Last week, it sure felt like spring had arrived, and while the season may “officially” be a few weeks off, Alabama’s Republican legislators had some spring in their steps after Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield outlined his party’s major accomplishments so far. The legislature’s 2022 regular session has hit the halfway mark, and, according to
@JeffAMartin1 Feb 25 With no intention to follow in my father’s journalism footsteps, today I was elected President of the APA’s – Journalism Foundation. The same honor bestowed on Dad 14 years ago. I imagine he was looking down today with a little bit of pride. I know I was
Tuesday, 16th day of regular session: The House Local Legislation Committee approved two bills of local application only, affecting the City of Jackson in Clarke County and the Choctaw County Commission. The House passed several bills, including bills to require local boards of education to provide feminine hygiene products in women’s restrooms of certain schools at no
Governor Kay Ivey proclaimed Wednesday, March 2 a day of prayer for Ukraine. The governor says that Alabama stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine as they fight to protect their country and democracy. Alabamians are deeply rooted in their faith, and as many Christians observed Ash Wednesday, she urged
Republican leaders in the Senate pointed to American Rescue Plan funding, broadband expansion and tax cuts, among other items, as part of their achievements at the halfway mark in the 2022 session. Clay Scofield of Guntersville made the remarks as he outlined the priorities for Senate Republicans for the remainder of
The Alabama Senate passed legislation that seeks to improve math instruction and prohibit the use of Common Core State Standards in K-12 public schools. The bill called the ”Alabama Numeracy Act” is sponsored by Senator Arthur Orr. The Senate-approved bill has as its purpose to address K-5 math proficiency statistics
A House-passed bill to repeal Alabama’s requirement for a permit to carry a concealed handgun moved a step closer to becoming law. The Senate passed the legislation after the Republican majority voted to end debate and voted to pass the bill 23-6. The bill will have to return to the
Despite some noting the lateness of the hour in terms of regular session time left, Senator Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) has followed through on plans he’d announced earlier and proposed two gambling bills last week. One would authorize a state lottery; the other would allow casinos and sports betting in the state. While both are close to bills
Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth announced legislation aiming to prevent aggressive traffic policing tactics such as those reported by the Brookside Police Department. According to a media outlet, the in 2020, the town of Brookside generated 49 percent of its revenue from traffic fines. The town’s recorded population sits at 1,253 residents. Ainsworth’s
U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $100 million joint grant to the Mobile Airport Authority and the Alabama State Port Authority. The grant enables the two entities to participate in the DOT Transportation Demonstration Program to allow for the enhancement of
