Alabama Senate Faces Filibuster as Legislative Session Nears Close
Montgomery, AL – On the final day of Alabama’s legislative session, progress slowed dramatically as Democratic senators engaged in a filibuster to delay votes on a list of local bills. Key figures in this resistance, Sens. Rodger Smitherman and Linda Coleman-Madison from Birmingham, voiced their frustrations over the handling of legislation pertinent to Jefferson County.
Their objections center on a recent bill that shifted governance of the Birmingham Water Works Board, transferring authority from the city to surrounding counties—a change that has raised local ire. Starting the filibuster not to contest a specific bill’s content but in reaction to perceived disrespect towards Jefferson County’s interests, Smitherman stated, “I didn’t get one iota. Got none from the local delegation and didn’t get any from you all.”
With Republicans holding a significant majority in the Senate, they quickly employed cloture petitions to end the filibuster, pushing through votes on the first bills despite the lengthy process. After a slow start, the Senate managed to pass 10 local bills by 8 p.m., yet over 40 bills remained on the calendar with only hours left before the session concluded at midnight.
Among the bills awaiting action are controversial measures, including one aimed at expanding police immunity, reflecting Governor Kay Ivey’s priorities. As the clock ticks down, both parties are racing to secure their legislative agendas, marking a turbulent end to the session that underscores the ongoing tensions in Alabama’s political landscape. The outcome of this showdown will resonate in local governments across the state as lawmakers strive to balance state interests with local concerns.
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