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.
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 Heart Association opposes penalties on teen smokers
On Wednesday, the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report to legislation that would penalize both the sellers of vape products to persons under age 21 as well as the youthful offenders themselves. The Alabama Heart Association urged legislators not to penalize the young tobacco users themselves. The Alabama Heart Association joined a chorus of advocates in a letter to lawmakers calling for lawmakers to remove penalties on kids and hold the tobacco industry accountable. House Bill 319 (HB319), sponsored by State Representative Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile), was advanced by the Committee and could be considered on the Senate floor as early as Thursday. Senate Bill 271, sponsored by State Senator Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman), is the Senate companion bill to HB319. The American Heart Association and partners claim that the bill is disguised as a policy to help Alabama’s youth, but in its current form would be harmful to children and give a pass to those selling tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to minors. The expresses opposition to language in HB319/SB271, saying it further emboldens big tobacco companies. Jada Shaffer is the senior regional lead of governmental affairs for the American Heart Association. “As the mother of a son who started using chewing tobacco at 14 and purchased it at our local gas station, I know this is a problem all too well,” said Shaffer. “I am pleading with lawmakers to take bold steps in ensuring that no child is exposed again to these deadly products and that the retailers in Alabama are held accountable if they sell to minors. Big tobacco targeted kids with fruity flavors and successfully addicted a whole new generation of kids to nicotine. And now they are shifting the blame to kids and penalizing them. HB319/SB271 further victimizes Alabama’s children all over again.” The Alabama Heart Association said that nicotine is a highly addictive drug. The AHA said that their research shows that many students use e-cigarettes and other tobacco products to self-medicate for depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. The American Heart Association warns that many e-cigarettes deliver dangerously high levels of nicotine and should never be used by youth. The U.S. Surgeon General warns that nicotine exposure during adolescence may harm brain development and impact learning, memory, and attention. Additionally, brain changes induced by nicotine exposure can make youth more susceptible to addiction to other substances. “The industry spent billions of dollars creating appealing flavors and vapes that were easily hidden from our children,” Schaffer added. “The industry created this problem, and now they want to further punish kids.” Specifically, the Heart Association objects to provisions in HB319/SB27 that would penalize Alabama youths for nicotine addiction while not addressing the real problem of keeping these products out of kids’ hands. The Heart Association added that the bill requires no annual retail compliance check, allows for tobacco and e-cigarettes to be sold at self-service displays, and further wastes state resources on an FDA registry that is not required by the federal Tobacco 21 law. The American Heart Association claims that there is no evidence that putting kids in the court system with fines, suspending kids, or even making them do community service helps with a nicotine addiction. Instead, says Shaffer, kids need help with nicotine addiction through cessation and counseling. According to American Heart Association resources, even though the legal sales age for tobacco is 21, 75% of youth reported they were not refused a sale when trying to buy these products. In 2021 tobacco companies spent $9.1 billion nationwide and approximately $202.2 million in Alabama targeting youth with their products and marketing, including selling tobacco products in candy, fruit, and minty menthol flavors in gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. In 2019, 26.7% of Alabama high school youth reported using tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Dr. Ronald Lazar, M.D., professor of neurology and neurobiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a member of the local American Heart Association board of directors “It is no secret that tobacco use causes a wide range of health issues, both long and short-term,” said Dr. Lazar. “As a physician, it concerns me when I learn the youngest of patients are smoking and consuming tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Holding tobacco retailers more accountable for the sale and marketing of these products would mean a safer world for our kids.” At least 44% of teens in the US attend school within 1,000 feet of a tobacco retailer, and 77% of public schools are within a 10-minute walk of a tobacco retailer, which contributes to youth tobacco rates remaining high. “Make no mistake, tobacco companies have grown bolder in their efforts to keep people addicted and misinformed,” added Shaffer. “They support watered-down and less effective tobacco-control measures as a public relations ploy to divert the attention from proven measures. Meaningful change in Alabama requires a comprehensive tobacco retail licensure program, adequate funding for tobacco cessation, comprehensive smoke-free air laws, and increased tobacco taxes. We hope lawmakers will remove the penalties on kids and hold the industry accountable.” SB271 failed to reach the Senate floor by the 27th legislative day of the session, meaning that constitutionally it does not have time to pass. HB319 has been passed by the committee and is awaiting action by the Senate. SB316 is sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile). It also bans people below age 21 from using vape or electronic cigarette devices. It is a different piece of legislation than SB271/HB319 and is not opposed by the Heart Association. HB316 passed the Senate unanimously on Wednesday and is awaiting action by the House Judiciary Committee. An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified Figures as the sponsor of SB271. The Legislature will meet next Wednesday for day 27 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Governor will host a ceremonial bill signing for legislation passed during 2023 Regular Session
