February 10, 2025 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House

The 2025 regular session of the Alabama Legislature began last Tuesday, and lawmakers hit the ground running. Fighting crime is a main goal for this session, as are passing a budget and continuing to boost Alabama students’ test scores. Bills tackling other big issues including immigration and protecting women’s rights are expected this session too.

And in the Senate, a new leader will oversee the work of that chamber. In a unanimous vote, Republican Senator Garlan Gudger of Cullman was elected Senate president pro tempore.

February 10, 2025 Group Watch: Post of the Week

@thebloomgroup
Feb 7
Congratulations Senator Bell.

February 10, 2025 Group Watch: Governor Ivey & Legislature Put Reducing Crime at Top of Agenda

In her “State of the State” address, Governor Kay Ivey named fighting crime a main goal for this session, and following her lead, House and Senate leadership said legislation addressing public safety will be a priority, including a nine-bill package targeting recent increases in crime rates in the state’s largest cities. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, noted that reducing crime is not only about protecting Alabamians; it’s also about protecting and boosting the state’s economy. Read more here. 

February 10, 2025, Group Watch: New Senate Leader Gets to Work

Newly elected Alabama Senate President Pro Tem, Senator Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman), stepped into the position after a 33-0 vote from his Senate colleagues. As the session began, he outlined his goals and said many would be inline with legislation at the federal level, including the new Trump administration’s stance on immigration. He also reiterated his plans to strengthen communication with and to work with the state’s Democrat lawmakers. Read more here.

February 10, 2025 Group Watch: Bill Addressing Gender Identity Has Governor’s Support

The issues swirling around transgender people and gender identity continue to make headlines around the country, and a bill introduced in the Alabama House is in the spotlight. The “What is a Woman” legislation by State Rep. Susan DuBose (R, Hoover) aims to define “woman,” “man,” “female” and “male” to erase any confusion in enforcing Alabama laws and already has Governor Ivey’s stamp of approval. Read more here.

February 10, 2025 Group Watch: Alabama Values Anchoring Republican Legislative Agenda

The state’s House Republican Caucus shared its priorities for the 2025 session, noting they’re all underpinned by a set of conservative beliefs and ideas that most Alabamians hold dear, including work ethic, a protected border, the protection of innocent life and families and common sense. Every member of the caucus supports the list of values and the resulting bills and topics.  Read more here.

January 2025 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House

Mental health is a hot topic everywhere, including in Alabama. Two of the state’s leaders pointed to mental health issues as needs they’d like to better address in the coming 2025 regular session of the Alabama Legislature, which begins on February 4.

And while gambling looks to make reappearance this session, the state’s beleaguered medical cannabis process will also be back in the news. After multiple delays in getting the state’s medical cannabis industry up and running, there are hopes a solution currently on the table will get things moving forward again.

Read below for more on all of this, and stay tuned for our Group Watch reports coming to your inbox weekly once session starts.

January 2025 Group Watch: Post of the Month

@AL_League

Jan 10

#LiveLocallyAlabama #alpolitics

January 2025 Group Watch: Dr. Eric Mackey Outlines His Priorities for AL Students

Alabama State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey recently outlined some of his 2025 goals concerning the state’s students, saying tackling the “mental health crisis” among young people is at the top of his list. Related to improving students’ mental health, Mackey also wants to explore limiting cell phone and social media use among students, particularly when they are at school. Read more here. 

January 2025 Group Watch: AL Senate Pro Tem Shares Agenda

New Alabama Senate President Pro Tem, Senator Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman), has listed his plans for the coming 2025 regular session, naming more funding for mental health services, increased access to healthcare and more effective and efficient communication between lawmakers among the topics needing attention. He also noted his role as a facilitator in the Pro Tem position and his desire to understand the different needs and wants in different regions across the state. Read more here.