Alabama State Senate News

Alabama Governor Looks Back On Legislative Session – WKRG-TV
Friday, May 24, 2013
Alabama Governor Looks Back On Legislative Session WKRG-TV Senate minority leader Vivian Davis Figures from Mobile says she gave the session low marks because they didn't expand Medicaid. “Which is one of the, or could h.. ..

Alabama booster files ethics complaint over public officials buying football …..
Friday, May 24, 2013
Alabama booster files ethics complaint over public officials buying football … The Huntsville Times – al.com Jabo Waggoner , who is an Auburn fan. “It used to be that a father could take a son to a football game. It's .. ..

Money and the legislature – Gulf Coast News Today
Friday, May 24, 2013
Money and the legislature Gulf Coast News Today Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh however indicated last weekend that he will allow the original bill, passed early in the session, to remain in force and will not bring up th.. ..

Editorial: Thanks for nothing. Seriously. — Inaction works best for Alabama’s ….
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Editorial: Thanks for nothing. Seriously. — Inaction works best for Alabama's … Anniston Star Alabama's standards were based on the Common Core of standards the Obama administration liked enough to make them part o.. ..

Should Alabama School Resource Officers Be Armed – WKRG-TV
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Should Alabama School Resource Officers Be Armed WKRG-TV “I'm certainly not going to lobby for or against it, that's a decision they'll have to make I was just happy we were able to give them that choice now,” sa.. ..

Best and worst: From elderly abuse act to ‘Wild West’ gun bill, Jere Beasley …..
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Best and worst: From elderly abuse act to 'Wild West' gun bill, Jere Beasley … al.com (blog) Del Marsh and Rep. Jay Love.JPG Sen. Del Marsh , left, R-Anniston, talks with Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery, on the Senate .. ..

Ala. Rep. Jo Bonner to resign from Congress – WSFA
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Ala. Rep. Jo Bonner to resign from Congress WSFA Alabama's governor has signed legislation that expands where people can carry guns in Alabama . The bill by Republican Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale passed the Legislatu.. ..

Five Names To Know In Alabama 01 – National Journal (blog)
Thursday, May 23, 2013
NPR (blog) Five Names To Know In Alabama 01 National Journal (blog) Jo Bonner's decision to quit Congress for a job at the University of Alabama opens up a solid Republican district where Mitt Romney took 62 percent of t.. ..

Department of Justice asked questions about Alabama Accountability Act, says …..
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Department of Justice asked questions about Alabama Accountability Act, says … al.com (blog) MONTGOMERY, Alabama — State Superintendent Tommy Bice said this morning that the U.S. Department of Justice has contacted state .. ..

Governor announces completion of US Highway 84 four-lane project – Elba Clipper
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Governor announces completion of US Highway 84 four-lane project Elba Clipper In what Elba Mayor Mickey Murdock called a 'day of celebration' in Elba, Alabama , Governor Robert Bentley addressed citizens Thursday aft.. ..

Editorial: We all lose – Dothan Eagle
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Editorial: We all lose Dothan Eagle It's difficult to understand the myriad levels of dysfunction in the Alabama Legislature. Perhaps it all springs … (Senate Minority Leader Vivian Davis Figures , D-Mobile) and “… def.. ..

Alabama Governor Signs Bill on Carrying Guns – WKRG-TV
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Alabama Governor Signs Bill on Carrying Guns WKRG-TV Alabama's governor has signed legislation that expands where people can carry guns in Alabama . The bill by Republican Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale passed the Legis.. ..

Armed resource officers may be reality – WALA-TV FOX10
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Armed resource officers may be reality WALA-TV FOX10 (WALA) – Armed resource officers in your child's school might become a reality now that Senate Bill 383 is heading to Alabama Governor Robert Bentley's desk. The M.. ..

Editorial: Truth about Medicaid expansion — More proof that Gov. Bentley is … ..
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Editorial: Truth about Medicaid expansion — More proof that Gov. Bentley is … Anniston Star Hank Sanders , D-Selma, wrote in The Star earlier this month, that Medicaid expansion would cover an additional 250,000 to 300,000.. ..

State debuts new electronic, searchable campaign finance filing system – al.com ..
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
State debuts new electronic, searchable campaign finance filing system al.com (blog) MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Following the money could soon become much easier in Alabama . Secretary of State Beth Chapman this morning demonstr.. ..

Alabama voters to get more info on campaign money – Gadsden Times
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Alabama voters to get more info on campaign money Gadsden Times Republican Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur got a state law passed in 2011 to create the computer database. The law also required candidates for state offices and pol.. ..

Not all bad news on the gun front in Alabama (Updated) (Our view) – al.com
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Not all bad news on the gun front in Alabama (Updated) (Our view) al.com While the rest of our nation fitfully contemplated ways to reduce gun violence this year, Alabama went in the other direction. But do not despair over .. ..

