Government

Legislature Gavels In Special Session on Prisons

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature convened at the State House Monday for the start of a special session to consider a plan to build three new prisons along with two sentencing reform bills. The meeting is the latest attempt to fix the state's crowded, crumbling and chaotic prison system that for decades has been the target of federal investigations, lawsuits, court orders and threatened takeovers. The priority in the construction bill is two 4,000-bed men's facilities in Elmore and Escambia counties. Lawmakers estimate their costs at between $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion. The full plan, which is sponsored by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, includes a new women's prison along with renovations of other men's prisons in its second phase. Read more. 10 Things to Know About Lawmakers’ Special Session

by Caroline Beck and Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Alcohol Law Goes Into Effect Oct. 1, but Don’t Expect Deliveries Right Away

A new law allowing for the home delivery of beer, wine and spirits goes into effect Oct. 1, but Alabamians will have to wait longer for their favorite beverages at their front doors. “The law becoming effective Oct. 1 literally means that is the first day we can begin processing applications,” Alcoholic Beverage Control Board spokesman Daniel Dye told Alabama Daily News. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

10 Things to Know About Lawmakers’ Special Session

The Alabama Legislature will soon debate a prison plan that leaders say would address issues with the state’s outdated and crowded facilities and the violence and poor care that has prompted federal investigations and threats of takeovers. Lawmakers begin meeting Monday afternoon in a special session. Read on for 10 things to know about the session.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Ivey’s Call Sets Prison Special Session Agenda

MONTGOMERY — Lawmakers next week will focus on prison construction and funding legislation and two criminal justice reform bills, according to the special session proclamation released by Gov. Kay Ivey. Read more.

by Mary Sell and Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Lawmakers Estimate New Elmore, Escambia Prison Costs

The construction of the two men’s prison, which the Alabama Legislature will debate and possibly approve next week, will cost an estimated $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion. Improvements at other prisons and a new women’s prison will add to that amount, State House leaders say. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

JeffCo Commission Approves Program to Make Problem Reporting Easier for Residents

Jefferson County commissioners on Thursday approved spending $67,700 for Rock Solid, a program designed to make it easier for residents to report county repair needs such as potholes and drainage issues. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

A.G. Gaston Motel Restoration Receives $1.1 Million Grant

The A.G. Gaston Motel restoration project has received a $1.1 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to go toward restoration of the interior coffee shop and dining room in the 1968 wing of the historic motel. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Draft Bill Closes 5 Prisons, Leaves Fate of Others to Be Determined

The prison construction bill the Alabama Legislature will consider in next week’s special session expressly closes five prisons in the state but leaves the futures of others up to decision makers at a later date. Men’s facilities Hamilton Aged and Infirmed Center, Staton, Elmore and Kilby and the Julia Tutwiler women’s prison would be closed under the bill in its draft form. The prison plan’s first phase includes two new 4,000-bed prisons in Elmore and Escambia counties and allows the state to borrow up to $785 million for their construction. Phase two includes a new women’s prison, though there’s no dedicated funding for that project in the bill. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

JeffCo Commissioners Just Won’t Let Go of Petelos

“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!” — Al Pacino from The Godfather Part 3 Tony Petelos could have recited Pacino’s famous line except the retiring county manager knew he wasn’t out. At least not yet. Cal Markert, the deputy county manager who was recently hired to be county manager, was called on to present the report of the county manager during Tuesday’s committee meeting of the Jefferson County Commission. Markert mentioned that Petelos was in his office, taking in the meeting via livestream. Hearing that, commissioners asked Petelos to join them for his final committee meeting. “I've said once and I've said it again and again and again,” Petelos said. “We have good staff in place. I feel confident about the staff in the county. You commissioners work well together. You don't agree on everything but you do work well together.” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Crestwood Blvd Hotel Has Eight Weeks to Clean Up Its Act, Council Says

USA Economy Lodge has had 151 calls over the past six months. The Birmingham City Council is giving it eight weeks to turn the operation around and could revoke its business license. Read more.

by Sam Prickett