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Alabama Reflector
Mercedes-Benz workers will vote on union in May
Workers at Mercedes-Benz’s plant in Vance will vote on a union between May 13 and May 17. The vote will come after months of organizing in the plant by workers who say compensation has stalled at the factory, widely credited with starting Alabama’s automotive industry in the 1990s. “We are ready to vote yes because […] The post Mercedes-Benz workers will vote on union in May appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House Judiciary Committee rejects bill making judicial override ban retroactive
Alabamians sentenced to death by a judge who rejected a jury’s recommendation of a life sentence will remain on death row for now. The House Judiciary Committee Wednesday rejected HB 27, sponsored by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, which would have retroactively applied a 2017 law that ended judicial override. The vote was 9-4, with all […] The post Alabama House Judiciary Committee rejects bill making judicial override ban retroactive appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Bill allowing local police to enforce immigration laws remains in Alabama House committee
A bill that could allow Alabama law enforcement to partner with federal agencies to enforce immigration laws will spend at least another week in committee as the clock winds down on the legislative session. HB 376, sponsored by Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, R-Trinity, was carried over by the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee amid […] The post Bill allowing local police to enforce immigration laws remains in Alabama House committee appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
At an Alabama House committee meeting, a divide over a student exclusion bill
Representatives of education groups were divided Wednesday over a bill that creates guidelines for students’ exclusion from classrooms. SB 157, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, is a “Teacher’s Bill of Rights” that establishes specific reasons a child can be excluded from a classroom, including disorderly conduct; threats to a teacher or staffer or willful […] The post At an Alabama House committee meeting, a divide over a student exclusion bill appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Marilyn Lands supporters launch PAC to elect women to Alabama government
This story was originally published by The 19th. Democrat Marilyn Lands gained national attention in March when she flipped an Alabama state House seat with a campaign focused on abortion and reproductive rights. And she doesn’t want to be the last. Lands’ supporters are launching a new PAC, Respect Alabama, to recruit, train and elect […] The post Marilyn Lands supporters launch PAC to elect women to Alabama government appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House committee approves cost-of-living adjustment for certain state retirees
The House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Wednesday approved a cost-of-living adjustment for certain retirees under the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS). HB 440, sponsored by Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview, would provide a 3% cost-of-living increase for state employees who retired before Oct. 1, 2023. Local governments would have the option to opt-in to the […] The post Alabama House committee approves cost-of-living adjustment for certain state retirees appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
U.S. House GOP rolls out aid for Ukraine, Israel; votes planned on TikTok, border security
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans unveiled three bills Wednesday that would provide $95 billion overall in assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, instead of voting on a similar bipartisan Senate-approved package that’s been waiting around for months. The Ukraine bill would provide $60.84 billion, the Israel bill would appropriate $26.38 billion and the Indo-Pacific bill […] The post U.S. House GOP rolls out aid for Ukraine, Israel; votes planned on TikTok, border security appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House committee approves bill to ensure ballot access for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris
The Alabama House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections committee Wednesday approved a time extension to place President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on the state ballot in November. HB 448, sponsored by House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, would extend the deadline to certify candidates for the November general election from Aug. 15 to […] The post Alabama House committee approves bill to ensure ballot access for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Bill creating tax credits for Alabama rural hospital donations could change committees
A bill to extend tax credits to rural hospitals could be moved to a different House committee amid questions about which of the state’s two budgets it would impact the most. HB 310, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, would create tax credits for donors to eligible rural hospitals. The bill aims to encourage donations […] The post Bill creating tax credits for Alabama rural hospital donations could change committees appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House committee OKs repeal of Birmingham-Southern College loan program
An Alabama House committee Wednesday approved a bill to end a program that would have extended a financial lifeline to Birmingham-Southern College. HB 415, sponsored by Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, repeals the Distressed Institutions of Higher Education Revolving Loan Program. The program was created in the 2023 regular legislative session as a way for the […] The post Alabama House committee OKs repeal of Birmingham-Southern College loan program appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House passes $9.3 billion Education Trust Fund budget
The Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday approved a $9.35 billion Education Trust Fund (ETF) budget, an increase of $550 million (6.25%) from the previous year, with a 2% pay increase for education employees. HB 145, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, passed on a 102-1 vote. The ETF funds public K-12 schools, colleges and universities […] The post Alabama House passes $9.3 billion Education Trust Fund budget appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama Senate OKs bill loosening regulations for religious vaccine exemptions
The Alabama Senate Tuesday approved a bill that would loosen regulations for religious exemptions for vaccines in schools. . SB 246, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, passed 24-5. The bill would allow parents who have a religious objection to vaccination to declare that in a statement to the local board of education. The parent […] The post Alabama Senate OKs bill loosening regulations for religious vaccine exemptions appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama Senate committee approves additional staffing for ADOC
An Alabama Senate committee Tuesday approved a bill increasing the number of positions in the Alabama Department of Corrections in order to provide timely information about incarcerated people to the public. SB 322, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, allows the Department of Corrections to hire an additional 15 employees to unclassified positions to provide […] The post Alabama Senate committee approves additional staffing for ADOC appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
2nd Congressional District: Shomari Figures and Caroleene Dobson head to general election
Democrat Shomari Figures and Republican Caroleene Dobson are headed to the November general election after winning runoffs Tuesday in Alabama’s newly drawn 2nd Congressional District. As of 10:26 p.m. Tuesday, Figures, an attorney, had 21,926 votes (61%) while House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, had 13,990 votes (39%) in unofficial returns. In the Republican runoff, […] The post 2nd Congressional District: Shomari Figures and Caroleene Dobson head to general election appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Divided U.S. Supreme Court wrestles with case of Pennsylvania man who joined Jan. 6 mob
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a Jan. 6, 2021, case that could potentially upend convictions for a mass of Capitol riot defendants and slash some election interference charges against former President Donald Trump. The case, Fischer v. United States, centers on whether former Pennsylvania police officer and Jan. 6 defendant […] The post Divided U.S. Supreme Court wrestles with case of Pennsylvania man who joined Jan. 6 mob appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama Senate passes bill that could limit voluntary union recognition
A bill that would effectively prevent voluntary recognition of unions passed the Senate floor Tuesday. The bill, SB 231, passed 23-5 after extensive discussion between sponsor Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, and other senators. The legislation would deny economic incentives to a company that voluntarily recognizes a union “solely and exclusively on the basis of signed […] The post Alabama Senate passes bill that could limit voluntary union recognition appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Senators appointed to committee on Alabama gambling package
The Alabama Senate appointed the members of a conference committee to consider a proposed gambling package Tuesday, more than two weeks after the House of Representatives did so. The Senate conferees are Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore; Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro; and Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman. Singleton and Albritton have both been longtime supporters […] The post Senators appointed to committee on Alabama gambling package appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House committee passes child care tax credit bill
An Alabama House committee Tuesday approved a bill that would extend tax credits to employers and child care providers with an aim of making child care more available. HB 358, sponsored by House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, would offer the tax credits from 2025 to 2027. The bill’s goal is to encourage employers to […] The post Alabama House committee passes child care tax credit bill appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Red states fight growing efforts to give ‘basic income’ cash to residents
This story originally appeared on Stateline. South Dakota state Sen. John Wiik likes to think of himself as a lookout of sorts — keeping an eye on new laws, programs and ideas brewing across the states. “I don’t bring a ton of legislation,” said Wiik, a Republican. “The main thing I like to do is […] The post Red states fight growing efforts to give ‘basic income’ cash to residents appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
U.S. Rep. Massie joins move to oust Speaker Johnson, who vows: ‘I am not resigning’
WASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky called on U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to resign during a closed-door meeting of GOP lawmakers on Tuesday, throwing more uncertainty into that chamber just months before the November elections. Massie told reporters after the meeting and just before a Johnson press conference he believed the votes […] The post U.S. Rep. Massie joins move to oust Speaker Johnson, who vows: ‘I am not resigning’ 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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