Government
Hubbard Pre-trial Hearing Ends Without Much New Revealed
Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard isn't scheduled to go on trial on felony ethics charges until March, but Alabama political watchers received an early helping of the courtroom fireworks this week with a pre-trial hearing. Lawyers for Hubbard are arguing the case should be thrown out because of selective prosecution and prosecutorial misconduct. Prosecutors say it's all a distraction. We hear more about it from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Alabama Keeps Money-Losing Liquor Stores Open
A Perry County Judge tells offenders they can either pay their fine or give blood. And Alabama closes driver’s license offices, but keeps money-losing liquor stores open. Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL dot com, and he talks about these issues with WBHM’s Michael Krall.
Private Probation Company Leaves Alabama
Courtroom and legal-themed shows proliferate in entertainment media, but the real nuts and bolts of the legal process don’t often attract attention. That’s not the case for a private probation company which drew outrage around Alabama for the escalating fees it charged people with minor offenses such as traffic violations. That company, Judicial Correction Services, has announced it is leaving the state and Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald is among those who is cheering.
Hillary Clinton Voices Criticism of Drivers License Office Closures During Alabama Visit
Secretary of State and Presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton campaigned in Hoover on Saturday. The Alabama Democratic Conference gathered at the Hyatt Regency Wynfrey Hotel, where Clinton was the guest speaker. Clinton’s comments on racial justice drew plenty of support from those in attendance.
FBI Closes Investigation into 1964 Ala. police Shooting
The FBI has closed its investigation into a fatal police shooting that happened 50 years ago in west Alabama. A Justice Department letter to the family of Frank Andrews says the government won't file any charges in his slaying by a Choctaw County sheriff's deputy in the town of Lisman on Nov. 28, 1964.
Transparency in Question when Elected Leaders use Private Email
Used to be if you wanted something done, you’d write your congressman or congresswoman. But nowadays written communication is more often done through email. A notable number of state politicians in Alabama don’t use their official state email address instead opting for a Gmail or even AOL account. That’s a problem say government transparency advocates. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Should Larry Langford Go Free?
The former Birmingham Mayor remains in jail serving a 15 year sentence. And Governor Bentley proposes a possible solution to reopen 31 rural driver’s license offices.Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL dot com, he talks with WBHM’s Michael Krall.
Lawsuit Filed to Stop Downtown I-20/59 Bridge Replacement Project
A group including residents, activists and elected leaders has filed a federal lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Transportation seeking to stop a downtown Birmingham project. ALDOT began work this fall on a plan to replace and expand the elevated potions of Interstate 20/59 in the city center. But the organization Move 20/59, which is behind the lawsuit, contends the environmental impact study conducted for the project violates federal law.
Anthony Barnes, Former Birmingham Water Works Chairman, Dies
Anthony Barnes, former chairman of the Birmingham Water Works Board and long-time Birmingham businessman died Tuesday. He was 65.
Many Alabama Legislators Use Private Email, Limiting Public Access
The controversy continues over Hillary Clinton’s use of personal emails during her tenure as secretary of state, and it’s raising broader questions about how public officials should communicate electronically. In one survey, 33 percent of government workers said they use personal email for government business at least sometimes. The issue? Private emails are nearly impossible for the public to access. If you thought AOL and Hotmail were dead, just scroll down the list of Alabama lawmakers and check out their contact info. State senators and Representatives also list plenty of Gmail, Yahoo and emails tied to their personal websites. In Alabama, more than half the state’s House members and almost a third of senators use an email other than the state-issued .gov email address.
Justice Department Called on to Investigate Alabama Voter ID Issue
Voting rights activists are protesting what they say is voter suppression in Alabama. The state suddenly closed 31 part-time driver’s license offices last week due to budget cuts. That leaves many rural residents without a place to obtain new driver’s licenses. Those licenses that double as IDs for voting.
State’s Response to Rural Driver’s License Office Closures not Enough for the Black Belt
Calls are growing for the Justice Department to investigate how the closure of 31 rural driver’s license offices may affect voting. The state closed those offices last week due to budget cuts. The problem, say civil rights advocates, is residents must have a photo ID to vote. The most common ID is a driver’s license and Alabama now has 31 fewer places to get a new drivers license. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says state officials are taking steps to address the situation, but it’s not enough for the Black Belt. That's an area of the state that’s poor, largely African American and disproportionately hit by the closures.
Getting a Driver’s License in Alabama’s Black Belt is Difficult
The closure of 31 driver’s license office leaves 28 counties in Alabama without a place you can get a driver’s license. The closings, all in mostly poor rural counties, many of them with majority African-American populations has some saying the state is making it more difficult for black Alabamians to vote. Kyle Whitmire is he state […]
Some Alabama Hospitals may Drug Test New Moms without their Consent
In Alabama, drug abuse by pregnant women is considered child abuse. The state is one of three that allows mothers to be criminally prosecuted fir. But some women appear to have been drug tested by hospitals without their consent and without being informed they could be arrested for a positive result. Those are the findings of an investigation by al.com and ProPublica.
Black Belt Residents not Happy as State Closes Satellite Driver’s License Offices
Rural Alabama residents are not happy state law enforcement closed 31 satellite driver's license offices Wednesday. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says the closures were due to an eleven million dollar cut in the new budget that went into effect Thursday. While drivers can still renew their license in most counties, they’ll have to travel further to get a new one. Particularly hard hit is the Black Belt, which is one of the poorest regions in the state.
