Governor Bentley announced Senate confirmation and the swearing in ceremony of the new Department of Corrections Commissioner, retired Colonel Jefferson Dunn. Dunn recently retired from the United States Air Force after 28 years of service. His top priority is to address the challenges of the problem plagued system to avoid
This past week, the Legislature passed bills to reform the state’s prison system, enhance educational options for school-age children and to strengthen economic opportunity in local communities. Tuesday (6th Day of Regular Session): A legislator introduced a bill to scale back a key part of Governor Bentley’s plan to raise taxes. Representative Steve Clouse
While students and teachers across the state take a spring break, the legislature is doing the same, and so is Group Watch. There will be no issue next week. Both chambers will reconvene on March 31, and the next Group Watch will follow!
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This past week, bills to protect religious freedoms, allow charter schools and to make changes to incentives given to businesses were on the agenda. Tuesday (3rd Day of Regular Session): The House passed three bills to change the way Alabama gives incentives to businesses that create new jobs, hire veterans and
Currently, municipal employees are at risk of being held personally liable in lawsuits, even when their actions were clearly in line with the scope and duties of their job. In one of the more egregious cases, a city electrical inspector in Montgomery was facing a heavy judgement in a wrongful
by Allen Sanderson Legislation that passed in 2014 limits the amount of money all state and education employees are liable for if they are sued personally for actions taken during the performance of their job. Why are municipal employees not granted the same protections? It’s an important question that highlights
Here we go! The 2015 regular session of the Alabama Legislature has begun, and it’s sure to be an interesting one. State of the State: Governor Robert Bentley unveiled his plan for Alabama during the state of the state speech last Tuesday. The governor proposes adding 500 teaching units; level funding for
by Allen Sanderson Fifty years ago, the Civil Rights struggle in America came to a head with the first attempted Selma-to-Montgomery march. It ended in violence as peaceful marchers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge were beaten back by state troopers, earning the event the name “Bloody Sunday.” As thousands came to Selma this
The billionaire owners of Koch Industries, known for their support of conservative Republican initiatives, have joined several groups known for their liberal leaning to promote prison reform. Even the Koch’s harshest critics are willing to take their funding for prison reform efforts. Former Obama administration advisor Van Jones welcomed Koch Industries
