Government

Birmingham City Council Approves “Brunch Bill,” Extension of 1-Cent Sales Tax

April 10, 2018 — The Birmingham City Council approved two revenue-generating ordinances during Tuesday’s meeting — one allowing for earlier alcohol sales on Sundays and the other extending the city’s 1-cent sales tax indefinitely. The first of those, nicknamed the “brunch bill,” will allow restaurants in the city to service alcohol for on-premises consumption starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays. Previously, restaurants had been barred from selling alcohol from 2 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sundays, a rule that still applies to retailers selling alcohol for off-premises consumption. The sales tax extension proved more controversial, with two councilors expressing concern over how the revenue was being spent. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

All’s Not Quiet at Birmingham Public Library: Board Surveys Employees after Criticism of Director

Update: Library Personnel Committee Meets in Closed Session, Will Report to Library Board Next Month A survey asking the Birmingham Public Library’s 285 employees about staff morale was conducted last week amid growing concerns over employee dissatisfaction and public criticism of the library’s new executive director. James Sullivan, president of the BPL board of trustees, said the staff survey was prompted in part by concern about unfavorable comments from BPL employees in response to an online article about the library’s new executive director, Floyd Council. “We’ve seen the comments, and we are taking everyone’s concerns seriously. We are doing the survey to see what people are saying and to gauge morale. Whatever they say, we are going to address and take appropriate action,” said Sullivan, who has served on the board since 2016 and was reappointed in 2018. Comments posted by people who identified themselves as BPL employees detailed concerns about Council’s treatment of employees, his management style and the loss of key personnel who resigned in recent months. Read more.

by Jackie Romine Walburn

Court Grants Fairfield Mayor Preliminary Injunction Against City Council

Mayor Ed May II has won the first round in his battle with the Fairfield City Council. A Jefferson County judge issued a preliminary injunction in May’s favor Monday. The injunction prevents the council from stripping the mayor of most functions of his position, which had been reduced to a largely ceremonial job. It also temporarily restores the original functions to May, including the power to hire and fire, and sets aside the appointment of City Clerk Mary Roberson as city manager. Read more.

by Robert Carter

The Money Behind the Campaigns

Candidates running in Alabama’s June 5 primaries periodically must file reports with the Secretary of State’s Office naming their contributors. Here are contributions through the end of March for candidates in the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and chief justice races. Read more.

by Virginia Martin

Campaign Contributions in the Race for Lieutenant Governor

Candidates running for lieutenant governor recently filed campaign finance reports listing contributors to their campaigns. Here are contributions of $2,500 and up declared by each candidate. Read more.

by Glenn Stephens

Campaign Contributions in the Race for Chief Justice

Candidates running for chief justice recently filed campaign finance reports listing contributors to their campaigns. Here are contributions of $2,500 and up declared by each candidate. Read more.

by Glenn Stephens

Campaign Contributions in the Race for Attorney General

Candidates running for attorney general recently filed campaign finance reports listing contributors to their campaigns. Here are contributions of $2,500 and up declared by each candidate. Read more.

by Glenn Stephens

Campaign Contributions in the Race for Governor

Candidates running for governor recently filed campaign finance reports listing contributors to their campaigns. Here are contributions of $2,500 and up declared by each candidate. Read more.

by Glenn Stephens

In Mobile, New U.S. Attorney Emphasizes Listening Locally, Keeping What Works, Respect

U.S. Attorney Richard Moore, who presides over the Southern District of Alabama, based in Mobile, said listening to his community is a big part of tackling the hardest problems in South Alabama. “You know, first we have tried to start with making sure that we listen to the community, meaning the community leaders – the people who have the most interest in their streets, their neighborhoods – to see what the will is of the community and to talk about possibilities with them,” Moore said. Listening to community leaders might not be what some would expect from a federal prosecutor appointed by President Donald Trump and working in Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ Justice Department. Moore said his priorities are the same as those of all U.S. attorney’s around the country. At the same time, his jurisdiction is facing some particular issues, he said. Read more.

by Nick Patterson

Marshall Leads the Pack of AG Candidates in Fundraising

Incumbent Steve Marshall has raised $629,185 in his bid to win a full term as Alabama’s attorney general, according to his latest financial disclosure report. Marshall faces two former prosecutors, Troy King and Alice Martin, in the June 5 Republican primary. Birmingham lawyer Chess Bedsole rounds out the field of candidates for the GOP nomination. On the Democratic side, Birmingham attorneys James S. “Chris” Christie Jr. and Joseph Jay Siegelman are vying for the nomination. Read more.

by Glenn Stephens