Alabama Senate Committee advances phone tax increase
Every Alabamian can expect a tax increase of 98 cents per phone line if the Alabama Legislature and the governor signs legislation to raise a new tax to fund the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH). Senate Bill 328 (SB328) is sponsored by State Senator Garlan Gudger. The controversial phone tax legislation was given a favorable report by the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee on Wednesday. The new tax would generate $69 million yearly in new revenues for the state. The money raised by the bill would go to the Alabama Department of Mental Health. Alabama started a 988 crisis phone line last year. The funding from the new phone tax would be used for call centers and an expansion in mental health services, including 988 call centers, mobile crisis services, and crisis centers. The funds would go directly into the non-reverting Alabama 988 Crisis Care Fund in the State Treasury to be managed by ADMH. This bill would also create the 19-member 988 Commission to study the impact of the crisis. Companion legislation in the House is sponsored by State Representative Rex Reynolds. House Bill 389 (HB389) was carried over by the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee on Wednesday. Since this is a tax increase, by rule, it should originate in the House rather than the Senate. An opponent of the legislation told Alabama Today that if you try to oppose this, they accuse you of being anti-mental health, which he is not, but feels that any additional funding for mental health comes from the state general fund (SGF) rather than by creating a new tax. The 98 cent per phone line tax is similar to the $1.88 tax that funds the 9-11 system. That tax originally was just 44 cents per line. Tax opponents oppose growing government by increasing the tax burdens imposed on the people of Alabama. Supporters argue that the high rates of suicide and mental health issues in the state justify the tax increase. SB328 could be considered by the Senate as early as Tuesday. Tuesday will be the 24th day of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Legislature passes bill to make improper annexations valid
On Thursday, the Alabama Senate passed legislation that would bar a property owner from challenging a past annexation if there was something flawed with the process. House Bill 48 is sponsored by State Representative Jim Hill. The bill was carried in the Senate by State Senator Jabo Waggoner. Hill said that periodically the legislature brings this bill so that cities can’t be sued over past annexation efforts. The last time the Legislature did this was in 2011. Sen. Waggoner said in committee that he is bringing this bill for the Alabama League of Municipalities. Hill said that the homeowner has had time to bring a claim and has not exercised that challenge already, and so has accepted the annexation as valid. State Sen. Chris Elliott strongly objected to the bill in committee over grounds that this bill would be making an illegal annexation legal after the fact. According to the synopsis, “Under existing law, municipal annexations prior to May 4, 2011, have been validated and ratified notwithstanding any procedural defect in the annexation. This bill would validate and ratify any annexations prior to the effective date of the act proposing this bill.” SB261 passed the Alabama Senate 18 to 11. The legislation has already passed the House so it now goes to the Governor for her consideration. Thursday was day 23 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. 851 bills have been introduced to this point in the session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama Senate passes anti ESG legislation
On Thursday, the Alabama Senate passed legislation that would require companies that want state of Alabama contracts to forgo any ESG (environmental, social, and governance) woke corporations or ESGs. Senate Bill 261 (SB261) is sponsored by State Senator Dan Roberts. Senate Bill 261 has been billed as the “strongest” anti-ESG legislation in the nation. The bill prohibits governmental entities from entering into certain contracts with companies that boycott businesses because the business engages in certain sectors, does not meet certain environmental or corporate governance standards, or does not facilitate certain activities. The legislation authorizes the Attorney General to take action to investigate and enforce this act. “I appreciate the support of my colleagues in the Senate for working to pass this legislation,” Sen. Roberts told reporters. “The Alabama Senate has made it clear that we want businesses to focus on growing and expanding and not working to push any political agenda with left-wing ESG policies.” If a company engages in social activism banned by the legislation, it can’t do business with any local or state government. According to the bill, “This bill