Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer bill legalizing home brewing. Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;More >>
In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer bill legalizing home brewing. Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;More >>
Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:20:07 GMT
Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. More >>
Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. More >>
Thursday, May 9 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-09 23:20:06 GMT
What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer. Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. WhatMore >>
What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer. Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. WhatMore >>
Tuesday, May 7 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-07 23:20:08 GMT
Our editorial last week focusing on Eastdale Mall's new Friday and Saturday night policy of not allowing those under the age of 18 into the mall without adult supervision drew almost unanimous praise.More >>
Our editorial last week focusing on Eastdale Mall's new Friday and Saturday night policy of not allowing those under the age of 18 into the mall without adult supervision drew almost unanimous praise.More >>
Thursday, May 2 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-02 23:20:08 GMT
Last week the Eastdale Mall took a position that if you under the age of 18 and want to come to their mall you're going to need adult supervision between the hours of 6pm and 9pm on Friday and SaturdayMore >>
Last week the Eastdale Mall took a position that if you under the age of 18 and want to come to their mall you're going to need adult supervision between the hours of 6pm and 9pm on Friday and SaturdayMore >>
Want to reply or make an editorial suggestion? Email Collin Gaston, V.P. & G.M. of WSFA 12 News.More >>
Want to reply or make an editorial suggestion? Email Collin Gaston, V.P. & G.M. of WSFA 12 News.More >>
The ruling is in and Alabama's current property tax system does not unconstitutionally discriminate against black and poor schoolchildren. So says U.S. District Judge Lynwood Smith in an 854-page ruling. Judge Smith said there are flaws in the current approach to funding schools, but the plaintiffs did not prove that the system violates children's civil rights or the constitution's equal protection clause.
This case was brought about by a group of parents who alleged in the lawsuit that their children attending school in two rural counties receive an inadequate education because of the state's low property taxes. Judge Smith didn't disagree with this point and I quote, "The children of the rural poor, whether black or white, are left to struggle as best as they can in under funded, dilapidated schools. Their resulting lack of an adequate education not only deprives those students of a fair opportunity to prepare themselves to compete in a global economy, but also deprives the state of fully participating, well-educated adult citizens."
So – we Alabamians have won the argument that our property tax system is constitutional. That is good thing. What isn't good and needs continued attention and debate is the correlation between low property taxes, woefully under funded schools and the resulting lack of a strong education for our children. I'd like to see an 854-page report on solutions to this problem.