Gov. Kay Ivey visits Atmore on her statewide broadband tour
On Wednesday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) visited Atmore Community Hospital in Escambia County on the third stop on her broadband tour. Ivey stressed the importance of high-speed internet in allowing Alabamians to access telehealth services while highlighting the progress in broadband projects across the state. “Broadband availability is not just for our convenience – it is a lifeline, particularly evident in telehealth services,” said Gov. Ivey. “For thousands of Alabamians in rural areas, telehealth bridges the gap to medical facilities, and without broadband, this vital resource remains out of reach for many,” said Governor Ivey. “I am proud to say Alabama remains committed to expanding our digital infrastructure, aiming to connect households, businesses, and institutions. Our broadband journey continues until every Alabamian has the ability to access high-speed internet.” Gov. Ivey was joined by Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Director Kenneth Boswell, State Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore), and Rep. Alan Baker (R-Brewton). “When you look at the digital world we live in today, access to broadband infrastructure is just as important, in many ways, as having access to electricity or running water,” said Sen. Albritton. “But for many Alabamians, especially those living in tougher to access, rural areas of our state, getting connected to high-speed internet is difficult and expensive. That’s why the programs we have funded through the legislature are so important; they give internet service providers the support needed to connect these hard-to-reach areas so that no Alabamians are left out. I have been proud to support broadband expansion in my leadership role in the Alabama Senate, and I will continue my work on this issue until all Alabamians have access to the 21st-century technologies needed for everyday life.” Albritton is a 2024 candidate for Congress in Alabama’s Second Congressional District. Eight candidates in total are running in the March 5 Republican primary, and 13 Democrats are running in the CD2 Democratic primary. Escambia and Baldwin Counties are receiving more than $17 million in grant and matching funds committed for broadband projects. These projects will give more than 3,600 currently unserved addresses the ability to be connected to broadband. These projects will result in over 140 miles of new fiber. The overall success of the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund (ABAF) was also discussed. ABAF is funded by the Alabama Legislature and supports targeted projects in communities in need of high-speed internet access. These funds are awarded by Governor Ivey and managed by ADECA. The grant awards give internet service providers the ability to execute projects that connect individual households, businesses, community anchor institutions such as libraries and schools, and others to broadband infrastructure. “Our continued progress in expanding high-speed internet access would not be possible without a unified team working hard every day to accomplish our state’s broadband goals,” said Director Boswell. “This team includes Governor Ivey, the Alabama Legislature, internet service providers, and others too many to name working together to make sure Alabama residents and Alabama communities have the tools needed to thrive.” Since 2018, Alabama has invested approximately $82 million in state dollars through grant awards supporting more than 100 projects through the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund. Once all Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund projects awarded to date have been completed, access to broadband service will be available to more than 72,000 Alabama households, businesses, and community institutions that currently have no option to subscribe. The federal government has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into expanding broadband services in Alabama through the American Rescue Plan Act and the Build Back Better Infrastructure Bill. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Republican CD2 candidate Wallace Gilberry says he learned life lessons from playing football
Republican Second Congressional District (CD2) candidate Wallace Gilberry is reminding voters of his success playing football for the University of Alabama and in the National Football League. “I cut my teeth on the gridiron in Tuscaloosa,” Gilberry said in a recent fundraising email. “I played for Mike Shula and Nick Saban, then made it 9 seasons in the NFL.” “Football – along with my mom and great-grandmother – taught me everything I know,” Gilberry continued. “Like: 1) Bring glory to God on and off the field 2) Play through the whistle 3) Always stand to honor those who keep us free” “My name is Wallace Gilberry,” Gilberry stated. “If you’ve never heard of me, that’s OK – here’s what you should know: I’m a Black man in America who is familiar with the struggles of our community. But I’m also a Republican who voted for Trump. And I’m running in the single most competitive House race in the entire country.” Democrats are hoping that they can flip Alabama’s Second Congressional District from Republican to Democratic after the federal courts redrew the district to make Congressional District 2 48.7 percent Black. Twenty-one candidates, including Gilberry, have qualified to run for the seat. Second District incumbent Congressman Barry Moore was redistricted to Congressional District 1 where he is challenging incumbent Congressman Jerry Carl in the GOP primary. “I’m running against more than a DOZEN far-left Democrats with an army of mega-donors backing them.,” Gilberry said. “I’ve never run for office. They have. I’ve never even sent an email like this before. But I was raised by a single mom who worked 2 jobs to put food on the table for her 5 kids – being an underdog