For all the bills that pass to become law, many more never make it, and some hit the wall pretty early in the session. Such is the fate of several bills introduced this year. A bill to make repaying payday loans easier by mandating more time (from as little as
Last week, the House passed HB53, sponsored by Rep. Laura Hall (D-Huntsville). The bill, which now heads to the Senate Judiciary Committee, outlaws female genital mutilation and provides criminal penalties for the offense. While it may surprise some, female genital mutilation is practiced in Western countries, including the United States, in diaspora communities. This bill
The United States Senate confirmed Judge Andrew Brasher of Alabama as the next judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Senator Richard Shelby voted for his confirmation, and Senator Doug Jones voted against it. Brasher, currently a federal judge on the U.S. District Court in the Middle
Thomas “Tom” Collins, a longtime volunteer worship leader and youth lay leader in Decatur and the husband of State Representative Terri Collins, died Sunday at age 63. Tom was renowned for his uplifting spiritual singing and Christian leadership and will be missed by all who knew him. We that The
Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth’s 21st Century Workforce Commission recently released its findings. The topline recommendation from the report is the creation of a cabinet-level coordinating agency to be called the Governor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development. The report calls for increased investment in areas highlighted by many of the
The 2020 regular session of the Alabama Legislature is here. It began on Tuesday, February 4, and that evening, Governor Ivey delivered her State of the State address, where she outlined the priorities of the state and the challenges it is facing (see below for details). In the coming weeks, the legislature
@AlabamaCounts Jan 29 If Alabama comes back with a low census count, the state could lose a congressional seat in Washington, DC. #ALcounts
At the start of the session on Tuesday, Senators passed a resolution designating Senator J.T. “Jabo” Waggoner of Jefferson County the “Centennial Senator.” Senator Waggoner began his 100th legislative session on Tuesday; this feat was accomplished over 48 years in the Alabama Legislature and includes regular, organizational and special sessions. We
During Tuesday night’s State of the State address, Governor Kay Ivey laid out her bipartisan approach to find solutions to matters ranging from infrastructure funding to the state education system. She highlighted road projects in 48 of the state’s 67 counties and said there are more to come. Ivey stressed the importance
In March, the 2020 Census begins, and 100-percent statewide participation is key for Alabama’s future. State leaders outlined why it is so critical, saying it could be the most important census in state history, while urging all Alabamians to get counted. With proper participation, the federal government will have an
