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Deaf canine stolen from south Alabama house
Rags, a deaf Old English Sheepdog, was stolen from his house in Silverhill, Alabama, on Dec. 8. Police in town are investigating the crime. (Video Credit: Olivia Gardner)
Alabama lawmakers return to Montgomery on Tuesday to start the 2024 legislative session. Here are some points to look at for because the session begins.
EDUCATION VOUCHERS
Republican Gov. Kay Ivey will again laws creating education financial savings accounts, which usually enable dad and mom to assert public cash and use it for personal college tuition or different certified bills. Ivey will unveil her proposal in her State of the State handle Tuesday night time. “I’m dedicated to persevering with to make it simpler for Alabama households to ship their youngsters to the very best college of their selection,” the governor mentioned final month.
While Ivey has not unveiled the scale of her proposal, she mentioned it have to be a sustainable program. Legislation launched final yr, that will have given dad and mom $6,900 per youngster, was criticized by opponents for estimates that it could drain greater than $500 million from public education. “We’ve got to be real cognizant of making wise fiscal choices,” Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed mentioned Monday.
WHITE HOUSE SAYS IT IS ‘DEEPLY TROUBLED’ BY ALABAMA’S EXECUTION OF MAN USING NITROGEN GAS
GAMBLING
Lottery and on line casino laws will once more be launched, however the invoice’s outlook is unclear. A bunch of House members have been making an attempt to barter a proposed constitutional modification to place earlier than voters that will authorize a state lottery and a choose variety of on line casino websites.
“I think a lot of folks in Alabama are ready to vote,” House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter mentioned of a constitutional modification. The Republican mentioned the proposal would shut unlawful playing operations which have unfold throughout the state.
There has not been a statewide vote on playing since Gov. Don Siegelman’s proposed lottery failed in 1999. Bills have stalled underneath a mixture of opposition and disputes over who would get on line casino licenses. Republican Sen. Greg Albritton, who proposed laws beforehand, mentioned he thought the variety of on line casino websites can be between six and eight. “If we don’t get the gambling bill done this year, it will be another generation before it’s approached,” Albritton predicted.
The Alabama State Capitol is seen in Montgomery, Alabama, the place lawmakers are contemplating payments associated to education, playing, voting, and extra because the 2024 legislative session begins. (Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group through Getty Images)
ABSENTEE BALLOT RESTRICTIONS
Republican lawmakers have renewed a push to make it a criminal offense to assist non-family members vote by absentee poll. Republican supporters say the change is required to fight voter fraud, however opponents have referred to as it an try and make it tougher for folks to vote.
A invoice by Republican Sen. Garlan Gudger of Cullman would make it a misdemeanor offense to order, prefill, request, gather or ship an absentee poll for somebody who shouldn’t be a family member or shut member of the family. The penalty will increase to a felony if the individual is paid. The invoice offers an exemption for election officers and for people who find themselves blind, disabled or can’t learn. The invoice can be debated in committee on Wednesday.
ARCHIVES/LIBRARIES
A Senate invoice would substitute the board that oversees the Alabama Department of Archives and History. The invoice by Republican Sen. Chris Elliott would substitute the present board with members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and legislative leaders. The invoice, which can even be in committee Wednesday, comes after Elliott and different lawmakers expressed unhappiness that the division hosted a lecture targeted on LGBTQ historical past. A separate invoice would make clear that metropolis and county officers who appoint library board members have the authority to take away a board member at any time.
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CRIMINAL JUSTICE
A wide range of payments have been filed looking for both to reform Alabama’s criminal justice system or require stiffer penalties for sure offenses. After a kidnapping hoax in Alabama drew worldwide consideration, Republican Sen. April Weaver proposed laws that will make it a felony offense to faux an abduction. Democratic Rep. Chris England of Tuscaloosa has proposed laws that will enable sure prisoners serving life sentences for theft and different crimes underneath Alabama’s stringent recurring offender legislation to have their sentences reviewed.
OTHER BILLS
The governor and lawmakers are anticipated to suggest a pay increase for state academics. Republican Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur mentioned laws can be launched to strengthen the state’s weak public data legislation. Bills are additionally anticipated to attempt to restrict the ability of the state well being officer to order pandemic-related closures. However, the board that oversees the Department of Public Health this month is predicted to finalize guidelines that will require the governor to log off on such closures.
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