Glenn Stephens

Pay Raises, Targeted Funding Increases in Ivey’s Budgets

Gov. Kay Ivey submitted her budget proposals to the Legislature Wednesday, asking for modest pay raises for teachers, school support staff and state workers, along with targeted funding increases for several programs, including the state's troubled prison system. Ivey's proposed Education Trust Fund for fiscal year 2022 totals $7.65 billion, an increase of more than $440 million from the current fiscal year. Her General Fund budget totals $2.45 billion, which is a decrease of $31 million from the current year's budget. Both budgets are based on state tax revenue projections, which state finance officials are cautiously optimistic about at the moment. Both budgets also have mechanisms that direct excess revenue to "rainy day" accounts to prevent future budget cuts known as proration. Read more.

by Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily News

Medical Marijuana, Alcohol Delivery, COVID Liability Bills Pass First Tests

Bills that would allow the use of medical marijuana and the home delivery of alcohol, plus a long-anticipated lawsuit liability bill, were some of the major legislation to advance Wednesday in the Legislature. It was the first committee day of the new session, and lawmakers are working fast for fear of another COVID-19 slowdown, as happened last year. The day was not without some glitches. While the public has been encouraged to stay out of the State House and watch action online, at least three committees had technological difficulties and at least part of their meetings couldn’t be seen. Read more. More from the Legislature: 5G Infrastructure Bill Clears Senate Legislative Session Starts With Caution, Big Bills Bill Would Filter Emergency Health Orders Through Layman Board in Jefferson County Read more on the legislative session, which began Tuesday.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

ADPH Adds 309 Deaths to Alabama’s COVID-19 Toll

The Alabama Department of Public Health added 309 deaths from COVID-19 and 2,118 new cases of the disease in its daily update on Wednesday. A total of 8,203 people have died from the coronavirus in the state since the pandemic began last March, according to ADPH figures. Officials have said the large numbers of deaths reported on several days during recent weeks were a result of a continuing review of deaths, dating back to early November, to determine if they were caused by the disease. Wednesday's report brought the number of cases of COVID-19 in Alabama to 465,056. There has been an average of 2,281 new cases a day over the past week. The average has steadily dropped, from a high of 4,280 on Jan. 10 and 2,776 a week ago. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Gambling Proposals Must Pass the ‘Smell Test’ Before Going to Voters, Ivey Tells Lawmakers

Gov. Kay Ivey challenged Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday to be transparent, thoughtful and deliberate as they debate proposals to expand gambling, and said it will be up to voters to make the final decision. “I look forward to working with the men and women of the House and Senate to give Alabamians an opportunity to decide, once and for all, if a different approach to gambling is in the best interest of our state,” she said during her State of the State address. “This must be a transparent process,” she said. “And if something does not pass the smell test, I’ll sure let you know.” The governor said more than 180 gambling bills have been introduced for the legislative session that began Tuesday, but the voice of the people has not been heard. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Bill Would Filter Emergency Health Orders Through Layman Board in Jefferson County

Lawmakers are proposing legislation that would require an advisory board to weigh in on decisions made by the Jefferson County health officer before new rules are enacted. Since March, many leaders in the medical community faced challenges after putting mandates in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus. There were mask mandates and the stay-at-home order which led to several business closures.  Republican state Rep. David Wheeler has introduced legislation that would require public input on the Jefferson County health officer’s decisions. That office is currently held by Dr. Mark Wilson. Wheeler said his bill would allow a board of nine people to provide any recommendations on public health policies before orders are issued to residents. The board would have 10 days to respond Read more..

by Janae Pierre, WBHM

Daily Average Number of New COVID-19 Cases Continues Downward Trend

The Alabama Department of Public Health reported 206 deaths from COVID-19 and 2,078 new cases of the disease Tuesdsay in its daily report. There have been 462,938 cases and 7,894 deaths from the coronavirus in the state since the pandemic began last March. The latest figures give reason for some optimism. The state has averaged 2,432 new cases a day over the past week, down from 2,767 cases a day a week earlier and 3,714 a day on Jan. 1. The highest daily average was 4,280 for the week that ended Jan. 10. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

AEA Selects New Executive Director

Amy Hubbard Marlowe is the new executive director of the Alabama Education Association, the organization’s board of directors announced this week. Marlowe has served as interim executive director for two years and previously worked in the association’s governmental relations, public relations and research and technology branches. The AEA’s primary legislative goal this session is a significant pay raise for educators, the press release said. Gov. Kay Ivey is expected to request in the proposed budget she sends lawmakers this week a 2% increase, ADN reported last week. Read more.

by Alabama Daily News

Ivey Signs Leases for Two Prisons, Part of $3 Billion Plan

Gov. Kay Ivey signed lease agreements for two men's prisons on Monday, part of her plan for three new facilities the state will lease for 30 years at an estimated total cost of about $3 billion. Construction for the two facilities is expected to begin later this year or the beginning of 2022. The two lease agreements are with entities of prison builder CoreCivic. They will construct, own and maintain the facilities. It will be the Alabama Department of Corrections that staffs and administers the prisons. Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Broadband Expansion to Underserved Areas Could Cost $4B-$6B

It will cost around $4 billion to $6 billion to bring broadband access to underserved areas of the state, Alabama lawmakers were recently told. The information, along with an updated map of those underserved portions of the state, was presented by CTC Technology and Energy, which has a contract to develop a statewide plan for broadband access. Joanne Hovis, CTC president, said the cost estimate was based on providing the best level of technology. Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Ivey to Sign Prison Lease Deal, Lawmakers Bristle at Higher Cost Revelation

Gov. Kay Ivey is set to sign lease agreements for two new men’s prisons as part of a long-negotiated plan to overhaul Alabama’s dilapidated corrections infrastructure. However, some state lawmakers are unhappy with the project after being told it will cost more each year than originally estimated. On a call with state lawmakers Friday, Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn said Ivey would soon sign contracts with CoreCivic, one of the developers bidding for the massive prison project. Asked to confirm the news, Ivey Press Secretary Gina Maiola said the contracts were scheduled to be signed on Monday. Read more.

by Todd Stacy and Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News