State AG coalition calling out Chase for religious discrimination
A group of attorneys general from across the U.S. is going after one of the country’s largest banks, which it claims treats some Christians unfairly. In a letter recently sent to JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, the groups said the bank preaches “openness and inclusivity,” but it has “persistently discriminated” against some religious liberty groups. “Chase cannot call itself ‘inclusive’ and say that it ‘opposes discrimination in any form’ while simultaneously disenfranchising its clients over religious and political differences,” Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who took the lead in the effort, said. “I’m leading this coalition to stand up for Kentuckians.” In the eight-page letter, Cameron notes Chase “de-banked” the National Committee for Religious Freedom last year, with the group learning its account at a Chase branch in Washington, D.C., was canceled just a few weeks after it was created. The group said the financial institution offered to restore the account if it provided a list of donors, a list of political candidates it backed, and its rationale for endorsements. The NCRF was not alone in being excluded. Cameron also pointed to the pro-life Family Council had an account ended by a credit card processor Chase owned after it was determined to be a “high-risk” group. Meanwhile, Chase touts the scores and marks it received from groups like the Human Rights Campaign, which fights for LGBTQ+ rights. That shows a “concerning double standard,” Cameron said. “This pattern of discrimination means that many Kentuckians, and many residents of the states represented by the signatories to this letter, are at risk of being de-banked without notice or recourse,” said Cameron, a Republican who is running for the party’s gubernatorial nomination later this month. The letter calls on Chase to end discriminating against certain groups for their religious or political beliefs. One way it can show that is by participating in the National Center for Public Policy Research’s Viewpoint Diversity Score Business Index survey, which Cameron said measures “corporate respect for religious and ideological diversity.” Besides Cameron, the letter was also signed by attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Tommy Tuberville continues to denounces taxpayer-funded elective abortions at VA facilities
Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville sent a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough demanding answers about the agency’s new rule that funds abortions at VA medical facilities. “I have asked several times for data and materials on the implementation of the rule, but your Department has refused to provide information, claiming privacy and sensitivity issues,” wrote Senator Tuberville. “As a Member of this Committee, with a duty to provide oversight of services to veterans, taxpayer funding, and effective legislation, I reject the notion that VA can intentionally withhold information from Congress.” Tuberville has been asking questions about the VA’s revised abortion rule since a committee hearing in September 2022. Tuberville followed up with submitted questions in writing the same month and again in February 2023. “I have asked several times for data and materials on the implementation of the rule, but your Department has refused to provide information, claiming privacy and sensitivity issues,” Tuberville wrote. “I submitted a question for the record related to the hearing on September 21, 2022, regarding to this rule’s implementation. On February 15, 2023, I asked, again, for information related to this rule. On March 15, 2023, at a hearing of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on the Electronic Health Record Modernization program, I asked Under Secretary for Health, Dr. [Shereef] Elnahal, for information on the implementation of the rule, and he refused to provide any information. As of today, I still have not received answers to my questions.” Tuberville claims that to this point, the VA and Secretary McDonough have refused to fully comply with his requests for information. “I have asked several times for data and materials on the implementation of the rule, but your Department has refused to provide information, claiming privacy and sensitivity issues,” Tuberville charged. Tuberville gave the VA a deadline of May 17 to fully comply with his formal request for information and answer the questions he posed to the Biden Administration. Abortions are illegal in Alabama, but the Biden Administration has sought to thwart state law and the Alabama Constitution. Tuberville has voted to defund abortions at VA facilities. Sen. Tuberville has drawn criticism from the Biden administration and the Department of Defense for his holding up of military and Department of Defense promotions over his disagreement with the Biden administration’s controversial abortion policies in pro-life states. The Biden administration has denounced the Dobbs v. Jackson U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and maintains that abortion is a necessary healthcare procedure. Tuberville was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020 following a long successful career as a football coach, sports broadcaster, and educator. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Senate Committee advances education budget package
