Committees in both the House and Senate Approve Legislation Establishi…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The Office of the Senate Pro Tem released a written statement announcing that committees in both the Alabama House and Senate passed legislation streamlining the process for businesses to file certain tax returns with cities and counties across the state. The statement says that the bill is... Read more

BREAKING NEWS: AEA comes under questioning by U.S. Congress, Committee…

Staff Report In a letter to AEA president Dot Strickland dated April 4, 2012 House Chairman Darrell Issa, (R) of the Committee on Oversight and Government ask that Ms Strickland answer questions on allegations against the Union. The following is the letter written to Ms. Strickland. Click Here... Read more

Boeing: A investigative look into an alleged pattern and practice of d…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter For six decades a Birmingham business helped make Americans safe at home and abroad. Today that company is gone. The owners of that company believe aerospace giant Boeing used a pattern and practice of deceit to ruin their company. They hold Boeing responsible and are demanding... Read more

Pike Road Patriots, Mowery Consulting Group Bring Home 2 Pollies

Campaign Team of Mowery Consulting Group, Zata|3 Each Awarded Gold Pollies April 3, 2010 – Montgomery, Ala. – The Campaign for Pike Road Independence was honored with two Gold “Pollies” at the 2012 Pollie Awards banquet in Austin, TX on Friday, March 30. The awards dinner, hosted by the American Association of... Read more

Charter Schools Bill Compromised

By Susan BrittAlabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY--After the House Ways and Means Education committee meeting on Tuesday, there has been a slow and steady walking back of the original Education Options Act 2012. It is now being reported that Rep. Phil Williams is willing to scale back the number of charter schools from... Read more

Lawmakers move to keep prison population behind bars

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter The Alabama Senate passed SB396 today, a bill that would provide a special appropriation for the Alabama Department of Corrections. Proration has begun to cast its effect across all state agencies. The Department of Corrections is one such agency. The problem is when the DOC can no... Read more

Bonner Says Our Government's Financial Picture Is Bleak

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Congressman Jo Bonner (R) from Mobile said in a written statement that “Again, House Leads the Way by Passing Budget with Serious Spending Cuts.” Rep. Bonner said, “Last week, the House of Representatives did something the Senate has been unable to do in... Read more

PACT Bill Passes out of House committee

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter On Tuesday discussion of HB603 was heard in the House Ways and Means Education committee to determine a fix to the Alabama PACT settlement. In Mid-March the Alabama Supreme Court overturned the settlement of the class action lawsuit brought by PACT owners because of wording in the... Read more

Court finds for AG Luther Strange in Storm Shelter Fraud Case

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange announced today that the Madison County Circuit Court today granted his request to impose an “immediate permanent injunction and receivership, and ordered maximum fines against the operators of a fraudulent storm shelter business.” AG Strange said in his written statement that the... Read more

Obama Comments on Supreme Court Review of Obamacare

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter At a meeting on Monday with President Calderón of Mexico and Prime Minister Harper of Canada, President Barack H. Obama slammed the U.S. Supreme Court calling them “an unelected group of people” and seemed to take offense that the Court “would somehow overturn a duly constituted... Read more

Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey Congratulates Romney

From the Office of Lt. Governor Kay Ivey Montgomery, AL - Lt. Governor Kay Ivey, Chairman of Mitt Romney's Campaign in Alabama released the following statement last evening: "Governor Romney scored three knock punches tonight by winning the Wisconsin, Maryland and District of Columbia Primaries. These three decisive wins give Gov. Romney almost... Read more

Alabama Republican Party still reviewing primary ballots as one presid…

Jefferson County Presiding Court Judge Scott Vowell on Tuesday ordered Jefferson County to retabulate the votes from the March 13 Republican presidential primary in precincts that are split between two congressional districts, a review that could change how the state GOP awards one of its delegates. Vowell also ordered the Alabama... Read more

Former Alabama House Rep. Sue Schmitz released from federal custody

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Former state Rep. Sue Schmitz is a free woman after completing a 30-month prison sentence resulting from a 2009 conviction on federal mail fraud and theft charges. Schmitz, 67, was released from custody Friday, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. After serving the bulk of her sentence... Read more