Rancorous session comes to a close; Republicans, Democrats offer divergent … -..
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Rancorous session comes to a close; Republicans, Democrats offer divergent … al.com (blog) Alabama . Birmingham; Huntsville; Mobile; Montgomery; Tuscaloosa; Anniston/Gadsden; Beaches; All Alabama . Alabama . Twitter Facebo.. ..

Editorial: Legislative lessons — Alabama’s 2013 session riddled with telling …..
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Editorial: Legislative lessons — Alabama's 2013 session riddled with telling … Anniston Star Still, much of the power in Montgomery remained with the two primary architects of Republican control of state government — S.. ..

Bills affecting Mobile, Baldwin counties pass at end of legislative session … ..
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Bills affecting Mobile, Baldwin counties pass at end of legislative session … al.com (blog) The Alabama State Legislature concluded its 2013 Regular Session on Monday, May 20, and with that final gavel, several bills were .. ..

Alabama Gun Law Mirrors National Trend – WKRG-TV
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
San Marcos Mercury Alabama Gun Law Mirrors National Trend WKRG-TV From there State Senator Scott Beason proposed a gun bill that at first was opposed by Alabama Sheriffs' association. After compromises in the house a fin.. ..

Alabama Legislature sees some work turn into pumpkins at midnight (Mark … – al..
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Alabama Legislature sees some work turn into pumpkins at midnight (Mark … al.com (blog) Roger Bedford (D-Russellville) displayed some walking-around sense. “We ought to be investing in these schools and making them better,.. ..

Republicans to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley: Eat my shorts (John Archibald) – al…
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Republicans to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley: Eat my shorts (John Archibald) al.com Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard and Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh are king and queen of the prom. Gov. Robert Bentley is that blow.. ..

Ala. legislators’ view of session depends on party – WALA-TV FOX10
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Ala . legislators' view of session depends on party WALA-TV FOX10 Republicans passed the Alabama Accountability Act, loosened restrictions on guns, started the consolidation of state law enforcement agencies, and kept a .. ..

Legislature rejects Gov. Bentley’s Accountability Act delay – Montgomery Adverti..
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Legislature rejects Gov. Bentley's Accountability Act delay Montgomery Advertiser Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston speaks to the Senate on the final day of the regular legislative session at the Alabama Sta.. ..

Alabama lawmakers approve gun legislation – Tuscaloosa Magazine
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Alabama lawmakers approve gun legislation Tuscaloosa Magazine Sen. Scott Beason , who sponsored the bill in the upper chamber, said the measure is a step forward for Alabama gun owners. But the Gardendale Republican said he&.. ..

Spay/neuter clinic bill, drug testing of welfare recipients among bills that …..
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Spay/neuter clinic bill, drug testing of welfare recipients among bills that … al.com (blog) MONTGOMERY, Alabama — As the clock struck midnight, dozens of bills died on the final night of the legislative session. Among th.. ..

Alabama Legislative Session Draws To A Close – WKRG-TV
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Alabama Legislative Session Draws To A Close WKRG-TV Both the House and Senate rejected his proposal to delay the start of the Alabama Accountability Act. That's a program that would give tax credits to families in so-ca.. ..

Alabama Senate Democrats Talk Party Debt, Look to 2014 – WNCF
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
WNCF Alabama Senate Democrats Talk Party Debt, Look to 2014 WNCF As Alabama News Network has reported, there are reports of theft at their party headquarters in Montgomery, and the party is over 500 thousand dollars in debt… ..

Ala. Legislature rejects Bentley’s 2-year-delay – Gadsden Times
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Ala . Legislature rejects Bentley's 2-year-delay Gadsden Times The Republican majority in the Alabama Legislature handed the GOP governor a major defeat Monday night by rejecting his proposal to delay the start of privat.. ..

Lawmakers reject Bentley’s request to delay private school tax credits – al.com ..
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Lawmakers reject Bentley's request to delay private school tax credits al.com (blog) “It is unfortunate that the Senate chose to override the veto instead of listening to the people of Alabama ,” Bentley said. BENTLEY MI.. ..

2013 session ends. Here’s how last day went, from 9 am to midnight. – al.com (bl..
Monday, May 20, 2013
2013 session ends. Here's how last day went, from 9 am to midnight. al.com (blog) Watch Chuck Dean's evening update on the last day of the legislative session MONTGOMERY, Alabama – AL .com reporter Chuck Dean talks a.. ..

Alabama Democrats Fail In Expanding Medicaid – Alabama Public Radio
Monday, May 20, 2013
Alabama Democrats Fail In Expanding Medicaid Alabama Public Radio Vivian Davis Figures , leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus, says the failure to expand Medicaid and the passage of the Alabama Accountability Act made this.. ..

Tea Party group to rally against IRS targeting Tuesday at Birmingham office … ..
Monday, May 20, 2013
Tea Party group to rally against IRS targeting Tuesday at Birmingham office … al.com (blog) Alabama state Sen. Scott Beason , R-Gardendale, will speak at the rally. The group will also protest amnesty for unauthorized immi.. ..

