Alabama Educators Push Back on Bill Banning ‘Divisive Concepts’ From the Classroom
Lawmakers also took action this week on a delay to a school reading requirement and a ban on transgender treatments for youths. Read more.
Government
Public Hearing on New Birmingham City Council Districts Set for March 29
The Birmingham City Council has set a March 29 public hearing to discuss proposed changes to the city’s council districts based on 2020 census data. Last month, the council hired Crimcard Consulting Services to lead the redistricting process, which is required each decade by city law. After several individual meetings with councilors, Crimcard presented proposed districts to the council Feb. 14. A digital map of the proposed changes has not yet been made available; that information will be shared on the city’s website this week, officials said, but video of the presentation is available on the council’s Facebook page. The redistricting process has already proven controversial, with District 3 Councilor Valerie Abbott expressing dismay that part of the Five Points South neighborhood would be reassigned to District 6, currently represented by Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman. Read more.
Bill That Would Ban Concealed Carry Permits in Alabama Advances
Lawmakers also advanced a so-called bathroom bill but delayed a bill increasing penalties for rioters. Read more.
Jefferson County Enlists Zoning Officials in Battle Against ‘Poop Trains,’ Littering
The Jefferson County commissioners Thursday enlisted the aid of county personnel to fight illegal dumping, littering and violations involving “poop trains” in the county. And those they enlisted are already on the frontlines. “We designated the sanitation and ordinance inspectors, the zoning inspectors, the zoning supervisor and the zoning administrator as solid waste officers,” County Attorney Theo Lawson said. “By being designated as solid waste officers, that then gives them the authority under the code to write citations for criminal littering. Those folks are now able to enforce criminal littering through issuing citations. That should be a huge increase in our folks' ability to enforce criminal littering.” Read more.
Applications Close Soon for Flood Damage Relief in Central Alabama
Jefferson and Shelby counties experienced flooding in October 2021. The federal applications for flooding relief close soon. Read more.
JeffCo Commissioners Discuss Laws to Stop “Poop Trains” From Hauling Waste Into the County
In the race to attract businesses from the North, the Jefferson County Commission made it clear that it would rather not be in the race, and it certainly doesn’t want to win the race. At least when it comes to “poop trains.” During its committee meeting today, commissioners discussed a couple of matters they hope will address a renewed effort by companies in New York and New Jersey to ship solid waste to Jefferson County by rail. So-called “poop trains” made a literal and figurative stink in 2017 as solid waste was brought into the area by rail. A resolution that was moved to the agenda of Thursday’s commission meeting would establish solid waste officers who would help enforce ordinances put in place concerning illegal littering and, more specifically, the poop trains that are coming into Jefferson County from up north. Read more.
Mahogany Club Given Stay of Execution, New Birmingham Council Hearing Set
Once again, the Birmingham City Council is considering the closure of a nightclub due to several instances of gun violence and other crimes. This time, the club is Mahogany Social Bar and Lounge, at 1709 Third St. W in the city’s Rising-West Princeton neighborhood. Temple’s attempt to obtain a new liquor license and dance permit for Mahogany was met with open skepticism by many city councilors based on claims by police that the nightclub is a threat to public safety. But one councilor said neighborhood officers had written a letter supporting the club and its owner, who they said had responded to previous complaints. Read more.
Alabama Republicans Pass Bill to Hike Penalties for Removing Confederate Monuments
Republicans also advanced a bill that would require jail time for those who participate in a riot, plus another banning certain therapies for transgender youth. Read more.
School Choice and Permitless Carry Bills Face Rocky Road in the Alabama Legislature
Alabama often falls near the bottom among states when it comes to school standardized test scores. One state lawmaker said that needs to change and proposed what he called the “ultimate” school choice bill to shake up the education system. Republican State Sen. Del Marsh of Anniston introduced a bill that would allow families to
Second Verse Same as the First: Four of Five JeffCo Commissioners Have No Known Election Challengers
The next Jefferson County Commission will look very much like the current one as four of the sitting five commissioners have no challenger in the upcoming primary or the general election. Qualifying for the May 24 party primary elections concluded Friday with four of the five incumbents facing no opposition. District 2 Commissioner Sheila Tyson was the lone exception; Steve Small qualified to face her in the Democratic primary. None of the commission seats has a qualifier from the other party in November’s general election. Barring a successful independent or third-party challenge, Republicans Jimmie Stephens (District 3), Joe Knight (District 4) and Steve Ammons (District 5) and Democrat Lashunda Scales (District 1) will remain in office another four years. Stephens and Knight were initially elected in 2010. Scales, Ammons and Tyson were first elected to the commission in 2018. Commissioners questioned Tuesday said the lack of challengers is an endorsement of the work they’ve done. “It says that all five commissioners – not just four – all five commissioners have been working for the betterment of their communities,” said Stephens, the commission president. “We all run in districts, and everyone within those districts are extremely satisfied. They did not see a need to change. “That means that we as a commission are working together to get things done to improve the quality of life for our citizens in Jefferson County,” he continued. “That is indeed what we were elected to do.” Read more.