A lot of attention has been focused this session on the Alabama Legislature’s efforts to cut taxes. Bills have been introduced to lower or eliminate a large portion of the state’s grocery tax. Also, there are bills to lower the state’s top income tax rate and eliminate the lowest rate. I had hopes that the […]

Political action committees have been a standard part of the legislative process for more than a century. While it is standard for PACs to lobby politicians, these groups sometimes wield enough power to convince legislators to vote a way that is in line with the organization’s goals or beliefs. Most of the time this power […]

Last week, I joined dozens of my colleagues from the House and the Senate at a press conference urging President Biden to work with us and start negotiating a responsible solution to our nation’s debt limit crisis. For weeks, Speaker McCarthy has been asking the President to sit down with him to negotiate, but President […]

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) has a message for Russian President Vladimir Putin after he officially banned her from his country. “It was just announced that Putin has banned me from Russia,” Britt said on Twitter. “I’d say bless his heart, but he doesn’t have one.” It was just announced that Putin has banned me […]

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) said he’s had enough of the delays concerning the decision to move Space Command Headquarters to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. In reaction to recent reports that the Biden administration is attempting to prevent the headquarters from moving to Alabama, Rogers, who chairs the powerful House Armed Services Committee, is asking […]

Once again, Yellowhammer Multimedia is publishing its list of Alabama’s most powerful and influential political leaders. Drawn from conversations with political insiders, and the most recent developments in politics and public policy, the list recognizes the top individuals in government and politics who leverage their power and influence for those they represent and the Yellowhammer […]

Kay Ivey is Alabama’s second female governor. Lurleen Wallace was the first. Appropriately, Kay Ivey’s idol and impetus for striving to be governor was Lurleen Wallace. Kay’s first involvement in state politics was as a campaign worker for Gov. Lurleen’s 1966 race for governor when Kay Ivey was a student at Auburn. It was 55 […]

WASHINGTON— Stressing the importance of broadband access to rural areas, the CEO of a North Alabama telecom co-op testified in a U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry  Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy hearing this week. He was invited by Ranking Member Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who chaired the meeting. Fred Johnson of Rainsville, the CEO […]

Former congressional candidate Casey Wardynski believes President Biden has been looking for a reason to prevent the Space Command Headquarters move to Huntsville since he was inaugurated. In reaction to the reports by NBC News on the situation, Wardynski, who served as the assistant secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs under President […]

In the ongoing effort to safeguard Alabama’s agricultural resources and critical infrastructure against foreign threats, the Alabama Senate passed an amended form of the Alabama Property Protection Act on Thursday. The original version of the bill would have prohibited Chinese citizens and entities specifically from owning property in Alabama, but underwent revision Wednesday in the […]

Local, county and state law enforcement officers were honored Thursday during a joint ceremony of the Alabama Legislature. Among them was Deputy Chris Poole, partner of the late Deputy Brad Johnson – who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.  Five other recipients of the Medal of Honor were State Trooper Charles May, Cpl. Derrick […]

Alabama’s top health officer is facing pushback for his comments in a recent speech calling laws on transgender issues “appalling.” Dr. Scott Harris, who heads the Alabama Department of Public Health, criticized the laws restricting “gender-affirming care” during his keynote speech at the University of Alabama at Birmingham during a “Substance Use and Social Justice […]

Mental health has become a major focus of legislators in recent years – at the state and federal levels. The topic took center stage Wednesday when Dr. Stephen Taylor of Birmingham testified before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee. Taylor spoke specifically about the work that needs to be done in […]

US Rep. Dale Strong introduced cosponsored bipartisan legislation Wednesday that he hopes will serve to protect American agriculture within the United States. The Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act is meant to ensure that countries deemed hostile to the United States – such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia – cannot purchase […]

In his first hearing as ranking member of the U.S. Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (AG) Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy, Sen. Tommy Tuberville called reliable broadband throughout the state, especially in rural areas, “vital.” “In today’s day and age, access to reliable internet service is not a want—it is a need. It’s vital,” said […]

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) is cosponsoring a resolution in the House to impeach Secretary of Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the situation at the border. Republicans in the House have been critical of Mayorkas and the Biden administration over the expiration of Title 42, which they believe will only worsen the current border crisis. […]

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) said the Department of Justice (DOJ) has become too politicized and the proof is in Special Counsel John Durham’s newly released report. Durham’s 306-page report was released Monday, exposing problems with the DOJ and FBI investigation into allegations of the Trump campaign colluding with Russia. Wednesday on WVNN’s “The Yaffee […]

The Alabama Legislature is cracking down on those who loiter on public roadways, causing a public safety hazard to themselves and drivers. Rep. Reed Ingram (R-Montgomery) said the issue is difficult to ignore because hundreds of Alabamians are struck by cars each year. Last year, Alabama authorities investigated nearly 800 crashes involving pedestrians, 125 of […]

As states nationwide deal with the consequences of a shortage of qualified paramedics and EMTs, the Alabama Legislature is considering ways to make the job more attainable.  A bill passed Tuesday by the House would eliminate the college degree requirement to become a licensed paramedic.  Currently, those wanting to become a paramedic in Alabama must […]

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, Alabama’s only Democratic vote in Washington, spoke out against the Biden administration’s reported effort to reverse the U.S. Space Command’s basing decision that would make Redstone Arsenal its permanent home.  On Monday, it was reported the White House was unilaterally influencing that decision in favor of Colorado Springs – despite exhaustive […]

Over the past several years, Alabama farmers have dealt with crops destroyed by feral hogs. To help curb the continuing damage, Sen. Tommy Tuberville joined other senators Tuesday in introducing the Feral Swine Eradication Act. The bipartisan legislation would make permanent a pilot program that safeguards public health, agriculture, and local ecosystems against feral swine. […]

Technology has revolutionized our lives over these last three decades, and it has also revolutionized eye care. Yet, in Alabama, optometrists are still subject to a 28-year-old Optometry Practice Act which no longer reflects the level of training and expertise of today’s optometrists. Educators at the UAB School of Optometry and optometry schools across the […]

The Yellowhammer State plays an ever-increasing role in the United States military’s readiness and defense. Continuing this trend, the Alabama House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee announced Tuesday it is urging the state’s senators and congressional delegation to fund expanding the 117th Air Refueling Wing’s parking ramp in Birmingham. House Resolution 73, which calls for […]

In Alabama, National Police Week is a time of reflection and gratitude. It’s a time to pay tribute to fallen officers, express appreciation for those who serve, raise awareness about the challenges they face, and the celebrate remarkable achievements of our everyday law enforcement officers. On Monday, National Peace Officers Memorial Day took place, and […]