On Tuesday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey will host a series of bill-signing ceremonies to celebrate the passage of several pieces of legislation that addressed concerns facing the state of Alabama. Ivey will sign several bills, including reform of the state’s adoption laws. House Bill 101 (HB 101) is sponsored by State Representative Ginny Shaver and State Senator Arthur Orr. This bill streamlines the state’s adoption process and updates the current adoption law language. (Act 2023-092). “Alabama has consistently set state records for adoptions and placed thousands of children in loving, forever homes,” said Gov. Ivey. “Currently, we have more than 5,000 children in the foster care system, and with this modernized and streamlined process now in place, we have positioned Alabama on even firmer footing and will be able to provide more of our children with the life they deserve.” House Bill 66 (HB66) by Rep. Joe Lovvorn and Sen. Andrew Jones allows certain firefighters, law enforcement officers, and correctional officers, covered under the ERS or TRS, to purchase hazardous duty time for prior service. (Act 2023-101). HB66 removes the time limitations for Tier I firefighters, law enforcement officers, and correctional officers covered under the Employees’ Retirement System or the Teachers’ Retirement System to purchase eligible service credit prior to January 1, 2003. House Bill 164 (HB164) by Rep. Andy Whitt and Sen. Jay Hovey requires high school students to complete a personal financial literacy and money management course before graduation. (Act 2023-179). “I have got story after story from thirty years of banking experience of young people who did not have a checking account,” said Whitt. “They go to convenience stores and check cashing places to get their paychecks cashed. One young fellow was working two hours a week just to be able to get his check cashed each week.” Senate Bill 131 (SB 131) by Sen. Vivian Figures and Rep. Steve Clouse. This bill transfers the regulation of preneed funeral contracts from the Department of Insurance to the Alabama Board of Funeral Services. (Act 2023-094). The Alabama Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Act of 2023 transfers the existing Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Act and the regulation of preneed contracts from the Commissioner and Department of Insurance to the Alabama Board of Funeral Service. It authorizes the Department of Insurance to temporarily transfer certain funds to the board to defray costs associated with the administration and operation of the Alabama Preneed Funeral and Cemetery Act of 2023; Senate Bill 28 (SB28) by Sen. Tim Melson and Rep. Randy Wood would expand the scope of practice of podiatry to include treatment of the foot and ankle. (Act 2023-106). Podiatrists in most states are already allowed to treat disorders of the ankle. This expansion of the scope of practice to come in line with national standards was long overdue. Senate Bill 104 (SB 104) by Sen. Chris Elliott and Rep. David Faulkner revises the current Dram Shop Act by addressing liability for providers of alcohol if a recipient injures a third party. (Act 2023-025) . Before this, only three insurance carriers would insure restaurants and bars from lawsuits due to the liability. This will make it harder for plaintiffs’ attorneys to prove a case against the establishment that sold the alcohol. House Bill 56 (HB56) by Rep. Frances Holk-Jones and Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison will expand the scope of practice for licensees of the Alabama Board of Social Work Examiners. (Act 2023-100). This will allow specially trained social workers with master’s degrees to diagnose mental illnesses. House Bill 62 (HB 62) by Rep. Ben Robbins and Sen. Keith Kelley will extend the amount of time that nonprofit veterans’ organizations have to comply with state and local building codes when acquiring a former armory building. (Act 2023-175). This bill primarily deals with an armory in Sylacauga owned by the American Legion and used by the Alabama National Guard. When the National Guard shut down its presence, it transferred back to the American Legion. The NG never updated the building during its tenure, so it lacks the sprinkler system needed to comply with state building code requirements. Tuesday will be day 24 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative session. Kay Ivey has been governor since 2017. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Twelve more bills to watch introduced in the legislative session
The 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session is almost half over. Tuesday will be legislative day 14. To this point, State Legislators have introduced 618 bills in the current legislative session. Alabama Today has been monitoring bills as they are introduced. Here are twelve of the most recently introduced bills to watch. House Bill 370 (HB370) is sponsored by Representative John Rogers. According to the synopsis, HB370 “would require the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to establish and maintain a database that includes a list of individuals with communication disabilities or disabilities that can impair communications, to be available to law enforcement officers. This bill would require the Alabama Department of Public Health to develop a form for individuals to voluntarily register for inclusion in the database.” Senate Bill 237 (SB237) is sponsored by Senator Tom Butler. According to the synopsis, “Under existing law, the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017 prohibits architecturally significant buildings, memorial buildings, memorial streets, and monuments that are located on public property and have been so situated for 40 or more years from being relocated, removed, altered, renamed, or otherwise disturbed unless the Committee on Alabama Monument Protection grants a waiver, and provides penalties for violations. This bill would require a controlling governmental entity that replaces a memorial building to maintain the original name or erect a marker memorializing the name. This bill would provide that a petition for waiver is deemed denied if the Committee on Alabama Monument Protection fails to act on an application for waiver within 90 days. This bill would revise the penalties for violations and would authorize the Attorney General to commence a civil action. This bill would also require the Alabama State Council on the Arts to oversee the design, construction, and installation of a replica of the Saturn 1B Rocket, previously located at the I-65 Ardmore Welcome Center in Elkmont, Alabama, at the most northern I-65 rest stop in the state.” House Bill 364 (HB364) is sponsored by State Rep. Steve Hurst. HB364 would require a