Last Thursday, the Alabama Senate voted 27-7 to pass a bill requiring municipalities to go through the legislature before instituting or raising an occupational tax. According to the measure, municipalities can keep their occupational tax if enacted prior to February 1, 2020. Supporters of the bill say it will give people who live outside
If Governor Ivey signs the recently passed occupational tax bill into law, Montgomery and its leadership might fight the measure in court. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed called the bill an example of “government overreach” that should concern the capital city’s citizens, but thus far, he has not outlined any specific next steps. Stay tuned.
Governor Kay Ivey announced her support for a major bipartisan package of bills that has been introduced in the Alabama legislature upon recommendation from the her Study Group on Criminal Justice Policy. Governor Ivey established the group in July 2019, which came after the Department of Justice said there was
A bill that would allow college athletes to make money off the use of their name and likeness was introduced in the House last week. The “Fair Pay to Play” bill, sponsored by Rep. Kirk Hatcher (D-Montgomery) is a hot topic and should see some good debate in coming weeks.
The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee voted a bill as substituted to eliminate the Office of the State Auditor. The committee voted for the substitute 6-5, which would not affect the current officeholder, State Auditor Jim Zeigler. As a proposed constitutional amendment, the bill would go on the November general election
We were saddened to learn of the death of Mrs. Ruth Kathryne Price Clouse (93), a longtime resident of Ozark and mother to our legislative friend Representative Steve Clouse. We send our prayers of peace and comfort to the family.
GE Appliances officially marked completion of a $125 million investment project at its Decatur refrigerator plant, which boosted production capacity, added new “smart “ technology and increased the site’s workforce. The project increases production capacity by 25 percent and ensures early compliance with 2022 refrigerant changes, making the Alabama plant
Manufacture Alabama announced that its board of directors has elected Carl Gunter as the new board chair. He is mill manager of International Paper in Prattville and will serve a two-year term that began on February 4, 2020. Additionally, the board of directors elected Jason Slinkard as vice chair. He
In the third week of session, a lot of basic business got done: approval by the Senate of the continuation of multiple and various sunset bills. A bill raising the marriage age made it through committee. And the medical marijuana bill made more progress (see separate article below). Here’s a
A bill to require cities to get approval from the legislature before passing new occupational taxes or license taxes moved a step closer to passing, despite opposition from the mayors of the state’s 10 largest cities. The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approved a bill by Rep. Chris Sells, which has
