Tag: RODGER SMITHERMAN

As the Alabama Legislature is gathering in Montgomery for a special session to address the potential fallout of the Louisiana v. Callais U.S. Supreme Court decision, State Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham) has a bleak view of what lies ahead.

The Alabama Senate confirmed the appointment of retired Democrat Jefferson County Circuit Judge Carole Smitherman to the Alabama Ethics Commission on Tuesday.

After years of agitation from members of the Alabama House of Representatives, members spent the first day of the legislative week railing against lawmakers in the upper chamber for the gridlock induced by some senators holding up House bills.

After the Alabama House of Representatives adjourned sine die, Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) expressed disappointment at some measures that failed to reach the finish line due to a significant slowdown from Senate Democrats.

The Alabama Senate passed the "Back the Blue" police immunity bill by a 25-6 margin on Wednesday.

Local legislation related to specific cities and counties across Alabama is expected to take up much of the Senate’s last day of the legislative session next Wednesday.

A vote on a bill that would require law enforcement agencies to submit officer counts to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency didn’t happen on Tuesday.

During Friday's broadcast of Alabama Public Television's "Capitol Journal," State Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham) spoke critically of House Bill 202 (HB202), also known as the Back the Blue Act.

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed legislation on Wednesday expanding civil and criminal immunity for law enforcement officers in Alabama.

After hours of delay tactics by State Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham), the Alabama Senate passed a series of bills allocating $3.7 billion from the state’s General Fund (GF) for the 2026 fiscal year.

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on Wednesday on legislation expanding civil and criminal immunity for law enforcement officers in Alabama.

Alabama House leadership anticipates a smoother relationship between the House and Senate this week as lawmakers attempt to put a bow on the 2025 legislative session..

State Sen. Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook) filed legislation on Thursday that changes the makeup of the Birmingham Water Works Board.

Republicans plan to begin limiting debate and filibusters by Democrats in the Senate, according to State Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham).

Legislation making it easier for parents to claim a religious exemption for a vaccine requirement passed the Senate by a 26-5 margin on Thursday.

During the debate on a bill that would specify requirements for parents to obtain a religious vaccine exemption for their K-12 child, State Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham) advocated for excluding unvaccinated children from attending schools in person.

Legislation that would make murder and assault punishable by life imprisonment if the offender used a machine gun passed the Alabama Senate with little dissent on Thursday. 

Lottery and gambling legislation could be on tap again in the Alabama Legislature in the 2025 session.

Why did legislators decide to provide a $30 million loan to BSC? The answer is simple.

A bill that would make another attempt at getting a $30 million loan to Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) will likely be considered in the Senate next week. 

State Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road) filed legislation banning taxpayer-funded Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) departments in Alabama on Tuesday.

New legislation filed by State Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills) on Tuesday would replace Alabama State Treasurer Young Boozer as the administrator of a $30 million loan program designed to bail out Birmingham-Southern College.

Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) will likely stay open until at least the end of the 2024 spring semester after possibly securing additional funding from the city of Birmingham and other sources, according to BSC president Daniel Coleman. 

Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) closing would be a disaster for Birmingham and Jefferson County, according to State Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham).

Despite legal setbacks and rumors of an overhaul, major changes to Alabama's medical cannabis licensing process likely won't happen during the upcoming legislative session next February.

Plaintiffs in the redistricting lawsuit against Alabama disagree on which type of congressional map a federal court should force the state to adopt for the 2024 elections if the map passed by Republicans last week in a special session is thrown out.

The Alabama State Senate is assumed to be one of the most conservative legislatures in the country, boasting a 27-to-8 Republican supermajority.