The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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On Tuesday the six members of the conference committee on the gambling bill voted 6 to 0 in favor of a controversial gambling bill. The House passed a massive gambling bill that would have generated between one and one point two billion dollars a year. That bill, which had been crafted by a House committee meeting in secret for over a year, was dead on arrival in the Senate. The Senate passed a more scaled back bill that would have brought in an estimated $300 million. Conference Committee...
On Tuesday the House of Representatives narrowly approved a controversial Alabama constitutional amendment to expand gambling in the state of Alabama. However, the Senate, in a rare late-night vote, rejected the conference committee version of the bill that the leadership of both parties had tried to ram through the Legislature. A constitutional amendment requires a super majority of the Senators to pass. The convoluted gambling bill that the six-member conference committee approved just...
On Tuesday, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) and State School Superintendent Eric Mackey released an advisory to public school districts across the state addressing the national controversy of the Biden Administration's new rules for Title IX. "Yesterday, the State of Alabama filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education's recently announced rule on Title IX," the AG and State Superintendent wrote. "Title IX, as passed by Congress in 1972, prohibits sex-based...
U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) and Katie Britt (R-Alabama) joined U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) and five other Senate colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland expressing concerns with current and future rulemakings regarding protections and Critical Habitat designations for Rice's whales ahead of upcoming budget hearings in the Senate. "While NOAA and BOEM's data is...
On Tuesday night a controversial constitutional amendment that would expand legalized gambling to as many as ten casinos across the state and created a lottery met an unexpected defeat in the Alabama Senate by just one vote. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper) indicated to reporters on Tuesday night that there would be a revote after the measure failed 20 to 15. Since this is a constitutional amendment, it requires a three fifths majority to pass both Houses. The House of...
On Friday, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen (R) issued a statement applauding the Alabama Legislature for final passage of legislation to ban the practice of ranked choice voting in Alabama elections. "Before I was Alabama's Secretary of State, I publicly opposed the concept of ranked choice voting in Alabama elections," said Secretary Allen in a statement. "Elections conducted using ranked choice voting violate the fundamental principle of 'one-person one-vote.'" Senate Bill 186 (SB186) is...
On Thursday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) announced that technology company Meta Platforms plans to open an $800 million data center in Montgomery that will support 100 operational jobs and build on the company's previous investment in the state. "Each day, millions of people around the world use Meta's products, and the next-generation Alabama data center in Montgomery will soon help keep the company's popular platforms running smoothly," said Governor Ivey. "Meta is putting down roots in...
The Birmingham Stallions defeated the Memphis Showboats (again) on Saturday to go up 6 to 0. The league best record secured Birmingham a spot in the United Football League playoffs. The Stallions have thoroughly dominated the USFL Conference of the UFL. The Stallions have shown the ability to come from behind, win by playing crushing defense, and on Saturday in Memphis they showed the ability to light up the scoreboard with a 39 to 21 win over the Memphis Showboats. Former Nebraska Quarterback...
On Monday, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) was in Montgomery to address a gathering of the Montgomery Rotary Club. "You all are the heartbeat of communities and bringing people together," Sen. Britt told the Montgomery Rotarians. "When we say the American dream what does that mean?" Britt asked. "So you can give your children the opportunity to surpass you. It is not about money or wealth or even fame and fortune," but rather empowering them to achieve their dreams. "Our nation was built...
On Monday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) signed House Bill 182 (HB162), sponsored by Rep. Craig Lipscomb (R-Gadsden), to strengthen homeowners' rights against squatters who illegally occupy their property. "It has been said that a person's home is their castle, yet after a national rise in illegal occupations of homeowner's private property, it is apparent that more must be done to halt criminals from commandeering people's homes," said Governor Ivey. The new law creates stiff penalties for...
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) recently today honored five Alabama companies for their accomplishments in selling products in markets around the world and contributing to the robust exporting activities that are sparking economic growth at home. "Last year, Alabama exports went to 190 countries, showing the power of our 'Made in Alabama' brand across the globe," Governor Ivey said. "The high-performing companies we're honoring today are finding success on a global stage, and I want to ensure...
On Monday, Clean Up Alabama executive director Hannah Rees sent out a notice for a call to action urging supporters to call their state Senator and urge passage of controversial library legislation that would hold librarians responsible if inappropriate materials were found in the children's section of a public library. House Bill 385 (HB 385) is sponsored by State Representative Arnold Mooney (R-Indian Springs) declares that adults who "distribute material that is harmful to minors is a public...
On Monday the University of Alabama Athletics Department announced that former University of Alabama Athletics Director and Clemson head football coach Cecil "Hootie" Ingram has died. He was 90. Ingram was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. He was a Tuscaloosa native and excelled in athletics. Ingram attended the University of Alabama where he lettered in both football and baseball (1951-54). He played both halfback and defensive back. He had ten interceptions in 1952 to...