public K-12 school or a local board of education to accept cash and any other form of payment of its choosing for admission to school-sponsored sporting events that are open to the public. Some venues have gone to credit card payments only during the COVID-19 pandemic. House Bill 354 (HB354) is sponsored by State Rep. Mack Butler. HB354 “would provide that classroom instruction or discussions related to gender identity or sexual orientation may not be provided to public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade or to public school students in a manner that is not age or developmentally appropriate. This bill would require the State Board of Education to adopt procedures for notifying a student’s parent if there is a change in the student’s services or monitoring relating to the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health and would prohibit local boards of education from adopting policies to the contrary. This bill would require each local board of education, at the beginning of each school year, to notify parents of the health care services available to students and allow parents to opt their child out of any health care service.” Senate Bill 224 (SB224) is sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures. According to the synopsis, “Under existing law, the crime of transmitting obscene material to a child by computer is a Class B felony. This bill would clarify that for the purpose of this crime, a child is a person who is under 16 years of age. Under existing law, a person commits the crime of distributing a private image if he or she knowingly posts, emails, texts, transmits, or otherwise distributes a private image with the intent to harass, threaten, coerce, or intimidate the person depicted in certain circumstances. This bill would clarify that a criminal proceeding for a violation of distributing a private image could be brought in any county in which any part of the crime took place, in the county of residence of the victim, or any county where the image was received. Also, under existing law, a violation of incest is a Class C felony. This bill would provide that a violation of incest when the victim is under 16 years of age is a Class A felony. Also, under existing law, a person may not be convicted of the crime of incest or of an attempt to commit incest unless there is corroborated testimony. This bill would remove the requirement of corroborated testimony.” Senate Bill 234 (SB234) is a state constitutional amendment by Sen. Merika Coleman. SB234 would end the state’s four percent sales tax on groceries but would replace the lost revenue by ending the state’s allowing income taxpayers to deduct their federal income tax. A family of four who spends $110 a week on groceries would save $229 on the reduced sales tax on groceries. With a typical household taxable income of $54,062, they pay $4,726 in federal income taxes. Currently, they would deduct that from their state-taxable income. If SB234 passes and they lose that deduction, they would pay $281 in additional Alabama income taxes. In this example, that family would pay $52 more in taxes. A low-income family or a retired couple with no investment income would come out ahead by not having to pay the grocery tax. A high-income family will pay more taxes in this scenario if SB234 becomes law. Senate Bill 232 (SB232) is sponsored by Sen. Chris Elliott. SB232 would authorize peer-to-peer car-sharing programs, which are business platforms that connect vehicle owners with drivers, to enable the sharing of vehicles for financial consideration in this state. House Bill 342 (HB342) is sponsored by Rep. Susan Dubose. The bill states, “Under existing law, the State Superintendent of Education is authorized to issue professional educator certificates to qualified individuals who complete an alternative teacher preparation program offered by an approved alternative teacher education preparation organization. This bill would provide additional requirements for programs to provide alternative certifications for educators.” House Bill 339 (HB339) is sponsored by Rep. Chris Pringle. The bill states, “Under existing law, the second or runoff
Senate Committee rejects effort to move Robert E. Lee holiday to October
On Wednesday, the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development (FRED) Committee rejected a bill that would have moved the celebration of the Robert E. Lee holiday to the second Monday in October. The legislation would have moved the Robert E. Lee state holiday from its current position on the calendar – the same day as the Martin Luther King Jr. birthday holiday in January – to the Columbus Day holiday in October. Senate Bill 130 (SB130) was sponsored by State Senator Vivian Figures. “I brought this bipartisan bill two years ago along with the late Representative Steve McMillan,” Figures said. “We and Mississippi are the only two states that celebrate both of these men on the same day.” “We can’t move the Martin Luther King Holiday because it is a federal holiday,” Figures explained. “October was the time of his (Lee’s) death.” Figures said that Lee was indicted for treason by a grand jury, owned slaves, had slaves whipped, broke up slave families, and led an army that enslaved free Black people and killed African American federal troops who tried to surrender. Figures said that advancing her legislation would benefit the state’s image and boost the economy. A public hearing had been called on SB130, but the people asked to come to the Committee and speak against the bill were not present. The Committee voted not to give a favorable report to SB130 by a voice vote. Following the vote, Figures asked for a roll call vote. Chairman Garlan Gudger told Sen. Figures, “No, you may not.” “I want the record to show that the African-American women voted for the bill, and all of the White Republican men and the White Republican woman voted no,” Figures said. “I am disappointed, but I am not surprised,” Figures told reporters after the vote by the Committee. This is the third year the Legislature has refused to advance this legislation. Figures was not optimistic that the bill would pass next year. “I see the writing on the wall,” Figures said. “Somebody or something is putting pressure on them because even members I thought would support it didn’t.” Alabama Today asked why not move the holiday back a week so that King has a weekend and Lee has his own weekend closer to his actual birthday. “The state doesn’t want that – that costs money,” Figures said. “They don’t want another state employee holiday.” Alabama Today asked why not move it to June and celebrate it on the