The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that would halt economic incentives for a business that voluntarily recognizes a union if a secret election can be held. SB231, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, states that it will “condition an employers’ eligibility for economic development incentives upon the employer refraining from certain practices relating to employee representation by a labor organization.”  “This pertains to any business that receives incentives. It doesn’t specify who receives it. If you do receive it, you have to let your employees vote on a private ballo ..read more

A bill that would define sex-based terms including “male” and “female” under state law is moving forward in the Alabama Senate, and has now added language in an apparent response to a recent controversy over Space Camp. The bill, HB111, defines “female” as “an individual who has, had, will have, or would have, but for a developmental anomaly, genetic anomaly, or accident, the reproductive system that at some point produces ova” and “male” as “an individual who has, had, will have, or would have, but for a developmental anomaly, genetic anomaly, or accident, the reproductive system that at som ..read more

The Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to expand the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” provision through eighth grade. That’s a lesser expansion than proposed when Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, filed HB130 early this session. The version of the bill passed through a House committee earlier this month would have expanded the prohibition through 12th grade. Butler said Tuesday that an amendment to scale the bill back came at the request of education officials. Democrats contested the bill on the floor for two hours. “All of you in this body know LGBTQ people and know they are people ju ..read more

Infrastructure comes in many different forms.  From roads and bridges to the broadband that delivers powerful internet service, all of it is important to Alabama’s economy and job market. On Tuesday, the head of one of Alabama’s largest manufacturers explained the importance of another kind of infrastructure.  Child care.  Like the roads and bridges that employees take to work, few things are more meaningful for getting Alabama workers into the job market than safe, reliable child care – whether that be daycare for young children or after-school care for older kids.  “Prov ..read more

How dare Gavin Newsom? The nerve of the California governor and his political action committee, The Campaign for Democracy, to create an ad painting Alabama in such a negative light. I mean, the absolute gall.  This ad depicts a woman being arrested for attempting to leave the state to get an abortion.  Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl called it “disgusting” and said it was “disrespectful” to the people of Alabama. He denounced it as nothing more than a “shameless political stunt.”  So true. After all, it’s not like anyone in power in Alabama has ever said they want ..read more

In a bold move to tackle the state’s high smoking rates, Alabama lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at reducing cigarette consumption by incentivizing adult smokers to switch to heated tobacco products, which are considered less harmful alternatives. The bills, House Bill 438, led by Democratic State Representative Rolanda Hollis, and Senate Bill 96, guided by Republican State Senator Dr. Tim Melson, propose a restructured tax framework specifically for heated tobacco products. Despite the potential public health benefits, strong opposition has emerged from major tobacco companies se ..read more

If you are a parent or grandparent like me, odds are that you have thought about the role technology plays in your child’s life. I often find myself asking: how should I manage screen use with my grandchildren? Is what I am doing ok? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to that question. On the one hand, phones and other devices mean that children can play educational games or watch a show while I have a little peace and quiet to get some things done. These obvious upsides also come with very scary downsides. The fact is that dangerous content exists on the internet and different social med ..read more

Since Sept. 29, the Decatur Police Department has engaged in tactics to antagonize and repress the citizenry it is supposed to “serve and protect” simply for protesting the killing of Steve Perkins by Decatur officers.  Steve was killed, effectively ambushed, by Decatur police officers who never went to Steve’s front door to identify themselves. Instead, they parked their vehicles out of view and proceeded to hide outside Steve’s house and across the street. Steve was trying to stop his car from being repossessed and after coming outside with a flashlight or a gun Officer Mac Bailey Marq ..read more

According to the March 2024 Alabama Economic and Real Estate Report released by the Alabama Association of REALTORS®, Alabama’s spring housing market remains down year-over-year, but has seen increases in key areas month-over-month. In March, the increase in home sales persisted, with 4,976 sales recorded, marking a 5.6 percent uptick compared to the previous month. This also marks the second consecutive month of growth in home sales. Alabama had more active residential listings at the end of March compared to one year ago, representing a 33.5 percent annual increase. March lis ..read more

The Oversight Commission on Alabama Opioid Settlement Funds announced Tuesday its statewide investment plan. The Commission, chaired by Representative Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, and Senator Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, held four public hearings after the 2023 Regular Session and in the 2024 Regular Session, hearing from 44 agencies and associations that provide services related to prevention, treatment and recovery of those suffering from opioid addictions in Alabama. Following the announcement, Rep. Reynolds filed HB479, the $30 million supplemental appropriation funding the statewide investme ..read more