When the legislature returned on Tuesday, February 16, for the 5th day of session, they were greeted with news that a federal judge has blocked Alabama from using a portion of oil spill funds for the construction of a hotel and conference center at Gulf State Park. Senior U.S. District Judge
The legislature convened last Tuesday for the third day of the 2016 session, and members were met with big healthcare news. They also moved along a bill to strengthen the penalties for child abuse. On Tuesday, February 9: The federal government has given the state approval to change the delivery
With medical costs still a player in the state’s ongoing budget woes, the announcement that the federal government granted Alabama approval to create regional care organizations (RCOs) for Medicaid patients came as good news to some. But many legislative leaders are concerned that RCOs cannot and will not solve the
A new session has started, with the Alabama Legislature meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 2 to get things going. General Fund Still Not Fixed While the sparring over tax increases has mostly subsided, it’s not because the General Fund budget is fixed. There remain tough choices ahead to figure out how
During his recent state-of-the-state address, Governor Robert Bentley unveiled his strategic plan for Alabama called “2019 Great State.” The governor is calling for a major bond issue to replace the state’s prisons as well as new investments in health care and broadband in Alabama’s rural areas. The governor is also calling for
The new year is here, and the next session will be starting soon, but in the meantime, here are a few of the latest headlines topping the list in Alabama politics news. Lottery Coming to Alabama? Republican legislators pre-filed a bill last week that would put the question of a
At noon on Tuesday, February 2, the 2016 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature convenes. This is in keeping with the law that states that the legislature begins its regular annual sessions on the “first Tuesday in February, except (1) in the first year of the four-year term, when the
Governor Robert Bentley recently announced the State of Alabama is suing the federal government for non-compliance of the Refugee Act of 1980, which requires the federal government to consult with state governments before placing refugees in the state. The governor claims this consultation never occurred and the state was not
As 2015 draws to a close, gambling legislation is out (for now) and a possible gas-tax hike is in (at least in the governor’s mind). Stay tuned to Group Watch to see what actually happens when the Alabama Legislature starts its work again in February. Until then, enjoy your holidays!
The University of Alabama System’s chancellor is spearheading a coalition from kindergarten to four-year institutions to advocate the state’s education system. The Alabama Unites for Education Coalition was recently launched to protect the state’s education budget. The group includes the leadership of the UA System, the Alabama Community College System
