Two financiers have withdrawn from underwriting bonds for two prisons planned by Tennessee-based CoreCivic. One, London-based Barclays, stepped out amid criticism that the bank was breaking a promise to stop supporting for-profit prison companies. The bank reported that its objective was to enable the state to improve its facilities, but realized the
Governor Kay Ivey announced that the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) ranks Alabama First Class Pre-K as the nation’s highest quality state pre-kindergarten program for the 15th consecutive year. Each year since 2017, Alabama First Class Pre-K has received increased support from the Education Trust Fund as recommended by
Childcare providers across Alabama are among the many hit hard by the pandemic and as such, are set to receive much needed assistance from the American Rescue Plan. More than $730 million in federal funding will help childcare providers open safely, keep workers on the payroll and lower childcare costs
Alabama Democrats stalled a bill on the Senate floor that would ban curbside voting in the state. Curbside voting allows someone to vote without going inside a polling location. Renewed efforts for the bill came after the coronavirus pandemic sparked an increased interest in curbside voting in Alabama. Democrats believe
The Alabama Senate approved a bill from Senator Steve Livingston that would put Alabama on permanent daylight-saving time, if Congress allows states to do so. The bill passed 29-0 with no debate and now heads to the House for further consideration. Daylight-saving time is mandated by federal law, and only a
Last week was the ninth of the 2021 regular session, and both chambers of the Alabama Legislature were busy. The legal use of medical marijuana in Alabama keeps moving along, gaining approval from a second House committee last Wednesday. The prospect of legal gambling in Alabama is making forward progress too. Senator
@thebloomgroup April 16 We are sad to hear about the death of our friend Lamar Higgins. Our prayers go out to his family and many friends.
Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon said lawmakers are divided over a bill that would ban certain treatments for transgender minors. The bill passed the Senate earlier in the session and now faces debate in the House. But leaders in the House says there is some division over the bill.
Last week, the legislature passed a bill that prohibits biological males play on female sports teams in Alabama schools (K-12). It’s now headed to Governor Ivey to be signed into law, although the governor has not yet commented on her intentions to sign it or not. Alabama is not alone in taking
The Alabama Senate unanimously approved a House-passed bill saying that college athletes can receive compensation for their name, image and likeness. The legislation comes as the NCAA prepares to adopt rules that will allow student athletes to profit off their names, with certain limitations, while still competing at the collegiate level.
