The House District 74 seat is another step closer to being filled. Candidates Michael Fritz and Charlotte Meadows will now face off in a runoff. The winner of the run-off will face Democrat Rayford Mack for the vacant seat, Charlotte Meadows is the co-chair of Montgomery’s first charter school and Michael Fritz is a bankruptcy lawyer. Alabama News Network spoke…
Alabama lawmakers have given final approval to an education trust fund budget that includes a 4% pay increase for K-12 teachers and other public school employees. Lawmakers gave final approval to the spending plan for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. The bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk. Ivey released the following statement, following the Legislature’s action:…
Alabama voters will decide next year whether they want to abolish the elected state school board and replace it with an appointed commission. The House of Representatives voted 78-21 today for the proposed constitutional amendment that will go before voters next year. Alabamians will vote on the proposal on March 3, 2020. The new nine-member education commission would be appointed…
State Rep. Jimmy Martin (R-Clanton) died this morning, Alabama News Network has confirmed. Martin represented District 42, which includes parts of Chilton and Autauga counties. He was elected in 2014, but had served previously in the Legislature from 1998 to 2010. He was the co-owner of Martin Funeral Home in Clanton. Gov. Kay Ivey released this statement: “Early this morning,…
Gov. Kay Ivey has signed two pieces of legislation aimed at improving and expanding broadband services across Alabama. The bills signed Thursday specifically target rural and small communities that are often underserved by high speed internet. Ivey says it’s imperative that the state provide students, hospitals and small businesses with the high speed broadband they need to “have success in…
Alabama lawmakers have approved a pay equity bill that would prohibit businesses from paying employees less because of their gender or race. The Alabama House of Representatives voted 99-0 to give the bill final passage. If signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey, it would end Alabama’s status as one of just two states without a pay equity law. The…
Alabama lawmakers have voted to abolish judge-signed marriage licenses as some conservative probate judges continue to object to same-sex marriage. The House of Representatives voted 67-26 today for the bill that would replace marriage licenses with a new form called a marriage certificate. The bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature. For years a few conservative probate…
Lottery legislation has stalled in the House of Representatives after supporters did not have enough votes to get the bill up for debate. The bill has failed a procedural vote required to bring bills up for debate. Supporters were one vote short. The proposed constitutional amendment would authorize a state lottery played with paper tickets but not with video lottery…
A proposal to start a state lottery in Alabama is heading to a key vote in the House of Representatives. Lawmakers are expected to debate the bill this afternoon. The proposed constitutional amendment would authorize a state lottery played with paper tickets but not with video lottery terminals. The lottery legislation faces an uncertain outlook. Some conservative lawmakers are opposed to…
The Alabama Senate voted 25-6 tonight to approve the abortion bill that will outlaw nearly all abortions in the state. Abortions would only be legal if the mother’s life was in danger. The Senate rejected five proposed amendments to the bill. Some had wanted rape and incest to be included among the exceptions. If the bill becomes law, a doctor…
