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Kay Ivey signs controversial contract with prison health care provider

Elizabeth Patton March 20, 2018

Gov. Kay Ivey has signed a controversial contract with for prison medical and mental health services for the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) — with a company that is involved in a bribery case in neighboring Mississippi. The company, Wexford Health, was named in a suit brought forth by the Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood to recoup funds and damages related to bribery charges that sent the former Mississippi Corrections Commissioner, Chris Epps, to jail for 20 years. Beginning April 1, Wexford “will provide comprehensive healthcare including both medical and mental health care and management services to State inmates in accordance to applicable laws” for 30 months — through Sept. 30, 2020 — for a sum of $360,471,062, which

Legislative committee delays prison medical, mental health care contract

Elizabeth Patton March 2, 2018

A legislative committee Thursday morning delayed a contract for prison medical and mental health services for the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) after new objections were raised this week that the vendor is involved in a bribery case in neighboring Mississippi. The Legislative Contract Review Committee delayed the proposed $360 million contract with Wexford Health Sources, who has been named in a suit brought forth by the Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood to recoup funds and damages related to bribery charges that sent the former Mississippi Corrections Commissioner, Chris Epps, to jail for 20 years. “There are just some questions floating around out there,” Vestavia Hills-Republican state Rep. Jack Williams, chairman of the Joint Legislative Contract Review Permanent Joint

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Behind the scenes of State Senate fundraising numbers for open seats

Elizabeth Patton February 20, 2018

Numbers don’t lie. Well… sometimes when it comes to campaigns they do. When you’re just given a “cash on hand” total that figure can be deceiving. Any expert worth their salt will tell you that the devil is in the details. So below is a breakdown of some of the races for Alabama’s open Senate seats. With nine of the 26 Senate Republicans not running for re-election, either to retire or seek higher office, there’s a lot at play and a lot at stake this election. In addition to those nine, one lone Democrat, Sen. Hank Sanders has also announced his retirement and his daughter, Malika Sanders-Fortier, will run in

Public transportation bill moves through state legislature

Elizabeth Patton February 7, 2018

Alabama is one of only five states with no state funding for public transportation. A bipartisan pair of state legislators is hoping to soon change that. Birmingham-Democrat state Sen. Rodger Smitherman and Vestavia-Republican state Rep. Jack Williams have each sponsored legislation, SB85 and HB10 accordingly, that would create the Alabama Public Transportation Trust Fund to fund activities that increase public transportation options across the state. According to the proposed legislation, the fund would be maintained and administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). ADECA would make its decisions based off of recommendations made by a 13-member advisory committee. Alabama Arise — a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition

Here’s who’s qualified to run for the Alabama State Senate thus far

Elizabeth Patton February 6, 2018

Alabama candidates began qualifying for major 2018 races last month. Now, with just four days remaining to officially qualify for the June Democratic and Republican primaries several more candidates both parties are filing documents to make cut. Thus far, 54 total candidates have qualified to run for the State Senate. Of those candidates, 41 are Republican and 13 are Democrats. Republicans are running in 28 of the 35 State Senate Districts and Democrats in 11. District 24 has no candidate running from either party. Below is the list of candidates the Alabama Republican and Democratic Parties have qualified thus far: District 1 Tim Melson (Republican) District 2 Tom

Alabama lawmakers offer condolences, remember colleague Jim Patterson

Elizabeth Patton October 2, 2017

Meridianville-Republican, state Rep. Jim Patterson died from a heart attack on Monday. He was 67. Following the news of his passing, his colleagues from across the state posted messages on social media in his memory: State Rep. Will Ainsworth: The state lost a great man today. Jim Patterson loved life and I was fortunate to call him a good friend. He is having fun in Heaven right now. State Rep. Cam Ward: I am absolutely heartbroken about the passing of Rep Jim Patterson. He was a champion of the autism community and a good public servant for his district. State Rep. Jack Williams: Stunned and saddened to hear

Lawmakers to vote on bill to decriminalize midwifery, allow more home births

Elizabeth Patton April 21, 2017

Having a home birth in Alabama may soon be a lot easier if lawmakers give the green-light to a bill in the state House next week. HB315, which was introduced by Moulton-Republican state Rep. Ken Johnson in February, would decriminalize Certified Professional midwives and has been scheduled on Tuesday’s special order agenda. Currently, state law says it’s a misdemeanor offense to practice midwifery without a license issued by the state Board of Nursing and the Board of Medical Examiners. Meanwhile, midwifery is legal and regulated in 31 states, including neighboring states Florida and Tennessee. For women hoping to have a natural, home birth or for those without easy access to hospital with obstetric care, this

Jefferson County gets $25M for infrastructure, economic development

Alabama NewsCenter March 23, 2017

Some area leaders called it the luck of the Irish. On March 17, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that Jefferson County can refinance nearly $600 million in school construction bonds and use $60 million in annual savings for area projects. The $60 million includes $36.3 million every year to Jefferson County, of which $25 million will go for road repairs and construction and the rest to furnish economic development incentives, according to county officials. Commission President Jimmie Stephens said the money will help with acquisition of land for industrial parks. “We must have the resources to be competitive and recruit new industry and grow jobs,” Stephens said. The

55% of the Alabama Legislature is on Twitter

Elizabeth Patton December 13, 2016

Years ago, a lawmaker’s official website used to be sole clearinghouse for information — functioning as hub of schedule updates, press releases, contact information, and more. While those websites aren’t going anywhere any time soon, gone are the days where they’re the only platform lawmakers use to communicate with constituents. But with the advent of social media — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, to name but a few — it’s become increasingly important for members to take the extra effort to engage more directly, and frequently with those who put them in office. In 2016, 78 percent of Americans had at least one social media profile, making a strong argument that

Reactions to the Mike Hubbard guilty verdicts

Apryl Marie Fogel June 11, 2016

A jury found Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard guilty on 12 of 23 felony ethics charges Friday. He was acquitted on the other charges. Here’s what Alabama lawmakers and government officials are saying of the guilty verdicts. Governor Robert Bentley (via a news release): “Alabama is strong because our people are strong. As leaders we were placed here to serve our people and that is exactly what we are going to continue to do. God has assigned us to this task, and we will work hard to honor Him. I have the utmost confidence in the men and women of the Alabama Legislature. We will all continue working together

Alabama legislative preview: May 3 — May 4, 2016

Elizabeth BeShears May 3, 2016

Two days. That’s all Alabama’s state lawmakers have to complete their legislative priorities for the year. Some bills will end up languishing in the annals of Alabama history, while others will get their day on the governor’s desk. The entire session has been covered in the grey cloud of scandal, between accusations of Gov. Robert Bentley‘s infidelity, and the impending ethics trial of Speaker Mike Hubbard, but legislators stayed on track … mostly. Some much-debated bills like the gas tax are dead for good this year, while others, like payday lending reform and industrial hemp legalization, are walking a blade-thin line to final passage. Here is what legislators have on their

Alabama House passes anti-human trafficking bill

Ryan Ray April 7, 2016

The Alabama House has approved a bill to crack down on predators seeking to purchase sex via human trafficking, what many consider the last existing form of slavery in the United States. The bill – HB 433, dubbed the “Safe Harbor Act” – passed the House on a unanimous 103-0 vote on Thursday. Rep. Jack Williams, who chairs the Legislature’s bipartisan Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force formed in 2014, sponsored the bill. The legislation is designed to treat minors caught up in the sex trade as victims, rather than willful law breaker, as it often the case now. HB 433 provides that any minor found to have committed prostitution under

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