Governor Bentley believes over-crowding in Alabama’s correctional facilities will result in continued riots unless his plans to build more prisons are enacted (see article below), the General Fund budget is still facing issues and dominating discussions, but other business is still getting done: On Tuesday, March 15 (15th day of the session): The House passed bills
by Allen Sanderson Jeff Newman is running to be re-elected for the District 7 seat on the State Board of Education this fall. He was elected in 2012 and since then, has brought his significant experience and expertise to bear on behalf of Alabama’s children. I’ve known Jeff and his
The state could face more prison riots unless problems of overcrowding are addressed, according Governor Robert Bentley. The governor made the remark after he visited a maximum security prison that has seen two riots over the last several days. Two weeks ago, an officer trying to break up a fight between two
The Governor is not pleased with the Senate-passed and House committee-approved General Fund budget (see article below) and says he’ll veto it if changes aren’t made. Meanwhile, other bills are progressing: On Tuesday, March 8 (13th day of the session): The House passed the education budget; separate education bills for Lyman
The House Ways and Means Committee added $26 million to the $1.8 billion General Fund Budget already passed by the Senate; the additional dollars would be added to Corrections, Medicaid and state worker insurance, and with this extra money, the budget was approved by the committee. But the budget still doesn’t have enough in
Governor Robert Bentley signed an executive order last week creating an office of minority affairs. According to Governor Bentley, office staff will offer guidance on issues impacting minorities and women with the goal of improving the quality of life for both groups. He went on to say education, health, political engagement, criminal
We’re close to halfway through the regular session, and this past week saw education issues take center stage (see articles below). Here are some of the other bills currently up and their progress: On Tuesday, March 1 (11th day of the session): The Senate approved bills of local application only
Last Tuesday, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tommy Bice announced he will retire at the end of March. His announcement caps a career of more than 39 years in public education, including the last four years leading the public school system. Bice says the system is moving forward at an accelerated pace due to
The Education Budget is awaiting approval from the full House, and should come up for consideration in that chamber sometime this week. The $6.3 billion dollar budget includes raises for education employees, with teachers and support staff (and anyone making less than $75k) in line to receive a 4 percent hike in pay. Community college employees
This week brought a new lottery bill and saw the Senate pass a budget all while many local application bills and bills to continue various boards sailed through committees and each chamber. On Tuesday, February 23 (8th day of the session): The House Health Committee held public hearings on four
