Alabama’s governor clarified the state’s position on extending federal benefits to same-sex couples in the Alabama National Guard. The governor says that when the National Guard is under his command, they are subject to state law, which does not recognize same-sex unions. He pointed out when they are federalized, they
Demetrius Newton, a civil rights attorney who represented icons like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. before becoming the first black person to serve as speaker pro tem of the Alabama House of Representatives, has died at the age of 85. Newton was a former city attorney for the
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange has joined other attorneys general in filing a brief in a New York case asking the U. S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling that prayer at the beginning of a government assembly violates the Establishment Clause. Strange and 22 other attorneys general
The Public Service Commission voted 2-1 to radically change how Alabama Power’s rates are measured and created more oversight, which will mean cheaper power bills for consumers. The PSC President said the changes allow the commission to measure Alabama Power’s profits by taking into account a wider array of its
The governor is raising funds in hopes of retaining office, while another elected official announces his departure. Bentley Begins Run for Second Term: Alabama Governor Robert Bentley filed his first campaign finance report, which shows he has over a half-million dollars already on hand. The report shows he entered the campaign
The Alabama Department of Commerce will lead representatives from 10 state companies to Canada next week on a trip aimed at strengthening ties with that country. Canada, a North American Free Trade Agreement partner, is the top destination for Alabama products and the upcoming trip will capitalize on those current
Employers will get a one-year reprieve from providing health insurance for their workers as the White House retools the mandate that critics have said is both costly and cumbersome. The delay was announced by Treasury officials and would push the requirement past the 2014 mid-term elections. Other aspects of the massive
The Alabama Legislature returned to work on Tuesday for the 12th day of the session. Both chambers were subjected to slowdown tactics due to the Democrats’ disapproval of the Alabama Accountability Act. Tuesday: The House voted 98-0 to give final passage to a bill to provide tax credits for irrigation equipment
Governor Robert Bentley announced his support for his Medicaid commission’s recommendations to overhaul the way the state delivers services in the healthcare program for the poor. Bentley said the proposal will end the state’s fee-for-service model in favor of a network of locally run managed-care networks. State Health Officer Don
So far, fall has been full of news on insurance, new voting districts and more. Governor Refuses to Comply with Health Care Exchange Deadline: Governor Robert Bentley announced that Alabama will not comply with a deadline in setting up state health insurance exchanges required under the Affordable Care Act. The U.
