7. Alabama Policy Institute hammers Kay Ivey for calling legislature a “herd of turtles”
- Last week, Governor Kay Ivey dismissed the proposed legislation that would limit executive powers during an emergency by referring to the legislature as a “herd of turtles.”
- The Alabama Policy Institute called this response “cavalier,” adding her comment was “a step too far.” The API also focused on how Ivey didn’t call a special session last year “because she does not deem them as necessary to the processes of governance.”
6. Trump’s tax records have to be turned over
- The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that former President Donald Trump’s tax records have to be turned over to a New York State prosecutor.
- As part of a criminal investigation, the records aren’t supposed to be made public. Previously, Trump has called these efforts “a fishing expedition.”
5. There will be no conflict of interest in NY’s nursing home probe
- U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland spoke about the issue of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) being investigated for the coronavirus nursing home crisis, and Garland said the Department of Justice will avoid conflicts of interest during the investigation.
- Garland said that he “can guarantee that a person with a conflict of interest will not be the person running an investigation of any kind.” The investigation into the Cuomo administration is already in the early stages but has put massive pressure on the governor for how he allegedly covered up nursing home deaths.
4. Defense secretary supports process that selected Huntsville for Space Command
- The inspector general for the Department of Defense has opened an investigation to move the U.S. Space Command Headquarters to Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal after accusations that President Donald Trump influenced the decision due to politics. Secretary of Defense Llyod Austin backed the “decision-making process” that named Huntsville as the preferred location of Space Command headquarters but supports the investigation.
- Governor Kay Ivey has confidently welcomed the investigation, saying, “Our state was chosen based on merit, and an independent review of a decision of this magnitude will confirm this.” The congressional delegation seems confident, for the most part, that this move will come to be. The Air Force has also confirmed that Alabama was the best choice for the headquarters.
3. Alabama Democrats are pro-rioting
- The chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party, State Representative Christopher England (D-Tuscaloosa), has spoken out against a piece of legislation that would target rioters and those that would take to the street and destroy property while also creating punishments for municipalities that attempt to defund the police.
- The silly question being asked by Alabama Democrats is, according to aldotcom, “How should Black people express their frustration?”– as if we need different tiers of justice for different people. This takes an odd position, given the U.S. Capitol riots have been condemned universally while Alabama Democrats have decided that some rioting is OK and some is not.
2. U.S. passes 500,000 coronavirus deaths, Alabama lowers flags
- The United States has surpassed the grim 500,000 death milestone with the coronavirus. President Joe Biden paid tribute to those who have died from the virus, adding that this milestone is “truly grim” and “heartbreaking.” Governor Kay Ivey has ordered Alabama flags to half-staff in remembrance as well.
- While this is a startling death toll, the situation with the coronavirus pandemic is improving nationally as the vaccine rollout continues. Cases and hospitalizations have fallen throughout the month of February, and there’s a promise that the trend could continue with the vaccine.
1. Ivey supports the gambling bill
- After a ceremony declaring that February 22 was Supermarket Employees Day, Governor Kay Ivey spoke with reporters and mentioned support for State Senator Del Marsh’s (R-Anniston) lottery and gambling bill.
- Ivey said she supports the legislation “So far,” which she was specifically referring to the lottery and five casinos mentioned in the bill.
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