Author: Mary Sell (Mary Sell)

A bill to allow electric utility companies to offer high-speed internet to rural communities by way of their existing power networks cleared the Alabama Legislature Wednesday and now goes to the governor for her signature.

By MARY SELL, Alabama Daily News Alabama lawmakers this year have approved a statewide gas tax increase, told sheriffs they can’t keep money meant for feeding jail inmates and said they want a shot at the U.S. Supreme Court with the nation’s most restrictive abortion ban. The Legislature has two to three weeks remaining in...

By TODD STACY, CAROLINE BECK, and MARY SELL, Alabama Daily News MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Senate on Tuesday passed a bill banning nearly all abortions, sending the legislation to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature. Bill sponsor Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, said she had spoken to Ivey’s advisers and expects the governor to sign...

The $35 million Alabama needs for a federal health care program for low- and mid-income children isn’t in either of the state’s two budgets progressing through the Alabama Legislature.

The sponsor of legislation to create a paper lottery in Alabama says getting the bill to final passage may be difficult.
“It’s a rocky road between here and there,” Sen. Greg Albritton told Alabama Daily News.
The House Economic Development and Tourism Committee is expected to vote on Senate Bill 220 Wednesday afternoon.

Legislation to potentially replace Alabama’s elected K-12 board of education with a commission of governor appointees will be voted on in a Senate committee on Tuesday.

By MARY SELL, Alabama Daily News Supporters of a bill filed this week in the Alabama House hope it will make it easier for schools to get unused food to hungry students.  Federal law allows food to be donated to food banks and other charitable organizations. House Bill 566 could make it easier for food...

By MARY SELL, Alabama Daily News A vote in the Alabama House of Representatives on a bill to prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones and other devices was delayed this week. Bill sponsor Rep. K.L. Brown, R-Jacksonville, said a “snafu” in the drafting of the bill caused the holdup. Sponsors had intended to draft...

Bills in the Alabama Legislature would require health care providers to check a statewide patient database before administering vaccines and update the registry when they give any.

The record $7.1 billion education budget approved in the Alabama Senate last week contains at least five percent increases for the state’s public four-year universities, but a formula to get more money to under-funded institutions met with some concern.