The Alabama Senate has approved Gov. Robert Bentley’s proposal to start a state lottery. Senators on Friday voted 21-12 for the bill, hitting the required number of votes needed for approval. The legislative victory for the governor keeps the bill alive in the special session on Medicaid funding. It now goes to the House of Representatives. Bentley is seeking to…
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley’s $800 million prison construction plan is headed to a conference committee as the clock winds down on the legislative session. State senators voted 28-5 Tuesday night to send the bill to a conference committee. Bentley is trying to win approval of the plan before the session ends Wednesday. Bentley is seeking to borrow $800 million to…
State senators have rejected a bill aimed at keeping Greenetrack’s bingo casino operational. Senators on Wednesday were four votes short of the 21 votes needed to approve the proposed constitutional amendment. Sen. Bobby Singleton sought to write into the state constitution that Greenetrack can have the same type of electronic gambling machines operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians…
Some Alabama lawmakers, including the leader of the Senate, are expressing doubts about an effort to impeach Gov. Robert Bentley. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said Tuesday that he did not favor impeaching someone over “personal issues.” He says there needs to be evidence of misuse of office or state funds. A House Republican introduced an impeachment resolution in…
The Alabama Senate has voted to prohibit abortion clinics from locating near public schools. Senators approved the bill Tuesday on a 27-6 vote, sending it to the House. Republican Sen. Paul Sanford is sponsoring the bill and says he wants to force an abortion clinic to move away from a school in Huntsville. The Alabama Women’s Center for Reproductive Alternatives…
The Alabama Senate has delayed a vote on a Colorado-style payday loan reform that would give people at least six months to pay back the loan instead of just a few weeks. Senators on Thursday postponed a vote after the bill hit opposition on the Senate floor. Republican Sen. Arthur Orr, the bill’s sponsor, said borrowers currently face oppressive fees…
The Alabama Senate has approved a lean General Fund budget that could mean cuts to Medicaid services in the state. Senators approved the$1.8 billion spending bill Thursday on a 24-10 vote, sending it to the Alabama House for consideration. The Senate-passed budget does not provide additional money for Medicaid. Medicaid Commissioner Stephanie Azar says the agency needs an additional $100 million…
A long time U-S senator from Alabama has new competition. Marcus Bowman announced that he’s running for Senator Richard Shelby’s seat. Bowman is a businessman out of Daphne. He’s worked behind the scenes in Washington to craft legislation. Even though Shelby has millions on hand for his campaign, Bowman says it’s time for a change. The republican primary is coming up on…
