Politics — Page 190

Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act failed on a call for a unanimous vote Wednesday in the Senate. The legislation can still pass the U.S. Senate through regular order. “Last week, the House voted for a common-sense proposal that’s supported by the majority of Americans. The House voted to protect […]

Multiple school choice proposals made their debut in committee meetings across both chambers at the state house on Wednesday.  Three committees that took up the bills also served as public hearings, meaning no votes were taken. The hearings drew turnout from educators, advocates and insiders — who are all gauging the tone of the Legislature’s […]

Tuberville keeps stance on DoD holds

In keeping with a pledge he made to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin last December, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville objected to Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s attempt Tuesday to pass military promotions through the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent. In February, Tuberville (R-Auburn) placed a “hold” on all U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) general and flag officer […]

Britt: Social media bill would protect kids

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt joined three Senate colleagues Wednesday to bring bipartisan “common sense” legislation to the floor. Britt (R-Montgomery) and Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) introduced the “Protecting Kids on Social Media Act.” The bill sets a minimum age of 13 to use social media apps and would […]

State Sen. Will Barfoot is hoping that his bill will help combat gang-related criminal activity in Alabama. The Alabama Criminal Gang Prevention Act, SB143, would criminalize gang-related activities, strengthen penalties against those using a firearm in connection with gang-related activities, and require those age 16 and above to be charged as an adult for crimes […]

Kiel

State Rep. Jamie Kiel believes that because Alabama is a pro-life state that’s banned most abortions, it’s now the responsibility of the state Legislature to help pregnancy resource centers. Kiel (R-Russellville) introduced HB208, which would give tax credits to people and businesses who make cash contributions to eligible pregnancy resource centers in Alabama. The lawmaker […]

The Taliban recently said it killed the ISIS-K leader who was responsible for planning the suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members last August. The attack was at Hamid Karzai International Airport (Kabul International Airport) in Afghanistan during the American withdrawal from that country. Along with the 13 U.S. service members , more than […]

Un-tax overtime income? Lawmakers like the idea

If you work more than 40 hours a week in Alabama, your overtime paycheck might look a lot healthier if a new proposal is signed into law. The Alabama House Ways & Means Education Committee moved forward a bill Tuesday that would un-tax work performed in excess of 40 hours in any week from being […]

On April 15, a shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party in downtown Dadeville left four people dead and more than 30 wounded.  Six people were arrested in the following days and each were charged with four counts of reckless murder: Johnny Letron Brown, 20; Tyreese “Ty Reik” McCullough, 17; Travis McCullough, 16; Wilson LaMar […]

Stadthagen files Alabama Property Protection Act

A bill to stop the Chinese ownership of land within the Yellowhammer State has been filed by House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen. The Alabama Property Protection Act, or HB379 as it is known, will protect the state’s agricultural interests and military facilities from Chinese ownership and interference, according to Stadthagen (R-Hartselle). “I don’t believe we […]

House approves $3 billion General Fund budget

It’s often said the Legislature is technically only required to do one thing each session: Pass a budget. On Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives unanimously passed a General Fund budget, on track for a 6% increase in spending from the previous year, making it the largest budget in state history.  Gov. Kay Ivey proposed […]

Lawmakers consider year-round school calendar

A bill has been introduced that would give local school boards more flexibility over required instructional days throughout the year. If passed, districts would have the option to include an additional 30 days of instruction on top of the existing 180 days per year. That would open the door to a year-round school calendar. But […]

The deteriorating Saturn rocket at the I-65 Welcome Center in Limestone County has garnered state headlines for months. The widespread attention has caused lawmakers and other officials to consider various options in how to proceed with what Sen. Tom Butler has called a “monument.” Butler, in an effort to confront the issue, has introduced Senate […]

President Joe Biden officially kicked off his re-election campaign Tuesday for 2024. Instead of doing a speech at the White House or a campaign rally in a swing state, Biden posted a video on his social media with the statement: “Every generation has a moment where they have had to stand up for democracy. To […]

President Joe Biden announced Tuesday he’ll seek another term, extending his lurch as America’s oldest president. In a three-minute video announcement, he asked for voters to help him finish the job he started four years ago. Several elected officials in Alabama questioned what kind of job that is. Here’s what they said: Lt. Gov. Will […]

Citing a “legacy of excellence,” Sen. Katie Britt praised the Yellowhammer State’s contributions to space exploration. Her comments were to NASA Administration Bill Nelson during a recent hearing of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Appropriations with NASA. “They (Marshall Space Flight Center) have created a legacy […]

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) is continuing his fight to block the Biden administration’s proposed changes to Title IX. Last week, the U.S. House passed Tuberville’s Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which would ensure Title IX protection for female athletes and fair, safe competition in women’s sports throughout the United States. So […]

Rep. Carl: Saving taxpayer money

There’s no doubt Washington has a spending problem. President Biden and my colleagues across the aisle are constantly looking for new ways to raise taxes on hardworking Americans, but the truth is Washington has plenty of money, and it’s just not spent well. There is so much waste up here because the federal government loves […]

As the risk of backlash and boycotts further cripples nationwide sales of Bud Light in response to its controversial partnership with a transgender influencer – America’s female Republican governors – including Gov. Kay Ivey – rolled out some new branding of their own. Gov. Sarah Sanders (R-Arkansas) announced the new line of koozies, saying, “Real […]

Ledbetter opposes parole of 'monster' Neelley

Judith Ann Neelley, convicted of a heinous murder 40 years ago, is slated for a parole hearing next month. And Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter is having nothing of it. Neelley was found guilty of kidnapping and killing 13-year-old Lisa Millican of Rome, Ga., and sentenced to death in the electric chair in 1983. However, […]

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) joined his fellow Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee this week in advancing a plan they believe would help secure the border. The Border Security and Enforcement Act, H.R. 2640, pass the Judiciary Committee Wednesday by a vote of 23 to 15. Thursday on WVNN’s “The Yaffee Program,” Moore touted […]

Dr. Barbara Cooper, secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education,  has resigned, following direction from Gov. Kay Ivey over “concerning content in a Pre-K educator resource book” that was approved by Cooper. According to a release from the governor’s office this afternoon, the book “contained a woke agenda, invokes ideas for teachers that […]

Mayors excited about Game Plan opportunities

When it comes to Alabama’s tool kit of economic incentives, plenty of praise comes from lawmakers and state leaders. But local economic developers — in particular, mayors — are on the front lines of bringing business into the state and creating jobs. Following the renewal and expansion of the Alabama Jobs Act and Growing Alabama […]

GUMBO touts passage of major tourism legislation

This week marked some major victories for Alabama’s tourism industry with the passage of two major pieces of legislation. The Dram Shop Bill and the Sweet Home Alabama Tourism Investment Act, a new provision of the Jobs Act, were both signed into law this week. Both bills were major priorities for the Gulf United Metro […]