Tuesday was a banner day for conservative priorities at the Alabama State House.
After a week off, the Alabama Senate passed restrictions on the promotion of so-called "divisive concepts" by public employees, which will cripple controversial diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs housed within state agencies.
Despite being widely condemned by left-wing voices in the Alabama media, the legislation, Senate Bill 129, sponsored by State Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road), passed by an overwhelming 25-4 vote in the Alabama Senate.
It took three separate efforts, led by Barfoot and State Rep. Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville), over the past three years for the bill to pass, but it finally awaits the signature of Gov. Kay Ivey.
The Senate also approved legislation that increased penalties for ballot harvesting in Alabama's elections.
Those who engage in ballot harvesting, a practice celebrated by Democrats outside Alabama, will be charged with a felony under this bill.
The legislation, Senate Bill 1, was carried by State Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) and passed the Senate by a 24-5 margin. It bans "a person from receiving a payment or providing a payment or gift to another person for distributing, ordering, requesting, collecting, prefilling, completing, obtaining, or delivering an absentee ballot application of a voter in certain circumstances."
According to Gudger, the measure will deter absentee ballot fraud and thus improve the integrity of Alabama's elections, a top concern for many of the state's voters as the 2024 presidential looms.
The bill also awaits Ivey's signature.
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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