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
Bryant Whaley, the top economic developer for Randolph County, is riding the momentum. Despite the disruptions of a global pandemic, this rural county in eastern Alabama has seen three major corporate growth projects since August 2020, creating more than 300 jobs. Whaley is optimistic that even more economic activity is
Bonnie Plants, the nation’s largest grower of vegetable and herb plants for home gardens, unveiled a multimillion-dollar expansion and upgrade of the company’s greenhouse facilities in rural Bullock County. Opelika-based Bonnie Plants said the new growing and distribution facilities in Union Springs are designed to strengthen e-commerce operations and improve
Guns, riots and transgender bathroom rules for schools: Three headline-garnering bills that all topped the majority caucus’ agenda passed by the House early last week, and then both chambers moved on to work less likely to generate debate, including the Senate’s passage of the General Fund Budget for FY23. In other news,
@kiraincongress Feb 26 I planned to plant tulips and daffodils on my backyard today. Instead, I learn to fire arms and get ready for the next night of attacks on #Kyiv. We are not going anywhere. This is our #city, our #land, our soil. We will fight for it. So
Tuesday, 13th day of regular session: The House considered and passed three of the most fiercely debated bills of the session thus far: bills to repeal the state’s requirement for a permit to carry a concealed handgun; to create a new definition of a riot and provide tougher penalties, including mandatory jail time; and to
Governor Kay Ivey applauded the state’s schools and universities that have ended face mask requirements, in keeping with her commitment to getting back to “normal.” At the height of the pandemic, Ivey encouraged mask-wearing but allowed her statewide mask order to expire in April 2021. She said wearing masks, social distancing and good hygiene practices