would prohibit a governmental entity from entering into a public contract for goods or services with certain companies or businesses that engage in the economic boycott of businesses in certain sectors and industries; that fail to meet or commit to meet certain environmental standards; that fail to meet or commit to meet certain corporate governance criteria; or that fail to facilitate certain activities.” Companies would have to sign a verification that it does not engage in boycotts of other companies and industries. Governments can opt out of this provision if they can prove that it would have an adverse economic effect on that government if they can’t do business with that company. The bill states, “The Attorney General shall seek to prohibit the adoption of federal laws, rules, regulations, bulletins, executive orders, or other federal actions that may penalize, inflict economic harm on, limit commercial relations with, or change or limit the activities of a company in the state or a resident of the state based on the furtherance of economic boycott criteria or other similarly oriented rating.” It also protects companies from state or local governments trying to pressure them company into adopting woke political action. “No company in this state shall be penalized, have economic harm inflicted on it, have commercial relations limited, or have the activities of the company changed or limited by a governmental entity because the company will not engage in economic boycotts; will not establish or implement policies, procedures, guidelines, rules, reports, products, services, notices, disclosures, or rates or pricing; will not provide or submit answers to surveys or other information requests or disclosures; will not invest in or divest of certain securities, stocks, bonds, bills, partnerships, or other investment arrangements; or will not initiate other corporate or business practices that further social, political, or ideological interests including, but not limited to, economic boycott criteria or other similarly oriented rating.” Sen. Rodger Smitherman said that the bill was unconstitutional. “I am trying to save you from yourselves,” Smitherman said. “You either don’t know the Constitution or don’t understand the Constitution.” “If you say that they don’t have free expression, you are going to lose,” Smitherman said. “I have been a constitutional law professor for 25 years. Doing something that is unconstitutional just because it feels good does not make sense.” “We have industry in our state that can be hurt by things going on nationally,” Roberts explained. “We are trying to put them in position so they can thrive. We are trying to make sure that they have access to the mother’s milk of capital in the future.” Sen. Bobby Singleton brought an amendment to the committee substitute of the bill. “It was given to me by the governor’s office,” Singleton said. “The finance department; they just wanted to make sure that they are protected in dealing with the state’s debt obligations.” Roberts accepted the Singleton amendment as friendly. “I think this is an anti-business bill,” Singleton said. “You are telling people that do business in the state of Alabama that you can’t have a social conscience.” “This is not a pro-business bill,” Singleton said. “Dan, you are wrong on this one. I will tell you, Dan, that you are wrong on this one.” “You can’t listen to Fox and decide what you are going to do,” Singleton continued. “We can’t be Florida 2.0. We won’t be able to recruit with this on the ground. This is a threat to business. If I don’t sign this paragraph, I can’t do business in Alabama.” Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed said, “This is a difficult topic. This is one that is at a national level that we have to deal with.” Roberts left after he learned that his friend, Pastor Harry Reeder, had died driving home from a meeting with Roberts and legislators. Sen. Sam Givhan then assumed the role of advocating for the bill. “We did have great dialogue,” Givhan said of talks with the Alabama business community on the bill. “We had businesses across the gamut in the state of Alabama. We sat down in a room with them, and they presented us with their redlines.” “They are never going to tell you no because they feel vulnerable,” Singleton said. “They know you can pass it anyway.” “They probably walk out of the room and cuss you out once they are out of the room,” Singleton said. “I am sure if they had their way, it would just go away.” Sen Robert Stewart said, “Corporations do have an obligation to be good actors.” Givhan responded, “Their job is to maximize shareholder wealth.” “Why are we trying to tell businesses what they can and can’t do even businesses we do not give incentives,” Smitherman said, “How do we make these God-like decisions? Just because we have authority does not mean that we are God.” Givhan explained the Singleton amendment. “Debt obligations – that is targeted at the bond market,” Givhan said. “There is not
