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;
@thebloomgroup Feb 25 “Sad news. Our prayers to the Treadway family.”
The Senate approved a state general fund budget that gives additional money to the state prison system to address issues as part of a federal court order to overhaul mental health care for inmates. The proposed spending plan would provide an additional $51 million to the Department of Corrections for the fiscal
Last Tuesday, the Senate passed the General Fund Budget by an overwhelming majority vote of 26-2. It’s larger than last year’s budget. At just a little above $2 billion, it’s actually the largest in 10 years, with several state agencies receiving funding increases. The pay raise for state workers that has been
Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan is the second hospital in the country and the first in Alabama, to have a new hi-tech bed for premature babies. These beds are designed for premature babies and provide temperatures as close to the mother’s womb as possible, allowing babies as small as two
