Alabama
Alabama workers slapped in the face with expiration of overtime pay tax cut: op-ed
This is a guest opinion column
Last year, when Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels led the bipartisan passage of the state tax exemption on overtime pay (the first of its kind in the nation), Alabama workers were ecstatic because it provided a meaningful way for them to combat the skyrocketing cost of living. They could immediately see the increase in their take-home pay– pay they earned by going above and beyond. Overtime pay that helped them offset rising grocery, utility, and rent bills. Maybe, even a little extra to put aside for the holidays.
But, with little warning, Republicans just slapped them in the face. Hard.
After voting unanimously last year to support the historic tax cut, including effusive praise from Governor Ivey and Republican leadership, they suddenly changed their minds this year and are now forcing the tax cut to expire in June.
Slap! How’s that feel?
You see, Republicans claimed without evidence that the tax cut was just too expensive, so instead of providing real relief to struggling Alabama workers and their families, they cravenly shaved another whole penny off the state’s regressive grocery tax. Talk about adding insult to injury at a time when eggs cost six dollars a dozen and ground beef is hitting historic highs— yeah, thanks a bunch guys for taking that one tiny penny off which will only save us one dollar for every hundred dollars we spend at the grocery store!
On top of that, they just increased the funding for the CHOOSE Act from $100 million to $180 million, which does nothing but divert even more public education money to for-profit private schools– schools with scant accountability that can raise their tuition at any time to increase their ever-growing profits.
Slapped again! And now we’re being told we should be grateful for that one bright, shiny penny and for helping rich kids continue their exclusive private education at “The Elite Academy for the Wealthy and Privileged!”
The irony here is overwhelming, especially as Republicans like Tommy Tuberville, have publicly stated that overtime pay should be exempt from federal taxes, as well. Like a broken clock that’s only right twice a day, Tuberville actually stumbled on a legitimate point here, because even he understands how more money in a worker’s paycheck goes right back into the local economy and still gets taxed.
The point is that Alabama workers need real relief in this time of historic economic uncertainty and fear. They don’t need to be slapped with what amounts to be the biggest tax increase on workers in Alabama history which will amount to over $300 million taken from their checks each year.
Not now, when Trump is telling us we can only buy two dolls and five pencils for Christmas because they’ll be more expensive— if we can even find them on the soon-to be empty shelves. Not now, when Alabama Republicans insist on using our public General Fund dollars to help finance billion dollar prisons that will be overcrowded and chock full of human rights abuses as soon as they are built. Not now, when we know that our state’s ETF budget is being played like three-card Monty at a carnival by some top Republican leaders and budget chairs to obscure how they are financing their own pet pork projects.
And it’s not just workers getting slapped around, it’s also employers and businesses that benefitted from the state tax exemption on overtime pay. That’s because it’s helped them keep trained, qualified workers on the production and service lines at a time when Alabama is facing labor shortages and low workforce participation rates.
Alabama Republicans made a serious mistake when they decided to slap Alabama workers with a big tax increase that they will immediately see in their smaller paychecks. On July 1st, that slap is really going to sting and Alabama workers aren’t just going to take that sitting down or let that slap go unanswered.
Alabama overtime workers need relief and we should be thankful for their extra effort, not penalizing them. Republicans better take heed and be careful when elections come in November, because they might just get slapped back hard– slapped right out of office and into reality.
State Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham, has served in the Alabama House of Representatives since 2002.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Jacob Crews scored 20, and Anthony Robinson II added 19 in Missouri’s 85-77 win over Alabama State on Thursday night.
Crews shot 7 of 9 from the field, including 6 of 8 from the 3-point arc. Mark Mitchell added 15 points for Missouri (9-2), and Sebastian Mack added 10.
The Tigers had a 15-0 run in the first half, heading into the locker room up 52-39. Alabama State was held scoreless over a 4:19 drought in the middle of the second half to open a 9-0 run for the Tigers. The Hornets (3-8) responded with their own 10-0 run to bring the game within eight, 74-62. The Tigers regained control, though, to keep their eight-point lead the rest of the game, handing Alabama State their fourth loss in a row.
The Tigers shot 65% (33 of 51). Both teams shot 50% from the free-throw line.