same days as Jefferson Davis’s birthday. “I wanted a day with a connection to Lee,” Figures said. “He died on October 12.” Figures was asked why not just eliminate the celebration of Robert E. Lee Day. “That definitely won’t pass,” Figures said. Lee, the former Commandant at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a veteran of the War with Mexico was a Colonel in the U.S. Army who resigned his commission when his native State of Virginia voted to secede from the Union. Lee then accepted a command as a general in the Confederate States of America in 1861. Lee would become a military history legend in command of the CSA’s Army of Northern Virginia. Following the Civil War, he was President of the College now known as Washington and Lee University. Lee has been admired by Americans, particularly Southerners, for over 150 years. Alabama has celebrated the life of the beloved Confederate General with a state holiday for over a hundred years. Martin Luther King was a Montgomery Pastor who was the acknowledged leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Civil Rights Movement. He led the voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery after the first march was beaten by State Troopers and the Birmingham civil rights protests while preaching non-violence. King is a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and is noted for his speeches and writings, including “A Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and his “I Have a Dream Speech.” King was assassinated in Memphis in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the bill making King’s birthday a national holiday. When King’s birthday became a holiday, the Alabama Legislature moved the already existing Robert E. Lee holiday to the same day as the King holiday. Wednesday was the 12th legislative day of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama Legislature returns for session today
The Alabama Legislature will be back at work in Montgomery Tuesday after taking off last week for spring break. Both Houses of the Alabama Legislature will be in session, with the Alabama House of Representatives going into session at 1:00 p.m. and the Alabama Senate going in at 2:30 p.m. As of Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives has not released a proposed special order calendar for what bills it will work on in Tuesday’s session. The Senate has not posted a new special order calendar. The Joint Committee on Public Accounts will meet on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. in the Senate’s Finance and Taxation committee room on the eighth floor of the Statehouse. The committee has not posted an agenda. The Senate County and Local Government Committee will meet at 1:00 p.m. in the same room. There are two bills on the posted committee agenda. Senate Bill 92 (SB92) is sponsored by Sen. Josh Carnley. SB92 would extend the time to make a one-time lump-sum addition to the retirement benefits of certain retirees and beneficiaries of the Employees’ Retirement System and give local units participating in the Employees’ Retirement System the option to come under the provisions of the act. According to the fiscal note, “The provisions of this act would increase the obligations of any local entity making such election by an undetermined amount dependent on the cost of the bonuses issues, which must be borne by the local government, as provided by this bill.” Senate Bill 142 (SB142) is sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures. SB142 would annex additional property into the Baldwin County city of Spanish Fort. The legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Greg Albritton and Chris Elliott, so all three of Baldwin County’s Senators support this legislation. Elliott chairs the committee. The Senate Healthcare Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. in Room 304 of the State House. Two bills are on the Committee agenda. Senate Bill 109 (SB109) is sponsored by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison. SB109 would further provide the scope of practice of licensees of the Alabama Board of Social Work Examiners. Senate Bill 28 (SB28) is sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson. SB28 would expand the scope of the practice of podiatry to include the treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle. Currently, Alabama limits podiatrists to feet only. There was a public hearing on this legislation on March 22. Alabama is one of the most restrictive environments for podiatrists in the country, making it very difficult for podiatrists to practice in Alabama. Most of our neighboring states already allow podiatrists to treat the ankle. The doctors’ lobbying group, the Alabama Medical Association, has opposed expanding the scope of practice for podiatrists for years. Melson chairs the Senate Healthcare Committee. Tuesday will be day 5 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
372 bills have been filed in Alabama legislative session
Only four legislative days have passed in the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session, but already 372 bills have been filed by legislators. Alabama Today has worked on writing about as many of these as possible so that our readers stay informed on issues before the Alabama Legislature. Two hundred bills were filed in the last week alone. Below is a short recap of 15 of these. Senate Bill 143 (SB143) by State Senator Will Barfoot targets youth gangs. The legislation seeks to identify members of criminal gangs. SB143 would enhance penalties for any criminal activity that benefits, promotes, or furthers the interest of a gang. The bill would establish mandatory consecutive penalties for any individual who knowingly possesses, uses, or carries a firearm during the commission of any act intended to benefit, promote, or further the interest of a gang. This bill would require any juvenile 16 or older to be tried as an adult for any gang-related criminal activity. State Representative Allen Treadaway has introduced similar legislation in the House – HB191. House Bill 217 (HB217) is sponsored by State Rep. Anthony Daniels. It would exempt overtime from state income taxes and a substantial tax cut for many hardworking hourly workers. Under existing law, gross income is defined for state income tax. Also, the existing law exempts certain amounts from the calculation of gross income. This bill would exclude work performed in excess of 40 hours in any week from being included in the gross income calculation. Daniels, the House Minority Leader, has some powerful cosponsors on this legislation, which has just