Alabama Prison System Under Scrutiny...Still?
Remember that story about the U.S. Department of Justice suing Alabama's prison system for being overcrowded and violent? Yeah, that one. Well, things are still up in the air under the current administration. Despite years of warnings that these lawsuits could lead to mass releases, it's unclear if the feds will keep the pressure on. Gov. Ivey's office says they're committed to fixing things, but neither the DOJ nor Alabama's Attorney General are spilling the beans on what's next.
Alabama Losing a Congressional Seat?
State Rep. Chris Pringle thinks Alabama might lose one of its seven congressional seats after the 2030 Census. Why? We're not growing as fast as Texas and Florida. Experts have been saying this for a while, and we heard it before the 2020 census, too. Even though we kept all our seats last time, population declines in the Black Belt and smaller cities could hurt our political clout. Some folks want to count only citizens for reapportionment, which they think might help.
"Gulf of America"? Seriously?
State Rep. Tommy Hanes wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America" on all official state stuff. He says it's about backing President Trump's national identity push and pushing back against foreign influence in naming places. The House already passed the bill, and now it's up to the Senate. Critics are calling it a silly, symbolic move that could confuse students and tick off our neighbors. Even James Spann knows this is a sensitive issue!
Birmingham: Easter Capital of the U.S.?
Hold up, Birmingham is the best U.S. city for Easter celebrations? Apparently so! The ranking looked at things like churches per capita and the percentage of Christian residents. Over half of Birmingham's residents identify as Christian, which is the 6th highest in the country. It also helps that it ranks high in flower and gift shops, which are apparently great for Easter shopping!
Big Tech vs. Alabama Child Safety Bill
Apple-backed group is targeting Alabama over a proposed child safety bill. The Consumer Technology Association is running ads against the bill, which would require tech companies to verify user ages to protect kids online. They're worried about privacy and innovation. State Rep. David Faulkner says the ads are misleading and that the bill is similar to federal standards. He says the goal is to protect children, while some accuse the tech giants of putting profits over kids' safety.
Senator's Trip to El Salvador Causes a Stir
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador. Apparently, Garcia is an MS-13 member accused of being a wife-beater and human trafficker, and the president of El Salvador is making fun of the whole thing. While some are slamming the Democrat senator for the meeting, some are actually supporting the senator and some strategists are urging for the man to be brought "home".
Republicans Flex Their Legislative Muscle
The Speaker of the Alabama State House and the State Senate President Pro Tem used cloture to shut down Democrat filibusters for the first time this session. This sped up the passage of GOP-backed bills, including the child online safety, "Gulf of America," and tax measures. Democrats are not happy, they say it silenced minority voices. Republicans are saying it was necessary to get their agenda done. Looks like things are getting spicy in the Alabama legislature!
