Last Tuesday, the Senate passed Governor Bentley’s plan to use a $800 million bond issue to update older prisons, close several prisons completely and build four new ones. The governor pointed to the passage as the clearing of “a critical hurdle” in solving Alabama’s prison problems. The governor, Corrections Commissioner
The General Fund Budget has been passed by the legislature but may not get very far (see article below) while plenty of other bills keep moving forward: On Tuesday, March 22 (17th day of the session): The House passed bills of local application only, to redistribute lodging tax proceeds in Etowah County; to permit
Last Wednesday, with a 20-13 vote, the Senate passed the $1.85 billion General Fund Budget, which included changes made by the House that upped the funding for Medicaid to $15 million more than last year. Last Thursday, Bentley announced that he’ll veto the budget and send it back to the
Last Tuesday, Governor Robert Bentley announced the removal of Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Spencer Collier, just hours after an internal audit suggested a “possible misuse of funds.” Collier is a former state trooper and was a Mobile County legislator from 2002 to 2011. In a brief statement, Governor Bentley commended Collier
Governor Bentley believes over-crowding in Alabama’s correctional facilities will result in continued riots unless his plans to build more prisons are enacted (see article below), the General Fund budget is still facing issues and dominating discussions, but other business is still getting done: On Tuesday, March 15 (15th day of the session): The House passed bills
by Allen Sanderson Jeff Newman is running to be re-elected for the District 7 seat on the State Board of Education this fall. He was elected in 2012 and since then, has brought his significant experience and expertise to bear on behalf of Alabama’s children. I’ve known Jeff and his
The state could face more prison riots unless problems of overcrowding are addressed, according Governor Robert Bentley. The governor made the remark after he visited a maximum security prison that has seen two riots over the last several days. Two weeks ago, an officer trying to break up a fight between two
The Governor is not pleased with the Senate-passed and House committee-approved General Fund budget (see article below) and says he’ll veto it if changes aren’t made. Meanwhile, other bills are progressing: On Tuesday, March 8 (13th day of the session): The House passed the education budget; separate education bills for Lyman
The House Ways and Means Committee added $26 million to the $1.8 billion General Fund Budget already passed by the Senate; the additional dollars would be added to Corrections, Medicaid and state worker insurance, and with this extra money, the budget was approved by the committee. But the budget still doesn’t have enough in
Governor Robert Bentley signed an executive order last week creating an office of minority affairs. According to Governor Bentley, office staff will offer guidance on issues impacting minorities and women with the goal of improving the quality of life for both groups. He went on to say education, health, political engagement, criminal
