Latest news with #Ensler
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama House passes education budget, paving way for new student funding
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Lawmakers are hoping a $9.9 billion Education Trust Fund (ETF) will change the quality of learning for student in Alabama. That money will go towards everything from teacher salaries to after school programs, and even scholarships for students. 'Yeah, this is always an anxious time of year, because you never really know which way things are gonna go with the budget,' said Chilton County Schools Superintendent Corey Clements. For Clements, that anxiety is subsiding. That's because the House of Representatives passed a budget with school funding changes, and Clements hopes it will support more students in his county. 'We're really excited, not just to have the funding, but also to have the flexibility to use it how we see fit within our system and not be earmarked like a lot of things are,' said Clements. That flexibility could come in the form of a funding formula. Education budget chairman Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville) said schools will now receive money based on student need, rather than head count. He said this means more money for English language learners, low-income students and those in special education and gifted. 'It's transformative because, right now, the state is not providing a lot of support for ELL,' he said. 'Some of the districts have 30, 40% of ELL. That's a challenge for those districts. It dilutes resources they could otherwise spend elsewhere.' Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery) said Democrats are concerned about funding school choice. It's a tax credit public school students could use to attend private schools. Ensler said it takes away from public schools, but he said the budget is beneficial overall. 'I think, for students in Montgomery, but students anywhere in the state- having the funding based off of the needs of that district are much more equitable and a much fair, better way of doing it,' said Ensler. Students can also look forward to new career tech centers around the state, which has been allocated for in the budget. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said these will be critical. 'Less than 70% of our kids are going to college. We need to give them an opportunity to be successful,' said Ledbetter. 'With the career pathway diploma last year, I think it's essential that we have those facilities so they can learn some type of trade to be successful.' The budget passed in the House with amendments. Now, it'll go back to the Senate for final concurrence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tennessee taking action as Alabama Glock switch bill heads back to Senate
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — A bill banning Glock switches has been passed by both chambers in Alabama. It'll go back to the Senate after the House made changes to some of the wording. In Tennessee, lawmakers see it as a signal to take action in their own state. A bill by state Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery) makes it a class C felony to possess Glock switches of any kind. They're currently banned on the federal level, but Ensler said making it a state law allows for district attorneys to get involved. 'The hope is that we deter people in the first place,' Ensler said. 'If they know that there's a state level ban, and they know that Alabama is taking it seriously, hopefully, it'll stop people from having these in the first place.' That's why Tennessee state Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis) introduced a similar bill that would make the possession a class E felony in her state. She said if Alabama can do it, so can Tennessee. 'The fact that the state of Alabama has taken a bold and courageous step to pass the legislation in both chambers with bipartisan support is a signal to those state in the South, like Tennessee,' Lamar said. 'This is something that we can all agree on.' Alabama farmers brace for impact as China's tariffs take effect Lamar said the bipartisan effort in Alabama can encourage Tennesseans to get on board. 'That is something that we can rally behind as southern states and as states all a part of this union who want everybody to have access to life, liberty and a pursuit of happiness without a fear of gun violence,' Lamar said. Ensler said it will make a difference when it comes to gun violence. 'We know that it is an issue throughout the country, and it doesn't matter if it's a red state, a blue state,' Ensler said. 'It's a challenge that is everywhere.' Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey expressed her support for the bill on social media. On X, she stated the bill will allow law enforcement in Alabama to get illegal Glock switches off the streets. She also stated she looks forward to signing the bill into law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
