MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — On Feb. 4, Alabama lawmakers will gavel in to start the third session of their quadrennium. Republicans and Democrats shared what people can expect to see in this upcoming session.
“That’s kind of like me telling you what Alabama football is gonna do,” said Representative Curtis Travis (D-Tuscaloosa) about politics in 2025. “Make the playoff next year… or Auburn. So that one, I don’t know. Anything is possible.”
Travis said he expects to see everything from gambling to education, and even healthcare, on the table. “Healthcare availability- because it means the difference, even in our workforce participation,” said Travis. “Because if people can go to work and know that they have a healthcare and they’re free to leave off some other program… healthcare’s expensive nowadays.”
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R) Alabama said public safety is one of many priorities on the docket.
“I think, certainly, the immigration problem is something we’ll address. You’ll see us do that probably pretty early,” said Ledbetter. “We’ll probably do some more mental health work with veterans. I think that’s important. The Governor’s been engaged with that. It looks like we’re gonna have a public/private partnership and buy in on that.”
With it being the third year of their term, political analyst Steve Flowers explained some lawmakers will be future focused.
“See, legislators and all state constitutional officers can begin raising money for the 2026 race in May,” Flowers said. “So really, as we speak- and the new year turns- you’re gonna see the 2026 races start looming.”
But Flowers said issues like gambling still loom after the Poarch Band of Creek Indians recently bought the Birmingham Race Course.
“It may be up in the year before the actual sale is consummated on the Birmingham Race Course- with the Indians buying the Birmingham Racecourse. But eventually, within the next two years, you will see legislation pass because the Indians will pass it,” remarked Flowers.
When it comes to the matter of gambling, Speaker Ledbetter said we’ll have to wait and see what the Senate does. He said the House has done their due diligence, and the people should always have an opportunity to vote.
Rep. Travis also said the citizens of Alabama should be able to vote on the issue.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=675eaa04fab64258a7c3ba798b48117f&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yahoo.com%2Fnews%2Falabama-lawmakers-talk-politics-2025-012648103.html&c=16727808443767909412&mkt=en-us
Author :
Publish date : 2024-12-13 12:26:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
