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Ivey Signs State Budgets Into Law

MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law the state’s two budgets Monday after a unique and at some points tense final weeks of the 2020 regular legislative session. “I appreciate the hard work of the Legislature during an unprecedented regular session,” Ivey said in an emailed statement. “While we have yet to know the full impact of COVID-19 on our state, these budgets will ensure continuity of government, while being fiscally responsible. There is more work to be done, and I look forward to working with the Legislature in the days ahead.” A $7.2 billion Education Trust Fund budget was approved, as well as a $2.3 billion General Fund budget, both for fiscal year 2021, which begins in October. Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Alabama’s House Delegation Votes Along Party Lines on 3rd Relief Package

The House on Friday narrowly approved a $3 trillion coronavirus relief package (HR 6800). Alabama’s representatives voted along party lines, with Democrat Rep. Terri Sewell voting to approve and the Republicans voting against the matter. The measure is unlikely to become law. Republican senators oppose it, and President Trump has said he would veto it. Read more.

by Voterama in Congress

After Dispute, Ivey Sends Lawmakers Proposal for $1.8B in Coronavirus Spending

MONTGOMERY — A week after a public dispute between Gov. Kay Ivey and members of the Legislature about who should control about $1.8 billion in federal coronavirus relief money, the governor on Thursday sent lawmakers a detailed proposal for allocating most of it. The proposed expenditures include money for state agencies' COVID-19 expenses, businesses, nonprofits and faith-based groups and technology and infrastructure expenses. Read more.

by Mary Sell and Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily News

Sessions Pens Open Letter to Voters After Trump Endorses Tuberville in GOP Senate Primary Runoff

A stinging rebuke by President Donald Trump, plus Trump’s endorsement of his election opponent, has left former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions scampering to stay alive in the Republican Senate primary runoff race — and prompting Sessions to write an open letter to Alabama voters, explaining many of his actions while serving as the head of the Department of Justice. Sessions released his letter on Tuesday morning through his campaign website and in emails to the news media, in which he reiterated his support of Trump’s policies and again explained his decision to recuse himself from the investigation of the Trump campaign and allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Read more.

by Robert Carter

Alabama Republicans Criticize New Pelosi Relief Bill

Republican members of Alabama’s Congressional delegation are none too pleased with a new coronavirus relief bill pushed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with some calling the $3 trillion plan “liberal la la land” and a “socialist wish list” that won’t pass the Senate. Pelosi has said she wants a vote Friday on the package that includes more than $900 billion to state and local governments, a second round of $1,200 checks to individuals and up to $6,000 per household, a $200 billion hazard pay fund for essential workers, health insurance subsidies for laid-off workers, $175 billion for rent and mortgage assistance, $25 billion to boost the U.S. Postal Service and an extension of $600-a-week supplemental unemployment benefits. “It’s nothing but a socialist wish list that has no chance of passing the Senate, so it’s an incredible waste of time,” said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, who represents east Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District. Read more.

by Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily News

Five COVID-19 Cases at State Mental Hospital for the Elderly; Admission to State Mental Hospitals Halted

Five patients at the state’s Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatry Center have tested positive for COVID-19 since May 1. The positive cases came from two of four units in the hospital in Tuscaloosa. Interactions among the elderly patients, many of whom have dementia, in those units have been limited, Dr. Mark Woods, medical director for the Alabama Department of Mental Health, told Alabama Daily News on Wednesday. “You have to realize, social distancing in this population is very, very difficult,” Woods said. “You know, you don’t want to restrain or force this population that already has a major issue with confusion. Any restrictions are very difficult. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Census Response Map Shows Lags as Field Operations Restart

About 1.4 million Alabama households have turned in their 2020 census forms, a state self-response rate of 56.7% compared to a national rate of 58.6%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. State agencies are now putting extra effort in those parts of the state where responses are lagging. A swath of Black Belt and southern counties, and a few in north Alabama, are trailing in mail-in, internet and telephone replies, according to a map maintained by the Census Bureau. Early this week, Coosa County in central Alabama had the lowest return rate at 26.6%. The response rate data is based on 2018 and 2019 population estimates. Census kickoff efforts in March and April got off to a slow start because of the coronavirus. Read more and see interactive map.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Dogs Gone: Live Greyhound Racing Ends at Birmingham Race Course

The COVID-19 pandemic is known for being fatal mostly to those who were in poor health before they were infected. One of the latest victims of the virus would certainly fit that description, even though the victim is not a person, but a well-known institution. The Birmingham Race Course, which began in 1987 as a Thoroughbred racing facility and which added greyhound racing in 1992, has run its last live race. The announcement came on April 22 from Kip Keefer, the head of the Birmingham Racing Commission, after he found out from track owners. Read more.

by Robert Carter
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