Birmingham Festival Theatre hosting ‘family friendly’ drag show
Birmingham Festival Theatre has scheduled what they are referring to as a “family friendly” drag show this Saturday, May 20, 2023. The theatre has put on shows like this before and says that the show is for “all ages.” As first reported by 1819News, the event features dancers including, “Idle King, a self-proclaimed ‘Auburn based genderfluid autistic drag king,’ and Birmingham-based Flap Jack and Fawn who identify as “non-binary.” Their website states, “Back by popular demand, Flapping and Fawning Podcast and Birmingham Festival Theatre are hosting another family friendly drag show. The last family friendly show was a total blast and fun was had by all. This event is open to all ages. Join the fun and dance with wonderful performers on Saturday May 20, 2023.” Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-13, and children younger than six get in free. This type of performance has happened in the past and apparently was sold out. On their Facebook page, it states, “And on Saturday May 20th we’ll be hosting another Family Friendly Drag Show brought to us by Flapping & Fawning Productions. Last time we sold out so be sure to reserve your spot! (This show will be appropriate for all ages.).” The photo below shows the entertainers from an earlier “family friendly” event a note on their FB page stated, “This drag show is at a reasonable hour and fun for all ages! Join Fawn and Flap Jack at Birmingham Festival Theatre and bring your cash to tip the entertainers. Lineup includes:Sweetie Mays-StarrWomana WilesT. WeilandRummorah Campbell” A video on their Facebook page says that family friendly drag shows “build confidence” and are “empowering.” Some of the theatre’s sponsors include the Magic City Acceptance School and the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Alabama has filed legislation prohibiting drag performances in public places where children are present. The bill by Republican Rep. Arnold Mooney would add a provision to the state’s anti-obscenity laws to prohibit “male or female impersonators, commonly known as drag queens or drag kings” from performing in K-12 public schools, public libraries, and in other public places where minors are present. The language of that bill specifically bans, “Any sexual or gender oriented material that exposes minors to persons who are dressed in sexually revealing, exaggerated, or provocative clothing or costumes, or are stripping, or engaged in lewd or lascivious dancing, presentations, or activities, including but not limited to topless, go-go, or exotic dancers, or male or female impersonators, commonly known as drag queens or drag kings. This sexual conduct is prohibited in K-12 public schools, public libraries, and in other public places where minors are present.” In Florida, Gov. Ron Desantis signed a set of bills Wednesday that includes bans on minors from attending drag shows, strip clubs, or other “sexually explicit adult performances.”
Dr. Harry Reeder dies in a car accident
On Thursday, Pastor Dr. Harry Reeder spoke to the Legislative prayer service in Montgomery. After worshipping and fellowshipping with legislators and policy influencers, he never returned home. The longtime pastor at Briarwood Presbyterian Church PCA died in an automobile crash on I-65. State Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed announced the news on the Senate floor at the close of the legislative day. “It has been a sad day,” said Reed. “It has been a difficult day.” “He was a very close personal friend of one of our colleagues,” Reed said. That colleague was State Senator Dan Roberts. Roberts had been in the midst of carrying legislation on the Senate floor when he received the news. Congressman Gary Palmer said on Facebook, “I am heartbroken to hear the news my pastor, Harry Reeder, has passed away. Dr. Reeder was more than a pastor, he was a dear friend, mentor, and a man who understood and exemplified Godly leadership. Harry had an enormous impact on the lives of countless men and women. I will miss his teaching and his friendship, but I’m confident in knowing that one day I will see him again. Ann and I are praying for his family during this time.” Former Alabama Republican Party Chairman and State Senator Bill Armistead said on Facebook, “Today, many in Birmingham and throughout the Christian community in America and the World are grieving the loss of Briarwood Presbyterian Church, PCA Senior Pastor Harry Reeder who was killed in a tragic automobile accident this morning. Pastor Reeder has been a dear friend of mine for 25 years and I was blessed to have lunch with him yesterday along with some other brothers in Christ. As a tribute to Pastor Reeder, I am attaching a link to his daily 10 minute radio program “Today In Perspective” that aired yesterday