Government
Waiting for a Plan for Alabama’s Budget, and Birmingham – Destination City or Not?
Kyle Whitmire says he was certain that a small group of public officials, business leaders, and bureaucrats was busy working and drafting up a solution to the General Fund deficit. But when the session ended, no group was revealed. The Special Session later this summer should offer an ability to work out a deal, since the legislative rules allow leadership to limit the scope of what can be considered, focused on solving the budget crisis. Kyle and Scott also discuss another topic of debate – there’s a debate brewing within the pages, printed and digital, about whether or not Birmingham is a “destination city,” and what that may or may not really mean.
Alabama Has Highest Number of Death Row Inmates Per Capita
Alabama has more inmates on death row per capita than any other state. Anthony Ray Hinton was on death row in Alabama for 30 years, sentenced to death in 1985 for murder. Hinton maintained he was not guilty, and in April he was released after reexamined ballistic evidence raised troubling questions about his conviction. Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD, discusses the state of the death penalty in Alabama.
Governor Bentley Vetoes Budget, Pledges to Bring Legislators Back for Special Session
Alabama’s 2015 Legislative session ended last night with Governor Robert Bentley vetoing an austere General Fund Budget that cut $200 million from state agencies. That means lawmakers will be back later this summer for a special session.
UAB Program Expands Access to Heroin Overdose Drug
Police and public health leaders in Alabama are trying to deal with a spike in heroin use in recent years. Naloxone -- or narcan -- is a drug that, when administered correctly, can reverse the effects of a heroin overdose. A bill passed the Alabama Legislature this week that would allow first responders to give narcan to someone dying from an overdose. But some don't think the bill goes far enough. UAB researchers are working on a crowd-funded study that puts narcan directly in the hands of users' and family and friends.
A Look At What Passed And Failed In The 2015 Session
Alabama's 2015 legislative session ended with Governor Robert Bentley vetoing the general fund budget and pledging to bring lawmakers back into special session. Here's a look at what passed and failed this session.
Churches Maintain Stance Against Gay Marriage Despite Cultural Shifts
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule this summer on a case that could legalize same-sex marriage and even many opponents of gay marriage don’t expect the court to rule in their favor. Public support of same-sex marriage has swung dramatically in recent years with a majority of Americans now favoring it. At least 545 gay couples married in Alabama earlier this year during the three weeks it was legal. But many churches in the state still embrace a traditional view of marriage and find themselves increasingly within a culture that doesn’t see things their way.
More Robust FEMA APP Released Just In Time for Hurricane Season
The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is launching a new feature to its app that is a one-stop-shop of sorts that will help people prepare for, respond to and recover from hurricanes.
Bentley Calls Tutwiler Settlement ‘Positive Step’ For State
Governor Robert Bentley is praising a settlement between the state and the U.S. Justice Department over conditions at Alabama's only prison for women. Bentley says the agreement announced Thursday is a "positive step forward" for the corrections agency.
Special Session Likely For Alabama Legislature
With the clock winding down on the 2015 legislative session, Alabama legislators have still not solved the state’s largest problem: a general fund budget shortfall of more than $250 million. While some new revenue measures passed this week, it’s not nearly enough to fill the gap.
Is Birmingham Headed For A Parking Crisis?
There's an attitude in Birmingham that you don't have to pay parking tickets. Is the current system of street side parking sustainable or is Birmingham headed for a parking crisis? For more we talk Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD.
UAB Needs Ray Watts and Football
UAB President Ray Watts should announce by Monday whether the university will revive its football, bowling and rifle teams after shutting them down in December. Football backers have aimed a lot of anger at Watts with some calling for him to go. A few voices have said this was the correct, albeit painful move for an institution of higher learning. But one prominent alumnus says UAB needs both Watts and football. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about that and case of business incentives he says shows bad citizenship on the part of an Alabama bank.
Birmingham’s Broken Parking Meters
Depending on where you are in Birmingham, you could pay around two dollars to park for two hours on a city street. Or – you may not pay at all. Birmingham has more than 5,000 parking meters. With more restaurants, businesses and residents returning to the city center once again, those steel gray meters with an appetite for quarters are stirring concerns among those who live and work downtown.
Mixed feelings for landfill run deep in Tennessee
Residents protest the dump that generates millions in revenue for poor rural area.
Are Cigarette Taxes A Good Idea For Alabama?
The Alabama Legislature is running out of days this session. Today's the last day that any new revenue raising measure can be introduced and still stand a chance of passing during regular session. And there's still disagreement on how to fill the state's more than $250 million deficit. One idea: cigarette taxes. Governor Robert Bentley's proposed revenue package relies heavily on an 82 cent tax increase per pack.
As Newspapers Scale Back, What Happens To Watchdog Journalism?
In the last decade, hundreds of newspapers closed or started publishing less frequently. Locally, The Birmingham News cut back to publishing three days a week in 2012. As newspapers disappear, who is left keep a watchful eye on big business and government? For WBHM, Les Lovoy continues his look at today's media landscape and considers the role of the watchdog journalist.
Deadline To Introduce New Revenue Measures Approaching
Time is running out for the Alabama Legislature to address the more than $250 million General Fund budget shortfall during the regular session. Next Tuesday is the last day to introduce revenue raising measures that could pass this session.
Judge: Gay Couples Across Alabama Have Right To Marry
A federal judge has ruled that gays and lesbians have the right to marry in all Alabama counties, but placed her decision on hold until the U.S Supreme Court issues a ruling on same-sex marriage.