On Thursday, national and state leaders paid their respects to God or whatever supreme being they honor in their religious tradition. Kate Cohen wrote in the Washington Post that the day should be abolished, though that opinion was ignored by virtually everyone including the Biden Whitehouse. "The right to practice our faiths freely and openly is enshrined in the Constitution and remains at the core of our American spirit," said President Joseph R. Birden (D) in a statement. "For centuries,...
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) and President of the National Oceanic Industries Association (NOIA) Erik Milito penned an op-ed in Fox News calling for congress to pass legislation to restore America's energy independence. "The Biden administration has waged war on American energy," Tuberville and Milito wrote. "Costs have skyrocketed. Both consumers and producers are being crushed by burdensome regulations. It is critical that Congress prioritize the passage of bipartisan legislation...
On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin admitted to Congress that the Biden Administration has suspended arms sale to Israel, even though the U.S. Congress just passed aid for the country after they were attacked by Iran. U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) told the Alabama Gazette that this is "the worst kind of betrayal." "Israel is one of our closest and most important allies," said Tuberville. "We should be consistent in supporting our friend as they fight a war for their very sur...
On Wednesday, the Alabama Legislature passed legislation to cap ad valorem tax increases on homes at seven percent per year. House Bill 73 is sponsored by State Representative Phillip Pettus (R-Killeen). It was carried in the Senate by Senator David Sessions (R-Grand Bay). "This is a cap this is not a tax cut," said Sen. Sessions. "Recently in the last few years inflation has been hitting real hard. Housing has been at a deficit and property taxes have been increasing substantially and this...
The Alabama Senate recently passed a $9.3 billion education trust fund budget (ETF) which includes teacher pay raises and increased funding. It is the largest education budget in the history of the state. The Senate and the House still have to deal with changes that the Senate made to the budget. That is by far the biggest item of business left on the Legislature's agenda. Today, Thursday May 9 will be the last day of the 2024 Alabama regular Legislative Session as there are a maximum of 30...
On Thursday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) signed the "Working for Alabama" legislative package into law. This package of bills is aimed at luring more Alabamians into the workforce and getting more Alabamians better trained to fill the positions that Alabama employers need. The state hopes that it can fill more of the job that the state has lured through Alabama's economic development efforts. Governor Ivey was joined at Thursday's bill signing ceremony by Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth...
4-year-old college student Logan Glass was elected by the Alabama Republican Party on Saturday to represent Alabama at the Republican Nation Convention. Glass is a Donald J. Trump delegate. Glass spoke with the Alabama Gazette about his sked Glass if he had ever been to Milwaukee before. "No, I have not but I am excited to be going." Glass was asked if he thought that Trump could defeat incumbent President Joseph R. Biden (D). "I do think President Trump can win this," Glass answered. The...
On Thursday, controversial legislation passed the Alabama legislature to attend kindergarten prior to being allowed to enter first grade. House Bill 113 (HB 113) is sponsored by State Representative Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee). It was carried in the Senate by State Senator Donnie Chesteen (R-Dothan). HB113 would require that students either finish kindergarten to enter the first grade or pass a skills test that indicates that the child is competent in kindergarten level skills. Graduates of priv...
On Thursday, the Alabama Legislature finally wrapped up after 30 legislative days. The biggest issues going into the session were dealing with obscene and/or age inappropriate materials in the children's sections of public libraries, protecting women and girls in public places from men and boys pretending to be girls, a proposed rewrite of the state's ethics laws, and legislative action to address the stalled Alabama medical cannabis program; but all of those issues were overshadowed by a...
On Friday, the Alabama House Democratic Caucus released a statement expressing disappointment that the lottery and gaming legislation failed in yet another legislative session. "We are deeply disappointed that the people of Alabama will, once again, be denied the right to vote on this important issue," the House Democrats wrote. "From the beginning, House Democrats have honored the clear mandate given by the People of Alabama, fighting for a true education lottery wholly devoted to education,...
On Friday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) signed legislation to ban ranked-choice voting in the state of Alabama. Senate Bill 186 (SB186) was sponsored by Senator Arthur Orr (R-Decatur). It was carried in the House of Representatives by Rep. Mark Shirey (R-Mobile). SB186 prohibits the practice of ranked-choice voting in Alabama except in the case of electors who are entitled to vote absentee ballot under the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. "I am proud to sign this bil...
The primaries are over and now the 2024 Alabama Regular Legislative Session is finished. On Saturday, May 11, 2024, the Mid-Alabama Republican Club (MARC) heard from a panel of political commentators on the state of politics, post session, in Alabama. Former State Rep. Paul DeMarco (R-Homewood) served as moderator. The gambling topic overshadowed much of the other work done in the legislative session. Alabama Today editor and radio personality Apryl Marie Fogel said, "The bill that they tried...