which provides a Biblical World and Life View analysis of current events and issues. May God bless Pastor Reeder’s family and his family in Christ.” Alabama Citizens Action Program Director and radio host Greg Davis said on Facebook, “In January Dr. Harry Reeder pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church, PCA accepted my invitation to speak on May 18th to legislators at the ALCAP – Alabama Citizens Action Program prayer breakfast in Montgomery. He graciously accepted with nothing to gain for himself. He only came from a desire to impact legislators with the gospel and to be with Senator Dan Roberts for Alabama. He arrived last night and visited with me for about an hour. We met early this morning and he spoke to our group. Only God knew it would be his last message as he never made it home. Hear the entire story and my tribute. We hurt his family and the church but Harry is now truly home.” Members of the Briarwood Congregation were informed in a statement from the Church on Facebook that read as follows: “Dear Congregation, It is with a deeply heavy heart that I communicate to you that our Lord has called Pastor Reeder home through a car accident. Please pray for Cindy, Jennifer, Ike, Abby, and their entire family as well as our staff and church family as we all grieve this tremendous loss together. But we do not grieve without hope because we know our pastor is with His Savior and has been received by grace with – “Well done My good and faithful servant.” In Christ our Lord! Bruce Stallings” Dr. Harry L. Reeder III has been the pastor of Briarwood since 1999. He and his wife, Cindy, are natives of Charlotte, North Carolina. They have three children: Jennifer Hay, Harry Reeder IV, and Abigail Leib. They have nine grandchildren. He studied at East Carolina University and finished his bachelor’s degree at Covenant College. After completing his B.A. Degree in History and Bible, he began to attend Tennessee Temple Seminary part-time while serving an Independent Bible Church as a student pastor. Reeder then went into a Pastorate of the Presbyterian Church in America in Miami, Florida—Pinelands Presbyterian Church—while completing a Master of Divinity degree with Westminster Seminary through the Florida Theological Center. Reeder has a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina. After three years at Pinelands Presbyterian, Reeder became the founding pastor at Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church as their founding Pastor. The ministry began with 38 committed members, and in seventeen years, attendance grew to over 3,000 while planting a number of daughter churches. Reeder also hosted a Bible-teaching radio ministry entitled “In Perspective.” Reeder also hosted a podcast program called “Today in Perspective.” Reeder is the author of The Leadership Dynamic, From Embers to a Flame – How God Can Revitalize Your Church, and other published works, Reeder served as an adjunct faculty member at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte while holding the same status at Birmingham Theological Seminary and Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia, where he also served on the Board of Trustees. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
AG Steve Marshall joins colleagues to ask Congress to act on drug tied to fentanyl overdoses
Thirty-nine attorneys general are asking Congress to classify xylazine as a controlled substance for its ties to drug overdoses. Veterinarians use the drug to sedate large animals, but the Drug Enforcement Agency has found it mixed with fentanyl in recent overdose deaths. The largest increase is in the southern states, where overdose deaths linked to xylazine increased 1127% from 116 in 2020 to 1,423 in 2021, according to DEA statistics. The drug is being purchased online by people with no ties to veterinary medicine, the attorneys general said in a letter to Congress. It’s known on the street as “trang” or “zombie drug,” and it slows breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. The drug is not an opioid, so even when combined with fentanyl, it doesn’t respond to naloxone, which reverses an overdose. The bipartisan group of attorneys general said xylazine is also easy to get. “In a recent intelligence report, the DEA noted, ‘[a] kilogram of xylazine powder can be purchased online from Chinese suppliers with common prices ranging from $6-$20 U.S. dollars per kilogram,’” they said. “Given the low price, the DEA has warned that xylazine’s use as an adulterant for other illicit drugs is growing to allow traffickers to increase their profits.” The DEA updated its public safety alert on the combination of xylazine and fentanyl in November. “Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier,” said DEA Administrator Ann Milgram. “DEA has seized xylazine and fentanyl mixtures in 48 of 50 States. The DEA Laboratory System is reporting that in 2022 approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized by the DEA contained xylazine.” The attorneys general are asking Congress to classify it and all forms of xylazine used illicitly as a Schedule III offense. They also want the DEA to track xylazine’s manufacturing and sales. The U.S. House and Senate introduced bipartisan bills called the “Combating Illicit Xylazine Act.” The House version is assigned to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. The Senate version is assigned to the Judiciary Committee. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