dropped, including Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter and education fund budget Chairman Danny Garrett. Sen. Sam Givhan has introduced similar legislation in the Senate – SB137. House Bill 115 (HB115) by Rep. Danny Garrett would lower the top state income tax rate. Under existing law, Alabama levies an individual income tax at rates ranging from two percent on taxable income to a top rate of five percent on taxable income. This bill would phase in a reduction in the top tax rate from five percent to four and ninety-five hundredths percent. House Bill 181 (HB181) by Rep. Mack Butler would prohibit financial institutions from disclosing certain customer financial records of firearms transactions. HB181 would allow the Department of Finance to disqualify a financial institution from any selection process for state contracts for violation of this prohibition and to provide civil penalties and criminal penalties for violation of the act. Butler told Alabama Today that he did not believe that credit card companies need to be tracking customers’ gun and ammunition purchases. “That’s too much information for the credit card companies or the government to have,” said Butler. “The Sons of liberty would have had a big problem with that.” Senate Bill 144 (SB144) by Barfoot would address the shortage of judges by creating three additional circuit judgeships and two additional district judgeships to be funded out of the State General Fund in Fiscal Year 2024. House Bill 209 (HB209) by Rep. Jamie Kiel would effectively outlaw ballot harvesting in Alabama. This bill would prohibit any person from distributing, ordering, requesting, collecting, completing, obtaining, or delivering an absentee ballot application or absentee ballot of another person in certain circumstances and would provide for exceptions. This bill would prohibit any person from receiving a payment or providing payment to another person for distributing, ordering, requesting, collecting, completing, obtaining, or delivering an absentee ballot application or absentee ballot of another person in certain circumstances. This bill would also establish criminal penalties for violations. HB209 already has 42 House cosponsors. Senate Bill 141 (SB141) by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison lowers the crime of chemical endangerment of a child to a misdemeanor under some circumstances. Under existing law, a person commits the crime of chemical endangerment of a child if the child is exposed to a controlled substance, chemical substance, or drug paraphernalia. A violation is a Class C felony. This bill would provide that chemical endangerment of a child where the child is exposed to marijuana or drug paraphernalia is a Class A misdemeanor. This bill would also provide that a confirmatory positive drug test must be obtained before an agency or law enforcement initiates any action for a violation. Senate Bill 127 (SB127), sponsored by Sen. Merika Coleman, would expand the statute of limitations on civil suits for alleged sexual misconduct, and it would be retroactive. Under existing law, a civil action for an injury to an individual that involves certain sex offenses must be brought within six years. This bill would expand the statute of limitations for certain sex offenses. Senate Bill 130 (SB130), sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures, would move the official state celebration of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s birthday as a state holiday observed on the third Monday in January to the second Monday in October. Currently, the state celebrates Robert E. Lee’s birthday on the same day as Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. SB130 would move Robert E. Lee’s birthday to Columbus Day, so Robert E Lee Day would remain a state holiday but would not add a new state holiday. House Bill 187 (HB187), sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown, would require parental or guardian’s consent for a minor to get a vaccine. Under existing law, a minor 14 years of age or older may give consent for medical, dental, and mental health services for themselves without parental consent. HB187 would require consent of a parent or a legal guardian for any minor to receive a vaccination. This became an issue during the recent COVID-19 global pandemic. House Bill 186 (HB186), also by Brown, would allow a parent to opt their child out of any school policy requiring students to wear a face covering at school, at a school function, a school bus, or at a school bus stop. Many parents were upset that their schools required face masks during the pandemic. House Bill 182 (HB182), sponsored by Rep. Traci Estes, would expand the definition of a dependent to include an unborn child. Under current law, taxpayers are allowed a dependent exemption for a son or daughter for
Legislature finishes the ARPA special session
On Thursday, the Alabama Senate voted to pass House Bill 1 (HB1), which appropriates $1,060,000,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for water projects, broadband, healthcare, and other projects. Following Senate passage, the Alabama House of Representatives voted to concur with the changes made by the Senate, and the bill has been sent to the governor. HB1 was sponsored by State Representative Rex Reynolds and was carried by Sen. Greg Albritton. The state has received approximately $2.1 billion in ARPA funding from the federal government. Half of that money has already been appropriated by the Legislative and is in the process of being allocated by the executive branch to projects across Alabama. This second tranche of ARPA money includes about $339,175,000 that will go for healthcare needs, including $25 million for Mental health and $9 million for the expansion of telemedicine. $260 million will be used for broadband, including a cybersecurity component. $395 million will go to water and sewer projects. $55 million will be used to compensate state agencies for the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. $1,179,000 will go for administrative costs of overseeing and allocating the money. State Sen. Arthur Orr said, “I don’t see what a lot of this has to do with COVID, but I can also see when a train is coming. “We have also got $55 million that can be for food assistance for food banks and nutritional programs,” Orr said. “I appreciate all your hard work on both of these ARPA bills,” Orr said to Albritton. “I think if we never have another ARPA, you would be happy with that.” “It does not fully fund the PEEHIP assistance, which is why the fed passed the original assistance bill,” Orr said. The full Senate voted to adopt the committee amendment introduced Wednesday for Sen. Chris Elliott. Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison offered a floor amendment to the bill. Coleman Madison said, “I would like to know why in-kind contributions was left out. It saves money from contracting out. It saves time. It helps the money go further.” “All of these moneys are under very strict guidelines by the federal Treasury Department,” Albritton said. “If we allow an in-kind contribution that opens up a means of reporting that may become problematic,” Albritton said, “We are talking about the $395 million for water and sewer projects. That is less than 40% of the total ARPA money.” “I ask that you withdraw the amendment,” Albritton said. Coleman Madison said, “I do not want to do anything where the federal government will come back and require a clawback. They want money and not any kind of service. I would like to withdraw my amendment.” Albritton provided a breakdown of the water and sewer dollars in the bill as amended by Elliott’s committee amendment. · $195 million is for water and sewer. · 100 million is water, sewer, and stormwater and may have, but does not require a match. · $100 million in water, sewer, and stormwater and does require a match “Every county in the state will have an opportunity to apply and will actually get funding for a project in their county,” Albritton told the members. “Counties across this state got $495 million directly to counties, and some of them chose to do nothing about stormwater with it,” Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton said. “Now they come to us and want us to fix it for them.” State Sen. Rodger Smitherman proposed an amendment to require ADEM to work with a town or county whose application was denied due to an error on the application. “This is simply to help our small towns,” Smitherman said. “If you are in a metropolitan area, you probably have someone who can do this, but our small towns cannot afford that.” “It has already been done,” Albritton objected. “That was in ARPA one. I hesitate to put that language which is already occurring in statute. I am going to vote no on this. We have already added one amendment. I don’t want another amendment one. It raises the possibility of nonconcurrence.” Smitherman’s amendment passed over Albritton’s objection 29 to 1. State Sen. Will Barfoot applauded the members for providing funding for healthcare but urged the members to do more for rural healthcare in the regular session. “I am challenging each of you here to start looking at bills to address healthcare in our rural communities,” Barfoot said. Senate Pro Tem Greg Reed said, “We have to stay focused on rural healthcare.” “We are going to have several pieces of legislation addressing nursing,” Reed said. “A lot of areas in my district, we would not have healthcare if we did not have nurse practitioners.” Reed said that broadband expansion is part of healthcare because of telemedicine. “The technology is advancing tremendously,” Reed said. “That is one way that local hospitals will be able to stay in business. We need to find ways to increase healthcare benefits, particularly in rural places like in my district.” State Sen. Vivian Figures said to Albritton, “Thank you for making sure that the cities and counties that can’t afford to put up a 35% match will be able to do these projects as well.” “I want to thank you for all the work that you have done,” Singleton said to Albritton. “It is a lot of money to spend. We have a lot of needs, but we are beginning to see a difference in the state. We are not going to be able to get it all, but we are knocking a dent in it.” “I wish you could have set aside more of the money for rural hospitals like we did in the first round,” Singleton said. “When that $40 million was cut out for them in the last round, they were ecstatic.” Reynolds asked that the House concur with the Senate changes to HB1. “The second amendment requires that ADEM has to work with a system if an application is denied because of an error,” Reynolds explained. “That system has to have an opportunity to correct that error, and if that application is denied, it has to be
The 2023 Alabama Legislative Session has begun
Tuesday, the Alabama State Legislature returned to Montgomery for the start of the 2024 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. The Alabama House of Representatives and the Alabama Senate gaveled in at noon for the first legislative day and then joined the governor that night for a joint session where she presented her state of the state address. Senate Pro Tem. Greg Reed told members of the Senate, “I appreciate you being willing to serve the people of Alabama.” “The sacrifices made by the family of those who serve is not insignificant,” Reed added, thanking the families of the 35 Senators for their sacrifices. The Senate opened the journal to introduce bills, selected a committee to inform the governor that the Senate was now in session, and passed a resolution in honor of March being Women’s History Month. The resolution “celebrates the contribution that Alabama women have made to American history.” The resolution honors a number of Alabama women, including Rosa Parks, Helen Keller, and Condoleezza Rice, for their contributions to the state as well as the governor. “Current governor Kay Ivey is the longest serving woman governor in history and the second after Lurleen Wallace.” State Sen. Rodger Smitherman said, “This resolution inspired me. That resolution is a cosmic picture of the state of Alabama. It does not matter whether you are Black or White. It was a cosmic picture of all the people of Alabama.” “That’s our state,” Smitherman said. “All of us, we represent the state. Look around this room. This is what our state looks like. I am looking forward to voting for this resolution with a smile on my face.” Senate Joint Resolution 4 passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 5 honoring former U.S. Senator Richard Shelby for his decades of service to the state passed. State Sen. Gerald Allen sponsored this. A second resolution supporting the oil and gas exploration by Allen was held over and referred to the Rules Committee after State Sen. Bobby Singleton asked for more time to study it. Reed announced that the Senate needed to address statutory requirements at the start of the session. The Senate held a Legislative Council election and selected Sens. Clyde Chambliss, Steve Livingston, and Vivian Figures to represent the Senate on the Council. For the Committee on Public Accounts, the Senate elected Sens. Arthur Orr, Clay Scofield, and Jabo Waggoner. On the Sunset Committee, Sens. Garlan