Government
South Alabama Lawmaker’s Job Raises Ethics Questions
Alabama has a part-time legislature meaning lawmakers have jobs and careers outside of their time in Montgomery. That means conflicts of interest can arise depending on how state laws are written or public money spent. One case involving a Baldwin County Republican, Representative Randy Davis, has caught Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald's attention. He talks about the situation and the Birmingham City Council's failure to resend a pay increase.
State House Committee Approves Bill Making Changes to Birmingham Mayor-Council Act
Wednesday morning a bill that would make changes to the city of Birmingham’s Mayor-Council Act was approved by the Jefferson County Legislative Delegation committee 10-3, with 5 abstentions.
This Week in the Legislature: Bentley Impeachment Articles, Medicaid and More
The scandal surrounding Governor Robert Bentley took a new turn this week when a legislator filed articles of impeachment against the governor. Bentley’s been under fire since allegations of an affair with his former chief advisor surfaced last month. But that’s not all happening in Montgomery. As the 2016 legislative session moves into its final days, Don Dailey of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television say lawmakers have a lot on their plates. Dailey’s the host , and he tells WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley what’s next for the legislature and the embattled governor.
Problems, Protests Continue at Etowah County Detention Center
Protesters gathered again last weekend at the Etowah County Detention Center, one of the nation's most notorious holding pens. The center houses immigration detainees awaiting possible deportation. It's been under fire in recent years for poor conditions and treatment of prisoners, and some even engaged in a hunger strike last year.
Impeachment Effort Makes a Lame Duck Governor Weaker
The scandal around Governor Robert Bentley grew this week as fellow Republican Representative Ed Henry filed articles of impeachment against the governor. It’s the latest fallout after the governor admitted to making inappropriate comments to a top advisor, although he denies a physical relationship with her. Bentley says there are no grounds for impeachment and he’ll fight this political attack. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald, who says impeachment is premature, but weakens an already weak governor.
Evoking the “Goat Hill” Committee of the Alabama Legislature
A small delegation of Alabama lawmakers - led by a Republican Representative from Hartselle - announced plans to impeach Governor Robert Bentley, the Legislature overrides Bentley's budget veto and the role the Legislature's infamous "Goat Hill" committee will play in all of this. The latest from AL.dom's Kyle Whitmire.
Alabama Legislator to Start Impeachment Process Against Governor Bentley
An Alabama legislator says he’ll introduce articles of impeachment against Governor Robert Bentley.
Meeting Over Changes to Mayor-Council Act Incites More Debate
At a public meeting Monday night, more than a hundred people huddled into a tight room in the Jefferson County courthouse. Residents poured out into the hallway. They gathered to discuss proposed changes to the Mayor Council Act, legislation that divides powers between the mayor and city council.
Alabama Legislators Talk of Possible Impeachment, Recall of Governor Bentley
The firestorm continues a week after allegations that Alabama Governor Robert Bentley had an affair with top advisor Rebekah Mason, who resigned Wednesday. While Bentley and Mason deny an affair, he did admit to making inappropriate comments to her.
One of Birmingham’s Oldest Homeless Shelters Has Big Plans
Leaders say the City of Birmingham needs more services to help the local homeless population. The operators of one of Birmingham’s oldest standing homeless shelters want to move and rebuild, creating a larger, more welcoming building in a more suitable location. And the change couldn't come soon enough.
Pressure Mounting on Bentley to Resign
Governor Robert Bentley's senior advisor, Rebekah Mason, has resigned. This comes one week after the governor faced accusations from the former head of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency of having an affair with her. Both Mason and Bentley denied the affair but Bentley says he did make inappropriate comments to her. Meanwhile calls persist for Bentley to resign. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Scandal Uncovers Bentley’s Involvement in Trial of Speaker Mike Hubbard
Following the eruption of a scandal involving Governor Robert Bentley and his now former top political adviser, Rebekah Caldwell Mason, the governor is refusing to step down, despite mounting pressure […]
Senior Advisor at Center of Bentley Affair Scandal Resigns
Governor Bentley's Senior Political Advisor Rebekah Caldwell Mason has resigned. Mason was in the spotlight last week after former ALEA head Spencer Collier publicly described her alleged affair with the governor, calling her "the de facto governor," a reference for the extreme power people close to Bentley said she wields.
Calls for Governor Bentley’s Resignation Continue to Grow
It's just under a week since scandal rocked Montgomery. Last Wednesday, Alabama's former top cop told the media about an affair between Governor Robert Bentley and his top advisor and a phone sex tape surfaced online. While Bentley continues to deny any "physical affair” with Senior Political Advisor Rebekah Caldwell Mason, calls for his resignation have only gotten louder among state leaders.
New Precedent Overrules Antiquated Method for Valuing Currency in Theft of Property Offenses
Attorney General Luther Strange says the Alabama Supreme Court recently issued a precedent-setting decision regarding theft of property offenses.
Some Doubt Gov. Robert Bentley’s Prison Reform Plan
Critics call them five-star prison hotels. Fact is, Alabama’s prisons are among the most overcrowded in the nation. The state’s correctional facilities, designed to hold 13,000 inmates, instead house almost double that. State prisons are also chronically understaffed, a factor thought to have contributed to two recent inmate riots at Holman Correctional Facility and a fatal inmate stabbing at Elmore Correctional Facility. A Senate budget committee approved Governor Robert Bentley’s proposed solution to the problem. But there’s uncertainty as to whether that’s indeed the way out.
