Government & Politics
Memorial Day: Over 324,000 Alabamians have served in the military
For some people, Memorial Day means the start of summer, a long weekend to kick back, relax and enjoy the lake or a steak. For others, it is a time to remember veterans who gave their lives for our country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 324,000 Alabamians (6.4% of the population) have served […]
Alabama bill would allow elderly to opt out of jury duty
An Alabama committee Wednesday approved a bill that will allow the elderly to apply for exemptions from jury duty. The House Judiciary Committee approved SB 64, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, by voice vote on Wednesday. Under the bill, people aged 75 or older would be able to ask a court to […]
Biden, McCarthy say they have brokered a debt limit deal to avert U.S. default
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced a deal in principle Saturday night that would stave off a first-ever default on the nation’s debt as long as it can clear both chambers of Congress before June 5. The agreement would address the nation’s debt limit and include a “historic” reduction in spending, McCarthy said, though […]
States see record low unemployment across the US
Across much of the country, the jobs market is as strong as it’s ever been, and Black women, young people and people with disabilities are among the workers benefiting, recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show. Twenty states reported an unemployment rate under 3% in April, while 15 states saw record lows, led by […]
What passed in the Alabama Legislature: May 23-25, 2023
Here’s a list of the bills that passed in the Alabama Legislature this week. Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Senate SB304, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, establishes minimum qualifications for the Hale County sheriff. It passed 32-0 and went to the House of Representatives, which passed it on Thursday. SB 305, sponsored by Sen. Bobby […]
Alabama House approves bill that would reduce state tax on food
The Alabama House Thursday approved a bill that could cut the state grocery tax in half over the next few years. HB 479, sponsored by the House Ways and Means Education chair Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate. The legislation would reduce the state tax rate on food covered by the […]
Alabama Legislature gives final approval to education budget, supplemental spending
The Alabama Legislature approved the $8.8 billion Education Trust Fund budget and a $2.7 billion supplemental funding bill on Thursday night, sending them to Gov. Kay Ivey after a marathon day with multiple meetings. The Senate approved a compromise version of the Education Trust Fund on a 31-0 vote on Thursday night. The House approved […]
General Fund goes to Gov. Kay Ivey after Senate debate over local projects
The Alabama Legislature gave final approval to a $3 billion General Fund budget and a supplemental funding bill early Friday morning, sending it to Gov. Kay Ivey after addressing concerns from some senators about local projects. The House voted to concur on the General Fund Conference Committee substitute 103-0 and the supplemental 103-0. The Senate […]
Bill that makes doxing a crime passes the Senate
A bill that would outlaw doxing passed the Senate on Thursday. HB 287, sponsored by Rep. Shane Stringer, R-Citronelle, makes it illegal for someone to intentionally post personal identifying information online to harass or harm another person. If the person whose information is shared is a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or public servant, then the […]
Bill prohibiting discrimination for organ donation passes Senate
The Alabama Senate Thursday approved a bill that would prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities who need organ transplants. HB 122, sponsored by Rep. Debbie Wood, R-Valley, would ban organizations from placing people lower on a transplant list because of their disability. “My colleague and my district House member that has worked very hard on […]
Alabama House of Representatives approves one-time income tax rebate
The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday approved a one-time rebate for income taxpayers. HB 175, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, the chair of the House Ways and Means Education committee, passed the House on a 101-0 vote. The bill went to the Senate, where the body did not concur with the House changes, and […]
Expansion of Alabama’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law won’t move this year, says committee chair
A bill that would have expanded Alabama’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill will not move out of committee this year. House Education Policy Committee chair Terri Collins, R-Decatur, said HB 354, sponsored by Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, would not come to a vote after a public hearing where members of the LGBTQ+ community said the […]