Alabama State outscored Missouri in the final period, 38-33. Asjon Anderscon scored 23 for the Hornets, leading all players in scoring.
Up next
Missouri hosts Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 14.
Alabama State travels to Cincinnati to face the Bearcats on Dec. 17.
___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Let’s crank up a Thursday edition of “The Joe Gaither Show on BamaCentral” with Mason Woods and Katie Windham as we start getting ready for next week’s College Football Playoff game between Alabama and Oklahoma. Windham detailed how the Crimson Tide can improve over the next few weeks, we discuss the team’s health and look back at our last road trip to Norman. The show then discusses the Heisman Trophy finalists before addressing a Kalen DeBoer coaching rumor.
The program opens by power ranking the holidays before discussing Windham’s three areas the Crimson Tide can improve over the next week. Our trio picks the easiest area the team can improve and how Alabama must perform in Norman. Windham details our last trip to Oklahoma as we go down memory lane to the Sooners’ 24-3 victory last season.
The show continues on by getting Windham’s thoughts on Alabama’a College Football Playoff selection and if the Crimson Tide actually deserved its place in the field. She brings up a unique aspect of Alabama’s blowout loss in the SEC Championship and how it played into the program’s inclusion in the College Football Playoffs.
We move from next week’s game into a small discussion on Notre Dame’s reaction of being left out of the field and how it relates to Alabama’s future home-and-home dates with the Fighting Irish. Will the two esteemed programs still face off in a few years?
The show heads into the only college football action of the weekend by highlighting the strong Heisman Trophy finalist field. Who brings home the bronze statue?
Lastly, we spend the final bit of the show talking about Michigan firing Sherrone Moore and the reports of the Wolverines considering persuing Kalen DeBeor for their next head coach. Will DeBoer leave Tuscaloosa for Ann Arbor?
We’re so appreciative of our sponsors who make the show possible. Check out Derek Daniel State Farm in Alabama for your insurance needs. We’re also proud to partner with Purple Turtle Roofing on the program. From your first call to the final nail, our mission is to make sure you feel confident, cared for, and covered, literally.
Call (205) 462-7340 Extension 800 to leave your thoughts in a voicemail, and you’ll be featured on the show. You can also join us live in the comment sections Monday through Friday at 8:15 a.m. CT.
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – As holiday deliveries ramp up, a new Alabama law aims to deter package theft by raising penalties for so-called “porch piracy.” The law, which went into effect on October 1, 2025, makes repeated package theft a felony and can carry prison sentences of up to 10 years in the most serious cases.
What changed
Previously, many package thefts in Alabama were charged as misdemeanor theft because the value of individual stolen packages often fell below felony thresholds. Under the new law however, lawmakers established penalties that focus on the number of homes targeted rather than the dollar value of items stolen:
- Stealing from 1 to 9 homes: most serious misdemeanor
- Stealing from 10 to 29 homes: felony
- Stealing from 30 or more homes: can result in up to 10 years in prison
The law also increases penalties if stolen packages are used to commit identity theft or fraud. In addition, anyone who knowingly receives packages stolen by a porch pirate can be charged under the new rules.
Lawmakers weigh in
Senator April Weaver, one of the bill’s sponsors, said the change was meant to protect Alabama families during the holidays.
“It was really important to protect the people not only in my district but throughout the state of Alabama and to make sure their hard-earned money is going to their children’s Christmas,” she said.
On camera, Senator Weaver added with holiday humor, “It means the Grinch may have stolen Christmas in Whoville, but if he does it in Alabama, he’ll have plenty of time in state prison for his heart to grow three sizes.”
What police recommend if your package is stolen
If you discover a stolen package, law enforcement recommends:
- Report the theft to police immediately.
- Preserve any doorbell or surveillance footage that may show the theft.
- Contact the delivery company right away to report the missing item.
- Consider requiring a signature on delivery to reduce the risk of theft.
The law went into effect on October 1, 2025; this December marks the first holiday season it is in effect. Alabama is now one of more than a dozen states that have passed laws specifically targeting package theft. Supporters say the law sends a stronger message that porch piracy will no longer be treated as a minor offense.
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