Last week, the Legislature was successful in passing HB445, which is Alabama’s first comprehensive legislation regulating hemp products, such as gummies and drinks, since the federal farm bill legalized hemp-derived cannabis in 2018. Like most bills, it resulted in compromise, as there were two very aggressive sides to the issue. On one hand, you had […]

When it comes to John Wahl, it seems some folks are more interested in spinning tales than telling the truth. Sure, a butterfly farmer turned political powerhouse sounds like something out of a quirky Southern novel, but let’s take a minute to separate the facts from the flutter. First off, can we just appreciate the […]

During the 2025 regular session of the Alabama Legislature, lawmakers have worked hard to address the needs and issues in every portion of our state – from the Gulf Coast to the Tennessee Valley, from the Wiregrass to the Blackbelt, from the big cities to the small towns, and in all points in between. But […]

America’s economic future hinges on energy—its reliability, affordability, and availability. Nowhere is that future being written more decisively than in Alabama. While much of the country debates how to adapt to growing energy demands, Alabama is acting. With foresight and purpose, our state is building a foundation of energy strength that is not only fueling […]

Families are the backbone of our society, and when they thrive, our communities prosper. Yet, in today’s complex world, many families, especially those led by single mothers, face immense challenges. Senator Katie Britt’s MOMS Act (More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed) is a ground-breaking initiative that addresses these challenges head-on, providing the kind of support […]

Show me a successful law enforcement agency, and I’ll show you a successful community. These are the men and women who show up every time they are called, when no one else wants to. They protect the schools we send our children to, ensure our roadways are safe, and sometimes – unfortunately – must experience […]

President Donald J. Trump’s first 100 days back in the White House have been nothing short of historic. After four years of open borders, weaponized government, and economic decline under Joe Biden, we now have a president that is committed to putting the American people first. In just 100 days, President Trump has done more […]

World War II ended in Europe 80 years ago, but without obtaining its stated objective. The cause of the war — the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Poland — went unrealized. Poland had merely traded Nazi occupation for Russian domination. For all the high-minded conjecture about a safer, more secure world, the fate of […]

Our Alabama Baptist retreat at Shocco Springs is a gorgeous place, and I’ve enjoyed every event I’ve attended there. Several years ago, I attended a two-day training course for pastors. A conference for senior adults was on site at the same time. I saw that the other group was having a concert that night when […]

The partisan complexion of Alabama’s Congressional delegation has changed from six Republicans and one lone Democrat to five Republicans and two Democrats. This change was orchestrated by federal court decree. The federal courts plowed new ground when they ruled that Alabama’s Legislature did not have the right to draw their own congressional lines. The U.S. […]

Leadership matters — and nowhere is that more evident than in the recent events surrounding the Alabama Public Library System. In an age when too many public institutions have bowed the knee to radical woke agendas, Alabama is blessed to have leaders like John Wahl who are willing to stand in the gap to protect […]

Earlier this month, the Alabama Senate took important steps to solidify a pro-parent approach to protecting our children in the digital sphere. The App Store Accountability Act or Senate Bill 187, sponsored by Senator Clyde Chambliss and Representative Chris Sells, would require app stores be held accountable and require parental consent before children can download apps. […]

This session, the Alabama Legislature has passed multiple bills that show our leaders’ commitment to Christian values. As the session draws to a close, one more significant opportunity to follow the teachings of the Bible in how our system treats “the least of these” remains: passage of SB 156, the Second Chance Bill. Part of […]

As Alabama’s economy evolves with technological advancements and shifting employment trends, the Legislature is taking important steps to support the growing number of independent workers in our state. This session, the Alabama Legislature passed a forward-thinking bill that provides much-needed support to self-employed individuals and independent contractors. From Uber and Lyft drivers to DoorDash delivery […]

Our Alabama Supreme Court is a stellar group. All nine of our Alabama justices are Republicans. They are conservative Republicans, and that is not bad. It is actually proper and appropriate, given that we are one of the most conservative Republican states in America. Not only are all of the Supreme Court Jurists Republicans, every […]

Alabama’s public schools are funded from three primary sources. The state receives approximately 10% percent of its funding from the federal government through programs like Title I and school nutrition programs. These programs typically support students coming from low-income households. The next source is local funding. Anywhere between 21% to 34% of education expenses are […]

As technology has evolved over the past 25 years, minors are more at risk of harm from age-inappropriate online materials, and a growing number of American families are concerned about what their children access on the internet, regardless of their political leanings. Protecting children from online harm should be a top priority for Alabama lawmakers. […]

Alabama’s rural hospitals are vanishing. This devastating crisis is unfolding in the heart of our state, jeopardizing not only the health of our people but the very foundation of rural communities. Since 2011, at least seven rural hospitals in Alabama have closed their doors for good. On our current path, more than half of the […]

Over the past three years, states have been receiving settlement funds from federal lawsuits against major pharmaceutical companies. To date, Alabama has secured over $300 million, and I expect that figure to continue growing. These funds are directed to the state’s Opioid Settlement Fund, which the Legislature appropriates. In 2022, the Legislature created the Oversight […]

The time has come for decisive reform of the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB). For the purpose of accomplishing such reform the undersigned have prepared and are sponsoring in the Legislature of Alabama Senate Bill 330. This is not a matter of local governance, or an isolated issue confined simply to the City of Birmingham. […]

It has been 3 months since President Trump has entered the White House. In less than 100 days, President Trump and his administration have already identified more than $155 billion in government waste, fraud, and abuse that has gone unchecked for decades. One of the most shocking discoveries to-date has been the corruption within the […]

On a cool spring morning in Coosa County, a few hikers gather outside the Pinhoti Outdoor Center. They sip coffee, double-check their gear and swap stories about where the trail might take them next. It’s a familiar scene, but one that didn’t exist here five years ago. Back then, there was no local outfitter, no shuttle […]

April 15 is traditionally known as the deadline to file your tax return. This time last year, Alabama political insiders had marked their calendars as that being the date that our 2026 political season would begin. It was thought that all of the thoroughbred horses would be at the gate to begin their races for […]

If you’ve seen products resembling marijuana or gummies with synthetic ingredients in cartoon packaging at gas stations, you likely support legislative efforts to regulate the broad category described as hemp products. I certainly do, and thankfully, so do our state legislators. In fact, seven proposals have been filed to outlaw or regulate where these products […]