Government

COVID-19, Federal Requirement Increases Alabama Medicaid Enrollment

Alabama’s Medicaid enrollment has continued record growth because of the COVID-19 pandemic and an ongoing federal requirement that people can’t be removed from the rolls. But the state also got extra money from the federal government and, for now, the program is costing the state less than it did before. However, at least one lawmaker is concerned costs could begin to rise, and the state is working now on projections for next year’s budget. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Redistricting Committee Passes New Maps Along Party Lines

MONTGOMERY — The legislative committee redrawing Alabama's congressional, state board of education and state legislative district maps approved drafts along party lines on Tuesday, two days before the full Legislature meets to consider them. The maps continue to include a single minority-heavy congressional district and leaves majority-minority areas split into multiple Senate districts in Jefferson County. The nearly two-hour meeting was a likely preview of the special session on reapportionment that starts Thursday, with the Republican majority largely quiet in the debate while Democrats raised questions about minority representation and the speed at which the COVID-19-altered process is happening. Committee member Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, said the process was flawed in part because committee members only saw the maps in their entirety for the first time on Monday. “I think this is doing a disservice to the process and the people we represent," England said. Committee co-chair Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, said he only saw whole maps Monday, too. "That makes me feel worse," England replied. Read more. Community Leaders Call for ‘Fair Maps’ Ahead of Special Session on Reapportionment

by Caroline Beck and Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Three New Members Tilt Birmingham Council Toward Youth

Three new members of the Birmingham City Council took their seats for the first time Tuesday morning, a transition that some councilors suggested would usher in a new era of unity in city government. J.T. Moore, Carol Clarke and LaTonya Tate were sworn in as the councilors for Districts 4, 8 and 9, respectively, replacing William Parker, Steven Hoyt and John Hilliard. The three newcomers didn’t say much during their first meeting at the dais, mostly issuing brief statements of gratitude and humility. The council promptly turned to the business of selecting a new president and president pro tempore, a process that has been contentious in the past. Not so this time — District 7 Councilor Wardine Alexander and District 6 Councilor Crystal Smitherman were unanimously elected as president and president pro tempore, respectively, with no discussion and no additional nominations. District 5 Councilor Darrell O’Quinn said the ease of that vote “sets an important precedent for us moving forward,” adding that he is “extremely optimistic that this group is going to be able to work together.” District 3 Councilor Valerie Abbott was even more effusive, calling the new council lineup “a breath of fresh air.” “I think this is going to be the best council I’ve served with,” she said. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

Women Will Hold the Majority on the Birmingham City Council Over the Next Four Years

Three new councilors will be sworn in Tuesday. Read more.

by Cody Short, WBHM

Alabama’s ‘Big 10’ Mayors Caution Against Conflicting Vaccine Mandates

MONTGOMERY — Mayors from Alabama’s largest cities gathered in the state capital Monday, where they expressed concern over any new laws that would put Alabama businesses in conflict with federal COVID-19 vaccine rules. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said conflicting mandates would put local companies in a difficult position, especially those falling under the Biden administration's new vaccine mandate rules. “We want to make sure that we don’t place our companies into double jeopardy,” Battle said. “If you place them into double jeopardy where whatever actions they take may be an action against the laws of either the state or the federal government, then we’re not doing the job that we need to do to make sure that our industries and our companies throughout the state of Alabama are able to do what they need to do.” Right-leaning politicians and political groups, including the Alabama Republican Party, have urged Gov. Kay Ivey and state lawmakers to enact a law banning any business from requiring employees to get vaccinated. That would contradict President Joe Biden's directive through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandating that all employers with more than 100 workers, health facility workers or federal contract workers be vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID tests. Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Community Leaders Call for ‘Fair Maps’ Ahead of Special Session on Reapportionment

WBHM State legislators will meet Thursday for their second special session of the year. This time they'll vote on new district maps following the 2020 census. Read more.

by Janae Pierre, WBHM

State Budget Leaders Watching Rising Inflation, Possible Effects

Like Alabama families watching the rising costs for groceries, gasoline and other goods, state officials are monitoring inflation increases that could hurt government budgets and buying power. “It’s certainly going to affect (state spending); there’s no question about it,” said Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, chairman of the House General Fund budget committee. “Just through the everyday cost of running agencies, transportation cost, it is going to filter down to the state level and we’ll have to compensate for that.” The U.S. Department of Labor this month reported inflation at the wholesale level rose 8.6% in September compared to a year ago, the largest advance since the 12-month change was first calculated in 2010. Meanwhile, inflation at the retail level rose 0.4% in September with its consumer price index up 5.4% over the past 12 months, matching the fastest pace since 2008. Kirk Fulford, deputy director of the Legislative Services Agency, said there was increased demand for goods and services this year, which, coupled with the huge amount of stimulus funds provided to citizens, will cause prices to rise. “Everything will cost more, from gas to groceries to inputs to production, which will put increased pressure on wages and salaries to keep up with costs,” Fulford said. “This is even heightened when the labor market is tight. You can see this now in many work environments.” Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Super PAC Supporting Katie Britt for U.S. Senate Launches

The first super PAC of the Alabama Senate race has arrived. Alabama Conservatives Fund, which supports former Business Council of Alabama President Katie Britt’s candidacy, launched this week and is planning a series of advertising spots touting the Republican from Enterprise. The group is planning six-figure ad buys each on broadcast, cable and digital television platforms, seeking to “penetrate likely Republican primary voters at a significant rate” in the Montgomery, Birmingham, Huntsville and Mobile media markets. Read more.

by Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily News

Low Math, Reading Scores Have State Leaders Looking for Options

MONTGOMERY — A north Alabama lawmaker says he plans on introducing a bill for next year’s regular session that would seriously address the state’s drastically low math scores. Only 24% of Alabama’s public school fourth graders were labeled as proficient or better on a springtime math assessment taken this year. For eighth graders, it was even worse: just 14%. Those are significant, but not unexpected, drops from previous statewide assessments, according to an analysis released this week from the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. Read more.

by Caroline Beck and Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Tyson Assures Ensley Residents She’s Not Trying to Get Rid of Them in Commission Redistricting

Commissioner Sheila Tyson said today she has fielded phone calls from Ensley residents who think she’s trying to cut them from the Jefferson County district she represents. Nothing could be further from the truth, she said during a brief meeting of the commission at the Bessemer Justice Center. “It wasn't that if you're underpopulated, you try to get rid of what you've got,” Tyson said. “It makes no sense. I just wanted to straighten that up.” During the Oct. 5 commission committee meeting, Board of Registrars Chairman Barry Stephenson presented three plans for evenly distributing the county population between its five districts using 2020 U.S. Census numbers. Commissioners advanced all three maps for public review. A hearing on the plans will be conducted during the Nov. 4 commission meeting. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.