Steve Flowers Articles

Inside the Statehouse

By Steve Flowers Jim Oakley OPINION — A legend in Alabama newspaper, educational and political lore, Jim Oakley Jr. of Centreville turned 87 last month. Oakley is known statewide as the legendary owner, publisher and editor of the Centreville Press newspaper. However,...

Inside the Statehouse

Big Jim’s Show in 1962 Governor’s Race By Steve Flowers OPINION — The 1962 governor’s race was between George Wallace, James “Big Jim” Folsom and newcomer Ryan DeGraffenreid, a state senator from Tuscaloosa. Television had become the new medium. Therefore, Wallace,...

Inside the Statehouse

1962 Governor’s Race By Steve Flowers OPINION — It is hard to believe it has been 60 years since George Wallace’s first victorious race for governor. Let’s go down memory lane and reminisce about the 1962 governor’s race and Wallace’s classic inaugural victory. The...

Inside the Statehouse

By Steve Flowers State Legislature will Remain Republican Supermajority OPINION — The Alabama Legislature will remain a Republican supermajority for the next quadrennium. As the dust settles from the May/June party primaries, there have been negligible, if any, party...
Inside the Statehouse

Inside the Statehouse

By Steve Flowers Our Senior U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby turns 85 this week. In March, he reached another milestone – he surpassed Sen. John Sparkman as...

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Inside the Statehouse

Inside the Statehouse

By Steve Flowers Folks, taking care of prisoners is not a popular political issue. However, every so often, Alabama politicians pragmatically have...

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Inside the Statehouse

Inside the Statehouse

By Steve Flowers It is a foregone conclusion that a Republican will take out our anomaly liberal Democratic Sen. Doug Jones next year. The question...

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Inside the Statehouse

Inside the Statehouse

By Steve Flowers As I observe the legislature, it occurs to me that I am getting older. A lot of the legislators and lobbyists I have known over the...

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Inside the Statehouse

Inside the Statehouse

By Steve Flowers There is no question that Gov. Kay Ivey’s Infrastructure/Gas Tax Program was the cornerstone issue of this legislative session....

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Inside the Statehouse

By Steve Flowers After their successful special five-day Special Session, the Legislature has been in their regular session for a few weeks now. The...

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Inside the Statehouse

Inside the Statehouse

By Steve Flowers One of the obvious political changes in Alabama government over the last decades with the Republican takeover of the Legislature...

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Inside the Statehouse

Inside the Statehouse

By Steve Flowers Last week, we talked about the significance of roads and how important they are to the economic development of our state. We spoke...

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Inside the Statehouse

Inside the Statehouse

By Steve Flowers Gov. Kay Ivey made infrastructure improvement in the state her cornerstone issue for this year, and more importantly for her term...

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