Officials hope highway expansion brings economic boom – The Southeast Sun
Monday, May 20, 2013
Officials hope highway expansion brings economic boom The Southeast Sun ( Jimmy) Holley … Sen. Holley has done an outstanding job this year in the Senate. He has done so much for my administration in getting some things ac.. ..

Lawmakers give final approval to gun bill – al.com (blog)
Monday, May 20, 2013
Lawmakers give final approval to gun bill al.com (blog) Scott Beason , the sponsor of the original bill, said he pushed the bill to clarify Alabama's law regarding the open carrying of weapons and to make sure law-abidin.. ..

Alabama House rejects Bentley’s 2-year-delay – San Antonio Express
Monday, May 20, 2013
Alabama House rejects Bentley's 2-year-delay San Antonio Express Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston speaks to the Senate on the final day of the regular legislative session at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgo.. ..

Alabama Senate working at slow pace on calendar of 85 local bills (updated … -..
Monday, May 20, 2013
Alabama Senate working at slow pace on calendar of 85 local bills (updated … al.com (blog) Rodger Smitherman , D-Birmingham, noted that it could take up to 45 hours to pass all the local bills under Senate rules. The Senat.. ..

WVAS Local News – WVAS
Monday, May 20, 2013
WVAS Local News WVAS On another matter, Alabama's governor isn't getting support from key Republicans or Democrats for his proposal to delay private school tax credits for two years. Democratic Senator Quinton Ross o.. ..

Monday marks final day of legislative session – WAFF
Monday, May 20, 2013
Monday marks final day of legislative session WAFF We don't have an enforcement provision in our state law for this and this is something I think will pass,” said Senator Arthur Orr . Then there is the governor's pro.. ..

Another View: Fancy footwork – Opelika Auburn News
Monday, May 20, 2013
Another View: Fancy footwork Opelika Auburn News 28-year legislative career that ended in defeat in 2010, former Alabama Sen. Lowell Barron became a powerful member of the upper chamber. Now, three years after his return to .. ..

Frantic Finish Expected For Last Day Of Legislature – whnt.com
Monday, May 20, 2013
Frantic Finish Expected For Last Day Of Legislature whnt.com Arthur Orr (R-Decatur). “Quite frankly we won't be able to get to all the legislation that we need to.” Sen. Orr is one of the leading power brokers at the Sta.. ..

Manic Monday: Legislators return for busy final day of legislative session – al…
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Manic Monday: Legislators return for busy final day of legislative session al.com (blog) MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Legislators return Monday for a jam-packed final day of the legislative session with key votes looming on campai.. ..

Alabama Democrats split over new strategy – Tuscaloosa Magazine
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Alabama Democrats split over new strategy Tuscaloosa Magazine Kennedy says the new Alabama Democratic Majority has the enthusiasm and youthfulness that the Alabama Democratic Party lacked as it shrunk from Alabama's domi.. ..

Ala. governor seeks votes on delaying tax credits – Gadsden Times
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Ala . governor seeks votes on delaying tax credits Gadsden Times Bentley spoke Saturday at the Alabama League of Municipalities convention in Montgomery and urged several hundred city officials to contact their legislators b.. ..

Bentley struggles to delay school tax credits – San Antonio Express
Friday, May 17, 2013
Bentley struggles to delay school tax credits San Antonio Express Members of the Alabama Democratic Caucus talk with reporters at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., Friday, May 17, 2013. The senators were speaking o.. ..

Ala. Senate Democrats call on Governor to repeal Accountability – WSFA.com … -..
Friday, May 17, 2013
Ala. Senate Democrats call on Governor to repeal Accountability – WSFA.com … WSFA Updated: Friday, May 17 2013 4:50 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:50:29 GMT. The Senate Democratic Caucus told reporters Friday morning that there is no.. ..

Senate Democrats urge Bentley to repeal, not delay, Alabama Accountability Act …
Friday, May 17, 2013
Senate Democrats urge Bentley to repeal, not delay, Alabama Accountability Act … The Birmingham News – al.com (blog) Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, and other members of the Alabama Senate Democratic Caucus call for the repeal o.. ..

Senate Democrats renew calls for Accountability Act repeal – Montgomery Advertis..
Friday, May 17, 2013
Senate Democrats renew calls for Accountability Act repeal Montgomery Advertiser Quinton Ross , D-Montgomery. “But when he stood at this podium on Feb. 28, he told the people of Alabama and he told the minority that we shoul.. ..

Alabama Senate leadership reviewed – Dothan Eagle
Friday, May 17, 2013
Alabama Senate leadership reviewed Dothan Eagle This is the first Republican majority legislature in modern Alabama history. The Republicans not only have a majority, they sport a super majority. That means that the remainin.. ..