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Alabama Reflector
Birmingham-Southern College loan bill sparks sharp debate in House committee
The House Ways and Means Education Committee Tuesday heard a sharp debate over a bill intended to throw a financial lifeline to Birmingham-Southern College (BSC). SB 31, sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, alters the Distressed Institutions of Higher Education Revolving Loan Program, approved by the Legislature last year by requiring the approval of […] The post Birmingham-Southern College loan bill sparks sharp debate in House committee appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Trump, GOP-led states argue presidential immunity claim to Supreme Court
Former President Donald Trump renewed his call to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to dismiss charges against him, asserting that presidents enjoy near-total immunity from criminal prosecution. In addition, as a deadline loomed for briefs in the case, 18 Republican-led states filed an amicus brief Tuesday urging the Supreme Court to reverse the lower […] The post Trump, GOP-led states argue presidential immunity claim to Supreme Court appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama’s anti-DEI bill would undermine higher education
“Ignorance is more costly to any state than education.” So said Booker T. Washington, founding president of Alabama’s Tuskegee University, one of the most distinguished historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the country. While a private, land-grant institution today, Tuskegee was chartered in 1881 by the Alabama Legislature. As a former president of Tuskegee, […] The post Alabama’s anti-DEI bill would undermine higher education appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama Senate sends anti-DEI, absentee ballot bills to Gov. Kay Ivey
The Alabama Senate sent two controversial bills to Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk on Tuesday. The chamber concurred in House changes to SB 1, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, that would prohibit any payment for assistance in absentee ballot applications or to “knowingly” provide an absentee ballot with pre-filled information. Gudger said the purpose of […] The post Alabama Senate sends anti-DEI, absentee ballot bills to Gov. Kay Ivey appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House OKs pay increase for attorneys representing indigent clients
The Alabama House Tuesday approved a bill that would provide more money for attorneys representing indigent clients. HB 275, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, would raise the hourly rate for lawyers representing defendants who cannot afford to hire their own lawyers. “For years, since 2011, the hourly rate has been $70 per hour, in […] The post Alabama House OKs pay increase for attorneys representing indigent clients appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House votes to remove sales taxes from some baby and feminine hygiene products
The Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday passed a bill that would remove state sales taxes from certain maternal, baby and menstrual hygiene products on a 102-0 vote. HB 236, sponsored by Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, would remove state levies from baby formula, baby bottles, baby wipes, breast milk pumping equipment, diapers, maternity clothing, and menstrual […] The post Alabama House votes to remove sales taxes from some baby and feminine hygiene products appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House bill would extend paid parental leave to state employees
The Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Tuesday approved a bill to give up to eight weeks of parental leave to state employees. HB 309, sponsored by Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, would provide up to eight weeks for parents for the birth of a child or adoption of a child under the age […] The post Alabama House bill would extend paid parental leave to state employees appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
States rethink ambitious projects as tax revenues shrink and pandemic aid ends
From health care for immigrants in California to universal school vouchers in Tennessee, states are being forced to rethink expensive projects as tax revenues decline and federal pandemic aid ends. State tax revenue fell last year by 4%, according to a Stateline analysis of U.S. Census Bureau estimates released this month. Revenue is still up […] The post States rethink ambitious projects as tax revenues shrink and pandemic aid ends appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
What’s happening with gambling? No one in the Alabama Legislature knows
When it started in the Alabama House of Representatives earlier this year, a package of gambling bills would have created a lottery; allowed casino gambling and sports betting, and directed Gov. Kay Ivey to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, a federally recognized tribe that operates casinos in Atmore, Montgomery and […] The post What’s happening with gambling? No one in the Alabama Legislature knows appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Huntsville-area voters to choose state representative in rare competitive race
Next Tuesday will feature something rare in Alabama: a competitive legislative election. The contest will take place in House District 10, covering south Huntsville, southern Madison County and parts of Madison. Madison City Councilman Teddy Powell, the Republican nominee, will face Democratic nominee Marilyn Lands, who ran in 2022. The seat opened after former Rep. […] The post Huntsville-area voters to choose state representative in rare competitive race appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
To boost Trump, GOP attorneys general charge into battle over state election rules