Driver’s License Offices Closures Could Affect Voting
Governor Robert Bentley warned there would be cuts to state services if lawmakers didn’t pass enough new revenue measures for the budget that goes into effect Thursday. The budget includes some new money but still cuts many agencies about 6-percent. As a result state law enforcement announced Wednesday examiners will no longer travel to 31 part-time satellite driver’s license offices. It’s a move that some worry could affect voting. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Federal Judge: Police Pepper-Spraying Birmingham Students for Discipline Is Unconstitutional
Between 2006 and 2011, police officers patrolling Birmingham City Schools pepper-sprayed students more than a hundred times. But late Thursday, U.S. District Judge Abdul Kallon ruled the practice unconstitutional.
Law Enforcement Agency Pulls Examiners out of Drivers License Offices
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said it is pulling examiners out of 31 part-time satellite drivers license offices because of budget cuts. The agency made the announcement Wednesday. The examiners currently travel to the locations during some days of the week. The agency said the change will save money on travel costs. Secretary Spencer Collier says the impact on citizens will be lessened because of online renewals and other options.
Court Fees Increasingly a Bad Deal for Alabama
If you don't pay a traffic ticket on time – or you lose in court – you may end up paying a hefty court fee in addition to the fine. In some cases, those fees in Birmingham bring the bill to up 10 times the original ticket. Over the years, the Legislature has raised court fees to cover the costs of running the system. And many people think this is a bad idea.
NAACP Asks for Jefferson County Courthouse Murals to be Removed
Members of the Jefferson County Commission say they’ll address a petition by the local NAACP chapter and other groups calling for the removal of two murals in the courthouse. This latest push comes in the wake of the killings of nine African Americans at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, that sparked a debate over symbols of the Confederacy throughout the South.
Emails Paint House Speaker as Eager to Make Money off his Office
Political observers have been watching the lead up to Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard's corruption trial in periodic salvos tossed from both sides. Hubbard is scheduled to go on trial next year accused of using his public office for personal gain. The latest bomb blast comes from prosecutors and they're emails from Hubbard that Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says paint the speaker as the worst kind of politician.
What Ever Happened to Artur Davis?
What ever happened to former Congressman Artur Davis? Once seen as a rising star in the Democratic party, he’s now struggling to get back to the Democratic party itself, after briefly defecting to the Republican party. Also, is the Alabama Ethics Commission relevant anymore? WBHM’s Michael Krall talked about all this with Kyle Whitmire, state political columnist […]
Dissecting Alabama’s General Fund Budget
The state’s new budget year starts October 1 and agency leaders have to figure out how to work within the austere general fund budget passed by lawmakers in a special session last week. The budget provides level funding to key departments such as prisons, Medicaid, law enforcement, and mental health. Most others face cuts of at least 6 percent. For an overview we turn to Thomas Spencer, a senior research associate at the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama. PARCA is a nonpartisan think tank focused on Alabama government.
Legislator or Lobbyist
State lawmakers wrapped up a second special session Wednesday night, one that resolves a more than $200 million shortfall in the general fund budget. Despite the extra meeting time Alabama does have a part-time legislature and sometimes a lawmaker’s professional life conflicts with his or her public service. Governing bodies draft rules to mitigate those conflicts. But Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says the way the state is apply some of those rules makes for open season on the very idea of ethics.
Education Budget Cuts, Cigarette Tax, and Winners and Losers
The second special session of the Alabama Legislature could soon be in the books with a combination of cuts to the education budget and a cigarette tax. That combination avoids some funding cuts to state agencies — Medicaid, corrections, mental health, human resources and the court system are all expected to be level funded. But […]
Previewing Week Two of Alabama’s Second Special Session
The second week of Alabama's second special session begins today, and many questions remain. The new fiscal year starts October 1. Alabama Public Television's Don Dailey joins Troy Public Radio’s Carolyn Hutcheson to discuss the upcoming week and the possibility of a budget emerging from the Senate this Friday.
Here’s What Happened This Week During the Second Special Session
Alabama House Republicans have done something they probably never imagined they'd do — vote to raise taxes. We have an update now on the special legislative session underway. Alabama Public Television's Don Dailey tells Troy Public Radio's Carolyn Hutcheson about the most recent action in Montgomery.
House Approves 25-Cent Cigarette Tax Increase
The House of Representatives, in a series of tight votes Thursday, approved a 25-cent cigarette tax increase and other revenue bills as a plan to help close a budget gap slowly inched forward.
Land Water Conservation Fund Expiration Worries Alabamians
The Land Water Conservation Fund is a federal act that provides funding for parks that aren't a part of the state's park system. After five decades, it's set to expire in September, and Congress has yet to act on it. This has some Alabamians worried. Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD, comments on this and other stories.
Senior Advisor to Governor Paid Through Questionable Means
There are two big stories in state politics right now. There’s the special legislative session that started this week. Then there’s all the chatter around the governor’s divorce. Alabama’s First Lady Diane Bentley filed for divorce from Governor Robert Bentley last month after 50 years of marriage. That’s fueled rumors of an affair by the governor. He says this is a private matter and the legal filing has been sealed. Still the situation has drawn attention to happenings within the administration, particularly how a senior advisor is paid. We talk about that now with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
House Committee Approves Cigarette Tax, Other Revenue Bills
An Alabama budget committee has approved a cigarette tax increase and other revenue bills as lawmakers try to fill a budget shortfall. The House Ways and Means Committee voted 8-6 for a 25-cent-per-pack cigarette tax increase. The increase would raise $66 million annually.
Peering Through the Fog of the Governor’s Divorce
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley says his divorce is private matter. They’re the first public comments he’s made since First Lady Diane Bentley filed for divorce Friday after 50 years of marriage. The divorce has helped fuel rumors of an extramarital affair. The personal turmoil comes as the governor prepares for a second special session aimed at resolving the state’s General Fund budget shortfall. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
