legislature

State Legislators Get to Work on Allocating $650 Million Plus in Coronavirus Funds

On Wednesday, Alabama legislators began the special called session on allocating more than a half-billion dollars in American Rescue Plan funds. In the governor’s proclamation to legislators, Gov. Kay Ivey is directing the Legislature to appropriate more than $443 million dollars to deliver pandemic related healthcare and services, expand broadband connectivity throughout Alabama, improve  access to clean water though water…

Legislature Approves Law Named After Aniah Blanchard

The Alabama Legislature awarded final approval on Thursday to “Aniah’s Law,” a constitutional amendment  sponsored by State Rep. Chip Brown (R – Mobile) that allows prosecutors and judges broader discretion in requesting and denying bail to those accused of committing violent crimes. The amendment will now go on the statewide ballot for ratification by voters in a referendum election. “Too…

Gov. Ivey Issues Executive Order on Federal CARES Act Funds

The final day of the 2020 Alabama legislative session ended with both budgets being signed and Governor Ivey issuing an executive order on the allocation of federal CARES Act money. Some lawmakers felt left out, as the Governor issued her guidelines for the allocation of $1.8 Billion in Coronavirus relief funds. “I thought it was inappropriate , but at the…

Legislature Meeting Amid ‘Animosity’ Over COVID Relief Cash

Alabama lawmakers are meeting for the final day of the legislative session amid a continuing dispute with Gov. Kay Ivey over how to use the state’s $1.8 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds. Lawmakers will decide whether to accept, or reject, Ivey’s executive amendment on a spending bill to broadly detail how all the COVID-19 funds should be used. The…

Animal Rights Bill Draws Criticism from Humane Groups

An animal rights bill moving through the Alabama State House has caught the attention of animal rights groups across the state The legislation, proposed by Senator Jack Williams of Mobile would give authority in animal abuse cases that involve working animals and animal enterprises to the State Department of Agriculture. Animal rights and humane groups fear the law would strip…

What Can we Expect From the 2020 Alabama Legislative Session?

The 2020 Alabama Legislative Session is just over a week away, so what can we expect from lawmakers? Last year two lottery bills stalled in the state house, but Monday Republican Representative Steve Clouse announced that he would introducing a lottery bill this session. Find that story here. Another issue that lawmakers have been working on, is repealing a grocery tax…

A Preview of Alabama Politics in 2020

The Alabama Legislative Session is set to begin in just a few weeks, and with a new year comes new political agendas. Last year we saw a controversial abortion bill pass through the Legislature, and talks of an Alabama lottery stalled before it gained any traction. The year 2020 is expected to have a host of crucial bills pass through…