Fairfield Considers Cutting Police Department to Save Money
The Fairfield City Council recently made an unconventional move: they voted to get rid of their police department in an effort to save money. But some city leaders say it’s a shortsighted response to a big budget problem.
Governor to Veto General Fund Budget
Governor Robert Bentley announced Thursday he’d veto the General Fund Budget passed by the Legislature, saying it would make the state's Medicaid system unsustainable. “The General Fund Budget is unacceptable because it lacks adequate funding for essential government services," Bentley said in a statement. "The proposed appropriation falls short of what the Medicaid Agency will require to provide services for the over one million Alabamians, most of them children, covered by Medicaid.”
ALEA Audit Shows No Discrepancies, Report Says
WBRC recently obtained a copy of an audit of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency released last month. The 17-page document, published to their website on Wednesday morning, "did not disclose any significant instances of noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations."
Inside the Financial Crisis in Fairfield
When the Walmart closed in Fairfield, the city lost one of its largest sources of sales tax revenue. The small Birmingham neighbor now faces a looming $8 million dollar deficit after years of alleged financial mismanagement. For more on Fairfield’s money crisis, and the city council’s recent vote to terminate the police department, we turn to Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD. Patterson talk's about WELD's cover story on Fairfield's financial crisis. He tells WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley about Fairfield’s history, and how it got to this breaking point.
What’s Next After Allegations of an Affair by Governor?
Governor Robert Bentley says he did not have a physical relationship with a top advisor and that allegations of an affair are not true. But he says he did make inappropriate comments and that was a mistake. The remarks come after former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency director Spencer Collier detailed what he knew of the alleged affair in a press conference Wednesday afternoon. Rumors of an affair have been swirling, fueled by the governor's divorce last year from his wife of 50 years. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about the situation and says he doesn't seen how Bentley can now lead.
Scandal Erupts Between Alabama’s Governor and Former Top Cop
Alabama’s top law enforcement officer, Spencer Collier, is fired following statements he made about an alleged affair between Governor Robert Bentley and a top adviser, Rebekah Mason. For more, we […]
Governor Apologizes for Inappropriate Remarks, Denies Physical Relationship with Advisor
Governor Robert Bentley says he did not have a physical relationship with a top advisor and allegations of an affair are not true or accurate. But the governor says he did make inappropriate comments which was a mistake.
Alabama’s Former Top Cop Says Governor Had Affair
One day after being fired, Alabama’s top law enforcement official says Governor Robert Bentley has been having an affair with his a top advisor. Spencer Collier made the remarks at a press conference Wednesday afternoon in Montgomery. Spencer is the first person to publicly confirm the rumored affair, which was fueled last year by Bentley’s divorce from his wife of 50 years, Diane Bentley.
Bentley Removes Collier as Law Enforcement Chief
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley has announced that he is terminating Spencer Collier as the head of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
New Bill Would Make Birmingham Civil Rights District a National Park
Federal and state leaders from Alabama announced a bill that would designate Birmingham’s Historic Civil Rights District as a National Park.
This Week in Montgomery: Alabamians to Vote on Right-to-Work Amendment
Thursday the Alabama Senate passed legislation designed to enshrine Alabama's position as a "right-to-work" state in its constitution. Now, Alabama voters will vote on the amendment in November. We hear more from Don Dailey, host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal. Also this week, a bill allowing Alabama to borrow $800 million to build four new prisons moved forward, passing a Senate Committee less than a week after two violent uprisings at Holman Correctional Facility in south Alabama. Dailey told WBHM’s Rachel Lindley about how the recent prison violence moved legislators.
Birmingham Residents Speak on Potential Changes to Mayor-Council Act
More than 100 people gathered in city council chambers Thursday night hoping to understand the latest grievance between the mayor and city council and encourage civility. Tensions between Birmingham Mayor […]
Former Mayor, Birmingham Officials on City’s Power Struggle
Tensions between the Birmingham City Council and Mayor William Bell have escalated over the past several months. There's also a move in the state legislature designed to change Birmingham’s Mayor-Council Act of 1955, which has determined the devision of power in the city for decades. A few weeks ago, draft legislation circulated that would transfer some powers from the city council to the mayor. Thursday evening at 6 pm, the Birmingham City Council holds an open meeting about these possible changes. We talk with Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD, about what former Birmingham officials think of the current battle in Birmingham government. Patterson also discusses the growth of small business in the Magic City, and what help entrepreneurs want from the city.
Prison Uprising Puts Governor’s Prison Plan in the Spotlight
Alabama lawmakers are considering a plan from Governor Robert Bentley to overhaul Alabama's prison system. It would use an $800 million bond issue to build four new prisons while closing most others. The proposal takes on renewed importance after two violent uprisings at the Holman Correctional Facility in south Alabama on Friday and Monday. In remarks after touring the facility, the governor says he can't guarantee the same thing won't happen again. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Senate Committee Approves Prison Consolidation Plan
A Senate budget committee approved a prison construction bill Wednesday. The bill would close 14 state prisons and build four large regional facilities. Senator Cam Ward was among the bill’s supporters, […]
Medicaid Funding Struggles Could Send Alabama Legislature into Special Session
Alabama is once again heading for a budget standoff. This week, the house committee approved a General Fund budget. The state's Medicaid commissioner says it would cause severe cuts to the program. The $1.8 billion budget steers an additional $15 million to Medicaid, but that's short of the $100 million the agency says is needed to maintain services. Governor Robert Bentley’s already threatened a veto, and state lawmakers are talking about a special session. Don Dailey, host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal, told WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley more about the budget and the rest of this week's news from Montgomery.
