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Alabama Reflector
Alabama Senate committee OKs bills aimed at restarting medical cannabis licensing process
An Alabama Senate committee Wednesday approved two bills aimed at restarting the state’s medical cannabis licensing process. The Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry committee approved SB 306, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, which would restart the licensing process and take away some of the powers of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC). “This will […] The post Alabama Senate committee OKs bills aimed at restarting medical cannabis licensing process appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
2nd Congressional District: Dick Brewbaker looks to border, foreign aid in GOP runoff
This is one in a series of profiles of the candidates in the April 16 2nd Congressional District runoff. Tuesday: House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels. Wednesday: Attorney Shomari Figures. Tomorrow: Attorney Caroleene Dobson. As former Sen. Dick Brewbaker, R-Pike Road, walked into an event hosted by the Republican Club of Central Alabama, the first thing […] The post 2nd Congressional District: Dick Brewbaker looks to border, foreign aid in GOP runoff appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House committee approves bill increasing state’s Internet sales tax
An Alabama House committee Wednesday approved what amounts to an increase in the state’s Internet sales tax. HB 258, sponsored by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, would add an additional charge to the simplified sellers use tax (SSUT), or online sales tax, which currently stands at 8%. The rate would be recalculated every five years, but […] The post Alabama House committee approves bill increasing state’s Internet sales tax appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Bill allowing some undocumented students to attend college passes Alabama House committee
The Alabama House Education Policy Committee Wednesday approved legislation that would allow some undocumented students to attend public higher education in the state. HB 210, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, would allow undocumented students who have attended high school for three years and have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent and and […] The post Bill allowing some undocumented students to attend college passes Alabama House committee appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
U.S. Capitol Police chief describes preparations for possible post-election turmoil
WASHINGTON — U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger sought to ease concerns from the lawmakers in charge of his agency’s budget on Wednesday, saying the department is preparing for major upcoming events — including another potential Jan. 6 — by trying to grow the size of its force and overhauling its intelligence gathering activities. […] The post U.S. Capitol Police chief describes preparations for possible post-election turmoil appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Irondale man charged in connection with explosion outside Alabama AG’s office
The Alabama Attorney General’s Office said Wednesday that a 26-year-old Irondale man had been arrested in connection with an explosion near their offices in downtown Montgomery in late February. Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert faces two felony counts of malicious damage by explosive and possession of an unregistered destructive device. “My staff and I are breathing […] The post Irondale man charged in connection with explosion outside Alabama AG’s office appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House Judiciary Committee approves bill establishing right to contraception
The Alabama House Judiciary Committee Wednesday approved legislation Wednesday that would recognize a right to obtain and dispense contraception in the state. HB 279, sponsored by House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, explicitly states that individuals have a right to have access to contraceptives meant to prevent pregnancy, and that health care providers have the […] The post Alabama House Judiciary Committee approves bill establishing right to contraception appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Democratic leaders criticize Alabama Secretary of State over possible Biden ballot exclusion
Alabama Democratic Party leaders criticized Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen for saying Tuesday that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris may not appear on the state’s ballot in November. Allen, a Republican, sent a letter to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Alabama Democratic Party on Tuesday, saying they must submit the […] The post Democratic leaders criticize Alabama Secretary of State over possible Biden ballot exclusion appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
States want to make it harder for health insurers to deny care, but firms might evade enforcement
For decades, Amina Tollin struggled with mysterious, debilitating pain that radiated throughout her body. A few years ago, when a doctor finally diagnosed her with polyneuropathy, a chronic nerve condition, she had begun to use a wheelchair. The doctor prescribed a blood infusion therapy that allowed Tollin, 40, to live her life normally. That is, […] The post States want to make it harder for health insurers to deny care, but firms might evade enforcement appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House approves bill capping property tax increases
The Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday approved a bill that caps increases in the assessed value of properties. HB 73, sponsored by Rep. Philip Pettus, R-Killen, passed the chamber on a 97-1 vote. The measure limits increases in assessed values on residential and commercial property to 7% of the assessed value of the property from […] The post Alabama House approves bill capping property tax increases appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