is nothing new to me or my family. So – with grit and determination in my heart – I’m respectfully asking you to pitch in JUST a few bucks now to fuel my underdog campaign to victory. I promise I’ll make you proud when we win it all. God bless you.” Gilberry is a native of Bay Minette in Baldwin County. He grew up as one of five children and was raised by his single mom and his great-grandmother. Gilberry is one of eight Republicans who have qualified for the March 5 primary ballot. State Senator Greg Albritton, former state Senator Dick Brewbaker, real estate attorney Caroleene Dobson, former Congressional staffer turned Mobile restauranteur Karla M. DuPriest, attorney and real estate broker Hampton S. Harris, Stacey T. Shepperson, and Newton city council member Belinda Thomas are the other seven GOP candidates. Thirteen Democrats have qualified to run as well. The eventual Republican and Democratic nominees will face off in the general election on November 5. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Congressional candidate Caroleene Dobson promises to limit Tik Tok influence and prevent social media companies from silencing conservative voices
On Thursday, Congressional candidate Caroleene Dobson released a statement promising that she will lead efforts to block the influence of the Chinese-owned TikTok video app and prevent social media conglomerates from silencing conservatives on their platforms if elected to Congress. Dobson, a Montgomery real estate attorney, is a Republican candidate for Alabama’s Second Congressional District seat. “As relations between China and the U.S. continue to erode and every expert agrees that cyber warfare is a real and looming threat, more than 150 million Americans have willingly surrendered their personal information to the Chinese-owned TikTok video app,” Dobson said. “At the same time, those who express opinions contrary to woke ideas and liberal dogma on their social media pages are routinely sent to ‘Facebook jail’ or have their accounts permanently revoked like President [Donald] Trump.” “When social media owners can silence a president and shadow ban all conservative thought with which they disagree, they assume the powers of Third World, Banana Republic dictators,” Dobson continued. “And when the Chinese Communist Party can access the personal information of millions of Americans at any time they wish, we are allowing them to weaponize the internet and placing their fingers upon the trigger.” Dobson promised that she would join the ever-growing number of congressional conservatives who are sponsoring legislation and promoting ideas that will stem the control of social media by the Chinese government and extremist liberal interests. Dobson noted that TikTok is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd. and is by law obligated under China’s “National Intelligence Law” to turn over any information on its American users that is demanded by the ruling Communist Party. During a congressional hearing held earlier this year, the chief executive officer of TikTok also deflected questions about Community Party ties and influence within the company. Dobson pointed to an internal company post by a senior Facebook engineer as evidence of the almost universal liberal domination of the popular social media platform and the contempt that conservative beliefs generate. The post, which was reported by the New York Times, read: “We are a political monoculture that’s intolerant of different views. We claim to welcome all perspectives but are quick to attack — often in mobs — anyone who presents a view that appears to be in opposition to left-leaning ideology.” Dobson has a bachelor’s degree from Harvard and a law degree from the Baylor School of Law. She is married and has two children. She serves on the Alabama Forestry Commission and the Southeast Livestock Exposition and is a member of the Birmingham Chapter of the Federalist Society. Dobson grew up on a cattle farm in Alabama and excelled in high school rodeo. Congressional District 2 has been heavily redrawn ahead of this election. Previously, CD2 was 28% Black. The court-appointed special master redrew Congressional District 2 so that it is now 48.7% Black. It includes all of Montgomery County, the eastern half of the Blackbelt, the northern half of the Wiregrass, and part of Alabama southwest, including most of the City of Mobile. According to data prepared by the special master, there is over a 94% likelihood that a Democrat will win the district. The special master redistricted Second Congressional District incumbent Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) and all of Coffee County out of Congressional District 2 and into Congressional District 1. Moore is challenging incumbent Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) in the First District, so Congressional District 2 is a rare open seat. State Senator Greg Albritton of Atmore, former State Senator Dick Brewbaker, real estate broker attorney Hampton Harris, former Congressional staffer and restauranteur Karla M. DuPriest, football star Wallace Gilberry, Stacey T. Shepperson, and Belinda Thomas are all also running in the Republican primary. The major party primaries are on March 5. If necessary. There will be a Republican primary runoff election on April 16. Thirteen Democrats are running in the Democratic primary. The Republican and Democratic nominees will face off on the November 5 presidential election ballot. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Hampton Harris qualifies for second congressional district
