Field of Candidates for Birmingham Mayor Continues to Grow
UPDATED May 18, 2021 — Six people so far have lined up to challenge Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin for a chance to lead the city. Read more.
Government
Leadership Pleased With First Two Weeks of Session
MONTGOMERY — House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, says he is pleased with what has been accomplished so far in the legislative session and expects the same amount of productivity when lawmakers come back in a week. “What we’ve gotten done over these last two weeks is phenomenal," McCutcheon told reporters upon the House's adjournment Thursday. "We’ve even done better than I thought we would." Three priority bills — renewing and revamping economic development incentives, untaxing COVID-19 relief funds and providing limited liability to businesses, schools and organizations from COVID-19 related lawsuits — all passed in short order and have been signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey. Increased safety precautions, including limiting public access to the State House, will still be in place when legislators come back, McCutcheon said, but there could be a loosening of restrictions as time moves on. Read more.
Both of Alabama’s Senators Vote to Acquit Trump
Alabama’s senators voted to acquit former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial, both citing the constitutionality of the prosecution. “The Constitution speaks of removing a sitting president, not a private citizen,” Sen. Richard C. Shelby said in a statement posted to his website and social media. “I recently voted to dismiss this case based on its questionable constitutionality. The framers were clear in limiting impeachment to the president, vice president, and civil officers of the United States. That is why today, I voted to acquit,” Shelby said. Sen. Tommy Tuberville also said in a statement that he had concerns about the constitutionality of the trial. “But I had a duty as a juror to listen to the arguments of both sides and keep an open mind, which I did,” he said. “After hearing the arguments presented, I voted to not convict for a number of reasons, including the fact that I don’t think the Senate has the authority to try a private citizen.” Read more. Also read: Alabamians and Politicians Connect to the Insurrection From Start to Finish Democrats Gearing Up for Effort to Oust Mo Brooks in 2022 ‘For everything there is a season’: Richard Shelby Declines Senate Reelection Run in 2022
Jefferson County Commission OK’s More Cleanup Help in Fultondale
Joe Knight didn’t want Fultondale tornado victims to miss out on help from whomever that aid might come. The District 4 Jefferson County Commissioner suggested that a resolution on today’s commission agenda be tweaked to broaden the scope of entities that could come to the north Jefferson County city to assist in cleanup. Read more.
Legislative Briefs: Alcohol Delivery, License Plate Data Among Bills Gaining Approval
The Senate on Thursday approved a bill to allow home delivery of beer, wine and alcohol. Sen. Jabo Waggoner’s Senate Bill 126 sets up a delivery license process, fees and rules This legislation is the same as Rep. Gil Isbell’s House Bill 229, which has received committee approval. Isbell, R-Gadsden, last month said the legislation would allow companies such as Birmingham-based Shipt that bring people their groceries to also bring alcohol. “It’s about the convenience; we’re in a busy world,” Isbell said. The bills are separate from legislation to allow direct shipment of wine from wineries and retailers to Alabamians’ homes. Read more.
COVID-19 Makes Kindergarten Requirement Bill ‘Priority’
MONTGOMERY — A bill to require Alabama public school students to attend kindergarten or take an assessment to go directly to first grade received its first vote of approval, passing the House Education Policy Committee Wednesday. Bill sponsor Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, said her goal is to offer a complete education to students. "Pre-K is not available for every child in the state of Alabama, so if there is a child who misses pre-K and kindergarten, that child is not ready for the first grade," Warren said. "So my whole thing is in support of the student being completely ready to go into the first grade when they get there." Read more. Also in the Legislature Thursday House Approves Improved Benefits for Newer Teachers Legislative Briefs: Alcohol Delivery, License Plate Data Among Bills Gaining Approval Earlier This Week Tax Reform, Economic Development Bills Sent to Ivey Broadband Expansion Bill Passes First Vote in Legislature AI in Crime Fighting, Wine Shipments, Memorial Preservation, Other Topics Discussed in the Legislature Wednesday School Funding Change on the Move in the Legislature PTSD Coverage for First Responders, Wiretapping Bill Passes House Read more on the legislative session.
House Approves Improved Benefits for Newer Teachers
The Alabama House on Thursday approved a bill to modify retirement benefits for newer teachers in the state. Advocates say more attractive benefits, including the ability to roll over sick leave and collect retirement after 30 years, will help with the state’s teacher shortage. The bill is a scaled-back version of legislation that has previously passed the House and died in the Senate. Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, told Alabama Daily News that House Bill 93 will reduce disparity between the older Tier I and newer Tier II retirement tracks and help keep young teachers in the state. Read more.
Tax Reform, Economic Development Bills Sent to Ivey
The Alabama Senate on Wednesday gave final passage to bills preventing the taxing of federal relief funds and revamping the state's economic development incentives, sending the first two of three priority bills to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature. Read more. More from the Legislature this week Broadband Expansion Bill Passes First Vote in Legislature AI in Crime Fighting, Wine Shipments, Memorial Preservation, Other Topics Discussed in the Legislature Wednesday School Funding Change on the Move in the Legislature PTSD Coverage for First Responders, Wiretapping Bill Passes House Read more on the legislative session.
Broadband Expansion Bill Passes First Vote in Legislature
Legislation to organize and fund greater broadband internet expansion across the state passed its first committee vote on Wednesday with no opposition. Senate Bill 215 is sponsored by Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, who is also sponsoring a large gambling bill that if passed would be able to partially fund broadband efforts. “It was very clear that there was a strong emphasis that if we were able to get a gaming package, we need to address broadband,” Marsh told Senate Tourism Committee members. He chairs that committee. Read more. School Funding Change on the Move in the Legislature Legislative Briefs Read more on the legislative session.
PTSD Coverage for First Responders, Wiretapping Bill Passes House
Several Bills Were passed in the House on Tuesday. Read more.