As expected, AEA files federal court challenge

From Courthouse News Service, the Alabama Education Association and others have filed suit challenging the constitutionality of legislation banning payroll deductions (pdf) of dues used for political purposes.  Stated in their filing that the act inhibits their First Amendment right of free speech and association and Fourteenth amendment right of equal protection [...]

Small town political gazette – 2/28/11

Cullman TimesArea mayors report on local projects

Dothan EagleLegislators expect deep budget cuts

Franklin County Times- Red Bay approves sewer contract

St. Clair News-AegisCounty looking for ways for people to ride free

 

Daily Headlines, Monday, 2/28/2011

Montgomery AdvertiserMontgomery City Council District 7: Lee says time is right to run for office

Montgomery AdvertiserMontgomery City Council District 7: Kirkwood already working with council

Montgomery AdvertiserAdvertiser Editorial: Furloughs better than layoffs

Huntsville TimesMcCarter: Ever-growing Huntsville area [...]

Daily Headlines, Sunday, 2/27/2011

Montgomery AdvertiserRepublicans’ ‘Handshake’

Montgomery AdvertiserBentley’s priorities in line with GOP leadership

Montgomery AdvertiserBentley inauguration foundation raises $1.6M

Montgomery AdvertiserA new look: State GOP leaders have new priorities

Montgomery AdvertiserMPS changes will affect all in [...]

Small town political gazette – 02/26/11

The Randolph LeaderWedowee may use fireworks to scare off vultures – a town’s work is never done

BaldwinCountyNowGovernor’s moratorium may not affect Conecuh Woods landfill

The Wetumpka HeraldConsultants confirm retail dollars can grow Elmore County

The Selma Times-Journal - Project proves citizen action lives [...]

Daily Headlines, Saturday, 2/26/2011

Montgomery AdvertiserLoss of tanker deal latest hit for Gulf Coast

Montgomery AdvertiserGrant to help rural HIV, AIDS patients

Montgomery AdvertiserNew rules to access State House include badges for visitors

Montgomery AdvertiserGeneva councilman appeals conviction

Montgomery Advertiser[...]

Time for More Transparency in Campaign Finance Laws

As the beginning of the 2011 Regular Legislative Session approaches, there has been a great deal of attention paid to the budget problems facing Alabama. This is the biggest issue facing our state; however, there are other issues that I will address in the upcoming months as well. Several bills are merely being reintroduced [...]

Small town political gazette – 2/25/10

The Andalusia Star-NewsCities see tax collection spike

BaldwinCountyNowFairhope can’t prosecute first noise ordinance violation under old law

Daily Mountain EagleNo meetings of the Oakman council in two months

Dothan EagleCommission divided on possibility of rescinding 2008 bingo resolution

Daily Home[...]

Population change by county

Courtesy of the US Census and our tax dollars:

IFRAMES not supported

More details from the Census press release

Some will find this Census table breaking down the counties and Congressional districts by race and Hispanic, Latino and neither by race useful (or an exercise in how to use the [...]

Daily Headlines, Friday, 2/25/2011

Montgomery AdvertiserAla. loses bid for Air Force tanker

Montgomery AdvertiserExperts: Losing tanker contract blow for state

Montgomery AdvertiserAlabama Senate committee audio going online

Montgomery AdvertiserEx-executive guilty in fraud scheme

Montgomery AdvertiserBentley: Alabama attorney general [...]

Small town political gazette – 2/24/11

The Atmore AdvanceBOE hears concern over firearms policy

Clanton AdvertiserResident looks for relief from sink hole

Cullman TimesLegal sales generate more than $10,000 in sales tax at one store

Daily HomeDid mayor overstep his authority?

Dothan EagleCourt denies Steensland [...]

Daily Headlines, Thursday, 2/24/2011

Coffee cup

Montgomery AdvertiserState bans ‘knockout in a can’

Montgomery AdvertiserAla. law firm goes ‘green’ with new office building

Montgomery AdvertiserHiring Democrats causes GOP backlash

Montgomery AdvertiserPair to be planted on campuses of UA, AU in show of respect

[...]

Senate Sketches # 1237

Jubilee time is a coming. Voting Rights Celebrations are a coming. People get ready. Joyful but meaningful times are a coming. The National Voting Rights Celebration (Celebration) starts the third Sunday in February, 2011 [...]

Hamrick, Senate GOP Caucus Put Off Plans

According to this AP story today from Phillip Rawls, Paul Hamrick backs off of plans to work for the Senate GOP Caucus:

Hamrick agreed that some new members had raised concerns, and that prompted his decision to back off. “To do this type of work for a group like a caucus, you have [...]

Small town political gazette – 02/23/11

Dothan EagleDothan residents air opposition to proposed tax increases

The Daily SentinelSale of Goose Pond golf course hot topic

The Brewton StandardCounty: Landfill revenue down

BaldwinCountyNowBaldwin County Citizens for Responsible Government takes action against road

The Atmore AdvanceRivercane debt [...]

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 [...]


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