MONTGOMERY — With the legislation changing the Public Service Commission (PSC) to an appointed entity being pulled from the calendar on Thursday, questions linger about what happens next.
The bill's sponsor, State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollinger's Island), told reporters that he was unsure if his bill would come back this session.
In a press gaggle, House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) commented on the PSC bill being delayed after it had initially been on the calendar.
"We had the votes in the House," he told reporters. "We had enough to pass it. It just came down to the fact that we didn't have for sure in the Senate that we could get it out. ... I think [the Senate] wasn't ready to get the bill. I talked to the pro-tem multiple times about it, and the thing for them is it's better to kind of wait and see where it lands. I think our members were willing to step up and make a hard vote."
Shortly after the House adjourned for its 12th legislative day on Thursday, an emergency House GOP caucus meeting was called.
Amid rumors that House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle) was being ousted from his position as he runs for ALGOP chair, Ledbetter told 1819 News it was a "caucus issue" and not his. Ledbetter and Stadthagen were seen meeting briefly in a separate room before the emergency meeting.
"I don't have an idea about that," Ledbetter replied. "That's a caucus issue. That's not mine."
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