Attorney Hampton Harris launched his campaign for Congress on Wednesday. Harris is one of eight Republicans who qualified Friday to run for Alabama’s redrawn Second Congressional District (CD2). Harris, a Montgomery native, said he is desperate to fight for traditional American values. “We cannot change Washington if we keep sending the same establishment politicians to Congress,” said Hampton Harris. “America is at a crossroads, and members of my generation are desperate to fight for the values that seem to be under assault from the radical left. Weakness won’t defeat the woke. We need strength, energy, and a disciplined commitment to our Constitutional rights.” Harris received a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University at Montgomery in economics with a minor in biology. Following graduation from college, Hampton worked in the emergency department at Baptist Health in Montgomery. He says that there, he witnessed firsthand the looming opioid crisis in Alabama and the failures of socialized medicine managed by a Washington bureaucracy that is far away from the people it is supposed to serve. Harris went on to earn a law degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in 2023. While in law school, Harris served as an advocate in the Cumberland School of Law Veterans Legal Assistance Clinic. There, he was able to work directly with veterans across Alabama. “Our working families and seniors are facing the biggest cost of living crisis since the Great Depression, and every day that Biden and the Democrats print more money, inflation gets worse,” Harris said. “They are destroying wealth for those who can least afford these disastrous government policies, and it must stop. I will stand with Speaker Mike Johnson and Congressional conservatives to uphold our God-given liberties and defeat the woke extremists that are weakening America.” Harris owns a real estate brokerage firm serving the Montgomery and Southeast Alabama markets. Harris is married. His wife, Abbi Harris, is also an attorney and serves this country as a member of the United States Air Force. Harris said that he has never wavered from his strong conservative roots. He grew up in a family of seven who were homeschooled by his mother. He says he benefited from his experience growing up in a Christian homeschooling household. Hampton said his upbringing helped him build his life around traditional family values. Previously, CD2 was 28% Black. The court-appointed special master redrew CD2 so that it is now 48.7% Black. The new Second Congressional District includes all of Montgomery County, the eastern half of the Blackbelt, the northern half of the Wiregrass, and part of southwest Alabama including most of the City of Mobile. According to data prepared by the special master, there is over a 94% likelihood that a Democrat will win CD2. The special master redistricted Second Congressional District incumbent Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) and all of Coffee County out of CD2 and into CD1. Moore is challenging incumbent Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) in the First District, so CD2 is a rare open seat. State Senator Greg Albritton of Atmore, former State Senator Dick Brewbaker, attorney Caroleene Dobson, former Congressional staffer and restauranteur Karla M. DuPriest, football star Wallace Gilberry, Stacey T. Shepperson, and Belinda Thomas are all also running in the Republican primary. The major party primaries are on March 5. If necessary. There will be a Republican primary runoff election on April 16. Thirteen Democrats have qualified to run in the Democratic primary. The Republican and Democratic nominees will face off on the November 5 presidential election ballot. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
21 candidates qualify to run in Congressional District 2
Alabama’s Second Congressional District race was already crowded, but by the time major party qualifying ended on Friday at 5:00 p.m., a total of 21 candidates had qualified with the Alabama Democratic Party and the Alabama Republican Party. The Congressional District 2 (CD2) seat is an open seat because the court-appointed special master redrew Alabama’s congressional districts in such a way that two incumbents, Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) and Jerry Carl (R-Enterprise), now live in the same district – Alabama’s First Congressional District. While Moore and Carl battle over which one gets to remain in Congress, CD2 is open with no incumbent. Since the rules for Congressional Districts do not require you to live in the district you are running, politicians from all over Alabama are running for this seat. Thirteen candidates qualified to run in CD2 with the Alabama Democratic Party. Retired Marine and 2020 congressional candidate James Averhart from Mobile qualified. So did State Representative Napoleon Bracy Jr. Bracy represents Prichard. He works for Austal. State Senator Merika Coleman from Jefferson County qualified. Coleman represents Birmingham, Bessemer, and Pleasant Grove. State Representative Anthony Daniels from Huntsville is running for the seat. Daniels is the House Minority Leader. Shomari Figures works in Washington, D.C., for Attorney General Merrick Garland but is originally from Mobile. His parents are State Senator Vivian Figures and the late State Senator Michael Figures (both of Mobile). He has worked for President Barack Obama. Brian Gary is a general surgeon at Jackson Hospital. State Representative Juandalynn Givan represents Birmingham and Forestdale in Jefferson County. Givan is a Jefferson County attorney. State Representative Jeremy Gray represents Lee and Russell Counties in the Legislature. He is the House Minority Whip. Phyllis Harvey-Hall was the Democratic nominee for CD2 in 2022 and 2020. She lost both times to Barry Moore. Willie J. Lenard is a resident of Opelika. Vimal Patel is a successful hotelier, commercial real estate investor, and realtor. He was a candidate in the Democratic primary in 2022 but lost to Harvey-Hall. Larry Darnell Simpson is a musician. Darryl “Sink” Sinkfield is an ASU alum and supporter. Eight Republicans have qualified. State Senator Greg Albritton of Atmore is an attorney. The retired naval officer is currently the House Finance & Taxation General Fund Committee chairman. Dick Brewbaker is a former Montgomery area automobile dealer. The Pike Road resident is a former state senator who served two terms from 2010 to 2018. Caroleene Dobson is a real estate attorney and a former rodeo standout. She serves on the Alabama Forestry Commission and Southeast Livestock Exposition. Karla M. DuPriest is a former candidate for U.S. Senate. She is a longtime congressional staffer who currently runs a popular barbecue restaurant in Mobile. Wallace Gilberry is a former University of Alabama football player who has played for multiple NFL teams. Hampton S. Harris has also qualified for the post. Stacey T. Shepperson qualified on Friday afternoon, right before the close of GOP qualifying. Belinda Thomas serves on the Newton City Council in Dale County. Both major party primaries are on March 5. If necessary, the primary runoff elections will be held on April 16. The eventual Republican and Democratic nominees will then face each other a year from now in the 2024 general election on November 5. The new district lines mean that Congressional District 2 has shifted from being a safe Republican seat to a likely Democratic seat. Given the razor-thin Republican majority in the House of Representatives, this district flipping to the Democrats could help swing control of Congress to the Democrats. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Three Republicans have qualified in Congressional District 2
Three Republicans have qualified to run for Alabama’s Second Congressional District (CD2). State Senator Greg Albritton of Atmore, former State Senator Dick Brewbaker of Pike Road, and prominent real estate attorney Caroleene Dobson of Montgomery have all qualified with the Alabama Republican Party to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in the redrawn CD2. The Second District is currently represented by Congressman Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), but the court-appointed special master redrew the First and Second Congressional Districts in such a drastic way that Moore’s native Coffee County is now in CD1. Rep. Moore is thus challenging incumbent Congressman Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) for the First Congressional District. This has created a rare open seat in CD2, which now includes all of Montgomery County, the eastern half of the Blackbelt, the northern half of the Wiregrass, the counties to the north of Mobile, and most of Mobile. While the voters in the old CD2 were just 28% Black, the new CD2 is 48.7% Black. Analysis of recent elections shows that had CD2 been in its current configuration, Democrats would have won 16 of the last 17 congressional elections. Instead, Republicans won 16 of the previous 17 elections in CD2 as it was drawn then. Undeterred by the challenging demographics of the new CD2, three Republicans have qualified. Greg Albritton has served in the Alabama State Senate, where he is the chairman of the General Fund Finance & Taxation Committee. Albritton is a retired naval officer who served on destroyers and cruisers. His last post in the Navy was as commander of the recruiting station in Mobile. Albritton is an attorney, but he has stopped practicing to focus on his state legislature duties. Albritton lives in Atmore, which is in CD1, but he has a residence in Range in Conecuh County, where he will move back to if he wins the congressional election. “Since I was in Mobile and in the Navy, I’ve lived in the current borders of CD2 for the last thirty-some-odd years,” Albritton said. “So, I know the district. I know what the problems are. I know what the challenges are.” Dick Brewbaker is a native of Montgomery who served two terms in the Alabama Senate from 2010 to 2018. Brewbaker owned a string of automobile dealerships in Montgomery and surrounding areas for decades. “The Democrats have charted a horrible course for this country, and we need to make sure that we continue to have someone in Congress who will stand up for our values and not let the left continue to destroy the fabric of our country.” “The fact of the matter is that spending is out of control, and inflation continues to harm working people,” Brewbaker said in a press conference announcing his candidacy. “The situation in the Middle East is a disaster, and we must have someone in office who will stand with Israel. The border is an open avenue for illegal immigration, drugs, and who knows what else.” Caroleene Dobson is a real estate attorney. She grew up on a cattle farm in Beatrice and excelled in high school rodeo. She has a degree from Harvard and a law degree from Baylor University Law School. “As a member of Congress, I will fight for our families, our farms, and our faith and preserve the bedrock values and moral backbone that have made our nation the greatest ever known,” Dobson said. “It is time to give Washington, D.C. a good dose of Alabama common sense and go to battle against those on the far left who want to control how we use our property and what we do, think, and say.” Dobson is a member of the Alabama Forestry Commission, the Southeast Livestock Exposition, and the Birmingham Chapter of the Federalist Society. Dobson has promised to protect property rights and free speech rights if she is elected to Congress. The Republican primary is scheduled for March 5. The eventual Republican nominee will face the Democratic party nominee in the general election a year from now. To this point, five Democrats have already qualified to run in CD2, with more reportedly considering entering the race. Major Party qualifying ends at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Steve Flowers: Annual legislative session successful
