The Alabama Senate approved a proposed general fund budget Thursday. It appropriates over $3.7 billion for fiscal year 2025. The proposed budget is the largest in the state’s history. Last year’s general fund budget totaled over $3.1 billion. The budget also contains a 2 percent cost of living adjustment increase for state employees. This would begin on Oct. 1, 2024, the beginning of the next fiscal year. Greg Albritton, of Atmore, the Chairman of the General Fund Budget Committee tells The Alabama Political Reporter this provision was important because the funding was there and may help with retention.
The Alabama House of Representatives approved a bill this week that would make Juneteenth a state holiday. Unlike nearly every other state holiday it would not mandate that state offices close that day. Employees would have to choose whether to take that holiday off or Jefferson Davis’ Birthday, a state holiday marked on the first Monday in June. The Alabama Reflector notes the state marks Confederate Memorial Day on the fourth Monday of April and Robert E. Lee’s Birthday on the third Monday in January, the same day as Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Former Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely has been granted parole. The parole board voted 2-1 in favor. WHNT TV reports Blakely supporters filled the Board of Pardons and Paroles ahead of that vote with some, including a retired judge speaking on the former sheriff’s behalf. Blakely had been held in the Franklin County Detention Center since February 24, 2023.
The Huntsville City Council has voted to pass a resolution that would add more affordable housing to North Huntsville. The project would be built on Venona Avenue, just off Mastin Lake Road. WAFF TV reports the 42 multi-family units, will be for people who are homeless, vulnerable to homelessness or escaping a domestic violence situation. The development will be known as New Stone Commons Apartments.
Recent studies by Forbes and the American Veterinary Medical Association show Alabama is a great place to be a dog owner. Dog ownership in the state is among the highest in the nation, and the cost of owning a dog among the lowest. The AVMA reports Alabama has the 11th highest percentage of dog ownership, with 46.9% of households owning at least one canine. AL.com reports that in Alabama, more dog owners acquired their pets from a breeder (28%), than from a shelter (23.5%). Another 24% said they were given a dog.
The Greater Huntsville Humane Society and the Orion Amphitheatre will celebrate our furry friends this Sunday from one to five pm. Pup Palooza features live local music, pup-friendly vendors, food trucks, a puppy costume contest, a GHHS supply drive, Orion ticket giveaways, and much more. To learn more about Greater Huntsville Humane Society, visit their website at www.ghhs.org.