Despite Headwinds, a Successful Legislative Session
The possible impeachment and eventual resignation of a governor create a gale wind that can quickly transform into a hurricane. Such a tempest was the setting for the 2017 session of the Alabama Legislature. The outcome – resignation, and now, a fresh start at the Capitol under Governor Kay Ivey – has been extensively […]
By Clyde Chambliss
The Legislature Kept Its Focus in the 2017 Session
This has been a tumultuous year in Alabama state politics. The embarrassing scandal involving our former governor catapulted our state into the headlines of the New York Times and the Washington Post. In conversations with friends and neighbors, I could hear the frustration in their voices: is positive, character-driven leadership too much to ask […]
By Steve Livingston
Direct Primary Care Contracts Empower Patients and Lower Health Care Costs
A recently-released report on insurance costs nationwide shows average premiums for health insurance exchange plans sold in Alabama have increased 223 percent since 2013, more than twice the national average and the highest increase of any state in the nation. With such dramatic increases, more and more Alabama working families are being forced to forego […]
By Arthur Orr
Smart Budget Reforms Necessary for Economic Growth
Rep. Danny Garrett and Sen. Clyde Chambliss meet with Governor Kay Ivey on May 10 to discuss the work of the Joint Task Force on Budget Reform. The 2017 session of the Alabama Legislature is coming to a close, and as I reflect on the challenges we faced over the past year, I […]
By Clyde Chambliss
Adopting Children, Protecting Religious Liberty
In 2014, there were around 400,000 children in the foster care system in America. Ten percent of those children had been in the system for more than five years. At a time when so many foster children need stable “forever homes,” it is imperative the state of Alabama allow faith-based adoption agencies to do their […]
By Clyde Chambliss
An Update as the Legislature Heads Back to Montgomery
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Spring Break! The Legislature paused its meetings over the past two weeks to allow legislators to spend time with their families, but Senate and House members return to Montgomery on April 4th to resume work. I have authored a proposal in the Senate that will allow […]
By Shay Shelnutt
Solving Alabama’s Prison Crisis
There is a rising wave of violence in Alabama’s prisons. Recently in Elmore County, three inmates were killed by other prisoners in a ten-day period. In March of last year, the warden of Holman Prison in Atmore was stabbed by an inmate during a riot. A few months later, at the same prison, correctional officer […]
By Clyde Chambliss
Crime and Punishment in Alabama: How to Reduce a Prisoner’s Financial Costs on a County Jail.
The 2017 session of the Alabama Legislature is in full swing, and as of this writing, 692 bills (and counting!) have been filed. As the State Senator for District 14, one of my responsibilities is to represent your interests in Montgomery. I also believe that I have a responsibility to update you from time-to-time on […]
By Cam Ward
Protecting Those Who Protect Us
Officer Justin “Sollo” Sollohub’s Wednesday started no differently than any other. The alarm clock went off at the same time. He got ready, put on his uniform, and bounded out the side door to hop in his car and head to the station, taking the same route he normally took. Like clockwork, Ms. Wright was […]
By Clyde Chambliss
A Preview of the 2017 Legislative Session
On February 7th, the Alabama Legislature will convene for the 2017 regular session. Before giving you a preview of the issues that will shape the debate in Montgomery, I want to pause and recognize that Friday marked the inauguration of our nation’s forty-fifth president, Donald J. Trump. The peaceful transition of power is a remarkable […]