The Alabama Senate approved a bill aimed at allowing the Ten Commandments to be displayed in schools and at government buildings. Senators voted 23-3 for the proposed constitutional amendment on Tuesday. The proposal, which would have to be approved by the voters, says the Ten Commandments can be displayed on public property. The displays would have to be mingled with other historical materials in an effort to pass constitutional concerns.
On Tuesday, state workers got a step closer to their first cost-of-living adjustment in 10 years. The Alabama Senate voted 28 to 1 to approve a three percent raise for state workers, and two measures that could extend bonuses to retired educators and state workers.Under the Senate-passed bill, retirees will be be paid $1 for every month of service. A person who worked 30 years would receive $360.
Last Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Tourism and Marketing unanimously approved SB325, sponsored by Senator Paul Sanford (R–Huntsville), which would allow “fantasy” sports companies to operate in the state. The bill stipulates that the companies (like DraftKings) would register with the attorney general and remit annual fees but be exempt from laws that prohibit gambling.
Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill into law last Thursday that will allow statewide ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft. Alabama becomes the 45th state to allow such services. Prior to Governor Ivey signing the bill, such companies were only permitted to operate in select, approved cities. Now all communities, urban and rural, will have access to the services.
A bill that would provide tax deductions — up to $6,000 for an individual and $12,000 per couple annually for five years — was reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation Education last week. The deduction only applies to money saved in an account to purchase either a first home or a “second-chance” home (meaning a home has not been purchased or owned in the previous five years).
Alabama Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington recently announced that Alabama’s unemployment rate decrease of 1.5 percent was the largest drop in year-over-year jobless rates in the country. In 2017, the state’s annual unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, down from the 2016 average of 5.9 percent. Washington said the number recognized the work that state, county and local governments, as well as Governor Kay Ivey and companies, have done to bring down unemployment. The January 2018 unemployment rate is scheduled to be released on March 12.
@thebloomgroup
Feb 25
“Sad news. Our prayers to the Treadway family.”
The Senate approved a state general fund budget that gives additional money to the state prison system to address issues as part of a federal court order to overhaul mental health care for inmates. The proposed spending plan would provide an additional $51 million to the Department of Corrections for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2018.
Last Tuesday, the Senate passed the General Fund Budget by an overwhelming majority vote of 26-2. It’s larger than last year’s budget. At just a little above $2 billion, it’s actually the largest in 10 years, with several state agencies receiving funding increases. The pay raise for state workers that has been a part of budget discussions is a separate bill and stalled last week, but many believe it still has a good chance at passing later in the session.