The recently completed Regular Session of the Alabama legislature was a success. It began on a high note and ended positively. Why? There was plenty of money to spend. Both the General Fund Budget and the Education Budget had historic amounts of money. Most of the focus of the Session was on budgeting, as it should be, because that is the only constitutional mandate that the legislature is tasked with in the 105-day Regular Session. Gov. Kay Ivey laid out her agenda in her State of the State address, then sent her proposed budget requests over to the legislature. The governor’s speech outlining her legislative agenda was about doing good things for education. However, her desires were vague, and her ask list was long and wishful, like a kid’s Christmas wish list. It called for the state to give away the store. It was as though she was running for reelection, which everyone knows she cannot do. Therefore, the veteran Senate treats her politely but has relegated her to a lame-duck status. The legislature has taken total control of the budgeting process, as they should do under the Constitution. The governor proposes, and the legislature disposes. The days of a strong-armed, powerful, omnipotent governor that controls both the Executive and Legislative Branches are over. The King George Wallace era is gone, probably forever. The surplus in the Education Budget was enormous. How to spend this surplus became the focus of the entire session. There is a very accurate political assessment that it is much more difficult to deal with a surplus budget than a lean or deficit budget. George Wallace told me about this same thing during his last term as governor when I was a freshman legislator. Accolades go out to Senator Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), Chairman of the Senate Education Finance and Taxation Committee, and Representative Danny Garrett (R-Trussville), Chairman of the House Education Ways and Means Committee. These two gentlemen essentially singlehandedly wrote the Education Budget and did a masterful job. They were cognizant that what goes up has to come down. Therefore, they created several savings accounts and rainy day funds for the rainy days ahead because they will come. The Education Budget was an historic $11.5 billion. It gave increases for pre-kindergarten programs, school supplies, school nurses, and a significant 2% cost of living salary increase to teachers and support personnel. All colleges and universities in the state received increased funding. Non-education entities were given money. There was $100 million for prison education. The high-profile aspects of the Education Budget windfall were a one-time rebate going back to taxpayers in November. Governor Ivey had wished for a $400 per person and $800 per couple rebate. However, the final result is $150 per person and $300 per married couple. Most legislators preferred eliminating the grocery tax or long-term tax cuts to this one-time check back in November. The surprise in the Christmas stocking from the Education Budget surplus is the reduction on the state sales tax on groceries. Eliminating or reducing the state tax on groceries has been championed by Democrats for years, as the tax is regressive and hurts the state’s lowest income earners the hardest. However, the measure garnered Republican bipartisan support this year after 20 years and passed with an overwhelming vote in both Chambers. It is, however, a gradual reduction. The grocery tax would decrease 2% in two steps, with the tax being reduced 1% this year and another 1% percent new year, if the funds are available. The State General Fund had a good year as well. The $3 billion General Fund was record-shattering—the largest in history. The Chairmen, Senator Greg Albritton (R-Escambia) and Representative Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville) oversaw a $159 million increase over the current year. The largest increases in the budget were in Medicaid by $69 million and Corrections by $59 million more. State employees will see a 2% increase in pay, which will go into effect as the new fiscal year begins October 1. The legendary head of the Alabama State Employees Association, Mac McArthur, has quietly garnered state employees a cost of living raise five out of the last six years. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political commentator. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Alabama Legislature passes parental rights bill
The Alabama Legislature passed parental rights legislation on Wednesday. The Alabama Senate voted in favor of the bipartisan legislation 35 to 0. House Bill 6 (HB6) is sponsored by State Representative Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham). The legislation was carried in the Senate by Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore). “This bill simply codifies what is already case law,” Sen. Albritton explained. Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) asked, “Why do we need it? “This would codify what is already in the law,” Albritton explained. “We believe that it strengthens the law and puts into the black letter law what we already have in the case law.” “HB6 is focused on two principles: God and Country,” Rep. Paschal said on the House floor. “Parental rights are related to the noble duty of parents to raise their children. Parental rights are natural rights that cannot be taken away by any form of government.” HB6, as amended, passed the Senate 35 to 0. It already passed the House by a vote of 87 to 8. The bill now goes to the Gov. Kay Ivey, for her consideration. The Alabama Legislature will meet on Tuesday for Day 30 of the legislative session. The Constitution of Alabama limits the legislative session to a maximum of thirty days. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Controversial gambling bill causes issues in closing hours of legislative session
