A push is underway for a comprehensive gaming bill during the 2022 legislative session. New ads highlighting the economic impact of approving a comprehensive gambling and lottery bill are running primetime across the state. The Alabama Track Owners Association, a partnership of owners of the four greyhound racing tracks, including
As the legislature figures out how to allocate ARPA funds, state finance folks shared that Alabama collected record-high revenue in 2021. The General Fund was up 11.4 percent, reaching $3 billion. The Education Trust Fund has hit $8.6 billion, representing a 16.4-percent hike over the previous year. It’s great news, but officials
Governor Ivey has announced the creation of the A-USA Corridor, a proposed $231.6 million program of rail projects to upgrade economic development infrastructure in central and southern Alabama. The first phase involves a $71.6 million initiative to link the Port of Mobile with the McCalla Intermodal Facility near Birmingham. This 280-mile rail
A 2021 law that allows college athletes to make money off their name, image and likeness (NIL) is likely to be repealed in the coming weeks. A bill was approved by a House committee last week to do just that. The move is not intended to take things back to the days when college athletes were prohibited from earning
Members of the Alabama House Republican Caucus elected State Rep. Wes Kitchens of Arab to serve as the majority party’s vice chair. His election as vice chair makes him one of few freshman legislators in state history to hold the prominent leadership position. This leadership position was formerly held
During an address to the Alabama Association of County Commissioners, Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth mentioned that creating an Alabama Space Guard was among priorities to be taken up during the 2022 legislative session. Ainsworth said a Space Guard unit within the Alabama National Guard would provide much-needed support for the
Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield was the recipient of Manufacture Alabama’s “Friend of the Industry” award at the association’s annual Legislative Reception and Dinner in Montgomery. Manufacture Alabama is the state’s only trade association solely focused on representing the interests of the industry. The award recognizes public officials,
Governor Ivey awarded $1.6 million in public safety grants aimed at fighting illegal drugs and drug-related crimes across the state. The Grants in the amount of $202,557 each went to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the state’s seven regional drug task forces, and the funds will be used to combat drug sellers, manufacturers and
State Rep. Steve McMillan, 80, who is retiring at the end of this term, is undergoing an aggressive treatment plan for three small brain tumors but vows to be a participant in this year’s legislative session. According to reports, he will receive treatment during the month of January, and he hopes to return
Personnel changes, more economic development scores and a preview of the issues — medical marijuana, gambling and more — likely to show up and spur debate in the 2022 session of The Alabama Legislature, which convenes January 11, are among the news to know this December. Also, the state is making plans to spend
