WASHINGTON — Alabama’s members of Congress voted along party lines on all major issues during the legislative week ending May 14. Those included bills to limit actions on debt collectors, require accommodations for pregnant workers and confirm nominations by President Biden. Read more.
MONTGOMERY — As the state’s plan to lease new mega-prisons hit another apparent roadblock Monday, more lawmakers appear ready for the state to instead borrow money to construct its own new facilities. Some legislative leaders on Monday said lawmakers are ready to approve a state-owned prison plan. At least one said support would be there as early as next Monday, the Legislature’s final day of the regular session. Multiple sources told Alabama Daily News that lawmakers have discussed taking current legislation that is awaiting final passage and substituting it with language initiating a state prison bond process similar to one former Gov. Robert Bentley pursued in 2016 and 2017. Read more.
Mayor Randall Woodfin said he will not resign despite Black Lives Matter Birmingham’s calls for him to do so following last month’s police killing of Desmon Montez Ray Jr. Ray, 28, was killed by police on Easter Sunday as they responded to a domestic dispute call in north Birmingham. After a chase, officers say Ray fired a gun at police as he exited his vehicle; they returned fire, killing him. After criticism from Ray’s family and local activists, Birmingham Police Chief Patrick D. Smith released three videos — from officers’ body cameras and a neighbor’s security camera — showing the shooting. On Monday, Black Lives Matter Birmingham called the release of the videos “unacceptable.” Read more.
Legislation is needed to ensure Alabama families and restaurant owners aren’t penalized on their state income taxes for credits and grants they receive under the federal American Rescue Plan Act. But with one day left in this year’s regular legislative session, a proposed bill on the matter isn’t likely to pass. That means it probably will have to wait until later in the year. The $1.9 trillion federal rescue plan’s enhanced child tax credit, earned income tax credit and child and dependent care tax credit will be worth about $1.7 billion to Alabama taxpayers, and payments will begin this summer, Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, said. Additionally, Alabama restaurants are expected to receive about $426 million in grants. If lawmakers don’t act, Alabamians could be taxed more than $100 million in state income taxes, he said. Read more.
MONTGOMERY— The Alabama Legislature gave final approval this week to a bill creating a new state authority to oversee the expansion of high-speed broadband internet services throughout the state. There's no specific revenue stream for the effort that experts have said would take billions of dollars. Thursday evening, an expanded gambling proposal, part of which was intended to fund broadband, seemed to be stalled in the House. But advocates say they expect significant federal funding in the near future. Read more. More from the Legislature: Legislative Briefs: Raising Age for Nicotine Purchases, Extend Daylight Saving Time Judicial, DA Pay Changes Go to the Governor Bill Would Allow Police to Issue Citations Rather Than Make Arrests Read complete coverage of the Legislature
MONTGOMERY — A Republican state lawmaker and former probate judge from Troy wants to be Alabama's top election official. State Rep. Wes Allen announced his campaign for the Republican nomination for secretary of state on Thursday. He has served in the Alabama House of Representatives since 2018 and before that as Pike County Probate Judge for nearly a decade. Read more.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved a bill allowing the public release of photos of those who solicit prostitutes, but members requested a significant change. As written and passed by the House, House Bill 271 by Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, would allow the release of law enforcements' mugshots of those arrested for hiring or seeking to hire prostitutes. The Senate committee wants it changed on the Senate floor to allow for the release of photos only upon convictions. “It’s as simple as this: you’re innocent until proven guilty,” Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham said. Read more.
Jefferson County commissioners learned Tuesday that Wheless Partners will be hired to conduct a nationwide search to replace County Manager Tony Petelos, who announced his retirement recently. Read more.
Jefferson County commissioners learned Tuesday about the local company that will be tasked with looking for a new county manager. County Manager Tony Petelos, who announced his retirement recently, told commissioners at their committee meeting that Wheless Partners will conduct a nationwide search for his replacement. “They're going to be contacting all the commissioners to get input,” Petelos said. “I felt like having a local company would be better than having a company from out of state.” Read more.
MONTGOMERY -- A bill that would change the pay structure for judges around the state and give them a raise has been approved by the Legislature. Senate Bill 292 was amended in the House last week to also change the compensation schedule of district attorneys and the state attorney general. The Senate agreed in a 30-0 vote on Tuesday. The bill now goes to the governor. Current law says circuit judges' salaries are set by statute and then district and appellate judges and Supreme Court justices' salaries are based on circuit judges’ pay. Senate Bill 292 sets separate initial salaries for the various judges, as well as district attorneys and the attorney general, and provides for 7.5% raises each term. Read more.