Thursday is the 29th day of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session, and the Alabama Constitution limits the legislative session to just 30 legislative days. The Senate has an ambitious 27-bill special order calendar to address today, as well as remaining local bills and senate confirmations. All of this was delayed this morning because some Senate Democrats are filibustering confirmations and local bills to keep the Senate from adopting Thursday’s special order calendar. Two issues were responsible for slowing the legislative process, potentially killing dozens of bills before time runs out on the session. State Senator Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham) said he is filibustering a controversial provision in the grocery tax cut bill. That provision would prevent a county or municipality that elects to cut its own sales tax on groceries to then come back later and raise the grocery taxes. The legislation, as written, cuts the state sales tax on groceries but does not cut the county, city, or school district sales taxes on groceries. The legislation does, however, bar them from raising the tax on groceries from this point forward. Even if a city council or county commission cuts the tax, they then can’t restore it. Smitherman said that this potentially could “bankrupt my cities.” Sources have told Alabama Today that the second issue is the status of illegal gambling in Greene County. Greene County has legal dog racing and charity bingo, but Greene County dog track, Greenetrack, was not satisfied with that. Because of that, they began offering electronic bingo machines instead of charity bingo. The Alabama Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that bingo, under Alabama law, is a game played on paper cards. Therefore the gambling machines at Greenetrack are illegal and should be shut down. Greenetrack has also been found guilty of not paying income taxes. Greenetrack argued unsuccessfully that they are a nonprofit corporation and never owed any income taxes. Last week the Alabama Senate passed a controversial constitutional amendment that would allow Greenetrack and potentially other facilities in Greene County to operate historical horse racing machines where players play a machine that shows a previously raced horse race on an electronic video machine. Senate Bill 324 (SB324) is sponsored by State Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro). “This is a constitutional amendment,” Singleton said when the bill was in committee. “By rule 50, this has to be approved in both the Local Legislation Committee and the Tourism Committee. This has to do with “Racing and Parimutuel for Greene County.” “The Greene County Racing Commission asked me to carry this bill,” Singleton said. This will “add in historical horse racing at one or more tracks in the county.” “This bill has nothing to do with bingo in the county at all,” Singleton told the committee. The Senate Tourism Committee voted to give the bill a favorable report in a 12 to 0 vote, and 24 Senators voted to pass the bill out of the Senate. The House committee did not meet this week to address the legislation. Sources say that gambling proponents want the House Committee to meet in an emergency committee meeting and advance the legislation so that it could be brought to the House floor for a vote before this session ends. To this point, the Legislature has avoided taking up the divisive issue of gambling, which has wasted hours and hours in previous legislative sessions. A source close to the House of Representatives told Alabama Today, “They are not going to advance that legislation.” Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) said, “It would sure be nice if we could get that same vote on a much bigger type of gambling bill.” As of this morning, Thursday’s special order calendar has been adopted, and legislation is moving. What concessions, if any, have been granted to the minority is unknown at this time. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama House to consider ambitious special-order calendar on Wednesday
The Alabama House of Representatives will meet on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. to consider a very ambitious proposed special-order calendar. Senate Bill 206 (SB206) is sponsored by State Senator Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville). It is being carried on the floor by State Representative Allen Treadaway (R-Morris). SB206 creates the crime of organized retail theft and turns what used to be misdemeanor shoplifting into a felony. Senate Bill 261 (SB261) is sponsored by Sen. Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook). It is carried in the House by Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollinger’s Island). The anti-ESG legislation would prohibit state and local governments from entering into certain contracts that boycott businesses in certain sectors or based on certain environmental or corporate governance criteria. Senate Bill 279 (SB279) is sponsored by Sen. Randy Price (R-Opelika) and carried in the House by Rep. Matt Woods (R-Jasper). SB279 deals with elected county superintendents of education. Under existing law, the salary for an elected county superintendent of education is required to be set by the county board of education before the beginning of the term of office. This bill would remove that requirement retroactive to July 1, 2021. Senate Bill 94 (SB94) is sponsored by Sen. April Weaver (R-Briarfield) and is carried in the House by Rep. Corley Ellis (R-Columbiana). SB94 would move the Shelby County juvenile probation services and probation officers into the state court system. Senate Bill 99 (SB99) is sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) and carried in the House by Rep. Prince Chestnut (D-Selma). SB99 would increase the mileage reimbursement rate received by jurors Senate Bill 56 (SB56) is sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) and carried in the House by Rep. Allen Baker (R-Brewton). SB56 would require the use of video cameras in certain special education classrooms. Allen is bringing a substitute version of the bill. Senate Bill 292 (SB292) is sponsored by Sen. Roberts and carried by Rep. Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn). SB292 would provide for the Department of Revenue to grant certificates of exemption from sales and use taxes to contractors and subcontractors licensed by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors for the purchase of building materials and construction materials to be used in the construction of a project for an entity that is exempt by law from paying sales and use taxes. Senate Bill 223 (SB223) is sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile) and carried in the House by Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) would include a child witness in the definition of “a physical offense, sexual offense, or violent offense” for the purpose of the Child Physical and Sexual Abuse Victim Protection Act. Senate Bill 309 (SB309) is sponsored by Sen. Chambliss and carried by Rep. Wood in the House. SB309 is related to contracts for professional services to provide for the procurement of certain professional service contracts based on competitive, qualification-based policies and procedures, as well as to provide for the advertisement of such contracts; and to subject such contracts to a fee schedule established by the Division of Construction Management of the Department of Finance. Senate Bill 198 (SB198) is sponsored by Sen. Orr and carried in the House by Rep. Cynthia Almond (R-Tuscaloosa). It would add additional offenses that would be subject to the presumptive sentencing guidelines; to modify the criminal penalties for criminal solicitation, attempt, and criminal conspiracy; to give a judge discretion when sentencing a person convicted of a Class C or Class D felony offense. Senate Bill 184 (SB184) is sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) and carried in the House by Rep. Kyle South (R-Fayette). SB184 would authorize the Department of Corrections to expend funds for the recruitment and training of law enforcement officers and to further the mission of the department. South will introduce a substitute version of the bill. Senate Bill 224 (SB224) is sponsored by Sen. Figures and carried in the House by Rep. Simpson. It provides for the age of a child for the crime of transmitting obscene material to a child by computer, to establish jurisdiction for a violation of distributing a private image, and further provides for the crime of incest. Senate Bill 281 (SB281) is sponsored by Sen. Albritton and carried by Rep. Margie Wilcox (R-Mobile). SB281 creates a new distinctive license plate to benefit the USS Alabama Battleship Commission. Senate Bill 285 (SB285) is sponsored by Sen. Jones and carried in the House by Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur).SB285 will allow nonprofit organizations to host wine festivals. Senate Bill 176 (SB176) is sponsored by Sen Orr and carried by Rep. Collins. SB176 is the Student Right to Know Act of 2023. It requires the Alabama Commission on Higher Education to collect and make available online data for students to plan for their educational and professional futures; and for the Workforce Division of the Department of Commerce to share data and information with ACHE. Senate Bill 192 (SB192) is sponsored by Sen. Albritton and is carried in the House by Rep. Donna Givens (R-Loxley). SB192 would allow private corporations to limit access to industrial facilities and that industrial access roads to continue to be maintained as a public corporation. Senate Bill 263 (SB263) is sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Dothan) and carried in the House by Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur). SB263 makes changes to the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013. It revises the law to change the term failing school to priority school and nonfailing to qualifying school to make other changes. Senate Bill 258 (SB258) is sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre). It deals with nonprofit corporations that provide water services to the public authorizing a one-time audit by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts. There is a substitute version of this bill. Senate Bill 103 (SB103) is sponsored by Sen. Orr: and carried by Rep. Almond. It would require the Alabama Ethics Commission to provide exonerating evidence to persons accused of ethics wrongdoing. Almond will introduce a substitute. Senate Bill 76 (SB76) is sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road). It is carried in the House by Rep. Lovvorn. SB76 establishes the Rural Logging Support Act, funding supporting rural economic Development. Wednesday will be Day 28 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama lawmakers approve budget after disagreements on local projects
Alabama lawmakers on Friday gave final approval to general fund spending bills after sometimes tense disagreements over local projects and budget projections. Lawmakers worked through the night before giving final passage to the spending bills shortly in the early hours of Friday morning. “This is not the best that there ever has been, but it’s the best we can get to this evening,” said Sen. Greg Albritton, the chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee. Legislators gave final approval to a $3 billion general fund budget for the fiscal year beginning in October and a supplemental spending bill for this year. The bills now go to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey. Sharp disagreements had emerged over funding for special projects, with some lawmakers saying their districts had been neglected. “It’s the poorest region of the state, and not one whole million dollars went to West Alabama,” Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton said. Lawmakers from Montgomery successfully fought to restore some funding for a gateway project to improve the area around Maxwell Air Force Base. Sen. Will Barfoot said the base is the “lifeblood of Montgomery.” Lawmakers had also disagreed over how much to spend in the upcoming fiscal year because of concerns about a possible economic downturn. The approved spending plan is about $10 million less than a House-passed plan. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Alabama Legislature sends budgets to Gov. Kay Ivey