On Wednesday, the Finance and Taxation Education Committee approved over $11 billion in funding for education. State Senator Arthur Orr is the Chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee “This has been the most trying budget in my 14 years as a budget chairman,” Orr said. “To add something, you have to cut something. There are so many decisions in writing a budget. We did receive a budget from across the street. Some things I understood. There were some things there I didn’t understand.” $8,798,591,041 is in the 2024 fiscal year Education Trust Fund (ETF) budget itself – SB88. That is an increase from $8,261,590,649 in 2023 to $537,000,392—a 6.5% increase over the 2023 education budget. K-12 will increase from $5,626,390,769 in 2023 to $5,988,821,987 in 2024. Higher Ed will be increased from $2,116,780,588 to $2,258,619,038. The many other agencies in the ETF will be increased from $518,419,292 to $551,153,016. That is a decrease of $18,350,000 from Gov. Kay Ivey’s budget request. The actual ETF budget could have been much greater. An $11 billion ETF with different priorities and accounting was a real possibility. A large part of the budget package was not in the FY2024 ETF but was instead in a massive $ $2,787,667,309 supplemental appropriation to the already record 2023 education budget –SB87. This is in addition to the $8,261,590,649 already appropriated for education in the current 2023 budget year. 2022 and 2021 also saw massive supplemental appropriations bills swelling the dollars spent on education in those fiscal years beyond the ETF budgets. SB101 created the Educational Opportunities Reserve Fund, which functions as a second state savings account for when revenue collections fall below projects. Orr explained that the goal is to create a “waterfall” effect, where funds flow to funds so that in a 2009-style economic crash, there would still be funds to avoid proration. Orr warned that as of the end of April 2023, tax collections for the ETF are $30 million below what they were at this time in 2022. The most significant change between the Governor’s plan versus the Senate Committee plan is that the Governor’s generous tax rebate – SB86 – has been cut from $400 per tax filer to just $100 per filer. Orr explained that the cost of the governor’s rebate would have been $1,030,000,000. The cost of the much smaller committee rebate is $275 million. That is paid for in the supplemental appropriation for 2023. The Committee passed a pay increase for educators – SB85. All education employees will get a two percent across-the-board pay increase. Sen. Orr explained that the Legislature passed a salary matrix for teachers last year. “Teachers get at least a one percent step increase every year no matter what the Legislature does.” With the two percent across-the-board increase plus the one percent annual step increase, the teachers will get a three percent increase effective on October 1. Orr said the Legislature is considering creating a similar matrix for education support staff. Orr said that the Legislature is considering creating a “floor” for education support staff. The problem that the Legislature is running into is that teacher’s aides, janitors, lunchroom workers, secretaries, and school bus drivers pay scales vary widely from local system to system. SB269 established the K-12 Capital Grant Program within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor to provide grants to local schools to assist with capital projects, deferred maintenance, or technology needs. All the bills in the education budget package received favorable reports from the Committee. Traveling within the budget package is a controversial proposal to give private college, Birmingham Southern, a $30 million dollar loan to keep the struggling liberal arts institution afloat. Without a bailout of some sort, the college would be forced to close, the president said. SB278 is sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner. The full Senate could consider the whole education budget package as early as Thursday. The House has already passed the state general fund budget (SGF) – the other half of the twin budgets that the state passes every year. Thursday will be day 18 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama House passes bipartisan $45 million in tax cuts bill
On Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives voted to pass legislation eliminating all state income taxes on workers getting paid overtime. The sponsor estimates this amount to be a $40 million income tax cut for hourly workers. House Bill 217 (HB217) is sponsored by House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels. “This will put money back into the local economy because those workers will spend that money in their local areas,” Daniels explained. “This helps the hourly workers.” Daniels was asked what states have this. “This is a new idea that has never been tested, which is why we have a three-year sunset in case we need to go back and look at this,” Daniels said. “A lot of employers say that their employers will not work overtime because of the tax hit that they receive. This will allow companies to increased production with a smaller workforce.” Rep. Barbara Drummond said, “You have created a box that no one else has. I applaud you for bringing this bill.” Rep. Danny Garrett said, “The three-year sunset is so that we have an opportunity to evaluate it.” “I think this gets our labor force participation and productivity up,” Garrett said. Rep. Napoleon Bracy said, “In my day job, I have a responsibility to hire 1,200 people in the next three years. It is very hard to find them. The craft workers at our facility work Monday through Thursday ten hours a day. They are off Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It