October 2025 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House

Gov Ivey Says “No Special Session” for Senate District Map

After a federal judge ruled that Alabama’s Senate district map violates The Civil Rights Act, Governor Kay Ivey declined to call a special session of the Alabama Legislature to redraw the district lines. She claimed she made the decision due to “uncertainty” about how to satisfy the provisions of The Civil Rights Act while at the same time not running afoul of the Constitution’s prohibition against racial discrimination. She said a special session would be a waste of time and money, as the state is appealing the ruling calling for a new map. If the appeal fails and without action by the legislature, the lines will be redrawn by the federal court. Read more here.

Sports Journalist Paul Finebaum “Might” Run for AL Senate Seat

Early last week, sports legend Paul Finebaum, host of the wildly popular “Paul Finebaum Show” on the radio (as well as TV), told Clay Travis he was considering running for the Alabama seat in the U.S. Senate that Senator Tommy Tubberville is leaving vacant to pursue the office of Alabama’s governor. He also said if he runs, it will be on the Republican ticket. While he’s been approached about entering politics in the past, he said Charlie Kirk’s murder pushed him to take the idea seriously. Read more here.

State’s Prison Population Growing

The Alabama Sentencing Commission recently announced that Alabama’s prison system could near or exceed the limits set on prison populations by 2030, estimating the number of inmates could increase by one-third in the next five years. The information comes from the Commission’s work with a research firm specializing in in criminal justice data. Multiple factors have led to the state’s problems with over-crowded prisons, but the Commisison pointed to measures recently put in place via the legislature, including the changes to how “good behavior” can be utilized to reduce sentences. Read more here.

Political Violence Raising Safety Concerns for Alabama Elected Officials

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder and other acts of political violence, some are wondering if Alabama lawmakers are truly safe. Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) recently voiced his worries on the subject, noting that the issue affects more than the lawmakers themselves. While security at the State House has already been bumped up thanks to additional funding provided by the legislature, Ledbetter believes more is needed. Read more here.

A Bill Coming in 2026 Session Ties School Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance to Funding

Alabama Representative Reed Ingram is sponsoring an education bill pre-filed for the 2026 session of the Alabama Legislature, which begins in January. HB 43 calls for schools to set aside specific time for the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance as well as requiring each school to vote on whether their students and staff would be allowed to pray or read religious texts in school. Noncompliance would result in loss of funding. But that’s if it becomes law. If it passes the legislature next year, it goes to the voters to decide in a statewide referendum. The ACLU and other groups have already voiced opposition, saying the measure is unconstitutional. Read more here.

Alabama Lawmaker Looks to Make Political Assassinations Death-Penalty Offenses

State Representative Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) says elected officials being targeted and killed for their political beliefs is an “attack on all Americans, whether they support Republicans or Democrats or any other party.” She believes a law making political assassinations in Alabama death-penalty offenses could be part of the solution to the growing political violence problem, and as such, she is planning to introduce a bill that will do just that in the Alabama Legislature’s 2026 session. Read more here.

Ballooning Prison Population, No Special Session and Senator Finebaum?

October 2025 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House

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