On Thursday, the Alabama Legislature voted to send budget appropriations bills totaling over $14.8 billion to the desk of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. For those legislators who experienced the 2011 thru 2017 post-Great Recession budget battles, the change in dollar amounts and the tone of the budget discussions are remarkably different. Alabama has an arcane budgeting system where there is not one budget; but two – the education trust fund (ETF) and the state general fund (SGF). Education spending is in the ETF, while most non-education-related state agencies, the largest of these being Alabama Medicaid and the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC), are in the state general fund (SGF) budget. On Thursday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2024 education trust fund budget (ETF) of $8.8 billion. That is by far the largest in state history. The House also passed a supplemental appropriation to the F.Y. 2023 education budget of almost $2.8 billion. The biggest controversy in this whole budget debate has centered around that supplemental appropriation. A conference committee was tasked with resolving the differences between the two budgets. Both Houses voted to concur on the conference committee version of the budget late on Thursday night. The biggest difference between the Governor’s budget request, the Senate version of the education budget, and the House version is the size of the tax rebates. In her State of the State speech, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey promised Alabamians $400 checks. That would have cost $980 million, according to the Governor’s office, while the Legislature’s estimate was over $1 billion. The Senate slashed that to $105 per taxpayer. The House doubled that amount to $210 per tax filer and $420 per couple. The version that came out of conference committee around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday was reduced to $150 per tax filer and $300 per couple. Both Houses voted to concur with the conference committee version of the budget and the conference committee version of the education supplemental. Instead of funding the Governor’s tax rebates, the Legislature created a second reserve account of nearly half a billion dollars in case a future economic downturn means that future legislatures need to tap reserves. The education budget already had a fully funded rolling reserve fund that could be used to prevent proration of the education budget. This second reserve fund will give the Legislature more flexibility in responding to a slowdown in tax revenues. The Legislature also created a new grant program to fund K-12 capital projects administered by the office of the Lieutenant Governor. Sen. Arthur Orr explained that these projects will be targeted to the greatest needs statewide. Rep. Danny Garrett explained that the conference committee version of the supplemental ETF appropriation meant ~$157 million had to be reappropriated from the rebates. $75 million went to the new cash reserve, $75 million to the Lt. Governor’s grant program, and another $7 million funded various projects. Orr and Garrett are the education budget chairs for their respective houses. While all this was happening in the House of Representatives, the Alabama Senate passed its version of the general fund budget. The over $3 billion SGF is by far the largest in state history. There was also a supplemental appropriation for the SGF. A conference committee worked out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the SGF after ~11:00 p.m. on Thursday. Both Houses voted to concur with the conference committee version of the general fund. Interestingly the conference committee version of the SGF at $3,013,650,381 is several million dollars left than the version that passed out of the House and even the version that the Senate passed just hours earlier. It is still more than the Governor requested. Sen. Greg Albritton said that one of the biggest issues facing the state is the escalating costs of construction. Inflation has hit the whole economy, but nowhere more than in construction costs, and the state has several construction projects underway in both the ETF and SGF, most notably the two mega prisons being built in Elmore and Escambia Counties. One area that is not discussed in all of these budget discussions is roads and bridges. This is because the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) receives its funds not from the ETF or SGF but from the road and bridge fund that comes from fuel taxes. This allows ALDOT to avoid proration in an economic downturn like what was experienced by schools and other state agencies a decade ago, but it also means that ALDOT misses out on windfalls from boom times like what we are experiencing now. If Alabama had a one combined pot of money budget, like most state governments, it is very easy to envision a scenario where the Legislature could have appropriated a billion dollars or more to ALDOT. This would have allowed the agency to draw down another $2 billion in federal funds to address long-term infrastructure needs such as the I-10 bridge over the Mobile River, six-laning I-65, or completing the Northern Beltway in Jefferson County. This is not an option in the unique budgeting system in the state of Alabama. The budgets now go to Governor Ivey for her consideration. The Legislature will return on Wednesday for day 27 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. The session is limited to just thirty legislative days by the Alabama Constitution. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
