Tuesday is a potential watershed moment for gay and lesbian couples. After rapid changes that have made same-sex marriage legal in all but 14 states, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments over making it the law of the land. Governor Robert Bentley and Attorney General Luther Strange have urged the high court to uphold the ban on same-sex marriage.
Payday Limit
The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that the state Banking Department can establish a payday loan database to enforce an existing $500 limit on how much people can borrow at one time form the short-term lenders. Justices on Friday upheld a Montgomery's judge's ruling that the state was within its rights to establish the database. Payday lenders sued Alabama's Banking Department in 2013 to block creation of the system. Existing law prohibits people from taking more than $500 out in loans at one time.
Virtual Schools
So-called virtual schools could be established in Montgomery Public Schools as early as next year. The Montgomery County School Board will vote on whether to approve or not approve a new virtual school program. The program would allow 20 students in 10th and 11th grades to do classwork from computers and only require them to be a physical classroom for tests. If approved, the Virtual School Program will start in the Fall of 2015. The school board meets today at 5 p.m. in the Central Office auditorium on South Decatur Street.
Casino Gaming
The Alabama Senate's top Republican says he wants legislators to consider casino gaming and a lottery to help address a shortfall in the General Fund budget. At a news conference Monday afternoon, Senate Pro Tem Del Marsh of Anniston released the findings of a study conducted by Auburn University-Montgomery. Marsh said the state could take in as much as $400 million in revenue and create up to 11,000 new jobs. Political Science Professor, Dr. Brad Moody says gaming won't immediately solve the state's fiscal problems. Senator Marsh said he considers it an easy decision to seek legalize gambling over raising taxes.
Black Caucus
Lawyers for the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus are asking a federal court in Montgomery to toss out Alabama's legislative districts and hold new legislative elections next year. Lawyers for black legislators filed the motion Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court sent Alabama legislative districts back for additional review.