New bill would make assaulting law enforcement officers a deportable offense
A new bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would make assaulting law enforcement officers and others a deportable offense. U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-NC, on Thursday, introduced the Protect Our Law Enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement (POLICE) Act. The bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to add a provision stating, “any alien who has been convicted of, who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts constituting the essential elements of, an offense involving the assault of a law enforcement officer is deportable.” The law would apply to those who assault law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders. Current law doesn’t cover all assaults against law enforcement, meaning some foreign nationals “can remain in the country even after committing this reprehensible crime,” Budd said. The companion bill, H.R. 2494, filed by Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-NY, and multiple cosponsors, passed the House on Wednesday by a vote of 255 to 175. “Supporting our police includes removing dangerous people who do them harm,” Budd said in a statement. “If an illegal immigrant commits the crime of assaulting an officer, they should be subject to immediate deportation. Our lawmakers must always back the men and women who protect and serve our communities.” The bill was filed after a record number of people, over 7.7 million, have been apprehended or reported evading capture after illegally entering the U.S. since January 2021, and after over 300 known, suspected terrorists have been apprehended illegally entering at the northern and southern border this fiscal year alone. The House passed the bill nine months after a North Carolina sheriff’s deputy was killed by two Mexican brothers who were in the U.S. illegally and had previously been deported. On Aug. 11, two of three Mexican brothers allegedly killed Sheriff Deputy Ned Byrd, in Raleigh: Alder Alfonso Marin Sotelo, 25, and Arturo Marin Sotelo, 29. They both evaded capture for several days before they were caught and taken into custody on Aug. 16. Their youngest brother, Rolando Marin Sotelo, 18, was charged with ammunition possession. The brothers are natives of Guerrero, located at the southernmost part of Mexico, near the Guatemala border, according to Qué Pasa. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told Fox News Digital last year that the two older brothers had both entered the U.S. illegally through the southern border “on an unknown date, at an unknown place,” meaning between a port of entry, as gotaways. After the two older Mexican brothers were apprehended, charged and detained in a regional jail in Farmville, Virginia, they escaped on April 30, according to ICE. Alder was apprehended by Mexican authorities on May 4 in Guerrero, according to the FBI. His brother, Marin, is still at large. The FBI is requesting assistance to locate him; an investigation is ongoing. According to ICE, Arturo was apprehended in 2010 after he illegally entered the U.S. and was deported. The second time he illegally entered, he wasn’t caught and made his way to North Carolina. In 2019, Rolando was previously apprehended in Arizona and was also deported, only later to illegally reenter through a “parole” exemption. Some critics argue that deportation doesn’t bring justice for victims, and they’d rather have perpetrators be imprisoned or face the death penalty, depending on the state where the offense is committed. They also argue “sanctuary” status in U.S. cities and counties should be banned – like that of Wake County, where the deputy was killed. Wake County is one of the most dangerous “sanctuary communities” in the U.S., according to a recent report, because its law enforcement officers have limited cooperation with ICE. In 2019, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, introduced a bill allowing “sanctuary communities” to be sued by victims of crimes committed by illegal foreign nationals if local authorities don’t cooperate with ICE. When introducing the bill, Tillis pointed to sheriff’s offices in Durham, Mecklenburg, and Wake counties which he said weren’t cooperating with ICE. Republished with the permission of The Center Square.
