Stateline Headlines

Poll -- Deep South residents, lawmakers at odds over Medicaid

Best and worst -- From Alabama Accountability Act to failure of anti-gambling bill, Gary Palmer recaps the Alabama Legislature's 2013 session

2 dead, 5 hospitalized from unknown respiratory illness with flu-like symptoms in Southeast Alabama

Gov. Bentley appointed to national health care task force

Lawyers look to Alabama Supreme Court on juvenile killer sentences after legislature fails to act

Alabama courts facing layoffs without extra money

Exploiting the elderly is now a felony

Alabama backs Medicaid expansion, polling shows

Despite Governors’ Opposition, Strong Southern Support for Medicaid Expansion

New poll shows Deep South politicians are out of step with their constituents on Medicaid expansion.

Bill to eliminate 'mini-trials' for some capital defendants approved by Legislature

Lawmakers reject Bentley's request to delay private school tax credits

Pot bills win Shroud Award for the deadest bill of 2013 session

Lawmakers approve bond issues for armories, schools

Legislature approves bill to change campaign finance law, repeal cap on corporate contributions

Gov. Robert Bentley says legislators 'better be listening to the people' on school tax credits

Sponsor -- Still work to do on campaign finance bill

Senator to Bentley -- "I will not sit by and passively allow... children being subjected to a less than stellar education"

Five bond issues totaling $280 million could clear Legislature on Monday

Bentley urges city officials to call lawmakers to support delay of private school tax credits

10 minutes per month -- Alabama probation, parole officers get little time with 67,410 they oversee

Legislature -- Lawmakers expecting a busy last day

Bentley defends 2-year delay for school tax credits

Bond issues still pending on last day of legislative session

Bentley changes like the wind

AG Luther Strange says Lowell Barron seeking 'special treatment' in sealing part of case file

Bentley's amendment to Alabama Accountability Act drawing opposition from some Republican lawmakers

Existing Alabama laws, public awareness already effective tools to combat impaired driving, officials say

Alabama Accountability Act architect Sen. Del Marsh says Gov. Bentley's changes to law DOA

Shelby provision in water bill would benefit state docks

Tax credit delay rejected

Delay gives failing schools a fighting chance

Gov. Robert Bentley -- Budgets look good, no plans for special session

State Sen. Cam Ward expects Alabaster annexation, elder abuse bills to pass

Sen. Dick Brewbaker says Republicans likely to disagree over Bentley amendment

Cheers! All 50 States Embrace the Home Brew Boom

As of July 1, all 50 states will allow aspiring brewers to make their own beer at home. But states are still figuring out how to regulate the popular hobby.

Abortion clinic's website history is latest focus in state's shutdown attempt

Bentley signs law calling for Gulf State Park upgrades

Jeffco's $105 million non-sewer deal another step to exit bankruptcy, officials say

Gov. Robert Bentley signs bill creating a 'crown jewel' conference center in Gulf Shores

Alabama AG Luther Strange calls for special prosecutor in IRS scandal

Alabama -- Give us your tarred, your poison, your puddled morasses

Alabama tea party groups targeted by IRS

Gov. Robert Bentley considering possible executive amendments to Alabama Accountability Act

Road, bridge improvements to aid all Alabama counties

Bentley -- 'Good possibility' Airbus supplier jobs will come to Montgomery

Almost all over but the shouting -- A look back at the 2013 legislative session so far

Legislators' to-do list for final day includes bills on guns, campaign finance, drug testing welfare applicants

GOP considers campaign changes while raising money

The Alabama Democratic Party -- "We're broke, broke, broke."

State needs nonprofit vet clinics

Lawmakers vote to remove AEA chief from teachers' retirement board

Nullification -- More states are pushing back against federal laws and court rulings but it's nothing new in Alabama

Lawmakers near agreement on gun legislation, Senate approves conference committee report

State education budget headed to governor, would spend 3.6 percent more than this year

Campaign finance law revisions pass House; headed back to Senate

Lawmakers give final approval to General Fund budget, send it to governor

Sharp disagreements surface again as lawmakers amend Alabama Accountability Act

Bentley signs law to legalize home brewing in Ala.

Republican governors, Congress split on online tax bill

Committee approves bill to change voter registration deadline

Lawmakers won't address whether private school students are eligible for tax credits under Alabama Accountability Act

Bill before House today repeal state limit on corporate campaign contributions; Lawmaker says it's a 'pretend' cap

Home brewers wait on Gov. Robert Bentley's decision

Lawmaker -- Let VictoryLand have same machines as Poarch casinos

Home brewing: Soon to be legal in all 50 states

How tribal sovereignty was born and what that means for bingo in Alabama

Medicaid bill goes to Bentley

Alabama Senate passes budget, granting teachers first pay raise since 2007

Alabama House panel OKs school security officer bill

Second Amendment Preservation Act just a GOP election stunt

New Health Exchanges Unlikely to End Insurance Monopolies in Some States

The new health insurance exchanges are supposed to lead to lower prices by spurring competition between carriers. But what if insurers stay away?

