What's going on in Alabama
Politics bring so many acronyms into our lives that it's no surprise when some are used twice. With that in mind: DEI, notably when being used in this Alabama legislative session, stands for "diversity, equity and inclusion." I wanted to clear that up because somebody in our Alabama audience hears it and immediately thinks "Dale Earnhardt Incorporated." (Non-NASCAR fans might think that's a stretch. It's not.) Here's the news -- DEI and more. Ike Morgan |
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Wednesday was long and loud in Montgomery as lawmakers moved on some high-profile and/or contentious works of legislation. I'll run through some highlights -- or outrages, depending on your personal perspective: |
| Alabama lawmakers gave final passage to the bill legally protecting in vitro fertilization clinics in the wake of that state Supreme Court ruling giving embryos the same rights as children, which had spooked some IVF clinics into suspending their services. This isn't the permanent fix to the issue but is intended to keep the clinics and patients legally safe and able to grow families. Gov. Kay Ivey quickly signed the bill into law. Also passed by the state Legislature and awaiting Ivey's signature is the CHOOSE Act, the bill that would create $7,000 education savings accounts for families to use toward a student's education expenses should that student opt out of public school to attend private school or homeschool. The anti-DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) bill that's already passed the Senate made it through committee in the House. It now goes to the full House of Representatives. The bill, by Pike Road Republican Sen. Will Barfoot, would prohibit government institutions -- that includes school and colleges -- from funding a DEI office or sponsoring DEI programs. The bill also includes a rule prohibiting colleges from allowing people to use a restroom that doesn't match their biological sex. Lawmakers are also debating an expansion of the law prohibiting discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity through the 12th grade. The law currently covers grades K-5. This is similar to the Florida law that opponents call "Don't Say Gay." |
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The United States Department of Justice finished its investigation of how Southern Baptist leaders handled the sex-abuse scandal without bringing any charges, according to a report by The (Nashville) Tennessean. The investigation was launched nearly two years ago after a report revealed the denomination's leaders stonewalled and denigrated survivors of sex abuse committed by clergy over nearly 20 years. It's not clear whether the DOJ is still investigating any other organizations affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. |
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Former University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban (should I include a trigger warning for Tide fans before introducing him that way?) told ESPN a little more about his decision to retire earlier this year, reports AL.com's Matt Stahl. Saban said he thought he might have a good team coming back next year, but “I thought we could have a hell of a team next year, and then maybe 70 or 80 percent of the players you talk to, all they want to know is two things: What assurances do I have that I’m going to play because they’re thinking about transferring, and how much are you going to pay me?” He said the changes aren't necessarily a bad thing, but it's pretty clear the new dynamics of fast money doesn't really fit with Saban's famous "process" of putting in the work and seeing your value rise with success. |
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