Governor Robert Bentley
Finding a Way to Talk About Racial Inequality in Alabama, U.S.
It's time to speak of reparations. That's the headline of the latest column by AL.com's John Archibald. The piece comes following the turbulent and deadly events involving black men and law enforcement in Louisiana, Texas and Minnesota. A discussion about this controversial column.
A Private Gym For Birmingham Airport Leader Raises Questions
High-profile positions often come with perks. But with public positions involving public money, perks can drift into illegal ethics violations. Those are the concerns around Birmingham's airport authority CEO and what's been called his private gym. We talk about the controversy with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. We also hear about the unanswered questions around the firing of a high-raking employee of the State Department of Finance.
Spencer Collier “Anxious” to Testify Against Gov. Bentley in Potential Impeachment Trial
An investigation is underway to determine whether Governor Robert Bentley should be impeached, and a discussion about Alabama real estate mogul Franklin Haney and his potential influence on state politics. The latest from AL.com’s Kyle Whitmire.
Bentley Impeachment Probe Underway
A committee of lawmakers opened impeachment hearings against Governor Robert Bentley today, beginning a probe on whether there are grounds to remove the two-term Republican from office. “When you’re looking at impeaching a governor, a sitting governor, I don’t think we should take it lightly,” says House Judiciary Committee Chairman Mike Jones regarding the difficulty […]
Governor Testifies in House Speaker’s Trial
Wednesday brought the most anticipated moment of House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s ethics trial so far. That’s when Governor Robert Bentley took the stand. Bentley testified about whether Hubbard lobbied him on behalf of a business client. Bentley is embroiled in his own scandal, accused of an affair with a former aide. But the testimony was perhaps less than what political junkies hoped for. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about the trial and about financial troubles that have the City of Fairfield veering toward bankruptcy.
Former Chief of Staff Among First Witnesses in Hubbard Trial
The eyes of Alabama’s political world have turned to a Lee County courtroom as the trial of House Speaker Mike Hubbard is now underway. He faces 23 felony ethics charges. He's accused of using his elected position and his former role as head of Alabama’s Republican Party for personal gain. Both sides gave their opening statements Tuesday with witness testimony following. Watching is all is Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald and he offers his observations to WBHM's Andrew Yeager.
Governor Asks Staff to Sign Confidentiality Agreement
Two years ago something simple but significant happened in Alabama Governor Robert Bentley's office. Bentley asked his staff to sign non-disclosure agreements. More than 80 staffers did, but one who didn't was Rebekah Mason. She's the former political aide Bentley's accused of having an affair with. They're the latest details in the scandal surrounding the governor. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about it along with the continued political spats at Birmingham City Hall.
Jury Selection Begins in Hubbard Trial
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in the trial of Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard. He faces 23 felony ethics charges of using his public office to benefit his private businesses. It’s a trail that involves a who’s who of Alabama politics and has the potential to cast light on a hidden side of Montgomery. We talk about what’s to come with Don Dailey. He’s host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Gov. Bentley Signs Two Bills Restricting Abortion
Governor Robert Bentley has signed two bills that could make it much harder for women to get abortions in Alabama, but legal challenges loom.
Investment in Alabama Doubled in 2015, Report Finds
A report out today from state officials shows Alabama attracted more than $7 billion in investments and added nearly 20,000 new jobs last year.
Ala. Legislature Passes Ed Budget, Teacher Pay Raise
The Alabama state legislature today approved an education budget and a teacher pay raise. Conference committees approved the measures Thursday afternoon and Governor Robert Bentley has indicated his support. Assuming he signs the legislation, teachers and other educators making less than $75,000 per year, plus all principals and assistant principals, will get a four percent raise in fiscal […]
Lawsuit Could Reveal Details Around Bentley Scandal
The scandal around Governor Robert Bentley took a new legal turn this week. Former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Director Spencer Collier, who accused the governor of an affair with a top advisor, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Bentley. The governor says he fired Collier for cause and that he'll aggressively defend the lawsuit. We talk about that and other developments around this scandal with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
A Trip to Las Vegas Could Mean Trouble for Governor Bentley
There’s a new twist in the feud between Governor Robert Bentley and former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency head, Spencer Collier; a trip to Las Vegas could put Bentley in hot water with campaign finance law and a look at the state’s lack of oversight on religious daycare centers. The latest from AL.com’s Kyle Whitmire.
Spencer Collier Suing Governor Robert Bentley
The former secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is suing Governor Robert Bentley and others for wrongful termination and defamation of character. Spencer Collier filed a suit today, April 19, against Bentley, his former top adviser Rebekah Mason, and current ALEA Secretary Stan Stabler. The suit includes Bentley’s 501c4 the Alabama Council for Excellent […]
Alabama House Could Vote to Form Impeachment Committee
The Alabama House of Representatives is expected to vote next week to establish a 15-person investigatory committee to probe the possible impeachment of Governor Robert Bentley.
What the Bentley Scandal Means for Economic Development
The scandal surrounding Governor Robert Bentley’s alleged affair with a former top advisor has grabbed attention from CNN to the New York Times to the Washington Post. With that national media attention, some Bentley opponents in the legislature have suggested his troubles have hurt the state’s economic development efforts. We explore that in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
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 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.
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 from Alabama lawmakers. And Bentley’s involvement in the ethics trial of House Speaker Mike Hubbard is made clear following disclosure by fired Alabama Law Enforcement […]
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.
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 turn to AL.com’s Kyle Whitmire. Following Spencer Colliers press conference, Governor Robert Bentley held his own saying he did not have a physical relationship with Rebekah Mason. […]
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.
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.
Simple Investigation or Attempt to stop Speaker’s Ethics Trial?
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is conducting an internal investigation into suspected wrongdoing. Details are few but the admission comes two weeks after Governor Robert Bentley placed ALEA Secretary Spencer Collier on medical leave. At the same time, Collier signed an affidavit related to the ethics trial of House Speaker Mike Hubbard, something the governor didn't want Collier to do Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about the situation and why he suspects the investigation is part of an attempt by the governor to stop the Hubbard trial.
Looking Forward to the General Election
Super Tuesday has come and gone in Alabama. What was surprising and what to expect come November? Analysis of the primary elections. And House Speaker Mike Hubbard is back in court tomorrow - Thursday, March 3. A look at what's happening in that trial taking place in Lee County.
Governor Talks Poverty Reduction, Prisons in Birmingham Speech
Governor Robert Bentley spoke about reducing poverty, improving rural healthcare and consolidating prisons in a speech Friday afternoon in Birmingham at the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama’s annual meeting. The remarks were largely a recap of his State of the State Address on Tuesday.
Governor’s Speech Creates Budget Confusion
Montgomery is buzzing now that the Alabama legislature is back in session. Governor Robert Bentley entered the fray Tuesday night with his State of the State Address. The governor offered a long list of proposals including tearing down and building new prisons, free community college tuition for low-income students, increased broadband access and incentives to improve healthcare for rural areas. The question of how to pay for all of this is mostly unanswered. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says this just creates confusion around the state's budget.