is real hard to get them to come in on their off days because the tax burden is so heavy on them.” “The hospitals are real excited about this,” Bracy added. “This lets us get more from the workers that we already have.” State Rep. John Rogers asked, “How much is this going to cost the employer?” Daniels said, “This will cost the employer nothing. For the employee, they will see less money taken from their checks.” Rogers asked, “This will help us with corrections officers?” Daniels said, “This will encourage them to work longer hours because they get to keep more of that money.” House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen said, “This is what we are down here for to make a difference.” “From what I am hearing along the borders, they are losing workers to other states,” Daniels said. “This will help with that.” The House voted to adopt the committee sub. State Rep. Paul Lee asked, “What does an employer have to do?” Daniels answered, “They just don’t collect the tax after the first forty hours. There are no fines or fees with this.” “This will not go into effect this calendar year,” Daniels explained. “This will go into effect in the next calendar year.” “The cost will be about $45 million,” Daniels estimated. The lost revenue will come from the education trust fund (ETF) budget. “The local economy will benefit more from this than the state,” Daniels said. What workers would have paid in income taxes will be spent at local stores and businesses, so that will bring in $1.8 million in additional sales taxes.” Lee said, “This is a very good Republican bill, and I appreciate you bringing it.” HB217 passed the House of Representatives 105 to 0. 100 members signed on as cosponsors of this legislation. This legislation will now go to the Senate for their consideration. Wednesday will be day 17 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Legislature passes changes to sheriff succession
On Thursday, the Alabama Senate voted in favor of legislation that would mandate that in the event of a vacancy in the office of sheriff that the next highest-ranking member of that department would assume the sheriff’s responsibilities until the governor can appoint a replacement. House Bill 276 (HB276) is sponsored by State Representative Ron Bolton. The legislation was carried in the Senate by Sen. Steve Livingston. “This changes an 1874 rule that the coroner would assume those duties,” Livingston told the Senate. Bolton explained that in the event of a vacancy in the sheriff’s office, the highest-ranking member of that department would take control of the department. This could be because of the death of the sheriff, the sheriff has been charged with a crime, or the sheriff has resigned or retired. Bolton said, “They will automatically take control of that office until the governor makes the appointment.” Bolton said that he has spoken with the sheriffs and that the Alabama Sheriffs Association helped to draft the bill. Rep. John Rogers asked, “What if the highest-ranking deputy has some charges pending against him?” Bolton said, “He would be removed himself. It would go to the next-ranking deputy.” Rep. Juandalynn Givan asked, “Did you talk to the sheriffs about this, and specifically, did you talk with Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway about this?” Bolton said, “I did. I taught Sheriff Pettway in the academy 27 years ago. The Sheriffs Association helped draft the bill, and I spoke with Sheriff Pettway about this when he is in town. Bolton said that the law establishing that the coroner assumes the powers of a sheriff in the event of a vacancy dates back to 1852. “It has been amended a number of times, but it has never been changed in terms of succession,” Bolton said. According to the synopsis, “Under existing law, when the office of the sheriff of a county is vacant or in certain other circumstances when existing law has provided that it is not appropriate for the sheriff to serve, the county coroner discharges the duties of the sheriff. This bill would provide that when the office of sheriff is vacant or when certain other circumstances exist, the highest ranking deputy sheriff in the county would serve as acting sheriff.” HB276 passed the Senate 33 to 0. It passed the House of Representatives 104 to 0 last week. It now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey for her consideration. Wednesday was day 17 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Legislature votes to regulate psychoactive cannabinoids
On Wednesday, the Alabama Legislature approved legislation that set the minimum age to purchase psychoactive cannabinoids at 21. The House of Representatives made several changes to the legislation when they passed it on Tuesday. Specifically, the House voted to jettison a 5% tax on the products that the Senate had included in their version of the bill. The House substitute also added a requirement for stores to put those products out of the reach of children and in child-proof containers. On Wednesday afternoon, the Senate voted to concur with the House changes and send the legislation to the Governor. Senate Bill 66 (SB66) is sponsored by State Senator Tim Melson. It was carried in the Alabama House of Representatives by State Representative Russell Bedsole. Bedsole explained that the legislation deals with psychoactive cannabinoids: Delta 8 and Delta 10. “This legislation contains penalties if you are caught selling this,” Bedsole said. “There are penalties if you are caught in possession of these if you are under 21.” Bledsole explained that these