Virginia Martin

New COVID Cases in Alabama Down by 93% Since January Peak

The average of new COVID-19 cases per day is now less than a tenth of the peak levels recorded in January. In BirminghamWatch’s periodic analysis of COVID data, the 7-day average of new cases reported by the Alabama Department of Public Health is down to 294.86 per day. That is a drop of 93% from the record set almost three months ago, and it’s the first time the average has dropped below 300 since May 19. The 14-day average also has decreased, but the death toll has increased in the past week. The number of hospital beds occupied by COVID patients also has continued its decline in the past week. Read more.

by Robert Carter

House Passes CA Prohibiting Legislative Changes Within Six Months of Elections

MONTGOMERY — A bill that would require any future legislation related to the conduct of general elections be passed at least six months before the election passed the House Tuesday. It’s a constitutional amendment that, if passed by the Senate, would be on the ballot for the 2022 general election. Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Distracted Driving Bill Fails

MONTGOMERY — A bill that would have prohibited the use of hand-held cell phones and other electronic devices while driving was defeated in the House by one vote Tuesday. Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

New Garbage Service in Unincorporated Jefferson Has Rocky Start

Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens said ‘I told you so’ when it came to a new waste disposal company’s roll out of service to unincorporated Jefferson County. Since Amwaste took over April 1, customers have complained of missed pickups, undelivered garbage carts, errantly taken carts and confusion about contracting with the new company. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Legislature Sends Alcohol Delivery Bill to Governor

MONTGOMERY — Alabamians could have beer, wine and spirits delivered to their homes starting this fall. The Legislature gave final passage Tuesday to Senate Bill 126 from Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, which would allow customers to have alcoholic products home delivered from grocery or liquor stores and restaurants. It also sets up a delivery license process, fees and rules for alcohol delivery. Read more.

by Mary Sell and Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Birmingham Council, Schools Extend Mask Requirements

Masks will remain mandatory in Birmingham through May 24. The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to extend the city’s face covering ordinance, requiring masks in all public places to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Exceptions are made for outdoor exercise and eating or drinking at restaurants or bars. Religious worship services are also exempt, though the ordinance still “strongly encourages” masks in those settings. The Birmingham City School Schools system also announced Tuesday that masks will be required in schools and all school-related events through the end of the school year to combat the threat from COVID-19. The city ordinance received the support of Mayor Randall Woodfin and most of the council, with the exception of District 2 Councilor Hunter Williams. Williams argued that the ordinance would make Birmingham an outlier in Jefferson County and the state of Alabama as a whole, placing “undue burden” on local businesses. The state’s mask ordinance is set to expire Friday, and Gov. Kay Ivey has said she will not renew it. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

Enviro Groups Argue Ala. Power Plant Permit Could Violate Federal Sulfur Rules

Gasp and the Sierra Club have challenged a permit issued for operation of Plant Barry, near Mobile, saying it could allow the plant to emit sulfur dioxide at levels that violate federal standards. Sulfur dioxide is a major contributor to fine particle air pollution that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined can, even in exposure of five minutes, cause decrements in lung function, aggravation of asthma, and respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity. Studies also have linked it to premature death. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Bill Increases Tax Credit Limit for Accountability Act Donors

Legislation in the Alabama State House would increase the allowable tax credit for individuals and corporations that donate to private school scholarships through the Alabama Accountability Act. The 2013 law allows for tax credit-funded scholarships for families leaving the state’s lowest-performing public schools. There also is a separate $30 million-per-year scholarship fund for private school tuition. Businesses and individuals who donate to the fund receive income tax credits — money that would otherwise go to the state education budget. Scholarship granting organizations, or SGOs, collect and distribute the money to low-income families. Those students are not required to come from failing schools. House Bill 559 by Rep. Charlotte Meadows, R-Montgomery, does not change that $30 million cap but expands the allowable credit from 50% of an individual’s tax burden to 75%, capped at $75,000. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Ivey Expands COVID Vaccination Ages to 16 and Older

If you’re old enough to drive, you’re now old enough to get vaccinated for COVID-19 in Alabama. Gov. Kay Ivey announced Friday that beginning Monday, anyone aged 16 and older will be eligible for the vaccine. “Truly, this vaccine is our ticket back to normal life. We are so close to getting COVID-19 in the rearview, and until then, we should all keep wearing our masks, get vaccinated and use the common sense the good Lord gave us” she said. Read more.

by Robert Carter

Bill to Allow Churches and Small Businesses to Stay Open During Emergencies Goes to Governor

The Alabama Legislature on Thursday approved a bill that would allow churches and small businesses to remain open during states of emergency. It now goes to the governor. House Bill 103 by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, would allow businesses and places of worship to remain open as long as they comply with any emergency order, rules or regulations issued by the governor and state or local agencies. It would do away with the idea of “essential businesses.” Kiel has said small local retailers shouldn’t have been forced to close last year under public health orders while big box stores remained open. Democrats called the bill dangerous and said it could lead to super-spreader events in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, led Senate Democrats in a filibuster of the bill, arguing it put business interests over public health. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News