Commissioners Question Decision on County Attorney Jeff Sewell
Several Jefferson County commissioners say they still don’t know why commission president David Carrington decided to place county attorney Jeff Sewell on paid administrative leave. Carrington announced on Monday that he was placing Sewell on leave “pending a complete review of multiple issues on multiple fronts.” But al.com/Birmingham News quotes several commissioners who say they are shocked by the move and still don’t know what precipitated it. In a written statement released late Monday Sewell said
It is a lawyer’s duty to advise a client to obey the law. I have done that. Mr. Carrington’s attempt to silence that message signals a step backwards for Jefferson County.
On Friday, al.com/Birmingham News reported that Sewell sent commissioners a memo warning them about compliance with the county manager law.
Last fall, Sewell threatened to quit if the county did not raise his $375,000 salary. The commission gave in and offered him a $18,750 raise. An investigation by WBHM in 2010 revealed that Sewell is one of the highest paid county attorneys in the country.
Alabama to begin working with a consulting company that’s under criminal investigation
McKinsey & Company, an international consulting business, will help the state of Alabama develop a new strategic economic growth plan. The company is undertaking that project, while also dealing with a probe into whether it engaged in a criminal conspiracy.
‘Stupidity of politics’: Medicaid expansion effort dies in Mississippi
Mississippi lawmakers couldn’t come together to pass a bill that could have expanded Medicaid for thousands of residents.
This spiky-stemmed invasive grass is taking over Alabama
Classified as one of the worst weeds in the world, cogongrass aggressively crowds out native species and costs Alabama landowners tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue.
Gambling bill in doubt with three days left in the legislative session
Alabama lawmakers are coming down to the finish line for this year’s legislative session. Many bills await passage, but perhaps the biggest one up in the air is a lottery and gambling bill.
Pro-Palestinian demonstration draws counter-protest at University of Alabama
Students gathered demanding the school call for a permanent and immediate ceasefire and to push the school to sever ties with defense contractor Lockheed Martin.
A new Statehouse and related projects will cost about $400 million
The Alabama Legislative Council, a 20-member panel comprised of legislative leaders and their appointees, approved the construction of the new Statehouse last year. The panel was given an update on the project on Wednesday.
