The Alabama House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday will debate a 25 cent per pack cigarette tax increase and other revenue bills. Legislators have been at a stalemate for months over a projected $200 million dollar shortfall in the General fund budget but are now working to address the problems. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said everyone understands that a budget must be approved.
Toddler Dies
Three people are behind bars in west Alabama in connection with the shooting death of a 3-year-old boy. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the youngster was slain Friday afternoon at a residence in the Knoxville community in Greene County. ALEA special agents arrested two 18-year-old males and a 32-year-old man. One suspect is charged with murder and firing a gun into an occupied vehicle. Two others are charged hindering prosecution. Greene County District Attorney Greg Griggers said the boy's father was the intended target.
Debtor's Prison
The Southern Poverty Law Center is suing another Alabama city for operating a so-called debtor's prison. The suit was filed Tuesday in Montgomery Federal court and alleges that Alexander City officials have over the past ten years arrested and jailed low-income people unable to pay their fines and court costs for traffic citations and misdemeanors. The SPLC said at least 30 percent of the population in Alexander City lives below the poverty line. A similar lawsuit was filed last year against Montgomery for operating a modern day debtor's prison.
Final Farewell
A third farewell ceremony for the late civil rights activist Amelia Boynton Robinson was held Tuesday afternoon. About 200 people watched Selma attorney Bruce Boynton scattered his mother's ashes into the Alabama River. Participants walked across Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge in a final tribute to Boynton Robinson who was beaten by law enforcement personnel during a civil rights march in March 1965. She passed away on August 26th at the age of 104. Funeral services for Boynton Robinson were held Saturday in Selma and Sunday in Tuskegee.
Davis Returns
Artur Davis is telling a Montgomery newspaper Wednesday that he may run for the Montgomery County Commission. The Montgomery Advertiser reports that Davis is exploring whether to run for the seat held by District One County Commissioner Dan Harris. Both Artur Davis and Dan Harris were defeated in the Montgomery mayoral race last month.