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
Senators Del Marsh and Arthur Orr Introduce Proposal to Bring Accountability to Higher Education Spending
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Thirty-two states –including Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia- use performance-based formulas to determine higher education spending. Alabama could be poised to join them soon. This week, Senators Del Marsh (R-Anniston) and Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) submitted a plan in the Alabama Legislature to create an advisory council on outcome-based funding for Alabama’s community […]
By Arthur Orr By Del Marsh
Senate Approves Hightower’s Proposal to Protect Faith-Based Adoption Agencies from Discrimination
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – On Tuesday evening, Senator Bill Hightower (R-Mobile) moved a proposal through the Alabama Senate to protect the religious freedom rights of individuals operating faith-based foster and adoption agencies. A key part of the Senate GOP’s “Strengthen Alabama” legislative agenda, Hightower’s proposal (co-sponsored by Rep. Rich Wingo of Tuscaloosa) forbids state agencies […]
By Bill Hightower
Alabama Senate Repeals Concealed Carry Permit Requirement
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Senator Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa) today passed legislation in the Alabama State Senate to allow Alabamians to lawfully carry guns without a permit. Allen’s permitless carry proposal would remove a needless restriction on Alabamians’ Second Amendment rights and make it easier for citizens to protect and defend their families and property. “Alabama leads […]
By Gerald Allen
Gov. Kay Ivey Commends Senate’s Preparation for Coming BRAC Evaluation
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Yesterday, the Alabama State Senate moved to dramatically strengthen Alabama’s position in preparation for next round of the Department of Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission’s (BRAC) decision-making process. Senate Bills 242 and 218, both sponsored by Senator Bill Holtzclaw (R-Madison), move the Alabama Job Creation and Military Stability Commission from […]
By Bill Holtzclaw
Scofield Passes Common-Sense Broadband Investment Legislation
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State Senate took a major step toward broadband expansion today by passing Senator Clay Scofield’s (R – Guntersville) Alabama Rural Broadband Act. Senate Bill 253 is a free-market approach to increasing private investment to build high-speed internet access across the state. “When people think about infrastructure, it’s traditionally just […]
By Clay Scofield
Ward’s Proposal Will Lower Healthcare Costs for Local Sheriffs’ Offices
MONTGOMERY, Ala – On Thursday, the Alabama Senate approved a proposal by Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) to lift a significant financial burden off local sheriffs’ offices. Currently, when a person who is on Medicaid – a federally-mandated health insurance program for low-income and disabled persons – is arrested for a crime, their Medicaid benefits are […]
By Cam Ward
Alabama Senate Approves the Largest Education Budget Since 2008
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Senate today approved by a 29-2 vote a historically strong budget for the Education Trust Fund. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 budget allocates $6.4 billion to Alabama’s K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities. It is the largest education budget since 2008, and the second largest budget since 1995, the last […]
By Del Marsh By Greg Reed By Arthur Orr
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
Whatley’s Proposal Reduces Costs of Hunting & Fishing Licenses for Out-of-State College Students
AUBURN, Ala. – Senator Tom Whatley (R-Auburn) has shepherded a proposal through the Alabama Legislature that will make it easier for out-of-state college students living in Alabama to hunt and fish. Whatley was the Senate sponsor of House Bill 3, which will allow non-resident college students in Alabama to purchase hunting and fishing licenses at […]