Governor Robert Bentley says he doesn't want to see his state as it was 50 years ago when another federal law, the Voting Rights Act, was defied. Alabama is now the 37th state where gays can legally wed, but the state's Chief Justice, Roy Moore, told probate judges to defy a federal ruling that struck down the gay marriage ban. Montgomery County Probate Judge Steven Reed said he decided to follow the federal court order. At least seven of Alabama's 67 counties issued marriage licenses to gay couples.
Third Candidate
A third candidate has surfaced for mayor of Montgomery. Montgomery County Commissioner Dan Harris threw his hat into the race Monday. The District One Commissioner who first elected in 2012 made the announcement on his Facebook page. Harris plans to make a formal announcement next Monday at Montgomery City Hall. Incumbent Todd Strange and former Alabama Congressman Artur Davis has also announced their candidacies. Montgomery's Municipal Election will be held August 25th.
Turbo Tax
Turbo Tax has resumed processing state tax returns and installed anti-fraud software to combat an increase in fraudulent filings. Intuit, the company behind Turbo Tax, says state tax agencies that includes Alabama Revenue Department, have reported an increase in filings with stolen personal information. Alabama tax officials say they have flagged 16,000 tax returns as possibly fraudulent. The state is contacting taxpayers whose identities may have been compromised. Alabamians who want to learn the status of their return can visit the website myalabamataxes.alabama.gov or call (334) 242-1170.
Blount Death
Longtime Montgomery businessman Winton Blount III has died. Mayor Todd Strange said Blount died from natural causes Monday morning. He was 71. Blount was a 1998 candidate for governor. He also served as chairman of the Alabama Republican Party.