House Bill 1 -- New and improved!

This year's grocery tax bill will help families make ends meet without costing the state budget a cent. We've tweaked the details, but we haven't changed the core elements. The bill will remove the state portion -- 4 percent -- of the sales tax on groceries. To protect funding for schools, the lost revenue will be replaced by ending a huge tax deduction for the highest earners. Now 96 percent will pay less.

Read more here.

 
Arise Daily News Digest 2-8-2010

BIRMINGHAM NEWS - State senator warns that any attempted raid on Greenetrack will be “met with resistance.”

(MOBILE) PRESS-REGISTER - Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow (D-Red Bay) proposes changing state song to “Stars Fell on Alabama.”

BIRMINGHAM NEWS - Alabama’s open meeting law put to the test.

MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - Solution to PACT woes may squeeze state colleges.

MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - The Montgomery Advertiser calls for lawmakers to approve bill that would require to local governments to approve proposed landfills or they would be considered denied.

TUSCALOOSA NEWSThe Tuscaloosa News says that electronic bingo operations at Greenetrack fail to meet Supreme Court’s test.

DECATUR DAILY - Civil rights attractions draw tourists to Alabama.

DECATUR DAILY - The Decatur Daily looks at the battle over electronic bingo and the impact of money on politics.

ANNISTON STARThe Anniston Star calls for lawmakers “to do the right thing” and approve measure that would allow voters to decide whether to remove sales tax from food purchases.

WASHINGTON POST – Obama invites GOP to summit on healthcare.

WASHINGTON POST – Palin won’t rule out presidential run in 2012.

WASHINGTON POST - Columnist E.J. Dionne warns Democrats that they will surely face the wrath of voters if they fail on efforts to reform healthcare.

NEW YORK TIMES – With federal stimulus money gone, many schools face budget gaps.

NEW YORK TIMES – Columnist Paul Krugman blames Senate processes for threatening U.S., concluding that “America is not yet lost, But the Senate is working on it.”

HUNTSVILLE TIMES – Experts criticize Christian Coalition poll on electronic bingo as flawed.

BIRMINGHAM NEWS - ALDOT seeks public input on network of bicycle and pedestrian routes across state.

BIRMINGHAM NEWS - The Birmingham News says that court ruling that allows serial meetings of government bodies exposes a fatal flaw in state’s Open Meetings law.

BIRMINGHAM NEWS - The Birmingham News calls for lawmakers to approve proposal that would provide easier access to ballot.