2nd Congressional District: Shomari Figures wants to build up communities
This is one in a series of profiles of the candidates in the April 16 2nd Congressional District runoff. Yesterday: House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels. Tomorrow: Former Sen. Dick Brewbaker. Shomari Figures talked to a lot of kids during his campaign. On a recent Saturday, Figures attended the Easter event at Blount Cultural Park in […] The post 2nd Congressional District: Shomari Figures wants to build up communities appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
‘Working For Alabama’ bills pass Senate, but not without bumps
A package of bills aimed at improving workforce participation passed the Alabama Senate Tuesday, but not before being heavily amended and drawing some criticism from senators. The package, called “Working for Alabama,” aims to raise Alabama’s workforce participation rate. While Alabama has lower unemployment than the rest of the nation, its workforce participation rate in […] The post ‘Working For Alabama’ bills pass Senate, but not without bumps appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Republicans scrutinize voting rolls and ramp up for mass challenges ahead of election
When Scott Hoen ran to be Carson City, Nevada’s chief election official two years ago, he campaigned on “election integrity,” promising to make sure voter registration lists were accurate. In the chaotic aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, he believed that too many of his fellow Republicans were convinced that there was widespread voter fraud. By keeping voter […] The post Republicans scrutinize voting rolls and ramp up for mass challenges ahead of election appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama Senate committee OKs bill requiring timely responses to public records requests
An Alabama Senate committee Tuesday approved a bill that would require state agencies to acknowledge and respond to public records requests within a certain timeframe. SB 270, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would set a 10-day deadline for agencies to acknowledge requests for public records. The office would have 15 business days to make […] The post Alabama Senate committee OKs bill requiring timely responses to public records requests appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House Committee approves education budget
An Alabama House committee Tuesday approved a $9 billion education budget with a 2% pay increase for education employees. The approval of the bills is the first official step for the Education Trust Fund for 2024-25. The bills passed Tuesday with little discussion. Chair Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, had previously gone through some of the changes […] The post Alabama House Committee approves education budget appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Intel analyst warns emergency responders about school and cybersecurity threats
An intelligence analyst told members of the state’s Homeland Security Task Force meeting Tuesday about information available for officials to address cybersecurity threats. Rachel Salter, an intelligence analyst with the Alabama Fusion Center, briefed members of the committee about information they are collecting for threats and incidents at schools, telling them that incidents are not […] The post Intel analyst warns emergency responders about school and cybersecurity threats appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Republicans in Congress delay Mayorkas impeachment proceedings
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans will delay until next week their delivery to the Senate of the two articles of impeachment against Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, a spokesperson for House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday. “To ensure the Senate has adequate time to perform its constitutional duty, the House will transmit the articles of impeachment […] The post Republicans in Congress delay Mayorkas impeachment proceedings appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Republicans return to D.C. amid dwindling majority, suspense over House speaker post
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans are returning from a two-week recess Tuesday with an even slimmer majority and the potential looming chaos of a second speaker fight in less than a year. Hours before recess began on March 22, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia filed a motion to vacate the U.S. House speaker’s office, […] The post Republicans return to D.C. amid dwindling majority, suspense over House speaker post appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Advocates fear Alabama House bills could lead to prosecutions of librarians
First Amendment and free speech advocates have expressed alarm over state legislation that they say could restrict access to materials and discourage people from becoming librarians. HB 385, sponsored by Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Indian Springs, was approved by the House State Government Committee last Wednesday after a public hearing. The bill declares a public nuisance […] The post Advocates fear Alabama House bills could lead to prosecutions of librarians appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
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The Alabama Reflector is an independent nonprofit website covering politics and policy in our state. We look at the problems affecting Alabamians, and search for solutions. We connect readers with the decisions made in the hallways of the State House and try to give a voice to those outside it. We write stories about people in power and men and women on the margins. We hope to reflect what our home is, and what it could be. Alabama Reflector is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The Reflector retains full editorial independence.
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