Gudger, Keith Kelley, and Figures were elected. Sens. Orr, Scofield, Waggoner, Figures, and Singleton were elected to the Senate Ethics and Conduct Committee. Ivey called a special session beginning on Wednesday for the Legislature to focus on appropriating over one billion dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funds that the federal government sent to the state of Alabama. “This evening, I am calling a Special Session of the Alabama Legislature to begin tomorrow so that we can urgently address these endeavors,” Ivey said. “We are, once again, tasked with allocating our taxpayers’ dollars that are part of the second round of the American Rescue Plan Act from Congress.” “This is not free money,” Ivey warned legislators. “And we must invest these one-time funds wisely. Last year, thanks to you, members of the Alabama Legislature, we put these dollars to work, meeting some of Alabama’s biggest challenges. I commit to the people of Alabama we will once again take a smart approach and put it towards major and needed endeavors like expanding broadband access, improving our water and sewer infrastructure, and investing in our health care – including telemedicine.” Tuesday was the first day of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session, but since Ivey has called a special session, the second legislative day of the regular session will not begin until Tuesday, March 21. The Alabama Constitution of 1901 limits the Legislature to just thirty legislative days in a regular session. Members worked on Tuesday, introducing their bills for the regular session. At the close of the day on Monday, 98 bills had been pre-filed ahead of the session. By the end of the day on Tuesday, that had grown to 174 bills. Reed explained to reporters that it takes a minimum of five legislative days for a bill to pass both Houses of the Legislature, so it will take the rest of this legislative week and next week for the ARPA appropriations bill to pass and go to Gov. Ivey for her signature. Once that is done, the special session can end, and the Legislature will be poised to remove the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Steve Flowers: Women rule in Alabama politics
For many years, Alabama has been ridiculed in national publications for having fewer women in political leadership positions than others assumed to be progressive states. States like Colorado, New York, and California were lauded for having an inordinate number of females in public office. Well, folks, take a cursory look around at Alabama’s political landscape, and it is a new day in the Heart of Dixie, and unlike the above-mentioned liberal states, our slate of women leaders are conservative Republicans. Our top two most powerful leaders in the state are Governor Kay Ivey and U.S. Senator Katie Britt. If you include PSC President Twinkle Cavanaugh into the mix, then the three most powerful and popular political leaders in the Heart of Dixie are women Republicans. You can eat your heart out, Colorado. This day did not just happen. These three women have been on the scene and the horizon for a while and arose the old-fashioned way by rising through and within the system to get to the top of the class. Kay Ivey was a student leader at Auburn. She spent a decade or more working with the legislature as the lobbyist for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education; then ran for and was elected State Treasurer and served eight years. She then was elected Lt. Governor, where she served for six years. She has been governor now for almost six years. Twinkle Cavanaugh has been on a leadership track since her high school years in Montgomery. She became Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party at a young age and has been President of the Public Service Commission for over a decade. She is the hardest working political figure in office in Alabama with a hardcore grassroots organization. Katie Britt also won our U.S. Senate seat the old-fashioned way. She worked hard and built a statewide grassroots organization that will hold her in good stead for years to come. All three of these ladies are conservative yet rational and reasonable leaders. They are exemplary of Southern grace, yet decisive, disciplined, and dignified. They are people we can be proud of and excellent role models. All three are Alabama born and bred and know the folks of Alabama. All three are closely aligned with and have proudly been supported by Alabama’s premier and most powerful and respected political organization, the Alabama Farmers Federation (Alfa). Currently, two of the most prominent jurists on the Alabama State Supreme Court are females. Justices Kelli Wise and Sarah Stewart grace the Court. I can see our Supreme Court in Alabama, as well as the United States Supreme Court, being majority female in future years. The majority of law students and graduates throughout the country are female. Women will dominate this profession in the next decade, if not already. The State Senate has two very prominent female leaders. The most powerful and proficient is veteran Mobile State Senator Vivian Figures. Senator April Weaver from Bibb/Shelby is on a fast track in the Alabama Senate. Another sign of women taking their rightful place in the Alabama Legislature is the takeover of Republican House Seats in the Shelby and Baldwin County Republican suburban districts. There were five new Republican women in these two Republican bastions that all took seats previously held by older men. Susan Dubose and Leigh Hulsey will be joining three females from Baldwin County. All three of the Baldwin County GOP seats will be held by female Republicans, including Jennifer Fidler, Donna Givens, and Frances Holk-Jones. Representative Cynthia Almond (R-Tuscaloosa), a relative newcomer, is a star on the horizon. Three of the most prominent leaders in the House of Representatives are women. Representative Margie Wilcox of Mobile is in a leadership position. Representative Ginny Shaver of Cherokee County works extensively on family and adoption issues. Representative Terri Collins of Morgan County is the education guru in the Alabama House. Speaking of education, our Alabama State Board is currently made up of eight female members and only one man. This eight-to-one female majority really becomes nine-to-one because Governor Kay Ivey serves as ex-officiate Chairman of the Board of Education. So, folks, as you can see, women rule in Alabama politics, and my guess is that this trend will not diminish in years to come. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. 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.
