Republican leaders in the Alabama Legislature say their priority at the beginning of the 2012 regular session in February will be to pass bills that will encourage businesses to create jobs. Senate President Pro-Tem Del Marsh said the first bills he expects to come up for consideration in the Senate
Alabama House Speaker wants changes to the state’s retirement system. Speaker Mike Hubbard says that taxpayers cannot continue to support an investment strategy that cost the state $1 billion in 2011 for public employees’ retirement benefits and matching contributions. Hubbard said lawmakers are not seeking to “raid the pension fund.”
An Alabama Senator plans to again push comprehensive legislation in the upcoming session to allow voters to decide if they want to ban smoking in most public places in the state. Democratic Senator Vivian Figures of Mobile say she plans to introduce a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban smoking
Governor Robert Bentley has said he plans to ask the Legislature to pass a constitutional amendment combining the state’s two budgets and allowing some money now allocated for education to be spent on state agencies. Bentley said Alabama should have a unified budget like 47 other states, but not all
An advocacy group for Alabama’s children says sustaining the state’s pre-kindergarten program and legislation banning smoking in most public places are among its priorities in the upcoming Legislative session. VOICES for Alabama Children recently told supporters that its priorities reflect the tough economic times. In addition to sustaining the progress
The Alabama Board of Education voted to give the new state school superintendent a three-year contract for $198,000 per year. The board voted 6 to 1 to approve the contract for Dr. Tommy Bice. His contract exceeds that of his predecessor by a mere $37 per year. Board members wasted
Alabama agriculture officials are considering whether prisoners can fill a labor shortage that the agency blames on the new state law against illegal immigration. The Department of Agriculture and Industries is meeting with south Alabama farmers to look at whether work-release inmates could fill jobs once held by immigrants. Growing
Published reports indicate that the new head of the teachers union sends his children to a private school in Montgomery for its religious education. Dr. Henry Mabry says that contrary to some news reports, he sees no problem with choices he made regarding the education of his children. The Alabama
Governor Robert Bentley recently voiced concerns about the state’s tough crackdown on illegal immigration law possibly hurting the recruitment of foreign industries and is has been reaching out to foreign executives to let them know the state welcomes them. The state’s immigration law is regarded as the toughest in the
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange says the state’s prisons are overcrowded, and officials may have to find ways to release prisoners who are not likely to commit violent crimes. Strange made the remarks in Washington during a meeting of the federalist Society, a conservative think tank. A report in the