products are packaged in such a way that they are designed and target children. “There is no oversight,” Bedsole said. “Oftentimes, the THC content is much higher than advertised on the packaging.” Rep. Juandalynn Givan said, “Thank you for bringing this. We have had some problems in Jefferson County with students purchasing candies and getting sick. We need to get a handle on what is going on with these candies. We had an incident with a young girl last week in Jefferson County who got really sick from one of these candies.” Givan said that these products sold on the shelves differ from marijuana. “The weed man is my friend,” Givan said. “This bill has nothing to do with the weed man. This is being sold in the open market in convenience stores on the shelf. There is also a problem with cough syrup and other products on the shelf.” “People don’t realize how dangerous these products are,” Bedsole said. “I hope there is a task force like Steve Marshall used to shut these bingos down,” Givan said. “I pray that there is a task force that goes into these stores.” Rep. Chris Sells said, “It is a great bill. I support anything that helps the children.” Rep. Anthony Daniels said, “I don’t understand why we have not to this point cracked down on this. It has had a negative impact on our communities.” Bedsole said, “Originally, this had a tax of five percent on it when it came out of the Senate. That tax has been removed.” “This product must be placed in a place not accessible to children,” Bedsole said. “This product should be behind the counter.” “There will be some form of community service for those below 21 found to be in possession,” Bedsole said, Rep. Barbara Drummond said, “I am so happy to see this bill as well as others that will come. I am for anything that we can do to protect children.” Rep. John Rogers asked, “How do you stop an adult from giving it to the kids?” “You can ask that question about so many laws that are on our books,” Bedsole answered. “We believe this bill is a good first step.” “The sub that came out of committee did not have an additional tax,” Bedsole said. The House voted to adopt the committee substitute 105 to 0. “I have a friendly amendment,” said Rep. Reed Ingram. “All the amendment does is that all the packaging has to be in a child-resistant container.” Bedsole replied, “I do consider the amendment to be a friendly amendment.” The House voted to adopt the Ingram amendment 105 to 0. Rep. Ron Bolton brought an amendment that raised the penalty for a third offense for violating this statute to $400. “The judge could still make the decision to require community service,” Bolton said. SB66 passed the House 105 to 0 On Wednesday, it returned to the Senate. Sen. Melson asked that the Senate concur with the House changes. “All they actually did was remove the tax that we had,” Melson said. “They also put it behind the counter and also put it in child-proof containers. I would like to concur with the House.” The full Senate voted to concur 33 to 0. SB66 now goes to the Governor for her consideration. Thursday will be day 18 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama Senate OKs ban on trans athletes at a college level
Alabama could soon join other states that ban transgender women from playing on female sports teams in college, under legislation nearing final approval in the state. State senators voted 26-4 on Wednesday for the House-passed legislation that extends a 2021 ban on transgender athletes on K-12 sports teams to also include college teams. The bill now returns to the Alabama House of Representatives, where lawmakers must decide whether to accept a minor change to the bill. The bill is part of a wave of restrictions on transgender people being pushed in conservative states. At least 20 other states have now imposed restrictions on transgender athletes at the K-12 or collegiate level, or both. Supporters said transgender women have an unfair advantage in competition. “They are bigger than women. They are stronger. They’re faster. They have larger hearts, denser bones, stronger muscles,” Republican Sen. April Weaver, of Brierfield, said. “I don’t think that is something any hormone therapy can undo.” Opponents have said the bills are about shaming transgender people and are rooted in discrimination and politics. An advocacy group urged Ivey to veto the bill when it comes to her desk. “HB 261 is part of a coordinated effort by extremist politicians trying to advance their anti-LGBTQ+ agenda. These politicians know that state and university sports leagues already have their own governing bodies to determine the best regulations that work for their students. And, they know that an outright ban on transgender athletes exacerbates discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, is not based on the facts, and does not help women’s sports,” said Carmarion D. Anderson-Harvey, Alabama director of the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign. The bill states that sports teams “designated for females, women, or girls shall not be open to a biological male.” Similarly, a “biological female” would also not be allowed to participate on teams for boys and men. Democratic Sen. Rodger Smitherman, of Birmingham, asked Weaver how a school would know a person’s gender at birth. Weaver replied that the person’s original birth certificate would suffice. The bill has faced nominal opposition in the Alabama Legislature. The bill cleared the House of Representatives on an 83-5 vote, with more than a dozen members abstaining on the vote. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