Fight Over Abortion Rules Could Reverberate Widely

Mississippi could be one step closer to becoming the first U.S. state without an abortion provider after a state hearing Thursday. But the legal fight over the state’s abortion law is far from over, and could have far-reaching implications for other states with similar laws.

Governors Ask Lawmakers to Prevent Future Shootings

The recent mass shootings in Colorado and Connecticut reshaped governors’ legislative agendas this year, and many used their once-a-year legislative addresses to ask lawmakers to take up gun control, mental health treatment and school safety.

Seizing Medicaid Expansion as a Means to Reform

Alabama aims to make its Medicaid program more efficient, before expanding it. Under consideration is a regional care plan developed in Oregon.

Alabama State of the State Address 2013

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Feb. 5 -- Following is the prepared text for Gov. Robert Bentley's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Arizona Can’t Divert Land Trust Fund, Court Rules

The Arizona Legislature violated the constitution when it tapped a trust fund earmarked for education to help plug the state’s budget gap, the Arizona Supreme Court has ruled.

Alabama’s Dam Oversight Void Stirs Safety Concerns, Confusion

Alabama is the only state that doesn’t regulate dams, leaving thousands of aging structures never inspected or regulated in any way. It likely includes dams built over a century ago, and hundreds the state doesn’t know exist.

Best of #StateReads: Roots of a Voting Rights Challenge

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

States Get More Time to Decide If They Will Run Their Own Health Insurance Exchanges

Only a few new states have opted to build and operate their own insurance exchanges. More are taking a wait and see approach.

In Iowa and Florida, Judges Survive Expensive Ouster Attempts

Three justices in Florida and one in Iowa held off conservative efforts to remove them from office. In Michigan and North Carolina, conservatives retained power on the Supreme Court following expensive campaigns.

How Governors Govern Higher Ed

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett are the latest governors to play a role in resolving crises at their state universities.

Jindal Stays Put as Isaac Swirls Toward Coast

This week was supposed to be Bobby Jindal’s time in the limelight — a chance at complete redemption for the Louisiana governor, whose star in the Republican Party is rising once again. But a hurricane named Isaac thought otherwise.

Alabama’s Largest County Faces Bankruptcy Without State Help

History, a fear of raising taxes, dissuaded Alabama from helping its largest county avoid insolvency

Federal Court Blocks Parts of Anti-Immigration Law in Alabama, Georgia

A federal appeals court on Monday blocked several provisions of anti-immigration laws in Alabama and Georgia, while leaving intact each state’s so-called “so me your papers” policies.

Best of #StateReads: Ex-Parks Official Had Criminal Past

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Alabama’s Past, Future on the Ballot

Alabama voters will get the chance this fall to rid their state constitution of antiquated references to the “telegraph” and use of the gold standard and eliminate racist language adopted during the time of Jim Crow laws.

Best of #StateReads: Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman's Political Career Ended with a 'Mighty Fall'

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Dire Warnings in Alabama Budget Vote

Alabama’s leaders want to transfer oil and gas revenues to the state’s beleaguered general fund. But voters have to approve the deal.

States Reconsider Juvenile Life Sentences

The Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life without parole for juveniles convicted of murder is unconstitutional. But the court left little guidance for states on what to do next.

Alabama Police Start Slowly in Enforcing Immigration Law

CLANTON, Alabama — Alabama is off to a slow start in rolling out its law requiring police to check the immigration status of suspects. But it is ahead of the other states, including Arizona, that approved similar measures.

Alabamans Get Sales Tax Holiday for Storm Supplies

State hopes discounted storm supplies will prompt residents to prepare for emergencies

Mandatory Life Sentences for Juveniles Ruled Unconstitutional

Many states will have to reexamine their sentencing guidelines following a Supreme Court ruling that mandatory life sentences without parole are unconstitutional for juveniles.

Best of #StateReads: Getting Aggressive With Pension Investments

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Public School Alternatives Gather Steam in States

Louisiana gave advocates of charter schools, vouchers and other publicly funded education alternatives everything they could have asked for, but opposition remained fierce elsewhere.

Schedules Get a Makeover in Schools Across the Country

Tourism and budget cuts have dictated, and in some cases shortened, the school year in some states, but a growing movement thinks students need more time in school.

Alabamans Consider Cutting Segregation Language

Alabama voters this fall will get another chance to rid its state constitution of segregation language that was adopted along with other Jim Crow laws.

Delaware Gov Defends Common Core

A handful of states are reconsidering their pledges to adopt the common national standards in English and math, citing concerns about federal intrusion into the states. Supporters say that’s misguided.

A Labor Challenge to Republicans in Indiana

In some states, labor unions have decided the best way to regain influence may be to work on the Republican Party from within.

Alabama Immigration Debate Heats Up

While justices of the U.S. Supreme Court deliberate over the fate of Arizona’s anti-immigration law, Alabama lawmakers are deciding whether to tweak a similar they passed last year that is considered even harsher.

Best of #StateReads: Michigan Emergency City Managers Wield Great Power

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.