Updates about what's happening on Goat Hill
How Republican Are They?
There’s always a lot of talk by Republican politicians about being “conservative”. There is fiscal conservatism and social conservatism. Some claim to possess both virtues.
But, in Alabama you might not ask the question ‘how conservative are they’, but instead ‘how Republican are they’? For two of the more talked about bills in recent years, these Alabama House Republicans voted in support of some very non-Republican like positions.
The first was the Gas Tax bill in 2019. Conservatives argued there should be an offset to the tax. But, these House Republicans voted “yes” to raising taxes with no offset. Raising taxes is more often associated with Democrats. Somebody might want to let them know about that fundamental Republican principle.
This past week, the same group voted “yes” for the “gambling” bill. The bill includes “Medicaid expansion” language that none of them want to discuss. Voting for a “gambling” bill that includes Medicaid expansion language is not exactly Socially or Fiscally Conservative. In fact, it goes against Republican free market principles. Medicaid expansion was a key component of the Democrat's ACA, known as Obamacare.
Like the Gas Tax bill, this bill was quickly moved though a state legislative body for a vote with little public debate. Maybe it is time for serious challengers to these “Republicans” whose votes on some big issues appear more like those of traditional Alabama Democrats.
Chris Blacksher | Phenix City |
Alan Baker | Brewton |
Chip Brown | Mobile |
Steve Clouse | Ozark |
Terri Collins | Decatur |
Danny Crawford | Athens |
Brett Easterbrook | Fruitdale |
Corey Ellis | Columbiana |
Chris England | Tuscaloosa |
Jim Hill | Moody |
Sam Jones | Mobile |
Nathaniel Ledbetter | Rainsville |
Paul Lee | Dothan |
Joe Lovvorn | Auburn |
Rhett Marques | Enterprise |
Ed Oliver | Dadeville |
Phillip Pettus | Green Hill |
Chris Pringle | Mobile |
Rex Reynolds | Huntsville |
Chris Sells | Greenville |
Ginny Shaver | Leesburg |
Matt Simpson | Daphne |
Jeff Sorrels | Hartford |
Tim Wadsworth | Arley |
Andy Whitt | Harvest |
Margie Wilcox | Mobile |
Debbie Wood | Valley |
"Goat Hill Scoop" includes opinion of the AlabamaFreePress.com