Government

Move to Up Anti-Bingo Efforts in JeffCo Squelched as Questions About Proposal Still Unanswered

Jimmie Stephens had hoped to leave Thursday’s meeting of the Jefferson County Commission with the county fully armed in its efforts to squelch illegal bingo in unincorporated Jefferson County. Instead, the commission president left the meeting disappointed after the resolution failed on a 2-2 vote. As in Tuesday’s committee meeting of the commission, Stephens would not discuss specifics of how the resolution would help the county crack down on bingo operations. The resolution states only: “Therefore, be it resolved by the Jefferson County Commission that the resolution directing the County Attorney to pursue and initiate all legal actions.” Stephens said the resolution called for no new ordinances to have been passed today. “It was the enforcement of the existing ordinances to be uniform and the enforcement of all of our zoning ordinances,” Stephens said after the meeting. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

These 3 Black Moms Receive a ‘Guaranteed Income.’ Here’s What They’re Doing With It.

As payments roll in, guaranteed income recipients in Birmingham, Atlanta and New Orleans reflect on what it means for their lives. Read more.

by Aubri Juhasz and Stephan Bisaha/Gulf States Newsroom

Jefferson County Proposes to Add Weapon in War on Bingo, but What Is It?

If it’s been said once, it’s been said a thousand times: Bingo is not legal in unincorporated Jefferson County. Thursday’s Jefferson County Commission meeting could bring a new weapon in the county’s war against the activity. But Commission President Jimmie Stephens and County Attorney Theo Lawson are keeping their cards close to their vest following today’s commission committee meeting. While the committee agenda included a proposed resolution regarding illegal bingo in unincorporated Jefferson County, Stephens said the resolution wasn’t precisely about bingo but about zoning enforcement. However, the two would not tell other commissioners what exactly they’ll be asked to vote on Thursday, much to the chagrin of Commissioner Lashunda Scales, who wanted to know things like how much it would cost and who would be authorized to enforce it. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Citing Population Loss, Old Facilities, Alabama Counties Continue to Cut Voting Precincts

Decisions about polling places in Alabama are up to county officials. A 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Shelby County, Ala., v. Holder, eliminated the requirement for any changes in voting procedures in Alabama and several other states to be approved by the U.S. Department of Justice. Since 2010, 31 Alabama counties have closed 155 voting precincts. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Staff Shortages Delay Trash and Brush Pickup in Birmingham

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin told the City Council on Tuesday that staffing shortages were the root cause of recent delays in bulk trash and brush pickups throughout the city. Councilor Valerie Abbott said she’d received “tons of calls” from residents upset that their trash had not been picked up. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

Tyson Says JeffCo Not Getting ‘Most Bang for Its Buck’ for TWG 2022; Knight Expects Budget Shortfall

Sheila Tyson said Jefferson County hasn’t gotten “the most bang for its buck” from The World Games 2022. She expressed that sentiment as she and other commissioners met this morning at the Bessemer Justice Center. Tyson said Commissioner Joe Knight, the commission’s representative to The World Games, should have been more prominently used, perhaps during the Opening Ceremony last week or the Closing Ceremony set for Sunday. “We have just as much money (invested in The World Games) as the city has,” Tyson said. “I feel like Commissioner Knight should have at least been able to speak at the Opening and the Closing Ceremony. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Lawsuit Aims to Block Alabama From Using COVID Relief Funds on Prison Project

The U.S. Treasury said prison construction is a “generally ineligible” use of American Rescue Plan funds, but has not intervened in Alabama's plans. Read more.

by Mary Scott Hodgin, WBHM

JeffCo Commission Indicates It Will Look for Alternate Absentee Voting Space After Clerk Alleges Voter Suppression

Bessemer Absentee Voting Clerk Karen Dunn Burks had a hug for every member of the Jefferson County Commission present after the panel settled on a resolution to a contentious disagreement over where absentee voting will take place in Bessemer. During its meeting Tuesday at the Bessemer Justice Center, commissioners moved to Thursday’s meeting agenda a plan for absentee voting to continue in the ceremonial courtroom in the basement of the justice center while the offices of the county manager and general services explore the possibility of moving the office to the second floor. Burks last week accused Jefferson County government of voter suppression because of plans to move her office from the courtroom basement to another office also in the basement. She contended the plan created unfair conditions and accommodations for voters and was inhumane. After Tuesday’s meeting, Burks said, “I feel very hopeful. I feel very good. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

County Election Official Contends Moving Office Is Voter Suppression

Bessemer Absentee Voting Clerk Karen Dunn Burks accused Jefferson County government of voter suppression in moving her office from the ceremonial courtroom in the basement of the Bessemer Justice Center to office space there. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

The Supreme Court’s EPA Decision Could Hamper Regulators’ Ability to Protect the Public

The agency will still be allowed to regulate many forms of air pollution but would need explicit direction from Congress on how to tackle some of the worst aspects of climate change and other pressing issues. Read more.

by Lisa Song, ProPublica