Bill would give victims of childhood sex abuse more time to file civil lawsuits
Alabama legislation that would give victims of childhood sexual abuse more time to sue their abusers has stalled in a committee amid opposition from insurance companies, the bill’s sponsor said. The Senate Judiciary Committee has not scheduled a vote on the bill that would extend the statute of limitations for civil actions from six years to 36 years. “How low do you have to be to victimize a child? How low do we have to be as the body not to take the issue up?” Sen. Merika Coleman, the bill’s sponsor, said Tuesday at the Senate microphone as she expressed frustration over the bill’s delay. Coleman said she met with insurance industry representatives Wednesday morning. She said they expressed concerns about possible liability for entities, such as a church, that might not have had knowledge about the abuse. She said they are working to craft language that targets the perpetrator but “does not hit folks that had no knowledge.” “My major concern, of course, is finding some type of justice for these folks that have been victimized,” Coleman said. Alabama law currently gives a six-year window into adulthood, ending at age 25, for a person to file a civil lawsuit over sexual abuse they suffered as a child. That timeframe is too short for victims, who often don’t publicly disclose what happened to them until adulthood, proponents of the bill said. The bill would raise the timeframe to 36 years, or age 55. Victims of childhood abuse are working to change the law in Alabama and elsewhere. Fifteen states have lifted statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, according to Child USAdvocacy, a nonprofit that advocates for better laws to protect children. Jeff Helms, director of public relations for the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance, said the legislation could impact all insurers. He said the Alabama Insurance Coalition is working with Coleman regarding their concerns. Stuart Vance, one of three men who said they were abused by a private school teacher in the 1970s and 1980s told the Judiciary Committee last week that he would love to debate insurance industry representatives about the bill. “They insured the Boy Scouts, churches, and other organizations that knowingly hid predators in their midst. If the insurance industry has a problem with our law, they really should take it up with the organizations they insured and not the survivors whose lives were damaged and destroyed,” he said. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Judge halts bridge project, says Alabama transportation director had ‘personal vendetta’
Driven by a “personal vendetta” against a toll bridge company, Alabama’s transportation director planned to build an unnecessary bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway at a cost of more than $100 million to the state, according to a judge who ordered construction to stop Wednesday. Montgomery Circuit Judge Jimmy Pool, siding with the toll bridge company, issued a preliminary injunction ordering a halt to construction of the project. Pool said trial evidence showed that Transportation Director John Cooper pushed for the new bridge without traffic studies and had only one discussion about it with the governor, “Director Cooper’s outrageous conduct in embarking on spending more than $120 million of State funds, on a bridge that ALDOT does not need, for the purpose of putting a private company out of business shocks the conscience of the Court,” Pool wrote. Baldwin County Bridge Company, which operates the existing toll bridge to get to Gulf beaches, filed a lawsuit seeking to block construction of the new bridge that would be located just over 1 mile away from its existing toll bridge. The company argued that Cooper acted in bad faith during negotiations to lower toll amounts and other operational changes, then pursued the new bridge project to financially damage the company. Transportation Department spokesperson Tony Harris said the state will appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court. “We are disappointed in the decision because it’s clear that a new, free bridge is needed to help alleviate traffic congestion and offer a new evacuation option to residents and visitors to Alabama’s Gulf Coast,” Harris wrote in an emailed statement. “Years of negotiations with the private toll bridge company failed to deliver a solution. The public benefit of a new, free bridge should outweigh the interests of the private toll bridge company.” During trial testimony, Cooper defended the decision to proceed with the project last year. Cooper said an alternative route is needed to alleviate traffic congestion on the highway leading to state beaches. He said the decision was made based on traffic data and support from local and state officials. The Transportation Department last year signed a $52 million contract for bridge construction. An attorney for the toll bridge company said the expense of related roadways will bring the total cost to $120 million. “People in positions of authority representing the government cannot do or say anything they want. When government officials attempt to target businesses through bad faith, the courts of Alabama will hold them accountable,” said Joe Espy, a lawyer for the toll bridge company. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
