Old style Alabama politics

Terri Sewell is fund raising, politicking in Selma in her bid to win election to the AL-07 house seat according to the Selma Times-Journal.  Are any of the other candidates making the rounds?

Courtesy of the Gadsden Times, (may need a “free” login) we get a reminder that Alabama’s road builders [...]

Ashville and White Hall

As most are aware by now, A St. Clair county judge has ruled electronic bingo is legal in St. Clair County.  Reaction from Ashville’s mayor is available.

As of yet, don’t have a copy of his order and will leave any legal speculation and divination to those who enjoy such things.

Turning [...]

Local schools in the time of recession

Over at the Post, there is an interview with Cherokee County Superintendent Brian Johnson which can serve as a proxy for school superintendents statewide.

There is still much uncertainty over how many teaching jobs will be saved by the economic stimulus package and the need for more cuts in spending.

A [...]

Daily Headlines, Tuesday, 3/31/2009

Birmingham NewsAlabama Senate bills would establish bond authority to help pay down Jefferson County debt

Birmingham NewsAnniston PCB lawsuits begin in Jefferson County Circuit Court

Birmingham NewsConsent decree trial begins

Birmingham NewsBirmingham City Council to consider government transparency policy

Birmingham NewsAlabama’s high school graduation rate among most improved but still lags nation

Birmingham NewsThere’s a better way to discipline Birmingham city schools students other than arresting them.

Continue reading “Daily Headlines, Tuesday, 3/31/2009″

Small Town Political Gazette

Cherokee HeraldSemi amusing editorial cartoon

Troy MessengerAbsentee ballots examined in election contest

Dothan EagleHouston county expenditures $ 3 million dollars over budget

Continue reading “Small Town Political Gazette”

Daily Headlines, Monday, 3/30/2009

Birmingham NewsObama’s phrasing on global warming gets warm reception in Alabama

Birmingham NewsJefferson County, Alabama steps up air pollution monitoring near Birmingham schools

Birmingham NewsBirmingham, Alabama’s Cooper Green Mercy Hospital may build surplus fund under bill

Birmingham NewsCongress OKs expansion of Alabama’s Little River Canyon

Birmingham NewsSeveral Alabama caves closed as deadly disease kills scores of bats

Birmingham NewsBirmingham, Alabama jurors can use wi-fi while awaiting trial assignments

Continue reading “Daily Headlines, Monday, 3/30/2009″

Halfway through legislative session.

When the Alabama Legislature returns to session on Tuesday to meet for the 15th legislative day it will mark the halfway point in the session. A regular session has a maximum of 30 legislative days (or meeting days). Days in which committees meet are not considered legislative days for purposes of marking time in [...]

Daily Headlines, Sunday, 3/29/2009

Birmingham NewsHOW THEY VOTED

Birmingham NewsJefferson County, Alabama trial in discrimination suit begins Monday

Birmingham NewsOutside Looking In – Kudos for Alabama state flag

Birmingham NewsCivil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin recounts refusing to yield her bus seat

Birmingham NewsA bill that would remove the state sales tax on food failed in the Alabama House

Birmingham NewsSupreme Court says companies responsible for their actions

Continue reading “Daily Headlines, Sunday, 3/29/2009″

Small Town Political Gazette

The Selma Times-JournalMore needed than an elected school board, comment on Selma’s election for an elected school board

Dothan EagleParts of Wiregrass under water

Clanton AdvertiserSeveral humane board members resign

Daily HomeSenate gets to business while House filibusters

Still Opportunities to Cut Taxes on Groceries

I have long supported cutting taxes as an effective means of stimulating the economy and providing citizens the financial relief they deserve, and Republicans in the legislature are no different. In the past few years, we have successfully promoted the first state income tax cut in more than 70 years and pushed an historic [...]

Daily Headlines, Saturday, 3/28/2009

Birmingham NewsBirmingham, Alabama area jobless rate surges past 8% mark

Birmingham NewsAspect of a controversial trauma trial, partly conducted at UAB, ends

Birmingham NewsBirmingham Mayor Larry Langford gets new trial date

Birmingham NewsEx-Alabama lawmaker Sue Schmitz’s forfeiture hearing postponed

Birmingham NewsBirmingham, Alabama-area school systems to receive $117 million from federal stimulus plan

Birmingham NewsAlabama lawmakers file bills that could divert Jefferson County sales taxes to repay sewer debt

Continue reading “Daily Headlines, Saturday, 3/28/2009″

Small Town Political Gazette

Daily HomeRevenue commissioner to retire, run for mayor

The Selma Times-JournalNo sign of missing cars in Selma PD drug case

Clanton AdvertiserCounty commissioners disagree over remaining bond funds

Shelby County ReporterFighting poverty one city at a time

Continue reading “Small Town Political Gazette”

Week Played Out as Expected

The week played as I expected unfortunately. The Constitutional Amendment to remove the state portion of the sales tax from certain grocery sales in Alabama failed to receive the BIR vote. With that the House Black Caucus vowed to kill the rest of the legislative session with filibustering until this bill was passed. I [...]

Daily Headlines, Friday, 3/27/2009

Birmingham NewsBirmingham, Alabama-area school systems to receive $117 million from federal stimulus plan

Birmingham NewsAlabama lawmakers file bills that could divert Jefferson County sales taxes to repay sewer debt

Birmingham NewsJefferson County Commissioner Bettye Fine Collins says receiver could not do better job with sewer crisis

Birmingham NewsAlabama nonprofits can beat economic downturn, fundraiser Reynold Levy says

Birmingham NewsAlabama judge says he’ll rule quickly on White Hall machines

Continue reading “Daily Headlines, Friday, 3/27/2009″

Small Town Political Gazette

The Selma Times-JournalAt least one answer coming, editorial about the White Hall raid

Eclectic ObserverWho pays taxes once smokers butt out?

Troy MessengerHawkins decision will benefit all

Greenville AdvocateAddressing the problem of illiteracy
Continue reading “Small Town Political Gazette”

Legislative Dispatch

A Look from the Rearview Mirror

This Thursday will mark the last day of the legislative Session.  For some, it was a Session that seemed would never end.  For others, it was one that ended much too quickly.  It may be early, yet, to write an obit on this Session, but as we approach the finish line, some perspective may be in order.

[...]

Putting Students First

As you know, a very important piece of legislation will be presented for our consideration in the House tomorrow in Montgomery – Senate Bill 310 – the “Students First” tenure and fair dismissal reform bill. Like me, many House members have been inundated with phone calls and emails from opponents of this bill, and some have been [...]

Legislative Transparency

There are a lot of issues to debate before we begin the final days of this session. In fact, I am quite certain there will be some comments on this post debating many of them. Before we get into the last seven day of the session I wanted to bring up a topic that [...]


See more Recent Small Town News