With less than six months before voting begins, the legal jousting over the rules for the 2024 election is already underway. And former President Donald Trump’s campaign is getting support from allies who have stayed mostly under the national radar: red-state attorneys general. In court filings made in recent months, these chief state legal officers […] The post To boost Trump, GOP attorneys general charge into battle over state election rules appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Autauga-Prattville Public Library appoints interim director amid ongoing controversy
The Autauga-Prattville Public Library’s Board of Trustees Saturday named a new director amid an ongoing controversy over the direction of the library. The Board of Trustees voted to promote Library Associate Tammy Bear to be the library’s interim director in a two-minute meeting that lasted just long enough to convene, approve Bear’s appointment, and adjourn. […] The post Autauga-Prattville Public Library appoints interim director amid ongoing controversy appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Suit alleging suppression of free speech met with skepticism at U.S. Supreme Court
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court seemed skeptical Monday of a lawsuit alleging the federal government colluded with social media companies to suppress the freedom of speech, with a majority of justices across the ideological spectrum raising issues with the case and its potential consequences. The Biden administration argued to the court there is no […] The post Suit alleging suppression of free speech met with skepticism at U.S. Supreme Court appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
DA stays on Georgia 2020 election case. But can she get it back on track for fall trial?
This story originally appeared on Georgia Recorder. Legal experts predict that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis faces an uphill battle in trying to have Donald Trump and 14 remaining co-defendants stand trial ahead of the 2024 election despite a judge ruling Friday that allowed Willis to continue prosecuting the election interference case. According to […] The post DA stays on Georgia 2020 election case. But can she get it back on track for fall trial? appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Democrats push bills related to contraception access following Alabama IVF ruling
Abortion-related bills continue to be introduced and debated in 40 legislatures across the country, especially in states where the procedure is already banned. It can be hard to monitor them all, so States Newsroom’s Reproductive Rights Today team tracks certain bills that could become law in their respective states in a biweekly legislative roundup. Depending […] The post Democrats push bills related to contraception access following Alabama IVF ruling appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Can the Legislature force UA and Auburn to end DEI programs? It’s not clear
A bill limiting the ability of Alabama colleges and universities to operate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs is almost on Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk. But if the legislation becomes law, some campuses may be more affected than others. While most public colleges and universities in Alabama operate under state law, the two flagship systems […] The post Can the Legislature force UA and Auburn to end DEI programs? It’s not clear appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
When public officials threaten private citizens
Four members of Alabama’s congressional delegation attacked a private citizen last week. And now we’re all in danger. See, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville and U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt of Haleyville; Gary Palmer of Hoover and Dale Strong of Madison went after someone who works at Space Camp. Not a person accused of harming anyone, much […] The post When public officials threaten private citizens appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Federal court hears arguments in lawsuit over Alabama’s alleged ‘forced prison labor’
A federal court heard arguments Friday on a lawsuit accusing Alabama state prisons of using slave labor. U.S. District Court Judge Corey Maze of the Northern District of Alabama, who presided over the hearing in Montgomery, heard arguments on whether to issue a temporary stay in Alabama’s current practice of what plaintiffs say is “forced […] The post Federal court hears arguments in lawsuit over Alabama’s alleged ‘forced prison labor’ appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Planned Parenthood affiliates train abortion doulas to reduce stress for patients
A 39-year-old single mother of two got up extra early on a recent Wednesday morning, hoping to be one of the first outside the Planned Parenthood clinic near Phoenix, Arizona. The upside of not telling anyone about her abortion was that she wasn’t going to have to explain herself. The downside was that she couldn’t […] The post Planned Parenthood affiliates train abortion doulas to reduce stress for patients appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Autauga-Prattville Public Library employees launch work stoppage over director’s firing
Three employees of the Autauga-Prattville Public Library said Friday they will not return to work unless terminated Director Andrew Foster does. The employees accused Board of Trustees Chair Ray Boles of threatening their jobs when they refused to reopen the library Thursday night in protest of the board’s decision to terminate Foster at a special […] The post Autauga-Prattville Public Library employees launch work stoppage over director’s firing 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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