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March is Women's History Month!

Revenue Building Ideas Focus of Special Session

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley is giving an open-ended call for next week's special session, saying lawmakers can address any measure that would provide revenue to the General Fund budget.  Bentley said lawmakers may also consider "any other measures" to provide money to the General Fund budget or boost state infrastructure.  Lawmakers have so far been unable to agree on how to handle a $200 million budget shortfall.  The special session begins Tuesday.  

Eggs and Issues

Montgomery native Congresswoman Martha Roby returned to her hometown Thursday for the "Eggs and Issues" breakfast event.  Roby addressed pressing issues that Congress will focus on once the session returns in January.  She talked about her plans to shed light on removing funding from Planned Parenthood.  Other topics raised included, President Obama's nuclear deal with Iran, changes within the Veterans Affairs and Roby's position on the Select Committee for Benghazi.

Federal Claim

A federal appeals court has ruled against Alabama's effort to close casinos run by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.  The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Alabama did not have a right to bring a federal claim to try to order the tribe's gambling operations.  The three-judge panel upheld a lower court's ruling that only the federal government could regulate the operations on tribal land.  Alabama had filed a lawsuit claiming that casinos were a nuisance to the people of Alabama.  Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange says he does not intend to appeal the ruling.  

Dropping Prices

The average price for a gallon of gasoline in Alabama has almost reached the $2 mark and could accomplish that feat in the coming weeks.  The current average cost is $2.06 a gallon, after dropping seven cents just this week and 21 cents over the last month.  Triple A spokesman Clay Ingram says crude oil prices have been undergoing a correction.  Even with the lower prices, Ingram recommends conserving fuel and price shopping in order to keep downward pressure on the market.  At this time last year regular unleaded gasoline in Alabama was $3.20 a gallon.