October 2023 Group Watch: Alabama Lawmakers Approve Construction Agreement for New Statehouse

A panel of Alabama legislators voted to proceed with a plan to construct a new statehouse. The legislature passed a bill earlier this year authorizing work on a new building for lawmakers to replace the current building, which faces mold and leaks and deferred maintenance costs of $100 million. If constructed, the statehouse would be the first built in the nation since Florida finished work on its Capital Complex in 1977. According to the head of the Legislative Services Agency, a construction agreement with the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) would call for the payment of RSA’s out-of-pocket costs plus an 8 percent administration fee. The legislature will have the option to purchase building at the end of a 25-year lease or at any point during the lease.

October 2023 Group Watch: Federal Court Makes Final Selection for AL’s 2024 Congressional Districts 

A panel of federal judges has made a final decision on which of the three maps Alabama will have to use in its upcoming 2024 congressional district races. The judges selected remedial plan No. 3, which features a Black voting age population in District 2 that is 48.7 percent and a Black voting age population in District 7, currently the only majority minority district in the state, at 51.9 percent. Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen issued a statement saying his office will facilitate the 2024 election cycle in accordance with the court’s order, and keep the state’s elections safe, secure and transparent. The map selected by the court was supported by the National Redistricting Foundation.

October 2023 Group Watch: Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission Overhauls Licensing Process Amid Legal Disputes

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) adopted new application and licensing rules after months of legal disputes and amid stalled settlement negotiations over the commission’s evaluation process. The AMCC awarded licenses to produce and distribute medical cannabis in June, but inconsistencies in the scoring of applications led to multiple lawsuits and a halt to the licensing process. Companies denied licenses have alleged that the commission was conducting much of its business behind closed doors, a violation of the Open Meetings Act. The new rules adopted by the commission will allow it to use scores it gave to prior applications but also give applicants the chance  present their proposals to the commission in a public meeting.

September 2023 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House

As students across Alabama get back into the groove of school, Governor Ivey and other elected leaders have been putting a lot of emphasis on education issues this month.

Issues affecting the state’s economy were also put in the spotlight in recent weeks. Despite record-breaking numbers in economic growth and low unemployment, Alabama could be doing even better with the removal of a few barriers, like access to childcare. The legislature is expected to focus on these topics in the 2024 session to add power to the “Game Plan” bills passed in this year’s session. 

Find more details on all this and other key #alpolitics topics below.

September 2023 Group Watch: Tweet of the Month

@willainsworthAL
Sept 17
236 years ago today, our Founding Fathers signed the United States Constitution establishing the government for the greatest country the world has ever known and securing “the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.”

September 2023 Group Watch: Speaker Ledbetter Outlines Plans to Keep AL’s Economy Growing

Representative Nathan Ledbetter, Speaker of Alabama’s House of Representatives, recently outlined the pros and cons impacting Alabama’s economy. He touted the historic numbers that “paint a picture of robust economic progress and unmatched job growth.” But he also noted what these numbers don’t show, explaining the barriers that are hindering the state from reaching its full potential. To keep the state’s growth going, he said the legislature will likely make addressing these issues a priority in the 2024 legislative session. Read more here.

September 2023 Group Watch: Gov. Ivey Speaks to Alabama’s Youngest Students

Once an elementary school teacher herself, Governor Kay Ivey recently cleared her office calendar to visit elementary schools around the state. During a visit to Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in Huntsville, she discussed the importance of reading and having a strong work ethic. She told students it was their job to study and work hard and be the best they can be, encouraging them to dream big, and explaining that with hard work and dedication, they can realize those dreams and aspirations. 

September 2023 Group Watch: Marion Military Institute Gets Funding Backed by Senator Britt

U.S. Senator Katie Britt recently celebrated $34 million in funding from the National Institute of Standards and Technology for a new Math and Science Building at Marion Military Institute’s Perry County campus. MMI has prepared young men and women across the country for successful civilian and military careers since 1842. It is a part of the Alabama Community College System and one of only four military junior colleges in the nation. According to Britt’s office, the new classroom space will enable the campus to expand course offerings in fields such as computer science, cybersecurity and information technology. MMI is home to one of the nation’s top Service Academy Programs, with more than 600 cadets receiving Academy appointments in the last seven years, and the school also counts more than 216 generals and admirals among its alumni.

September 2023 Group Watch: State Conducting Feasibility Study on State Health-Science HS

The state will soon know more about the possible construction of a statewide health-science high school near Demopolis, something Governor Ivey proposed during her State of the State address in March. The Legislative Contract Review Committee recently approved a $500,000 contract with a consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study. Under the governor’s proposal, the school will accept students in grades nine through twelve and offer a varied curriculum of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as healthcare-based courses. The consulting firm will recommend a site location in November, with the final report complete in January 2024.

September 2023 Group Watch: AL Schools Can Apply for Portion $179M Capital Grant Fund

Public K-12 schools can now apply for up to $5 million from the state-funded Alabama K-12 Capital Grant Program administered by Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth’s office. The fund was created by the legislature during the 2023 regular session and can be used to:

• Assist with capital projects that will enhance the educational environment of students;
• Pay for existing debt on previous capital projects;
• Assist with deferred maintenance on existing facilities;
• Assist with projects to increase school safety and security and for technology and equipment for schools or students.

The required matching grant can’t be more than 35 percent of the total project cost. To receive grant money, schools’ application has to be endorsed by their local state senator and house member.