The Legislature’s work last week got a step closer to putting more money in many Alabamians’ pockets, as the Senate passed bills to provide raises and bonuses for state workers and retirees. On Tuesday (15th day of session): The House passed several bills of local application only and general bills to increase the criminal penalties for encouraging litigation;
Manufacture Alabama announced that it has endorsed Public Services Commission President Twinkle Cavanaugh for lieutenant governor in the 2018 Republican primary, while the Alabama Forestry Association endorsed Will Ainsworth for the job with a tweet that asked its followers to consider supporting the candidate with a donation. Manufacture Alabama President
@AlzMidSouth March 1 EXCITING NEWS! The Alabama House just passed our Silver Alert HB427. Thanks to @RepLauraHallD19 for sponsoring the bill. This is a huge step in the right direction. #ENDALZ
The Alabama Senate approved a bill aimed at allowing the Ten Commandments to be displayed in schools and at government buildings. Senators voted 23-3 for the proposed constitutional amendment on Tuesday. The proposal, which would have to be approved by the voters, says the Ten Commandments can be displayed on public
On Tuesday, state workers got a step closer to their first cost-of-living adjustment in 10 years. The Alabama Senate voted 28 to 1 to approve a three percent raise for state workers, and two measures that could extend bonuses to retired educators and state workers.Under the Senate-passed bill, retirees will
Last Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Tourism and Marketing unanimously approved SB325, sponsored by Senator Paul Sanford (R–Huntsville), which would allow “fantasy” sports companies to operate in the state. The bill stipulates that the companies (like DraftKings) would register with the attorney general and remit annual fees but be exempt from laws
Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill into law last Thursday that will allow statewide ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft. Alabama becomes the 45th state to allow such services. Prior to Governor Ivey signing the bill, such companies were only permitted to operate in select, approved cities. Now all communities, urban
A bill that would provide tax deductions — up to $6,000 for an individual and $12,000 per couple annually for five years — was reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation Education last week. The deduction only applies to money saved in an account to purchase either a first
Alabama Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington recently announced that Alabama’s unemployment rate decrease of 1.5 percent was the largest drop in year-over-year jobless rates in the country. In 2017, the state’s annual unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, down from the 2016 average of 5.9 percent. Washington said the number recognized the work
The Legislature was back at it last week, starting on Tuesday moving more local bills through the process. Additional bills passed ensure funding for several state agencies. On Tuesday (13th day of session): The House passed several bills of local application only and general bills to remove the prohibition against local school superintendent having additional employment;