Awaiting a Decision on UAB Football
UAB football backers are examining a report released this week that details the viability of bringing back the university’s football, bowling and rifle programs. University President Ray Watts ended those teams in December citing finances. That sparked a huge uproar among students, alumni and some community members. But Watts he says he’ll announce by June 1st if he’ll reinstate those teams. We talk about the report and what’s to come with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
New Website Informs Ft. McClellan Veterans of Possible Toxic Exposure
For decades Anniston’s now closed Ft. McClellan was home to the Army Chemical School and housed substances including sarin gas and nerve agent. The company Monsanto also released toxic chemicals into the environment around the area. Some veterans say exposure to these substances while at Ft. McClellan caused them an array of health problems and have called for compensation from the federal government. Those activists can now claim a small victory.
Anti-bullying license plate may come to Alabama
The Alabama department of Revenue’s legislative oversight committee gave approval to accept pre-orders for the state’s first ever anti-bullying plate.
Legislative Committees Say “Yes” To Gambling And “No” To Taxes
With less than a month left in the legislative session, there’s still no consensus on how to fix the state’s more than $250 million dollar General Fund budget shortfall. And while the debate’s still active, the House Ways and Means committee did approve a budget with deep cuts this week.
What’s The Best Way For States To Overcome A Budget Shortfall?
With Alabama facing a budget shortfall of more than $250 million, legislators have a few ideas on how to fill the gap: a lottery, gambling, raising taxes. But what works best? Alabama’s not the first state with budget problems. How have other states fixed their budgets?
Lying Politicians and our Threatened State History
Politicians are generally not known for their honesty. You can call it stretching the truth or spin. But sometimes elected leaders are caught in a lie plain and simple. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says that’s what’s happening right now in Montgomery as state leaders search for ways to close a more than $280 million gap in the General Fund Budget. He also says that shortfall also threatens how we preserve our state history.
Family Values? Politicians On Maternity and Paternity Benefits For Alabama Patents
Sunday was Mother's Day and the love was flowing around the state and the nation, but there's not so much love for mothers and fathers when it comes to paternity and maternity benefits for Alabama parents. Despite all of our talk about family values, Alabama Media Group political columnist says the United States has family leave laws that are antiquated by even the healthcare standards of third world countries, and Alabama has an infant mortality rate worse than Ukraine. Whitmire discusses the landscape of political morality versus taking action with WBHM's Chris Osborne.
Alabama Parks Director Says State Parks Could See Large Cuts
Alabama faces a general fund budget shortfall of more than $580 million dollars. If legislators cant find new revenue, there could be sweeping cost cutting measures. This includes layoffs and reductions in state services affecting, among other things, law enforcement and state parks.
Alabama Prison Bill Gets Final Approval & More From This Week At The Capitol
Alabama lawmakers gave sweeping changes to Alabama’s prison system final approval this week. The legislature hopes these sentencing and probation reforms will alleviate some of the overcrowded prison system’s worst problems. For more on this, and the rest of the week’s news from Montgomery, we turn to Don Dailey. He’s the host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television, and he joins WBHM each Friday during the legislative session.
Conservative Alabama Lawmakers Talk Gambling and Taxes
Alabama is a conservative state where political and religious rhetoric will sometimes mix in the halls of the statehouse. As a result, vices, such as gambling, don't usually get favorable treatment in public policy. But the more than $280 million dollar shortfall in Alabama's General Fund budget has lawmakers uttering the words casino, lottery, and even taxes. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about the political turnabout and a bill that would give Jefferson County lawmakers millions of dollars to dole out at their own discretion.
A Civil Rights Resolution Rediscovered
Some of the most enduring images of the Civil Rights Movement are of fire hoses blasting children who were marching in Birmingham in 1963. Those pictures shocked many around the country and helped spur President John F. Kennedy to call for the Civil Rights Act. But the fire hoses also prompted a response from some New York City firefighters. As WBHM’s Amy Sedlis reports, that action remained unknown to Birmingham residents for more than five decades.
Alabama Lawmaker Says He Could Introduce Gambling Bill As Soon As Next Week
Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh says he might introduce legislation allowing casinos and a state lottery as soon as next week. It’s the latest move by Republicans to cover the states $250 million dollar General Fund budget deficit. We’ll hear more on this from Don Dailey. He’s the host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television, and he joins WBHM on Fridays to recap the week at the statehouse.
A Prosecutorial Team Back Together
If you're a powerful politician such as a president, senator or governor, you can sometimes get the rock star treatment. But if you're a former federal prosecutor, probably not. It a move though by a federal former federal prosecutor that has Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald celebrating as if the Beatles reunited. He talks about that and a To Kill a Mocking Feud in Monroeville.
Casinos, Lottery Possible Fix For Alabama’s General Fund Budget Crisis?
Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh told lawmakers on Tuesday he plans to introduce legislation legalizing some forms of gambling. Marsh said this could be the state's solution to the $250 million budget shortfall. We here more on this from Kyle Whitmire, political commentator for al.com and The Birmingham News.
Governor and Lawmakers Still Split over Budget Crisis
This week, Governor Robert Bentley defended his agency heads from accusations they’re using scare tactics in describing the effects of possible budget cuts to the state’s general fund. To fill us in on this and other activity in Montgomery this week is Don Dailey. He’s the host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
