Alabama PoliticsAlabama withdraws objections to federal marijuana rescheduling The Alabama Department of Public Health unanimously withdrew its objection to moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III after the department’s legal team said its implementation concerns had been resolved. State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris called the move procedural, since the state’s medical cannabis program is already operating. Source: Alabama Reflector Doug Jones, Phillip Ensler propose overhaul of Alabama lieutenant governor’s role Democratic candidates Doug Jones and Phillip Ensler are pushing a constitutional amendment to elect the governor and lieutenant governor on a joint ticket and give the lieutenant governor real executive-branch duties instead of a mostly ceremonial legislative role. Source: Alabama Reflector |
Alabama EducationPARCA survey finds strong support for public schools, accountability for private school funding A new PARCA survey found most Alabamians believe the state underfunds public schools and want private schools that receive state voucher money to meet the same academic and financial reporting requirements as public schools. Source: Alabama Daily News Public charter commission OKs charter school merger, FY28 budget request The Alabama Public Charter School Commission unanimously approved merging Invictus Career Institute with Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School under one governing board to address low enrollment, and separately approved a fiscal 2028 budget request seeking a 5% funding increase. Source: Alabama Political Reporter |
Economic DevelopmentRatepayer Protection Act stalls in U.S. Senate A bill that would push utility regulators to make large power users like data centers — rather than everyday ratepayers — cover new grid infrastructure costs passed the U.S. House 417–3 with Alabama’s full delegation on board, but stalled in the Senate over whether it should mandate or merely encourage those costs be covered. Source: Alabama Political Reporter Union-backed investment group sends letter to Mercedes over labor practices The SOC Investment Group, tied to major labor unions, asked Mercedes-Benz’s board to recommit to its human rights principles at its Tuscaloosa County plant, citing unfair-labor-practice findings from the failed 2024 unionization drive there. Source: Alabama Political Reporter |
Rural HealthWess highlights Alabama’s rural healthcare crisis, criticizes Moore’s voting record Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Everett Wess criticized Republican incumbent Barry Moore’s support for federal Medicaid cuts, arguing they threaten rural hospitals despite a new $50 billion federal rural health program, and called for more transparency in how that funding is distributed. Source: Alabama Political Reporter |