Steve Flowers: Jo Bonner inaugurated as president of University of South Alabama
Jo Bonner was officially sworn in as the fourth president of the University of South Alabama on September 23, 2022. The University of South Alabama is the crown jewel and flagship of the Alabama Gulf Coast. It is a sprawling, manicured, beautiful, and functional modern campus. It is currently the third-largest university in the state. Under the leadership of President Jo Bonner, it will grow and prosper to where within the next decade, it will be thought of as one of our premier “Big Three” major flagship universities along with the University of Alabama and Auburn University. Its location as the only major university in the populous metropolitan Mobile/Baldwin growth area of our state, coupled with having the University of South Alabama Medical School and Center on the campus, portends for exponential growth and prosperity for the University of South Alabama. The prosperity of USA is assured by the selection of Josiah R. Bonner, Jr. as President. Over the next decade, he will be thought of in the same terms and same breath as the legendary founding President of USA, Frederick Whiddon, who oversaw the first 35 years of USA. There has never been a more perfect selection to be the leader of a major university in our state than the appointment of Jo Bonner as President of USA. His knowledge of the business, civic, and social community of the Mobile/Baldwin area is unique. Through his decade of service as their congressman, he is an integral part of the Mobile community. He left Congress with the highest regard and admiration. He was so well respected by his congressional colleagues that he was Chairman of the U.S. House Ethics Committee. You can be assured that there is no university president, lobbyist, or board of trustee member who can walk the halls of Congress and bring home the bacon from the limitless federal trough than Josiah Bonner, Jr. You can also rest assured that there is no university president in the state that has the clout and reverence on Goat Hill in Montgomery than Josiah Bonner, Jr. This is a very unique and perfect blend for prosperity and growth for USA. It is well known in political circles that Jo Bonner is Governor Kay Ivey’s closest confidante. He served as her Chief of Staff for four years. Their families go back as friends and relatives in Wilcox County for generations. Jo Bonner’s father, the first Josiah Bonner, was Probate Judge of Wilcox County. Jo is the baby of the family, a good 15 years younger than his brother, Jim, who grew up as friends and in school together with Governor Kay Ivey. Jo’s sister, Judy, and Senator Jeff Sessions were in school together in grades K-12, then Jo came much later. The aforementioned sister, Judy Bonner, was President of the University of Alabama. Never before in Alabama’s history has there been two siblings being presidents of major universities in Alabama. Jo Bonner actually became President of USA in January. The official inaugural event was on September 23. It was a magnificent program. Governor Ivey gave the keynote address. She beamed with pride as she talked about her “little brother” from Wilcox County. Dr. Jack Hawkins, the 30-year Chancellor of the Troy University System, gave a brilliant address. He spoke for all of the university presidents in the state as the Dean of University Presidents. Jo Bonner’s family was recognized, beginning with his sister, President Judy Bonner. His wife, Janee, along with his two outstanding children, son Robin, and daughter Lee, were in attendance. The Inaugural Event was held in the magnificent Mitchell Center. The Mitchell family has been a major benefactor to USA. Mrs. Arlene Mitchell is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Another Board of Trustees member is Dr. Steve Stokes, a radiology oncologist from Dothan. He and his wife Angela have been generous donors to USA, also. Stokes Hall is the newest dorm on campus. It was truly fitting that Jo Bonner had a throng of political dignitaries attend his Inaugural Event. It was like a political gathering of Who’s Who in Alabama politics visiting on the floor of the Mitchell Center prior to Jo’s inauguration. The list of attendees is too long to enumerate. However, in addition to Governor Ivey was Mac McCutchen, John McMillan, John Merrill, Bobby Singleton, Vivian Figures, Young Boozer, Bill Poole, Twinkle Cavanaugh, Sandy Stimpson, Will and Liz Filmore, Cathy Randall, Gordon and Ellen Stone, Jim Purcell, Victor Gaston, Chip Brown, Margie Wilcox, Alan Baker, and Judge Sarah Stewart, just to name a few. They were all there to honor a man who is revered and respected in Alabama – Josiah “Jo” Bonner. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column is read in over 60 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
