A negative right restrains other persons or governments from acting on others. Positive rights provide the right holder with a claim against another person or the state. Understanding the difference between “negative” and “positive” rights is integral to comprehending the federal government’s deviation from the nature and bounds of the Constitution.
Public Education Employee Health Insurance Program (PEEHIP)
More than $11.9 billion in healthcare benefits have been promised to the more than 138,000 members of the state’s Public Education Employee Health Insurance Program (PEEHIP) and 147,000 of their dependents. In Alabama, the cost to the state for these unfunded liabilities is currently $864.5 million a year.
Regulating Tribal Gambling
Native American tribes in Alabama operate illegal gambling machines. At present, the office of the Attorney General is working with the NIGC to determine what influence the state may have to encourage the removal of the electronic bingo machines on tribal lands.
Rescuing Alabama’s PACT Program
Since 2007, Alabama’s Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (PACT) program has lost almost a quarter of a billion dollars of its value, more than any other state with a similar program. Not only has this 30 percent loss compromised the program’s ab ...
Richard Weaver – Ideas Have Consequences
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SCOTUS Ruling Impacts Alabama Immigration Reform
Four sections of Arizona’s immigration law were before the court, three of which are similar to provisions in Alabama’s law. Some provisions may be constitutionally suspect, given the Court’s ruling.
State Budget Consolidation
Alabama is one of only three states which formulate their education and general fund budgets separately. Consolidating budgets could increase flexibility to move funds to areas of need.
State Sponsored Lobbyists in Alabama
In 2010, 139 Alabama state employees were registered as lobbyists in Alabama, but no longer do as laws have changed. Individuals who still lobby for the state should still register but with no fee.
Strengthening Alabama’s Gambling Laws
Alabama Supreme Court cases have strictly defined what forms of gaming are legal in Alabama. In order to effectively deter would-be offenders, the punishment for owning and operating illegal gaming paraphernalia should be raised from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class C felony.