Like many of you, I have lost several friends to COVID-19, and I know of countless others who fell seriously ill, lost their job or lost their business because of the virus. Unfortunately, virtually everybody in the United States and across the globe has been negatively impacted by COVID-19. From the earliest days of this […]

The Growing Climate Solutions Act (GCSA), cosponsored by Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, passed the Senate last week, a victory for Alabama’s farmers and environmental activists alike. The GCSA is common-sense environmental legislation that lowers the barriers to entry into carbon credit markets for America’s farmers. By lowering these barriers farmers can easily buy and sell […]

The unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision in NCAA v. Alston portends change for college sports. This case involves education-related benefits and is separate from cases about athletes’ “name, image and likeness.” The NCAA’s 100-year effort to not pay student-athletes is close to ending. Justice Neil Gorsuch authored the opinion, but Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s concurring opinion […]

The 2021 legislative session ended last month with an impressive slate of legislative accomplishments. A goodly amount of the credit for the success of the session goes to the leadership of the new President Pro Tem, Senator Greg Reed of Jasper, who just completed his first session in this role. The Senate was deliberate, effective […]

Last week, the Supreme Court reaffirmed Obamacare. In fact, this is the third time that they have upheld it as law. If there is one thing for certain, it is that the court is not going to change their mind on this one. Chief Justice Roberts has said before that this a legislative issue, and […]

For months, we have been inundated with stories of a federal proposal named by the Democrat Party as the “For the People Act.” Upon closer examination of this mammoth piece of legislation, it should be renamed the “From the People Act” because this legislation clearly seeks to take the election process out of the hands […]

Last week, the world watched as President Biden traveled to the G7 Summit. While overseas, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss several important issues. I had high hopes for the meeting because there was much on the agenda for the two presidents to discuss, and it was President Biden’s first time as […]

There were two major issues not resolved during the just completed regular legislative session. Gambling and prisons were left on the table and up in the air. It is foolish to not address a resolution to get some revenues for the state from gambling which currently exists in Alabama. However, it is not imperative that […]

After schools throughout the country closed in spring 2020 due to COVID-19, homeschooling increased significantly in the 2020-21 school year. The surge has been accompanied by some calls to ban homeschooling. According to the Census Bureau, 11% of households with school aged children homeschooled this year, double the level in April 2020. Alaska had the […]

The City of Birmingham will use nearly a quarter of its first round of federal stimulus payments from the American Rescue Act to provide one time bonuses to all full and part-time city employees. The bonus payments received final approval from the Jefferson County Personnel Board last week. Full-time employees are set to receive $5,000 […]

In late April, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) announced he would cosponsor the Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act. The bill would reform how sexual assault crimes are prosecuted within the military. At a press conference at Dannelly Field in Montgomery on June 3, Tuberville said the bill would make positive changes to how […]

If the 4th of July has a pre-game, it is June 15. On that date in 1215, the Magna Carta was signed, beginning a gradual process of defined individual rights and limiting the power and authority of the British crown. The Declaration of Independence which outlined the colonists’ desire for freedom from the edicts of […]

I’m old enough to remember the horrible inflation during the 1970s, and I hope we never live through something like that again. I will never forget driving to work one Friday in 1979 when I was hoping I had enough gas to make it to work that day and get my paycheck. I scrambled for […]

The cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline by the hacker group DarkSide disrupted gasoline supplies across the Southeast. The company caused a stir by paying a 75 Bitcoin ransom to DarkSide. America historically has been opposed to paying evildoers, as reflected in the slogan, “Millions for defense, but not one cent in tribute,” and President Jefferson […]

As our country continues to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, I am reminded of the American resilience that has guided us for the past year. Nevertheless, we must reflect on lessons learned during the pandemic and seek answers to those questions that remain unanswered. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy […]

The 12-month change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) exceeded 4% in April for the first time since 2008. Many economists have been predicting inflation following a 25% increase in the money supply in spring 2020. Has inflation finally arrived? Inflation was a major issue in the 1970s and early 1980s. We experienced double-digit inflation […]

I’ve seen plenty of disturbing things happen during the time I’ve spent in and around politics and the legal system. Few are as disturbing or heartbreaking as the rampant scourge of guardianship and conservatorship abuse. It’s not a red state or a blue state problem. Nor is it unique to any one region of the country. From coast to coast, […]

Late last month, the people of Alabama were repulsed to learn that former pastor and serial rapist, Mack Charles Andrews, Jr., was released from prison after serving only half of his 15-year sentence. What most Alabamians might not know is that Andrews was not released by mistake, not through error or misapplication of law, not […]

I have found that the most traumatic experiences we endure generally must see the light of day, or we are bound by them and to them one way or another. This principle applies to families, but also to cultures. Healthy relationships cannot happen without healthy communication. As individuals and groups of people, we should be […]

America is at a crossroads, and Alabama is under the gun. Since Joe Biden was sworn into office in January, we’ve seen Washington, D.C. kick common sense to the curb and return to putting America last. Across our country, Democrats and much of the media look down on states like ours and openly attack our […]

The Communist Chinese Party’s (CCP) influence is alive and well in Alabama. This past session, HB9, carried by Representative Tommy Hanes, and SB280, carried by Senator Shay Shelnutt, both failed to make it to their respective floors. These bills would have shuttered the two CCP-funded and backed Confucius Institutes in Alabama. Confucius Institutes have been […]

As I spent time this Memorial Day Weekend relaxing on the farm with Tina, our kids, and our grandkids, I couldn’t help but think of how grateful I am to live in this country. Although we Americans have our disagreements and have been through some tough times together, we would not be here today without […]

In early April the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) changed its guidance on surface transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. After more than a year of cleaning and disinfecting, the CDC now believes surface transmission is relatively infrequent. This case illustrates the role of discovery in public policy. The CDC says, “surface transmission is not the […]

When Governor Kay Ivey vetoed SB 94 on Thursday, May 27, she sent a clear signal of her commitment to our children’s long-term success. If SB94 became law, it would have prematurely stalled the momentum Governor Ivey and Superintendent Mackey have achieved in implementing the Alabama Literacy Act. The third grade promotion policy is only […]