Alabama's Bentley, Bice see innovations in Louisiana charter schools

NEW ORLEANS -- Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and state Superintendent Tommy Bice spent today touring charter schools here in preparation for the charter school debate to begin in the Alabama Legislature this week. Charter schools, or independent public schools, will be discussed Tuesday in the House Ways and Means Committee, with... Read more

Charter school bill set for committee vote this week

A House committee will hold two days of meetings this week on legislation that would authorize the creation of charter schools in Alabama. House Ways and Means Education chairman Jay Love, R-Montgomery, said Monday he planned to allow members to submit amendments to the legislation Tuesday, while setting a vote for... Read more

Alabama Legislature reconvenes today for second half of session

MONTGOMERY | Gov. Robert Bentley’s job creation bill, two state budgets, immigration law changes, legislative pay and local bills are on tap for the second half of the 2012 legislative session, which starts today. After a week off for spring break, the Legislature returns to consider statewide measures and local bills... Read more

Alabama's immigration law target of complaint filed with United Nation…

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama --- A union that represents a number of immigrants filed a complaint Monday with the United Nations aimed at Alabama's immigration law. The Service Employees International Union filed the complaint regarding the Alabama law -- commonly called HB 56 -- with the UN's International Labour Organization Committee on Freedom... Read more

Alabama Spaceport Project Plans Announced

By Bill BrittAlabama Political Reporter The next chapter of space travel may soon be written in Alabama. Today it was announced that measures are being prepared to create a Alabama Spaceport Authority. The vision of Alabama as a major spaceport is brainchild of Senator Gerald Dial (R-Lineville). At a press conference today at the... Read more

Congressman Rogers Says He Is Committed to Repeal of Obamacare

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter In a written statement Congressman Mike Rogers (R) from Anniston says “I strongly supported H.R. 2, the Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act, which would repeal the healthcare law.” Congressman Rogers said that in a Rasmussen survey on March 19th 56% of the American people said... Read more

EDITORIAL: Votes are never up for sale

By Rep. Joe Hubbard “Everything’s for sale at the right price,” my grandfather used to say. As a boy, I thought this saying had about as much meaning as his other quirky sayings. Since being elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2010, I have learned this old adage has... Read more

Hunger a growing issue in Alabama

TUSCALOOSA | About 23.5 percent of Alabamians couldn’t afford to buy enough food to feed their families in 2011, making Alabama the second-worst state in food insecurity in the U.S., according to a recent study by the Food Research and Action Center. West Alabama experienced some of the highest numbers of... Read more

More candidates emerge for Alabama chief justice (Political Skinny)

The list of write-in candidates for chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court keeps growing. Mobile attorney Ginger Poynter told the Skinny last week that she intends to seek the office as a write-in candidate. A second Mobile attorney, Melinda Lee Maddox, also said she’s joining the race as a write-in candidate... Read more

Rep. Jack Williams proposes a new occupational tax bill for Jefferson …

A local legislator says he will introduce bills this week to establish a new occupational tax to help with Jefferson County's general fund problems and generate money for research at UAB. State Rep. Jack Williams, R-Vestavia Hills, said he plans a press conference today to talk about his legislation to create... Read more

Cruel and unusual?: Death row inmate challenges state execution proced…

A death row inmate who had his execution blocked by a federal court that cited Alabama’s “secrecy” concerning its execution procedure says that procedure could leave him conscious while drugs that stop his breathing and his heart flow through his body. Attorneys for Thomas Arthur, who was convicted in a 1982... Read more

Republican 2013 Budget Passes House: Aderholt, Bonner, and Bachus Comm…

By Brandon MoseleyAlabama Political Reporter The United States House of Representatives Passed the House Republican fiscal year 2013 budget Thursday by 228 to 191. Both Congressmen Robert Aderholt (R) from Haleyville, Jo Bonner from Mobile and Spencer Bachus (R) from Vestavia issued written statements. Representative Robert Aderholt said, “There is little doubt... Read more

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