Category: Government
Birmingham Council Nixes Car Wash in Red Mountain, Hears Calls for Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Proclamation
The Birmingham City Council tackled issues local and global Tuesday, hearing an appeal for a car wash planned for the Red Mountain neighborhood along with a plea from residents urging a proclamation to condemn hostilities in Gaza. Read more.
Birmingham Council Allocates $2M DOJ Grant to Expand Youth Violence Prevention Program
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday voted to give nearly $2 million from a federal grant to expand a local violence prevention program. The Restore program, which offers mental health and case management services to Birmingham youths, has covered children aged 15 to 19, but the initiative is being expanded to include children as young as 11. Read more.
For the First Time in 37 Years, Jefferson County Makes Major Change to Tax Maps
For the first time in 37 years, the Jefferson County Tax Assessor’s Office has completed a comprehensive countywide resurvey that has modernized parcel data that will impact more than 600,000 residents and departments such as the Board of Equalization.
The tax map is the foundation for some of the county’s most important functions, from emergency services to the U.S. Postal Service and every municipality in the county. Read more.
Alabama Pharmacists Urge Lawmakers to Pass HB238
Supporters of the legislation say it would create a more transparent reimbursement system for struggling pharmacies. The bill’s opponents worry it could drive up insurance costs.
Birmingham Council Gives $5M Toward Public Health Data System
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved $5 million for a nonprofit research organization to develop a public health data system program that will leverage personalized medical data as well as data from clinical trials to help patients get the best care available. Read more.
Where Do Your Dollars Go?
Mayor Randall Woodfin stood in front of a crowd Monday night holding up a dollar bill. The city spends 75 cents of every dollar on personnel, with just a quarter going to Birmingham’s operating budget, he told the residents and officials gathered.
Birmingham officials held the town hall — during which Woodfin explained the city’s budget process and residents had a chance to voice their interests — as the city prepares to create a new budget, for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Council President Darrell O’Quinn said that, to the best of his knowledge, Monday’s event, held at Boutwell Auditorium, was the first such budget town hall city leaders have done. Read more.
Special Elections Set to Replace Former Rep. John Rogers; Rogers Officially Resigns
John Rogers officially has resigned from the Alabama Legislature after more than 40 years representing his district, and the governor Monday set a special primary election for June 18 and general election for Oct. 1 to choose his replacement. Read more.
As Alabama Tries to Legalize Sports Betting, Advocates Point to Neighboring States’ Success
Increased tax revenues in states like Louisiana are one reason many pro-sports betting Alabamians say it’s time to catch up to neighbors in the Gulf South. Read more.
Prosecutors Recommend Home Detention, Fine for Rogers on Fraud and Obstruction Plea
State Rep. John Rogers, the longest-serving member of the Alabama House of Representatives, agreed Monday to resign his office and plead guilty to fraud and obstruction charges.
Rogers, an 83-year-old Birmingham Democrat, is accused in a kickback scheme that involved giving $400,000 from the taxpayer-funded Jefferson County Community Service Fund to the Piper Davis Youth Baseball League and then, along with his assistant, receiving $200,00 of that money back. Read more.
Rep. Rogers Set to Plead Guilty, Resign in Connection With Fraud Scheme
DEVELOPING — State Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, has agreed to resign his office and plead guilty to charges in connection with a scheme to defraud a Jefferson County fund intended to provide for school construction, school boards and public projects. Read more.
